Mbappe, Haaland and the players on Real Madrid’s 2022 shopping list

Robin Bairner

15 Oct 2021 18:21 BST
3 min read

Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema, France, Nations League — © ProShots

Real Madrid are planning a spectacular transfer campaign in the summer of 2022, with the headline arrival expected to by Kylian Mbappe.

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After missing out on Paris Saint-Germain forward Mbappe this summer, it is expected that Madrid will return for the 22-year-old next year, by which time he will be available as a free agent.

But while the arrival of the World Cup winner is a given, there are numerous other superstar names on Real Madrid’s shortlist.

While they have no intention of capturing them all, who is likely to join up with the Bernabeu side?

AS reports that, aside from Mbappe, there are six other superstar names that Madrid are monitoring.

A centre forward is high on the priority list for Real Madrid next summer, despite the excellent form of Karim Benzema.

Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund is, of course, to the forefront of their plans. The 21-year-old is the strongest young goal scorer in the world and will be available for a relative bargain due to the release clause in his contract. However, the competition for his signature will be intense.

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski is the chief alternative to the Norway international. The Poland international is reportedly open to a new challenge, although his club have indicated that they will not part company with him readily.

A further wide attacking option is also on the cards. Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling recently opened the door on a move to Spain and, with a contract that expires in 2023, could well be available next summer given that he has apparently fallen out of favour at the Etihad.

Midfield is also an area that Real Madrid are planning on addressing. At present, they are lining up two players who are out of contract next summer in the form of Manchester United’s Paul Pogba and Milan’s Franck Kessie. Madrid believe that they will be able to afford Pogba’s wages, meaning that he is a viable target.

Similarly, Antonio Rudiger is out of contract next summer and increasingly looks likely to be a free agent. The Germany international, however, is a player who is seriously in demand.