Real Madrid's dream end to the summer transfer window

Real Madrid have started to combine their usual Galacticos approach to transfers with a policy focused on recruiting the world's best young players.

They won the race to sign Jude Bellingham this summer, adding him to a stacked squad that already contains the likes of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.

That said, there are still some rather glaring Karim Benzema-shaped holes that Los Blancos could do with addressing before Friday's transfer deadline.

Here's Real Madrid's ideal end to the 2023/24 summer transfer window.

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Real Madrid's summer transfers so far

Ins:

• Fran Garcia (DF) - Rayo Vallecano - £4.3m
• Jude Bellingham (MF) - Borussia Dortmund - £88.5m
• Joselu (FW) - Espanyol - Loan
• Arda Guler (MF) - Fenerbahce - £25.8m
• Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK) - Chelsea - Loan

Outs:

• Marco Asensio - Paris Saint-Germain - Free transfer
• Karim Benzema - Al Ittihad - Free transfer
• Eden Hazard - Unattached - Free transfer
• Mariano Diaz - Unattached - Free transfer
• Jesus Vallejo - Granada - Loan
• Antonio Blanco - Deportivo Alaves - £3.4m
• Sergio Arribas - Almeria - £6.9m

Which positions do Real Madrid need to strengthen in?

Real Madrid need a striker. They'd do well to survive the season without one that isn't named Joselu.

Any competent centre forward would do, but at this rate, Joselu looks likely to end the 2023/24 campaign with too many appearances to his name.

A long-term injury to Eder Militao could also force Real Madrid into the market for a new centre-back, though David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger should provide the requisite cover.

Which players are Real Madrid targeting?

It's quite obvious the man Real Madrid want is Kylian Mbappe. At this stage though, they seem happy to hedge their bets on signing him for free when his PSG contract expires next summer.

The Spanish press claim that Real Madrid have been inundated with offers to sign some of Europe's misfiring forwards, with Manchester United's Anthony Martial linked with a move in recent days.

Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes is said to be on their radar, and though he has been used sparingly by Mikel Arteta so far this season, it'd take a huge offer to pry him away from the Gunners.

Real Madrid's main problem is they've spent most of their summer budget already and would need to raise considerable funds through sales in order to fund a lavish end to the window.

Which players could leave Real Madrid?

The aforementioned Aurelien Tchouameni has been linked with a move to Liverpool, though Real Madrid have insisted he is not for sale.

Fringe full-backs Alvaro Odriozola and Ferland Mendy have been tipped to leave the Santiago Bernabeu all summer long though of yet have not fetched considerable offers.

Backup goalkeeper Andriy Lunin was pushed down the pecking order again with the arrival of Kepa Arrizabalaga and may pursue other opportunities. Real Madrid have been touted with an interest in Getafe stopper David Soria, who came through their youth system.

Ultimately, Real Madrid may have to dive headfirst into potential Financial Fair Play trouble in order to finalise the summer of their dreams.

Real Madrid's dream end to the summer transfer window

Ins

• Kylian Mbappe (FW) - Paris Saint-Germain - £150m
• Gabriel Magalhaes - Arsenal - £55m

Outs

• Alvaro Odriozola - Real Sociedad - £10m
• Ferland Mendy - Arsenal - £15m
• Andriy Lunin - Getafe - £10m

LISTEN NOW TO 90MIN'S TALKING TRANSFERS PODCAST

On this edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders is joined by Toby Cudworth and Graeme Bailey to discuss Man Utd's links to Marc Cucurella and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Romelu Lukaku's impending exit from Chelsea, West Ham's attempts to revive a deal for Harry Maguire & more!

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