A new era at Real Madrid: 7 possible casualties, the '9' for Harry Kane, the helm for Bellingham and the illusion for Mbappé

On Sunday, while the Santiago Bernabéu said goodbye to Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio with honors and greeted Eden Hazard and Mariano for the last time, and with a certain indifference, many Real Madrid fans asked themselves the same question: “What now? ». In a matter of days, the white team has said goodbye to one of the greatest legends in its history, author of 354 goals, captain, number 9 and Ballon d'Or. Along with him, the Spaniard, fourth top scorer of the season (12) behind the Frenchman (31), Vinicius and Rodrygo. 43 goals that go overboard from Chamartín and that to return they need names at the level of the club. Beyond the expected goalscoring evolution of the Brazilians, there are two names at the Valdebebas table: Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé.

The Englishman from Tottenham, who will turn 30 in a month, has scored 30 goals this season in the Premier League, only six less than Erling Haaland. He is the most liked candidate in Valdebebas and his contract, which ends in June 2024, should help in the negotiations with Daniel Levy, head of the London team and an old Madrid enemy from other battles such as those of Luka Modric or Gareth Bale.. In Chamartín they assume that they will be complicated conversations, but they trust in the good relationship with Levy and in the desire of Kane, who after a lifetime at Tottenham sees the Bernabéu as the great challenge of his career.

The Spurs, in addition, will not play European competitions this season and have been without a coach since the departure of Conte. The Greek Ange Postecoglou, from Celtic, sounds and everything looks towards a forced reconstruction. That is where Madrid wants to fish, who will try to sign him for less than 100 million. Kane is the most valuable fourth forward on the market behind Mbappé, Haaland and Osimhen, the Napoli attacker, and has accumulated 60 goals in the last three seasons of the Premier. An heir to the height of what is a '9' of Madrid and a star according to the premiere of the new Bernabéu.

After Kane few convince

Beyond him, in the technical direction of Valdebebas almost no option likes. And it is that football is lacking in scorers. Lautaro is not convincing, Osimhen will be too expensive, Gabriel Jesus was able to arrive in 2022 and now it is impossible, Julián Álvarez signed for City… And from there the drop in level is important, with Dusan Vlahovic, a 23-year-old Juventus forward, as one of the most interesting alternatives now that the Italian club will only play in the Conference League. But it would be a step below Kane and perhaps at too high a price for what Madrid considers (Juve paid 80 for him a year ago. Youngsters like Gonçalo Ramos (21 years old, Benfica), Hojlund (20, Atalanta) or Kolo Muani (24, Eintracht) emerge as bets for the future, but in Chamartín they are looking for a world star as their first option, and that is only Kane.

If Levy proves insurmountable in the talks, Madrid, with the loan of Joselu closed for next season, Madrid will forget about the 'top' and start thinking about 2024. That is to say: Kylian Mbappé.

Mbappe and 2024…

The French striker, who in 2022 broke his word and rejected his transfer to Madrid at the last minute to renew with PSG, ends his contract in June 2024. In the Real Madrid leadership they are aware that negotiating with the sheikh is impossible, but they have once again received good harmony from the striker and his entourage. He regrets his decision and after two seasons staying out of the Champions League in the round of 16, he seems determined to make the leap to Spain. In Valdebebas they do not fully trust his word, but they assume that he is one of the three best footballers in the world. If you have to make a bet and wait for someone, it's for him. The other would be Haaland, but getting the Norwegian out of Manchester is an impossible mission.

Looking beyond the position of '9'. Madrid needs attackers. Brahim Díaz will return from his loan to Milan and will be used as a wardrobe item after Asensio's departure. In Germany they insist on Madrid's interest in Kai Havertz, a 23-year-old Chelsea playmaker who can play in all attacking positions. The German has liked Valdebebas since he played for Leverkusen and he is on the wish list, but it is believed that Chelsea do not want to negotiate for him.

Bellingham, ready

In the center of the field, Madrid is about to close Jude Bellingham, a 19-year-old English international from Dortmund, in exchange for more than 100 million. Could inherit Hazard's '7'. With Kane, it would be two Brits in an increasingly Anglo-Saxon wardrobe. Courtois, Alaba, Rüdiger, Mendy, Kroos, Modric, Tchouaméni and Camavinga have no language problems. Two 'thefts' to a Premier every year more powerful.

In defense, Madrid will replace Fran García, from Rayo, and is working on the departures of Odriozola and Vallejo, who have a contract until 2024, like Lunin, who could also leave the goal. In total there could be up to seven departures (and we’ll see if there are any more surprises) and 4 or 5 additions, making the squad somewhat shorter compared to last season and giving room in the call-ups to youth players such as Álvaro, Arribas or Nico Paz.