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It is true that Juventus, who were earlier known to suffer from their precarious financial condition, ended up signing arguably the biggest name on the January transfer window – Dusan Vlahovic. Nevertheless, his transfer to the Bianconeri is not expected to have the same effect as Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid.
Photo by Vienna Reyes on Unsplash
Is Mbappe the final piece of the Madrid puzzle?
The Frenchman has long been associated with a move to Los Blancos and his move is all but sealed and expected to be announced as the first signing of summer 2022. According to reputed German news outlet BILD, Real Madrid and Mbappe have agreed to personal terms of contract, with only Paris Saint-Germain’s say in the transfer remaining to be seen. The Parisians have virtually given up efforts to keep the World Cup winner in the club’s ranks, given the lack of coherency in negotiations for a renewed contract that was expected to see him extend from his current expiration date of June 2022.
His Bosman transfer to Carlo Ancelotti’s team, just like Vlahovic’s move from Fiorentina, will make him one of football’s highest ever earners with a wage of €50m net-per-season. It is well known that not many teams can afford the glamorous wages that the Santiago Bernabeu outfit can produce, making it a mouth-watering destination for world-class players.
Over the years, the white jersey has been adorned by innumerable superstars. The last of which left a gaping hole in attack that Madrid have only just recovered from. Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo left in 2018, along with Zinedine Zidane at the end of the season, leaving a huge void that Zizou himself managed to cover up with a La Liga title victory in the pandemic-hit 2019/20 season. But nothing was ever to be the same again, with Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, Ronaldo and Zidane all gone.
That all seems to be changing now, as Real Madrid are back on the pedestal of Spain’s top division and look like the legendary Los Blancos everyone knows, even without managing to onboard any new signings in January. Mbappe’s inclusion in the team is only going to boost Madrid’s chances of winning every competition they play in.
Imagine a Mbappe-Haaland duo
If only Mbappe’s transfer is exciting, imagine what Erling Haaland will add to Les Merengues’ already scary frontline. There has been immense speculation surrounding a blockbuster swoop for both Haaland and Mbappe, as Real Madrid seek to revive the glory days of unstoppable dominance.
It goes without saying that 34-year-old veteran striker Karim Benzema is nearing the latter stages of his glorious career in the white jersey. The versatile forward’s presence in the club’s ranks is undisputed – talk about being Real Madrid’s go-to striker for more than a decade. Even Ronaldo didn’t last that long.
He will be expected to play the role of a guru to the two young forwards, that is, if both end up signing for Madrid, by handing down his ferocious goalscoring skills to the already-ferocious talents of the new generation. Haaland’s prowess in front of goal as a pure poacher makes him more of a direct replacement for Benzema, than Mbappe, who is known for his sublime speed and trickery on the wings.
However, the problem lies in eternal rivals Barcelona’s interest in the Norwegian marksman, as they are keen to avoid seeing Madrid snap up two of this generation’s most skillful talents. Blaugrana center-back Gerard Pique has even slyly warned Haaland of moving to the same team as Mbappe, citing future Ballon d’Or concerns.
Is Barca’s downfall coincidental?
With the departure of Lionel Messi to PSG, Barca are facing arguably their most hazy season in more than fifteen years. La Pulga’s exit dictates the start of a new era at Camp Nou but not everything has gone according to plan, even with the appointment of club legend Xavi Hernandez in the dugout. Most recently, in mid-January, they lost the Spanish Supercup final to Real Madrid, before crashing out of the Copa Del Rey at the hands of Athletic Club only a week later.
Only time will tell if Clasico rivals Real Madrid will take advantage of Barca’s precarious position – both on and off the pitch. Although, one thing is for sure: it is the former who look comfortably dominant of late, in stark contrast to the Catalonian giants’ hapless mismanagement.
According to statistics provided by the best betting sites, Real Madrid are well on the way to their 35th La Liga title, as opposed to any of their Spanish rivals who are against all-odds to stop Los Blancos. With the aforementioned resource, one can gain a deep understanding of available betting markets, along with the knowledge required to place one’s hands. Players, whether old or new, can also benefit from a wide range of rewards and bonuses such as free bets, loyalty points, accumulator schemes and cashbacks.
The record European champions Madrid are well on their way to establish another era, perhaps a ‘Galactico 2.0’ version which will include some of the most glittering stars in world football, one of which is bound to be Kylian Mbappe.
