How will Real Madrid line up next season?

Cameron Smith

• 28 Jan 2023 19:20 GMT
• 3 min read

Real Madrid are set to challenge for La Liga and the Champions League once again this season, but they aren't satisfied with their current squad.

Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham remains their number one transfer target, with Los Blancos reportedly willing to pau upwards of €100 million to seal a deal for the England international.

Furthermore, academy product Fran Garcia is set to be bought back from Rayo Vallecano following an impressive season in La Liga. The 23-year-old has a €10m release clause, but Real currently have a 50% sell-on clause, meaning the deal will only cost them €5m. It's believed he will provide competition for Ferland Mendy at left-back, and may even surpass the Frenchman as Real's first-choice left-back.

READ: Real Madrid 'ruled out' Declan Rice transfer amid Arsenal interest

Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti has already been forced to ward off suitors for French star Eduardo Camavinga this month, with Arsenal circling, but it's believed that many of his stars will remain at the club next season.

One issue that Real Madrid will need to fix is Toni Kroos' contract situation. The Germain is currently set to become a free agent this summer, with the two parties yet to agree a new deal to keep him at the Santiago Bernabeu for an extended period of time.

However, the squad is set to stay much the same, although Bellingham could well join to add a little more stardust to a team already filled with superstars.

READ: Revealed: Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham alternatives

How Real Madrid could line up next season

Thibaut Courtois is expected to keep his place in between the sticks, while Daniel Carvajal could remain the number one right-back if he stays fit.

Antonio Rudiger only joined Real on a free transfer last summer, but he doesn't work particularly well with Eder Militao as they're both aggressors, meaning David Alaba could be the man to partner the Brazilian.

At left-back, Fran Garcia could be given the nod after his eye-catching form for Rayo Vallecano.

Aurelien Tchouameni and Luka Modric could be joined in midfield by Bellingham, while Toni Kroos and the aforementioned Camavinga play more rotation roles.

Fede Valverde has mostly played on the right flank rather than in midfielder under Ancelotti and that could continue in 2023-24. Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema will complete the front three.