LaLiga is already out of reach and Real Madrid has little or no incentive left beyond the Club World Cup. The Whites have had a season that leaves much to be desired and will try to finish as best they can in their two remaining games against Sevilla and Real Sociedad. This will be no easy task given the current state of the squad, which has up to 11 players out injured.
In the last league game against Mallorca, Ancelotti had to call on the youth team to fill in for the injured Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Rüdiger, Alaba, Mendy, Lucas Vázquez, Camavinga, Rodrygo, Brahim, Vinicius, and Lunin. This long list of injuries has been one of the biggest problems for the team throughout the season.
Given the current situation, Real Madrid has decided to take action and speed up negotiations for new signings ahead of the Club World Cup and the arrival of Xabi Alonso on the bench. They do not want the Tolosa-born coach to inherit the problems Ancelotti has had, and to that end, reinforcements are already on their way.
Arnold and Huijsen, the first
The first player Real Madrid has signed, although it is not yet official, is Trent Alexander-Arnold to occupy the right side of the defense and compete with Dani Carvajal for the position. His arrival has definitively sealed the fate of Lucas Vázquez, who has performed well below the level required at a club like Real Madrid, which must fight for titles.
The second signing that seems to be more than on track is Dean Huijsen for the center of the defense. The signing of the national team center back has accelerated in recent days. The main issue in the negotiations was to significantly reduce the release clause stipulated at £50 million. However, according to MARCA, there will be no reduction and Real Madrid will pay the full amount. The Whites will pay the £50 million clause (around €59.3 million) in three installments.
Álvaro Carreras close to signing for Real Madrid
The player who looks set to be the third signing of the season will also arrive to bolster the defense. The Whites have been scouring the market for months in search of a player for the left side of the defense and it seems that they have chosen their favorite candidate, Álvaro Carreras.
Everything points to the Benfica left-back arriving at Real Madrid in time to join Xabi Alonso’s team for the Club World Cup. The Spanish player will sign with Real Madrid for six seasons. The Whites will finalize the signing of Álvaro Carreras after the Portuguese Cup final on May 25.
A midfielder, a goalkeeper, a number 9, and… something else?
Beyond these three signings that seem to be a done deal, Real Madrid has other targets in the market, although it is not clear whether they will arrive before the World Cup or later in the summer. Throughout the season, the Whites have been looking for the new Toni Kroos, a compass for the midfield who is a priority target for this summer.
In addition, the possible departure of Lunin this summer is looming on the horizon, so Real Madrid is keeping an eye on the goalkeeper market to find a replacement for the Ukrainian who could be the future heir to Courtois. Xabi Alonso will be key in the decisions and everything points to the coach wanting to sign a pure number 9, a Joselu type of player who has been missing this season and who could become even more necessary if Rodrygo leaves.
These are the priorities in a transfer market where surprises cannot be ruled out. There is considerable concern about the defense after this season’s experiences, and the arrival of another center back or even another left back cannot be ruled out given the lack of confidence in Fran García and the complications with Mendy’s injury.