At Real Madrid, it could be said that there are two different transfer markets this summer. An emergency market to solve the serious problems that have been experienced during the season and that they wanted to improve ahead of the Club World Cup. Signings against the clock focused mainly on the defensive line. On the other hand, there are the more carefully considered signings that are expected after the FIFA tournament in the United States. These would include a central midfielder, although Fran Mastantuono, a creative and organizing player, has already been signed, and a number 9 to strengthen the Merengue attack.
Joselu’s departure has been noticed
An emergency player, a low-profile bench player, but decisive when he takes the field. That was Joselu at Real Madrid, playing a key role in the team’s run to last year’s Champions League final. A pure striker who is in the right place at the right time, something that has been missing this season after the player’s departure for Arab football.
The Whites’ season, precisely because of the lack of a new Toni Kroos, has struggled to create chances and connect with the attacking players. For this reason, on several occasions, the team has opted to send long balls into the box, where there has been no reference point. Neither Vinicius nor Mbappé are true number 9s, and both tend to drift out wide, leaving the box unmanned.
Real Madrid does not rule out departures in attack
In addition to the lack of a reference point, Real Madrid has not ruled out that after the World Cup, some of the players who have been questioned throughout the season could end up leaving, leaving an even bigger hole in the attack. This season, the only pure number 9 in the squad is the young Endrick, who, although he has had some great moments in the Copa del Rey, has been a bit of a disappointment as he is not what the team needs. He is currently injured and will not be able to travel to the United States.
In attack, there is also Rodrygo, who has been the talk of the town, and not for the right reasons. The Brazilian has suffered a dip in form and a goal drought which, added to the criticism, has taken its toll on his morale, leaving him out of the team in the last few games of the season. Arsenal want him and are willing to put a lot of money on the table, so his departure cannot be ruled out.
A new profile for the number 9
With this in mind, Real Madrid has been scouring the market in search of strikers. Although the names that have been mentioned most are players such as Budimir, from Osasuna, who is already in his thirties, experienced and willing to take on a perhaps more secondary role in the team, there is another name on the list that would be the complete opposite: a young player with talent and potential.
We are talking about Nick Woltemade (Stuttgart, 23 years old). This season, the striker, who is a teammate of another target in the Real Madrid market, Angelo Stiller, has scored 17 goals and provided three assists in 33 games played. His good numbers have attracted a lot of interest in the market. According to the website Caught Offside, teams such as Real Madrid, Atlético, Arsenal, Liverpool, West Ham, Brighton, Everton, Bayern Munich, Napoli, and AS Roma are following the player. The aforementioned source says that his transfer could be around €50 million, as he has a contract until 2028.