With the La Liga title and UEFA Champions League double in hand, Real Madrid head into the 2022 summer offseason with a number of questions to answer.
The Real Madrid squad is aging, and while some younger players have climbed the ladder and established themselves as first-team regulars, they still rely on a number of older players and a succession plan will soon be required in the case of a few of them.
Karim Benzema, coming off a possible Ballon d’Or caliber season, is 34 years old, and an eventual decline is inevitable. Midfielder Toni Kroos is 32 years old and occasionally looked unable to keep up with the rigors of a full season, but his midfield partner Luka Modric still oozes quality at 36 years old. The club will keep all three around, but Los Blancos will surely be planning ahead.
Losing out to PSG for 23-year-old Kylian Mbappe was a painful blow, and Real Madrid’s response to the swing and miss could define the summer.
The Sporting News is rounding up the key updates — all day, every day — below.
REAL MADRID CONFIRMED DEALS:
Real Madrid transfer news
Last update: June 10
Los Blancos to recall Borja Mayoral as Karim Benzema back up
With a deal for German star Antonio Rudiger now complete, and Aurelien Tchouameni almost through the door, Real Madrid are refocusing on their attack for 2022/23.
Captain Karim Benzema remains undisputed as the focal point of the front line, but the veteran Frenchman will need a rest next season, particularly with the added load of World Cup duty.
Los Blancos have been linked with Gabriel Jesus, Darwin Nunez and Richarlison in recent weeks but reports from Diario Sport claim Carlo Ancelotti could make a more frugal choice.
Borja Mayoral has impressed on loan with Getafe in 2021/22, and Ancelotti is prepared to give him a chance to force his case in pre-season, with the 25-year-old a possible cheap squad option.
Man City and Real Madrid want Blues star Reece James
Real Madrid are considering a bold move for Chelsea star Reece James with Manchester City also monitoring the England full back.
Los Blancos are long term admirers of James, with several scouting missions sent from the Spanish champions to Stamford Bridge, despite his importance to Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Reports from the Daily Mail claim new owner Todd Boehly has not indicated his plans for James, and that stance will increase speculation over a possible exit, as Carlo Ancelotti looks for a successor to Spanish international Dani Carvajal in Madrid.
Dani Ceballos contemplating a Real Madrid departure
According to a report by Spanish publication Marca, midfielder Dani Ceballos is thinking about leaving the club this summer. Ceballos already played a bit-part role last season for Los Blancos, and the arrival of Aurelin Tchouameni plus the new Luka Modric deal could see him further down the depth chart.
The goal is for Ceballos to do his best to earn a spot in the Spanish national team for the upcoming World Cup. The Marca report identifies Real Betis as a possible landing spot, although the club has not made an offer. The 25-year-old has just one year left on his Real Madrid contract.
Gareth Bale ‘offered’ to Getafe following Real Madrid exit
Gareth Bale could be set for sensational stay in Madrid next season after being offered a short term deal at Getafe.
Bale confirmed he will leave Los Blancos when his contract expires at the end of June, after nine years at the club, and he plans to captain Wales at the World Cup.
The 32-year-old has been linked with a move to EFL Championship side Cardiff City, but Getafe president Angel Torres has thrown a wildcard into the mix by claiming they could swoop for the Welshman.
💥💥💥💥💥Ángel Torres
“Hace 45 minutos he hablado con el representante de Gareth Bale. Nos lo han ofrecido. Lo tenemos que estudiar con el cuerpo técnico y la dirección deportiva del Getafe.” pic.twitter.com/JnPcKk88Rf
— Alberto Fernández (@afernan9) June 8, 2022
Torres claimed Bale’s representatives have reached out to the club – based in the south of Madrid – and the offer will be now be considered, with Bale open to remaining in Madrid due to his family’s connections to the city.
Luka Modric confirms Real Madrid extension
Real Madrid have finally confirmed a contract extension for veteran star Luka Modric in the Spanish capital.
The Croatian stated his intention to sign another 12-month renewal at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu following their Champions League triumph in Paris.
Florentino Pérez 👕 @lukamodric10 #RealMadrid | #Modrić2023 pic.twitter.com/f6jc8FA9GB
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 8, 2022
Los Blancos have continued their policy of offering one-year deals to players aged 30 and over as Modric plays on with an eye on leading Croatia at the World Cup in Qatar.
The former Spurs midfielder has made 436 appearances in all competitions, since arriving in Spain in 2012, with three La Liga and five Champions League titles to his name.
Ferran Torres rejected Real Madrid switch
Barcelona star Ferran Torres has revealed he turned down a move to Real Madrid earlier in his career.
The Spanish international has opened up on his first season back in La Liga, after leaving Manchester City in January, and he is confident over Xavi’s project at the Camp Nou.
“I could have stayed at City and won many titles, but I wanted a new challenge. Signing for Barcelona is an honour, and when Xavi calls, it’s a no brainer”, he said via Marca.
“That Robert Lewandowski is motivated to come to Barcelona is a source of pride. I hope he reaches an agreement and joins.
🔝 Uno de los fijos de la @SeFutbol
🔵🔴 Importante en el proyecto de Xavi en el @FCBarcelona
🇪🇸 Con ganas de disputar su primer Mundial con España⚽️ @FerranTorres20, en el @partidazocope
📻 #PartidazoCOPE https://t.co/UXoRdiTT1e
— El Partidazo de COPE (@partidazocope) June 7, 2022
“When I was young I had several opportunities to sign for Real Madrid, but it was not the time. One offer was during the World Cup, but I went into the Valencia first team, and I think it has been good.
“With the other offers, I gave more importance to being closer to home and to staying with my family.”
Aurelien Tchouameni nears Madrid move
AS Monaco’s 22-year-old midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who was statistically one of the highest-rated midfielders in Ligue 1 last season, is a wanted man. His contract is up in the summer of 2024, and now could be the time for Monaco to cash in on its highly-rated youngster.
According to reports from The Athletic, Real Madrid have finally agreed a fee with AS Monaco with a final deal totalling in excess of £85m (€100m/$106.8m) with confirmation expected in the coming days.
An additional report from Diario AS adds Kylian Mbappe’s personal plea on PSG’s behalf drove up Tchouameni’s price, after Los Blancos originally offered £65m (€76.1m/$81.4m). Fabrizio Romano stated that PSG made the best offer, but the player pushed for Real Madrid.
UPDATE (JUN 10): Real Madrid’s swoop for Tchouameni will be wrapped up immediately after the UEFA Nations League break next week.
Los Blancos have reportedly agreed an €80m (£68m/$84.3m) fee with AS Monaco with the final details almost complete for the French international.
As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Tchouameni will undergo the final part of his medical in Paris, after Les Bleus final game this month, at home to Croatia on June 13.
Plan confirmed. Aurelién Tchouaméni will undergo final part of his medical tests and then sign as Real Madrid player right after France-Croatia game. ⏳⤵️ #RealMadrid
Paperworks already signed between clubs. https://t.co/2hVMZRnDSz
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 10, 2022
Raheem Sterling: Next attacking option for Real Madrid?
Another option for Real Madrid could be Man City winger Raheem Sterling, who has enjoyed success under Pep Guardiola. But with the prospect of reduced minutes after the arrival of Erling Haaland, he has yet to sign a contract extension and his current deal expires in summer 2023. Could Real Madrid make a run at the English international?
AS in Spain reports that Man City have offered Raheem Sterling to major European clubs. The Express in England reported in late May that Real Madrid are “lining up” a £50 million/$63 million offer for Sterling, testing Man City’s resolve given his contract situation.
Rafael Leao mega-deal after missing on Mbappe?
Just days after Real Madrid missed out in the chase for Kylian Mbappe, the club is now the subject of rumors of similarly audacious bids. AC Milan’s 22-year-old Portuguese winger Rafael Leao had a spectacular finish to the Serie A season, a key factor in the club’s successful run at the Italian scudetto. Real Madrid will have to test AC Milan’s resolve, as the Rossoneri will not want to lose their young star, but with two years left on his contract, now may be the time to collect top dollar.
A report by Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport stated that Real Madrid could prepare a massive bid worth $129 million (€120m / £102m) for Leao, but AC Milan sporting director Paolo Maldini considers Leao “untouchable.”
Eden Hazard loan unlikely: He has a point to prove
The Belgian international is making it abundantly clear that he wants to be around in 2022/23 to show why Real Madrid spent $155 million to acquire him from Chelsea.
Injuries have limited his ability to contribute though he was fit to play the 2022 Champions League final against Liverpool had Carlo Ancelotti opted to play him.
Hazard told Belgian outlet Het Laatste Nieuws that “the coach knows that I still have a contract until 2024. My first three seasons at Real have not gone well, so I want to show everyone what I can do.”
Real Madrid summer transfer window 2022
Players In:
| Date | Player | Position | Age | Club | Transfer/Loan Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2 | Antonio Rudiger | CB | 29 | Chelsea | Free Transfer |
Antonio Rudiger deal confirmed
On June 2, Real Madrid finally announced the signing of German defender Antonio Rudiger on a free transfer from Chelsea.The talented 29-year-old has agreed a four-year deal with the club.
🙌 #WelcomeRüdiger 🙌 pic.twitter.com/rP2yFOjse1
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 2, 2022
Players Out:
| Date | Player | Position | Age | Club | Transfer/Loan Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30 | Gareth Bale | RW | 32 | Out of Contract | Free Transfer |
| June 30 | Marcelo | LB | 34 | Out of Contract | Free Transfer |
| June 30 | Isco | CAM | 30 | Out of Contract | Free Transfer |
Below is the updated Real Madrid first-team roster. New additions during the summer 2022 window are noted in bold:
Goalkeepers (2): Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin
Defenders (7): Antonio Rudiger (CB) David Alaba (CB), Dani Carvajal (RB), Nacho Fernandez (CB), Miguel Gutierrez (LB), Ferland Mendy (LB), Eder Militao (CB), Lucas Vazquez (RB), Antonio Rudiger (CB).
Midfielders (6): Eduardo Camavinga (CM), Casemiro (CM), Dani Ceballos (CM), Toni Kroos (CM), Luka Modric (CM), Federico Valverde (CM).
Forwards (7): Marco Asensio (RW), Karim Benzema (CF), Mariano Diaz (CF), Eden Hazard (LW), Luka Jovic (CF), Vinicius Junior (LW), Rodrygo (RW).
CB = center back; LB = left back; RB = right back; CM = central midfielder; CAM = attacking midfielder; CF = center forward; LW = left wing; RW = right wing
The current Real Madrid projected first-choice starting lineup, when completely healthy, currently looks like:
Real Madrid projected starting XI (4-3-3, left to right): Courtois (GK) — Mendy, Rudiger, Militao, Carvajal — Kroos, Casemiro, Modric — Vinicius, Benzema, Rodrygo.
REAL MADRID ANALYSIS:
