Ranking Real Madrid's Transfer Rumours on Excitement Factor
Real Madrid are never far from the news headlines where transfer rumours are concerned—though these past few days have been something of a turnaround given the biggest news is regarding a potential outgoing deal, not a new signing.
Cristiano Ronaldo's possible departure from the Santiago Bernabeu wouldn't be met with universal approval by the fanbase, but it would give Los Blancos a whole heap of cash to spend.
Whether the No. 7 leaves or not, the rumours of Real signing several of the game's biggest talents are set to continue, with all positions and all price tags featuring over the past few weeks linked with a move to Madrid.
TOP NEWS
Projecting Spain's World Cup Squad 🇪🇸
PSG Wins Wild UCL Semi Thriller
USMNT Roster Prediction 🔮
Here we assess the rumours in turn, ranked by which deals could excite the fans the most—whether Ronaldo stays or not. As a side note, while the prospect of Fabio Coentrao departing the Santiago Bernabeu might excite some fans, these are all for potential incoming deals.
8. Jerome Boateng
Of our eight names on Los Blancos' shortlist, Jerome Boateng props them up from the bottom—but it's certainly not on account of ability.
Despite Real Madrid at times needing a patchwork defence—all four centre-backs were injured during 2016/17—they still won La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, so clearly it's not that much of a hindrance to them.
There could be more depth, there could be more reliability, but overall, the quality of the rest of the team makes up for what is missing in the back line.
Boateng is reported by Kicker (h/t Express) to want assurances from boss Carlo Ancelotti over his role next term, while Zinedine Zidane sees the German as a replacement for the outgoing Pepe.
He's rated at around €40 million and is one of the world's most highly valued centre-backs, but excitement factor? Probably not for Real Madrid fans.
7. Paulo Dybala
In at No. 7 is a player who likely would have been a little higher two months ago—but Paulo Dybala's inability to affect the Champions League final against Real Madrid has probably lowered the regard in which he's held in some fans' eyes.
There are reports in Italy that Real want him as a potential replacement if Ronaldo departs the scene; Calciomercato (h/t SportsKeeda) suggest he's one of three players Los Blancos will sign to fill the void, while Football-Italia suggest "multiple reports" in Portugal and Spain say Dybala is one of two options.
The Juventus man is part-schemer, part-goalscorer; he's a genuinely top-tier talent, no question, and his set-piece prowess only adds to his all-round ability, rather than being a focal point.
But as a Ronaldo replacement, given the current Real man just destroyed Dybala and his team, he's probably not going to raise excitement levels through the roof.
The one mitigating factor there is that Barcelona have been linked with Dybala for most of the last two years, and Madrid fans would appreciate snaring one of their rivals' long-term targets.
6. Theo Hernandez
Depending on which sources you prefer to believe, the transfer from Theo Hernandez to Real Madrid is a done deal.
Marca indicate that the two clubs have come to an agreement already, with Real paying Atletico more than Theo's €24 million release clause in order to keep the peace and not be seen as violating the unofficial non-aggression pact the clubs have—or else to end it entirely.
The suggestion is that Theo will be presented as a Real Madrid player early in July, a back-up for Marcelo at left-back who shone on loan in 2016/17 with Alaves.
He's a superb player, technically gifted but also strong, aggressive and capable of playing centrally, too—and he's coming from Real's city rivals.
That, plus the fact he gives Madrid quality depth in a position they've needed, makes him a pretty exciting prospect.
5. Robert Lewandowski
It's not always the case, but by and large, the attacking options tend to be those which excite the fans more often: big fees, plenty of highlights to admire and household names throughout the Continent.
Robert Lewandowski has perhaps lost some of the lustre of his name being linked with Real Madrid, not because of diminishing quality or advancing age, but on account of the rumour being ongoing over such a long period—this will be the third successive summer the "transfer" is suggested to be on course.
Calciomercato (h/t SportsKeeda) say the Polish centre-forward is one of the three names Real want to soak up the damage caused by Ronaldo's departure, if he does indeed leave.
It's not hard to see why: Lewi has netted 30 Bundesliga goals in each of his last two seasons—60 in 65 games—along with 17 Champions League goals in that time.
He'd replace Ronaldo in goalscoring terms without question, a dedicated central striker to beat teams into submission, and the prospect of adding such a stone-cold killer in front of goal would excite any set of fans.
4. Gianluigi Donnarumma
Ronaldo's uncertain future isn't the only one dominating headlines of late, after it emerged AC Milan's teenage goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma also wants to leave his club.
The Express report that Real Madrid were seen as favourites to land the stopper before Ronaldo's news broke, but that has complicated everything. Now a big merry-go-round in the market leaves Juventus as front-runners instead.
Real Madrid being who they are, they have to buy the best. The best young talents, the best in each position, the best at major tournaments...whatever the topical application, be it James Rodriguez after the World Cup in 2014 or Donnarumma as a major breakout starlet now, they have to be involved.
As much as upgrading the team is a priority, not letting a rival upgrade theirs is also a factor to consider.
Donnarumma, the highest-rated young stopper anywhere in world football, would be a major coup for Madrid (or anyone else who lands him) even with their own sky-high status.
He would excite the fanbase on reputation and possibility alone, even without considering his amazing ability.
3. Eden Hazard
Another long-running rumour now, but at least it's one that makes sense if Ronaldo stays.
With the Portuguese moving infield to centre-forward in the second half of last season, there's a spot vacated on the left if Zidane sticks with 4-3-3, which means there's finally a natural role for Eden Hazard where he doesn't need to compete with Ronaldo for game time.
However, the Express report that unfortunately Chelsea would only be prepared to sell Hazard...in exchange for Ronaldo.
The word from the English media outlet is that with Antonio Conte unhappy, owner Roman Abramovich will pull out all the stops to land Ronaldo and keep his manager in place, even at the expense of offloading Hazard.
Hazard at Real Madrid would be an intriguing matchup, a move to excite fans and dampen the blow of losing Ronaldo—but even more exciting to consider the duo playing in tandem.
2. David De Gea
Second place goes to David De Gea, with the Manchester United stopper always seeming to still be one transfer window away from moving back to Madrid.
The former Atletico stopper is the long-term No. 1 for the Spanish national team's future and, until Donnarumma burst onto the scene, it seemed inevitable that he'd wind up at Real Madrid sooner or later.
Now the Mirror report the Red Devils finally being ready to let De Gea go...but again, only if it involves Ronaldo in return.
Given that the deal would also include around £175 million in cash in addition to the goalkeeper, usually rated at somewhere from £60-80 million, it would be a huge deal for Madrid to consider to snare a long-term target.
Keylor Navas is admired by the Madrid fans, but De Gea is the one plenty of them want and would sew up the goalkeeper role for up to the next decade. They want it, and (Donnarumma pending) it still feels as though they might eventually get it, and that's worth getting excited about.
1. Kylian Mbappe
Top of our rankings is perhaps the most sought-after youngster in world football right now—along with Donnarumma, maybe.
Whoever gets Mbappe lands everything: commercial interest, column inches, massive merchandise sales—oh, and a thoroughly exciting young forward into the mix.
It's impossible not to be swayed by Mbappe's relentless movement, his intelligent forward runs and ability to take on players down the channels. He's a goalscorer, too, and those tallies are only going to soar.
Mbappe has been linked with half of Europe—Arsenal, Liverpool, PSG, Manchester United, plenty more besides—but Marca report he only wants Real Madrid for his transfer destination. "Real Madrid or no-one," is the quote attributed to the forward, but it might not be this summer.
Whenever he moves on, there's no doubt he'll be hugely scrutinised, watched at every turn and assessed with every shot—and all that is because of his €100 million valuation and the fact he's one of the most exciting transfer targets anywhere in the world.
.jpg?w=600 "Titans President Steps Down")
.jpg?w=600 "Best NFL Free Agents")
