Real Madrid is stepping up its efforts to sign a midfielder for next season. After the first match of the Club World Cup, Florentino Pérez realized that the team’s problems cannot be solved simply by changing coaches and signing a couple of defenders, and he has already put two names on the table to reactivate the operation: Hugo Larsson and Angelo Stiller.
Florentino, in search of a midfielder
It will be difficult to fill the gap left by the departure of Kroos last season and that of Modric when the Club World Cup ends. The truth is that the Whites’ season has been affected by the lack of a leader in midfield, a player who is capable of taking charge of the team, who is not only able to direct play and has clarity when it comes to bringing the ball out, but who is also the linchpin of the whole team, the center of operations.
The Club World Cup was a warning to those who believed that the mere arrival of Xabi Alonso could change things. The same flaws were evident, especially in a lost midfield, with high-level players who are used to other types of tasks and who now fail to shine in roles they are unfamiliar with, and also in the things they do well. They have entered a negative spiral that needs to be changed, for their own good and for the good of the team. Against Al-Hilal, there was neither attack nor defense, a sieve that could have had worse consequences than those seen.
Stiller back in the picture
Although his name has been mentioned throughout June, Real Madrid had put the brakes on his possible arrival. The 24-year-old German midfielder shines for his club and the German national team, but negotiations had cooled. However, the urgency is back in the Valdebebas offices, and it seems that this option is gaining weight again. The truth is that, with the arrival of Zubimendi now practically ruled out, he is one of the few options that are convincing at the price he could come for. In addition, Stiller would be desperate to wear the white shirt and follow in the footsteps of his idol, Toni Kroos, and has reportedly put any other moves on hold in order to be able to play for Real Madrid next season.
Hugo Larsson back in the frame
Real Madrid continues to look to the Bundesliga to strengthen its midfield, a league where the role of the organizing midfielder is highly valued, although in this case, we are talking about a Swedish player, Hugo Larsson. He has been linked with the Whites in recent months, but there is some hesitation about signing him, as he is only 20 years old and making the leap to a giant like Real Madrid could be a daunting task. The truth is that the player has shown at Eintracht Frankfurt that he is of a high standard and would fit the bill for the team’s midfield. His transfer fee is estimated at around $40 million, which is affordable, but it is still a risk, as if the player does not work out, it would be a huge loss of money.
The Club World Cup is activating Real Madrid’s urgency, and the most important thing for Florentino now is to sign a midfielder who can perform organizational duties, both offensively and defensively. Florentino has identified the problem and will make moves to strengthen a squad that still does not look good for next season.