Real Madrid News
Real Madrid will keep a close eye on the World Cup in search of a new No. 9
Over the years, Real Madrid have made it a tradition of sorts to sign players after their explosive performances in the World Cup. Ronaldo arrived after his exploits for Brazil in 2002, and Fabio Cannavaro was signed after leading Italy to the World Cup triumph in 2006.
Mesut Ozil, Angel Di Maria and Sami Khedira were signed in 2010 while Toni Kroos, James Rodriguez and Keylor Navas were brought in after the 2014 edition. Los Blancos then signed Thibaut Courtois in 2018 after Belgium’s semi-final run in the World Cup in Russia.
And the latest edition of the World Cup in Qatar could see Real Madrid adopting a similar strategy, with AS reporting that the Merengues will have their eyes fixed on the tournament in Qatar in search of a new No. 9.
Real Madrid have Karim Benzema as their ace striker at the moment and while he has enjoyed a spectacular 2022, the Frenchman has struggled with injuries of late and will be turning 35 next month.
Meanwhile, Mariano Diaz is out of favour and could be allowed to leave as early as January. Rodrygo Goes has done fairly well when asked to operate as a striker, but reports indicate that manager Carlo Ancelotti is seeking a proper centre-forward to bolster his squad.
So, Real Madrid will keep their eyes out for a No. 9 at the World Cup, although it must be noted that it does not alter their plans to sign Erling Haaland in the summer of 2024 when his alleged €180 million release clause with Manchester City becomes active.
What will be interesting to see is whether they go for a young striker who can be nurtured or an established veteran who can be a stop-gap solution until 2024 when they plan to move for Haaland.
Although Antonio Rudiger has had success since joining Real Madrid last summer, the club are in need of more depth and players that can form the backbone of the defensive unit in the years to come.
As part of their plans, Real Madrid are prioritising a move for Josko Gvardiol in the coming summer, reports 90 Min.
The outlet suggests Gvardiol will be one of the most wanted prospects in the market, with both Real Madrid and Manchester City eyeing a move for the Croatian international come the end of the season.
Formerly of Dinamo Zagreb, Gvardiol has enjoyed immense success since his move to the Bundesliga in 2021. He has impressed onlookers with his skill, organisation and discipline, which, coupled with his versatility, make him an appealing target for any European giant.
Gvardiol was also one of the top performers at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, helping Croatia finish third in the competition. His performances have not gone unnoticed, with Real Madrid among the clubs who have been keeping an eye on the defender for a while now.
However, signing Gvardiol will be a tricky task for Los Blancos. The player still has a long-term contract at Leipzig and could cost up to €85 million, as reported by 90 Min. Not to mention, the competition from Man City could be significant.
Real Madrid have no shortage of alternatives, though, with the club notably closely monitoring Portuguese defensive whizkid Antonio Silva, among others. So it will be interesting to see how the Spanish giants approach the market in this coming summer.
