REAL MADRID are set to look a lot different next season.
The LaLiga giants are reportedly about to undergo a huge summer overhaul as Zinedine Zidane seeks to freshen up his squad and get them ready to challenge for the Champions League once again.
Paul Pogba could be part of a major Real Madrid re-buildCredit: Reuters
Erling Haaland is on the Spanish giant’s radarCredit: AP:Associated Press
Things have gone a little stale at the Bernabeu since Zizou and Co sealed their third consecutive European crown back in 2018 – but the signings of the likes of Paul Pogba and Erling Haaland could be about to change all that.
According to AS, Pogba will once again be on the agenda in the summer, with Zidane desperate to sign his compatriot.
This could lead to conflict with the club’s board, however, who would prefer to sign 23-year-old Napoli schemer Fabian Ruiz instead.
Fabian is a far less glamorous name than that of the Manchester United man, but the six-cap Spanish international could be an ideal long-term replacement for Luka Modric.
Zidane is a staunch believer in Pogba, however, and may dig his heels in for the divisive Old Trafford star.
Borussia Dortmund’s teenage sensation Erling Haaland is also set to be on the agenda.
The 19-year-old only joined the Bundesliga side from RB Salzburg in January – but having hit the ground running with 12 goals in his first 11 games – could be on the market AGAIN come the end of the season.
Haaland joined Dortmund for £18.5million, but his contract reportedly contains a £63million release clause, which would seem like small change to top clubs after his electrifying start to life in Germany.
Some of Zidane’s rebuild could also come from within, with the 47-year-old looking at potentially re-integrating two players currently out on loan.
Haaland’s compatriot Martin Odegaard joined Real Madrid at just 16 back in 2015 – but having initially struggled, the now 21-year-old has found some form while being borrowed by Real Sociedad.
With seven goals and eight assists this season, the creative midfielder has proven that he may in fact become a useful asset for his parent club.
Another on the agenda is Achraf Hakimi.
The livewire Moroccan full-back made a first-team breakthrough at the Bernabeu in the 2017-18 season as a teenager.
But after failing to dislodge Dani Carvajal as first-choice right-back, was farmed out to Dortmund on a two-year loan.
Martin Odegaard may be given a Real Madrid reprieveCredit: Corbis
Achraf Hakimi had a run in the team two seasons agoCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Having impressed in Westphalia, however, Hakimi could be back and ready to make an impact next season – although Chelsea are rumoured to be in interested.
And if he were to depart for West London, he would unlikely be the last player to leave the Bernabeu in the summer.
High-profile high earners like Modric, Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez could all be shipped off as part of the club’s latest revamp – in order to make way for fresh talent.
Man United, Arsenal and Chelsea on alert as Real Madrid put Bale, Modrić and James up for sale to boost transfer funds
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
