Real Madrid’s signing of Kylian Mbappé on a free transfer this summer was hailed as a major triumph. However, reports indicate the club overlooked critical concerns about the French star’s declining physical output before finalising the deal.

Should this route fail, there is also Miguel Gutierrez, an academy player who has excelled at Girona since 2022. As The Athletic revealed, Real Madrid have a buy-back clause of €8million (€10m from July) for him, much lower than what other teams would have to pay (€35m). There have been no movements for him though.

According to a report, Real Madrid have contacted Liverpool and expressed their 'desire' to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold next summer. Along with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, the right-back is out of contract in just over six months,