The countdown has begun. On Tuesday, the special transfer window for the Club World Cup closed without any surprises for Real Madrid. The tournament officially kicks off on Sunday 14, although for the Whites it will not begin until the 18th when they play their first match. The club has strengthened its squad with two new players and regained some key players, but it has not been the only one to do so, as its rivals have also taken advantage of this window to improve their squads.
Real Madrid and its two signings
Even before the end of a season to forget, Real Madrid was already making moves to strengthen its squad ahead of the Club World Cup. During the season, it became clear that there were problems in the squad, and the team wanted to solve them before the arrival of Xabi Alonso, who has been tasked with leading the team to victory in the tournament. The transfer window has been short, and the club’s ambition to sign big names has meant that some players will have to wait until after the tournament, such as left-back Álvaro Carreras and midfielder Franco Mastantuono.
Those who did arrive on time are Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Two reinforcements for the defense, which has proven to be Real Madrid’s weakest point. The young Spanish center back was presented yesterday and comes with the endorsement of his seriousness as a leader in defense, as well as his great ball control, highly valued by Xabi Alonso, and his scoring ability. As for the Liverpool right-back, it has been a slow-burning transfer as the agreement with the player, who arrives on a free transfer, was complete, but the English club had to be compensated for letting him leave before June 30.
Reinforcements for direct rivals
In the group stage, Real Madrid will face Al Hilal, Pachuca, and Salzburg, in that order. All of them have taken advantage of the extra transfer window to strengthen their squads ahead of the World Cup. The first of their rivals will be the Arab side, whose biggest signing has been on the bench. The club has signed Simone Inzaghi, who leaves Inter Milan after finishing runners-up in the Champions League for the second time. In terms of players, they have brought in two new signings: Ali Lajami, from Al-Nassr, and Abdulkarim Darisi, from Al-Ahli.
As for Pachuca, the club confirmed the signing of four players on loan: Agustín Palavecino, Robert Kenedy, José Castillo, and Federico Pereira. Finally, Salzburg has been the most active club in the transfer market with five signings. Defenders Jacob Rasmussen, Amar Dedic, Stefan Lainer, and midfielders Sota Kitano and Frans Krätzig.
The most exciting deals for the World Cup
Focusing on the big names in the tournament alongside Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid stands out for failing to sign Álex Baena, while its reinforcements for the World Cup include the return of Carlos Martín and the confirmation that Lenglet and Musso will stay. The brand-new Champions League winner, PSG, has traveled with what it has. Its great season backs up the decision.
Guardiola has reinforced his City side after a poor year. Rayan Aït-Nouri, Wolverhampton’s left-back, and Cherki, announced on the last day, are the big signings. Tijjani Reijnders also appears on the list of players called up. For its part, Bayern made official the signing of Jonathan Tah, who arrives on a free transfer from Leverkusen, and Tom Bischof, from Hoffenheim.
The arrival of Gabri Veiga at Porto and Jobe Bellingham at Borussia are some of the other key names in a transfer market in which most teams have made at least two or three signings to compete in what is expected to be an exciting World Cup with a lot of money at stake.