MU Shorts
The final pieces: Three signings Real Madrid should make to complete a perfect summer transfer window
Real Madrid’s summer transfer window has already been one of the busiest in Europe, but there is a growing feeling that the club’s business is not finished yet.
After ending the previous season without lifting a major trophy, Los Blancos have moved to strengthen key areas of the squad.
The arrivals of Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Marc Cucurella and Bernardo Silva have addressed several concerns, particularly in defence and midfield.
However, when looking at the current Real Madrid squad, the board feels that there are still opportunities to improve both the starting XI and the long-term future of the project.
On that note, Jose Mourinho and Florentino Perez are understood to be assessing the market for players capable of making an immediate impact while also fitting the club’s long-term vision.
On that note, here we look at the three signings that could complete the perfect transfer window for Real Madrid.
Alessandro Bastoni – A Schlotterbeck alternative

Even after signing Ibrahima Konate, Real Madrid could still benefit from adding another elite centre-back.
It must be remembered that the club had been strongly linked with Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck before his serious ankle injury complicated matters.
With uncertainty surrounding his recovery, Real Madrid may need to look elsewhere for defensive reinforcements.
That is where Alessandro Bastoni enters the conversation.
The Italian international has established himself as one of Europe’s most complete defenders.
Comfortable carrying the ball forward, strong in aerial duels and capable of operating in both a back four and a back three, Bastoni would bring versatility as well as leadership.
At 27 years of age, he is entering his peak years and would immediately improve Real Madrid’s defensive depth.
More importantly, he possesses the composure and technical ability needed to thrive under pressure at the Santiago Bernabeu.
A transfer fee in the region of €70 million would not be cheap, but top defenders rarely are.
If Real Madrid want another proven centre-back, Bastoni should be near the top of their shortlist.
Michael Olise – The next Galactico

Few players in European football have generated as much excitement over the past year as Michael Olise.
The Bayern Munich winger has been repeatedly linked with Real Madrid despite the club publicly denying reports of direct contact.
Despite these developments, his name refuses to disappear from transfer discussions, largely because he fits the profile of a player Florentino Perez has traditionally admired.
Olise offers creativity, goals, assists and unpredictability. He is capable of deciding matches with a single moment of brilliance and possesses the type of technical quality that instantly excites supporters.
From a sporting perspective, the idea is easy to understand because a front three of Vinicius Jr., Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise would arguably be the most dangerous attacking unit in world football.
The challenge, of course, is convincing Bayern Munich to negotiate. The German champions have no desire to lose one of their biggest stars and any deal would likely require an enormous financial commitment.
Yet if Real Madrid are searching for a genuine Galactico signing capable of defining an era, few names make more sense than Olise.
Ayyoub Bouaddi – Talent meets longevity

Real Madrid’s transfer strategy has often been at its best when identifying young talents before their market value explodes.
Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, Arda Guler and Endrick all arrived with huge potential, and Ayyoub Bouaddi appears to fit the same mould.
The Lille midfielder has emerged as one of the standout young players of the World Cup, combining technical quality, maturity and tactical intelligence well beyond his years.
His performances for Morocco have already attracted attention from several of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Real Madrid.
What makes Bouaddi particularly appealing is the balance between present quality and future potential.
While names such as Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister continue to be linked with Real Madrid, both would require enormous investments.
On the other hand, Bouaddi represents a more sustainable solution, offering long-term value while still possessing the quality to contribute immediately.
Simply put, Real Madrid will eventually need another midfielder capable of controlling games and leading the next generation, and Bouaddi looks like a player who could develop into exactly that.
Matches
Bernardo, Guler start in a 4-2-3-1: How Real Madrid can line up against Real Betis
Real Madrid will be eager to move to the top of the La Liga standings as they get set to take on Real Betis in a Matchday 4 fixture in La Liga tonight.
Under new manager Jose Mourinho, the Merengues have made a strong start to the season, winning three in three, with their latest match ending in a 4-0 triumph against Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The fact that superstars like Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr. have made strong starts to the season, while new signings Marc Cucurella and Ibrahima Konate have also made positive impact bodes well for Los Blancos.
The aim will be to secure their fourth victory in a row and continue building the momentum especially with the UEFA Champions League opener against Inter Milan coming up next.
Going into the game, though, Real Madrid will once again be without as many as seven players as Aurelien Tchouameni, Endrick, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo Goes, Thiago Pitarch, and Raul Asencio remain unavailable.
New teenage signing Sergio Martinez has been named in the squad and could be in line for his debut at Estadio de La Cartuja tonight.
Having made some rotations to the starting XI last time out against Malaga, here’s how Mourinho could set his Real Madrid team up tonight.
Defence
Thibaut Courtois is a confirmed starter in goal for Real Madrid and will be looking for his second clean sheet of the new campaign.

As for the defensive line, there is likely to be only one change with Ibrahima Konate coming back into the team in place of Antonio Rudiger, who made his first start of the season vs Malaga.
Dean Huijsen has been a constant fixture at the heart of the defence so far and that is unlikely to change.
At right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold appears set to retain his place after an impressive display in his first start of the season last weekend. It means, new signing Denzel Dumfries will remain on the bench. Marc Cucurella, meanwhile, should start again on the left side.
Midfield
Bernardo Silva was one of the players that Mourinho rotated against Malaga, and is expected to return to the lineup tonight against Real Betis.
The Portuguese international has done fairly well in his new role as part of the double pivot alongside Federico Valverde, who will retain his place in the team.
It would mean Eduardo Camavinga misses out after having a decent game on his first start of the season last weekend.
Jude Bellingham has been in spectacular form since the start of the season, already racking up two goals and two assists from three games. Back in his preferred role as an attacking midfielder, he will start there again tonight.

Attack
Moving into the attacking unit, Mourinho is expected to make one key change as Arda Guler should replace Brahim Diaz on the right flank after scoring Real Madrid’s fourth goal against Malaga coming on as a substitute.
What it also means is that blockbuster summer signing Yan Diomande will have to wait for his first start for Real Madrid.
Kylian Mbappe has already scored four goals in three games, making a blistering start to the season and will be aiming to build on that as he chases a hat-trick of Pichichi Trophies.
Rounding off the attacking trident will be superstar Vinicius Jr., who will also be hoping to get among the goals.

