How Real Madrid could line up in 2024 with Erling Haaland
Suraj Radia
- Updated: 21 Jun 2022 22:01 BST
Real Madrid have established themselves as the best team in Europe for nearly a decade with a world-class core that has largely remained unchanged.
After the departure of captain Marcelo this summer, forward Karim Benzema is now Los Blancos' longest-serving player and the club have won 22 titles since he arrived in 2009.
But with the likes of Benzema, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos all in their mid 30s, Real could end up going through a huge transition in the coming years.
With the club reportedly considering a long-term plan to activate the release clause of Erling Haaland in 2024, FootballTransfers takes a look at what Real Madrid could look like in two years time if that deal goes ahead.
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The Real side of the future
Having proven himself as the best goalkeeper in the world this season, Thibaut Courtois will undoubtedly remain Real's number one until his deal expires in 2026.
Right-back is arguably the position most up for grabs in the Madrid side, with Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez sharing the role throughout this season.
However, with both being the wrong side of 30 and Vazquez's deal expiring in 2024, it is likely that Real sign a new right-back soon and Reece James is thought to be their top target should he not agree a new contract at Chelsea by then.
A move for the Englishman would undoubtedly be expensive but he would be a fantastic compliment to Ferland Mendy, who, at 27, should continue as the club's left-back for the near future.
Eder Militao and David Alaba have formed a strong connection at the heart of Real's defence and with both holding long-term deals at the club, it is unlikely the duo will be broken up.
The future of Real's midfield is already at the club, with Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga touted as the long-term successors to Modric and Kroos, both of whom are entering the final year of their contracts.
Madrid also signed Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco for €100 million this summer and he will likely be phasing out 30-year-old Casemiro, who will have one year remaining on his contract in 2024.
After scoring the winner in this year's Champions League final, winger Vinicius Junior will likely be the face of Real Madrid for many years to come and the club are in talks to renew his contract, which has two years remaining on it.
Fellow Brazilian Rodrygo will likely be on the opposite flank as the club are hoping the 21-year-old takes a similar step up to Vinicius after slowly adapting to Spanish football.
Real Madrid have not given up on signing Erling Haaland.
They plan on triggering the Manchester City striker's €150 million release clause in 2024 to finally bring him to the Santiago Bernabeu to replace Karim Benzema. [AS] pic.twitter.com/7jv6FRV62K
— PF | Transfer News (@PurelyFootball) June 18, 2022
The final piece of the puzzle could be Erling Haaland as the new Manchester City striker has a €150m release clause which is set to be active in 2024.
While the club still value Kylian Mbappe, they will likely pursue him when he is new Paris Saint-Germain deal expires in 2025, leaving Haaland as the ideal replacement for Benzema when the 34-year-old eventually leaves Madrid.
