Real Madrid could turn to Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski in the transfer market next summer if they miss out on primary ‘number nine’ target Erling Haaland.
Real are also expected to go after Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba and Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe, both of whom could be available as free transfers.
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The overdue squad overhaul at the Bernabeu has already kicked off this summer with the capture of Eduardo Camavinga for €40m and the arrival of David Alaba as a free agent. But it must continue if the club is to once again be competitive at the highest level in Europe.
Real tried to sign Mbappe during the final days of the summer transfer window but were unable to convince PSG to sell. Instead, they will now be able to wait for him to run down his contract – assuming he decides against signing a fresh deal in Paris – but still want a central striker.
AS notes that Los Blancos ideally want that to be Haaland, who has continued his sensational scoring form for Borussia Dortmund at the start of this season. He only recently turned 21 and offers enormous long-term potential, in addition to being a readymade world class player.
But competition for the Norwegian’s signature is set to be fierce. He has a €75m release clause that becomes active at the end of the season, capping his transfer fee way below his real market value, with Manchester City, Manchester United, Bayern and PSG all linked.
For Real, a shorter term option would therefore be Lewandowski. By next summer, the veteran Pole will be close to 34 but will only have one year left on his contract at Bayern. It is claimed that he will formally ask to leave the Bundesliga champions at that point.
Suggestions that Lewandowski is ready to seek a new challenge are not new. It was reported last month that he is considering his future at Bayern and was frustrated by the club’s unwillingness to sell him this year for a realistic price, having valued him at over €100m.
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