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Real Madrid’s new Galacticos: Hazard, Mbappe, Neymar and Eriksen on Zidane’s wishlist
Zidane prepares to spend big this summer to overhaul Bernabeu squad
Just 284 days since resigning from the Bernabeu top job the Frenchman is back at the helm following the sacking of Santiago Solari on Monday.
With Real out of the Champions League and 12 points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona, Zidane will be charged with overhauling a struggling squad at the end of the season.
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The Guardian’s Sid Lowe calls the re-hiring of Zidane a “masterstroke” while the Daily Mail’s Pete Jenson believes that his return is “great news for some, but for other stars it couldn’t be much worse”.
Here we look at who Zidane could target to bring success back to the Bernabeu and the players that could leave.
Zidane’s search for the new Galacticos
Hazard the No.1 target
The Daily Mail reports that Chelsea star Eden Hazard is Real Madrid’s top transfer target this summer. The Blues fear that they cannot stop the Belgian from leaving Stamford Bridge and ESPN says that the west London club will demand at least £100m for the 28-year-old.
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Chelsea defender Emerson Palmieri has admitted to Sky Sports that while the club’s players are “afraid” of losing their team-mate, he hopes Hazard will stay. Emerson said: “I personally cannot see him leaving, but you never know in football. Like Chelsea fans, we are afraid that he might leave, I still believe that he will stay and we really want him to stay.”
Meanwhile, The Guardian says that Hazard is “determined” to join Real now that Zidane has returned as head coach. The Daily Telegraph reports that Chelsea are “planning for life after Hazard”.
It’s not just Eden Hazard who is on Real’s shopping list. The Daily Mail says that a number of world stars are being considered for Zidane’s “summer transfer splurge”.
Liverpool striker Sadio Mane was linked with Real last year and he could again be a target for Zidane, as could Paris Saint-Germain duo Neymar and Kylian Mbappe and Manchester United’s Paul Pogba.
The Metro says that PSG head coach Thomas Tuchel has “laughed off” claims from Real president Florentino Pérez that Neymar and Mbappe are on the Madrid wishlist.
Ericksen wanted
Tottenham playmaker Christian Eriksen has recently been linked with a move to Real Madrid and the Daily Mirror reports that the Danish international is once again a target for the Spanish giants.
Tussle for Tagliafico
Ajax left-back Nicolás Tagliafico is a target for a number of European clubs. The Argentine has been linked with Arsenal but Real Madrid will hope to beat the Gunners to his signature. Liverpool, Manchester United and Atlético Madrid are also interested says The Guardian.
Militao on his way
Porto defender Eder Militao is expected to move to Real Madrid this summer, AS reports, with the Brazilian verbally agreeing a transfer.
(Image credit: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Who could leave Real Madrid?
It’s not just the in-tray that Zidane will have to deal with this summer. His squad overhaul could also see the departures of many stars from the Bernabeu.
Bale and Modric out, Eriksen in?
The Daily Mirror reports that Welsh international Gareth Bale will be used “as the bait” to land Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen.
This season Bale has failed to step into the shoes vacated by Cristiano Ronaldo and Real could use him as part of the deal to sign Eriksen.
According to Football.London Crotian midfielder Luka Modric has also been linked with a move to Arsenal or Inter Milan.
Busy out-tray
ESPN’s Gabriele Marcotti and Graham Hunter expect “a summer of change” in the Spanish capital.
The duo have analysed the current Real squad and among the players they think should be sold include goalkeeper Keylor Navas; defenders Marcelo and Theo Hernandez; midfielders Toni Kroos, Isco, Mateo Kovacic, James Rodriguez and Martin Odegaard; and forwards Gareth Bale, Mariano Diaz, Raul de Tomas and Borja Mayoral.
Marcotti and Hunter say: “Real Madrid will have money to spend, potentially more than anyone in history if they can shift even some of the players who need to be shifted.”
