Mbappe alternative takes major step away from Real Madrid

Cameron Smith

• 10 Nov 2023 04:42 CST
• 4 min read

Real Madrid’s tumultuous pursuit of Kylian Mbappe has not resulted in success yet, with the Paris Saint-Germain star’s future still unknown.

The France international is set to become a free agent next summer when his PSG contract expires, but his next club remains a mystery, despite long-standing interest from Los Blancos.

With Mbappe’s availability not quite known, given he could sign a PSG extension like he did in 2022, Real Madrid have begun looking at alternatives.

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Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala has been named as their ‘Plan B’ if Mbappe does not join the club, while Feyenoord goal-machine Santiago Gimenez is also being eyed up.

However, the Mexican could cost as much as €100 million if the Eredivisie giants hold out for a league-record fee, as some reports have suggested they might. That title currently belongs to Antony, following his €95m transfer from Ajax to Manchester United last year.

But, another Mbappe alternative has taken a step away from joining Real Madrid by signing a new contract at Brighton & Hove Albion.

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Republic of Ireland forward Evan Ferguson has been linked with a move to Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham since breaking onto the scene at the AMEX Stadium, and FootballTransfers exclusively reported back in August that Mikel Arteta was planning a 2024 move for the 19-year-old.

Furthermore, in September, Spanish outlet Fichajes revealed that Ferguson was one of three forwards on Real Madrid’s transfer radar, alongside Benjamin Sesko and Antonio Nusa.

Now, however, the Irishman has signed a new long-term contract at Brighton until June 2029, essentially ruling out a move to the 14-time European champions.

While a move likely won’t happen, links with Real Madrid come as little surprise given Los Blancos rate extremely highly on Ferguson’s ‘Career Advice’ provided by data analytics experts SciSports.

Real Madrid = Evan Ferguson’s perfect destination?

SciSports, FootballTransfers’ data partners, analyse a variety of different factors - including potential development and playing time - using an AI-driven algorithm to determine which club best suits any given player.

According to SciSports, Ferguson would fit perfectly as West Ham United’s Michail Antonio replacement, but also as Real Madrid’s next striker.

Carlo Ancelotti lost Karim Benzema to the Saudi Pro League in the summer, and has been forced to deploy Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo as unfamiliar split strikers, with Jude Bellingham just behind them.

Of course, Brazilian wonderkid Endrick will arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2024, but he has no experience of playing in Europe and will likely be slowly integrated into the first-team, like both Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo were.

Therefore, SciSports say a move for Ferguson makes perfect sense. But, any hopes of Real Madrid signing Ferguson as an Mbappe alternative appear all but over, unless they are willing to spend a similar fee to the one Chelsea paid to sign Moises Caicedo this summer (an initial €116m).

Ferguson has five goals in 11 Premier League games this season, although he is yet to score in the Europa League. He can be excused, however, given he has not started a game in the competition thus far.

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