The final pieces: Three signings Real Madrid should make to complete a perfect summer transfer window
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Real Madrid’s summer transfer window has already been one of the busiest in Europe, but there is a growing feeling that the club’s business is not finished yet.
After ending the previous season without lifting a major trophy, Los Blancos have moved to strengthen key areas of the squad.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThe arrivals of Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Marc Cucurella and Bernardo Silva have addressed several concerns, particularly in defence and midfield.
However, when looking at the current Real Madrid squad, the board feels that there are still opportunities to improve both the starting XI and the long-term future of the project.
On that note, Jose Mourinho and Florentino Perez are understood to be assessing the market for players capable of making an immediate impact while also fitting the club’s long-term vision.
On that note, here we look at the three signings that could complete the perfect transfer window for Real Madrid.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAlessandro Bastoni – A Schlotterbeck alternative
Bastoni will be a good addition to the Real Madrid squad. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Even after signing Ibrahima Konate, Real Madrid could still benefit from adding another elite centre-back.
It must be remembered that the club had been strongly linked with Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck before his serious ankle injury complicated matters.
With uncertainty surrounding his recovery, Real Madrid may need to look elsewhere for defensive reinforcements.
That is where Alessandro Bastoni enters the conversation.
The Italian international has established himself as one of Europe’s most complete defenders.
AdvertisementAdvertisementComfortable carrying the ball forward, strong in aerial duels and capable of operating in both a back four and a back three, Bastoni would bring versatility as well as leadership.
At 27 years of age, he is entering his peak years and would immediately improve Real Madrid’s defensive depth.
More importantly, he possesses the composure and technical ability needed to thrive under pressure at the Santiago Bernabeu.
A transfer fee in the region of €70 million would not be cheap, but top defenders rarely are.
If Real Madrid want another proven centre-back, Bastoni should be near the top of their shortlist.
Michael Olise – The next Galactico
Real Madrid should make an attempt for Olise. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Few players in European football have generated as much excitement over the past year as Michael Olise.
The Bayern Munich winger has been repeatedly linked with Real Madrid despite the club publicly denying reports of direct contact.
Despite these developments, his name refuses to disappear from transfer discussions, largely because he fits the profile of a player Florentino Perez has traditionally admired.
Olise offers creativity, goals, assists and unpredictability. He is capable of deciding matches with a single moment of brilliance and possesses the type of technical quality that instantly excites supporters.
AdvertisementAdvertisementFrom a sporting perspective, the idea is easy to understand because a front three of Vinicius Jr., Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise would arguably be the most dangerous attacking unit in world football.
The challenge, of course, is convincing Bayern Munich to negotiate. The German champions have no desire to lose one of their biggest stars and any deal would likely require an enormous financial commitment.
Yet if Real Madrid are searching for a genuine Galactico signing capable of defining an era, few names make more sense than Olise.
Ayyoub Bouaddi – Talent meets longevity
Ayyoub Bouaddi will bring longevity. (Photo by Vincent Carchietta/Getty Images)
AdvertisementAdvertisementReal Madrid’s transfer strategy has often been at its best when identifying young talents before their market value explodes.
Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, Arda Guler and Endrick all arrived with huge potential, and Ayyoub Bouaddi appears to fit the same mould.
The Lille midfielder has emerged as one of the standout young players of the World Cup, combining technical quality, maturity and tactical intelligence well beyond his years.
His performances for Morocco have already attracted attention from several of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Real Madrid.
What makes Bouaddi particularly appealing is the balance between present quality and future potential.
AdvertisementAdvertisementWhile names such as Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister continue to be linked with Real Madrid, both would require enormous investments.
On the other hand, Bouaddi represents a more sustainable solution, offering long-term value while still possessing the quality to contribute immediately.
Simply put, Real Madrid will eventually need another midfielder capable of controlling games and leading the next generation, and Bouaddi looks like a player who could develop into exactly that.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
