The midfield has been the focus of attention at Real Madrid for months. Since Toni Kroos’ departure last summer, it has been clear that the Whites are missing a guiding light in that area of the pitch. The club has seen its play lose fluidity and is clear that it needs reinforcements. Mastantuono is expected to be officially signed in the coming hours, but he may not be the only one to arrive over the summer. However, if several players arrive, there could be departures.
The need in midfield
Since the departure of Toni Kroos, now joined by Luka Modric, the Whites have lost their guiding light in midfield and needed to take action this summer without fail. Different names have been mentioned for months, but everything points to Mastantuono being the first to sign for the wide area of the pitch. The 17-year-old Argentine player has won over Real Madrid, who went all out for a signing that has been completed in record time for a fee of around €50 million. Despite his young age, the midfielder has shown great maturity with the ball, vision, and great touch.
It is not ruled out that, in addition to his arrival, another signing with a more experienced profile in European football and a different playing style could be finalized. In this regard, there has been much talk in recent weeks about Angelo Stiller. The German midfielder has a very similar profile to Toni Kroos and plays for Stuttgart, which could let him go for a fee of around $30-40 million.
In addition, for months, Martín Zubimendi has been the favorite. The player is very much to the liking of Xabi Alonso, who already coached him at Real Sociedad B and with whom he also shares an agent. The Whites had ruled out signing him after Arsenal agreed to pay the €60 million release clause. For Real Madrid, this clause is very high, and they are therefore considering offering Real Sociedad some players on loan to reduce the cost of the operation.
In any case, Real Madrid is going to sign one or more players for midfield, which could lead to the departure of players such as Camavinga or Ceballos.
Camavinga with the transfer sign
Eduardo Camavinga had been improving season after season, but this year he has not been at the expected level. This season, he has been a player who has been somewhere between comfortable and weighed down by injuries. He has had four injuries, which have kept him out of 25 games throughout the season. It has been a very inconsistent season, with some great performances and some disastrous games. Now that he seems to be on the verge of recovering from injury and could play in the Club World Cup, it will be time to make a final decision about his future. However, Real Madrid are clear that he can leave, but not at any price. The midfielder will not leave the Santiago Bernabéu for less than €70 million.
Ceballos awaiting his role
Ceballos performed very well in the first half of the season until his injury. The Utrera-born player was on the verge of leaving in the summer, but ultimately won over critics with his great performances. After several months out due to injury, his return to the pitch was not as brilliant as might have been expected. Everything points to him not being a starter in the new Real Madrid given his performance in recent games and the fact that the club is close to signing more than one player. The player has a contract until 2027 and for the moment will focus on winning the World Cup with the Whites, after which decisions will be made depending on the role he will play.