The Real Madrid head coach, Zidane, in order to propel his well known attacking football is planning a major shakeup of his team during this summer transfer window. Rumours have it that the Spanish giants have a €500m (£427m) budget for this summer transfers and on the target list are Paris Saint-Germain’s striker, Kylian Mbappe, Manchester United’s midfielder, Paul Pogba and Chelsea’s forward, Eden Hazard.
Since the departure of their sensational striker, Cristiano Ronaldo left last summer for Juventus, Real Madrid have struggled for goals. And that are currently 12 points behind their age long rivals Barcelona in La Liga. As if that is not bad enough, they are currently out of the UEFA Champions League after their humiliating defeat by Ajax in the last 16.
Zidane who stepped down last May after leading Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles had to return to the team following the sacking of Santiago Solari.
In the planned overhauling of the team, Zidane is planning a major shake up by trying to convince some high profile footballer to the team, among whom are the PSG striker Mbappe, 20, Man Utd midfielder Pogba, 26, and the Chelsea playmaker, Eden Hazard.
According to reports, the Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is keen to see his former Chelsea team-mate and fellow Belgian Hazard join him in the Spanish capital. In an interview, Courtois said: “I don’t know if he is going to sign for Real Madrid, nor do I know if the club want him. For me, he is a great player, but I don’t decide those things. He added that “Each one decides what he does with his life. For me, he is one of the best in the world and as a friend I would like him to be here.”
Other reports have it that Zidane wants an attacking “revolution” and one player who could “shake up” the strike force is Liverpool’s Sadio Mane. Zidane is hopeful hopes to sign a player with electric pace who can play on either flank, with Sadio Mane having emerged as a key target for the coach.
According to Zidane, “Sadio Mane can change games with his incredible turn of pace, he takes the ball well into feet and he can make defenders miserable.”
Other player which have been rumoured to be under the radar of Zidane include Tottenham duo Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane and Lyon defensive midfielder Tanguy Ndombélé.
Zidane is hopeful that the arrival of Pogba there will be no issue exit for midfielder Toni Kroos who is currently linked with Manchester United.
