Why Madrid don't need an Mbappe replacement

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 28 May 2022 17:22 CDT
• 3 min read

Real Madrid are not planning to go shopping for a Kylian Mbappe replacement after missing out on their number one target this summer.

Mbappe was expected to be Madrid's marquee signing for the window however the Frenchman opted to remain with Paris Saint-Germain in a last-minute u-turn.

Madrid were caught off-guard by the sudden reversal and were linked with big money moves for another elite forward such as Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez and Darwin Nunez of Benfica.

But the Spanish side were only willing to splash the cash on Mbappe and are set to opt against signing a similar player, instead looking to build around their talented young core.

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Carlo Ancelotti's side were initially interested in signing another forward once they learned of Mbappe's decision to stay at PSG and had considered a €100 million bid for AC Milan forward Rafael Leao.

But club officials met and agreed that Mbappe was the only option, meaning they will instead focus on other positions as well as renewing the contracts of some of their key players.

Luka Modric and Marcelo are among the players who are free agents this summer, while Marco Asensio, Toni Kroos and star striker Karim Benzema are entering into the final year of their deals.

Meanwhile the breakout form of winger Vinicius Junior could see the 21-year-old rewarded with a long-term contract, with his current deal set to expire in 2024.

Madrid believe they do not need to make significant changes to the team that has led them to the La Liga title and the Champions League final.

They also feel they will have better opportunities to sign players in the future, such as winger Serge Gnabry, who Bayern Munich are demanding a €35m fee for but will be a free agent next summer.

The decision to avoid spending big on a striker also means that Madrid's move for Monaco's Aurelien Tchouameni could be pushed through.

The midfielder has agreed terms with Real but the two clubs have yet to agree a fee for the Frenchman, with Monaco putting a pricetag of around €80m on the Frenchman.