If there are any struggles to get an agreement in place for De Gea, Chelsea’s current number one has emerged as a possible alternative.Courtois has said: “Yes, my heart is in Madrid. It is logical and understandable. If they want me, they have to contact Chelsea. We’ll see. But they have not done that. What is certain is that one day I will return to Madrid.”
Another man to have once graced the books at Real’s cross-city rivals Atletico, the Tottenham defender is now considered a realistic target as he is yet to commit to fresh terms in England and has a release clause set to kick in from 2019 if no extension is agreed.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has said of the Belgian centre-half: “Toby still has two-and-a-half years of contract. Messi was six months left on his contract. Messi! If something happens, the club is going to communicate.”
He is only 23 and previously told: “I see there has been a lot of talk, it’s true. You know the social networks, you know the newspapers, the majority of what is said is not true. At the moment, everything is going well and I’m very good here.”
Another 23-year-old centre-back making plenty of noise in the transfer market, with leading sides across Europe now weighing up the merits of a big-money approach for a Slovakia international who only moved to the San Siro in July 2017.
The versatile Austrian would have to compete with Marcelo for the left-back berth at the Bernabeu. He said: “Could I stay at Bayern my entire career? I’m not the type of person who looks that far ahead. I am setting short-term goals instead.”
Now one of the most exciting prospects on the planet, the Borussia Dortmund midfielder has seen his efforts in the Bundesliga put him on the transfer radar of leading sides across Europe. He said: “The exciting part of going to Real Madrid, where every single player on the field around you is world class, it’s a desire you sometimes can’t turn down.”
The France international was reported to be a target for the Blancos prior to rejoining Manchester United for £89 million in 2016. He has reportedly fallen out with Mourinho. Paul Ince said: “The signals that are coming from Pogba is that he’s not happy and if he doesn’t feel like he fits in, then I could see him leaving in the summer. He’s one of the best players in the world and deserves to be played in his right position where he can show that off and express himself.”
One of their long listed transfers. He said:“In football you never know” – with his father having previously suggested that contract talks at Chelsea have been shelved as they wait on an offer from the Blancos.
A Long shot though. It has not taken long for the Real rumours to start swirling around the Egyptian forward, with his remarkable return on Liverpool’s £36.9m investment from 2017 helping to raise his profile and price tag. Zidane said: “Salah is a great player, he has shown that at Roma, now Liverpool. He is still young, improving all the time. I don’t talk much about other players, but he is a player.”
A prolific frontman to have piqued Real’s interest with his efforts elsewhere, the Tottenham striker and England captain has proved himself to be one of the most reliable options around.
From the moment the Brazilian completed a record-breaking €222m switch to Paris Saint-Germain, talk of a return to Spain for the former Barcelona forward was sparked – with it widely expected that his own transfer bar will be raised a little higher to take him to the other side of the Clasico divide. Ronaldo Lima said: “Neymar is a superb player, maybe he will be the best in the world in a few years, and Real Madrid need the best.”
With the current Manchester United midfielder set to sign a long term deal it might not be easy for Real to pip him away from Old Trafford club. But if the Belgian doesn’t extend his contract his low price tag would tempt the Blancos to get him for a cut price to bolster the aerial presence in Real’s midefield.