The Hard Tackle lists three players Real Madrid should target to replace Casemiro, who could depart from the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.
Players have come, and players have gone. But the one thing that has remained constant at Real Madrid over the last eight years is the composition of their midfield unit. Casemiro, Luka Modric, and Toni Kroos were instrumental in Real Madrid’s unprecedented three-peat of the UEFA Champions League from 2016 to 2018, even as Cristiano Ronaldo took most of the adulation.
The three midfield stalwarts have again been pivotal figures in Real Madrid’s incredible run to the Champions League final this season, performing at a high level despite being in their thirties. But Florentino Perez could disturb the trifecta in the summer transfer window, with recent reports claiming that the Spanish giants are open to selling Casemiro for €50 million.
The rumour might appear incredulous at first, but Casemiro does have the highest resale value compared to Modric and Kroos, with the duo approaching the final phases of their respective careers. Even so, selling Casemiro could be a foolhardy decision by Real Madrid, considering just how important he has been in the biggest games this season.
The Brazilian international was again crucial in Real Madrid’s unbelievable comeback win over Manchester City, producing a dogged performance despite not being fully match-fit. Nonetheless, Casemiro could be on the market in the summer transfer window, with Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain keen on signing him.
Real Madrid will naturally need to scour the market for a top-class replacement before sanctioning Casemiro’s sale, considering he does not have a viable backup in the first-team squad despite recent comments by Carlo Ancelotti. With that in mind, The Hard Tackles looks at three options for Real Madrid to consider to replace Casemiro in the summer transfer window.
Aurelien Tchouameni
This Is Why Real Madrid Want to Sign Aurélien Tchouameni
pic.twitter.com/mvaT8ETWQ6— RMAVIDS (@RMAVIDS) April 30, 2022
The first name is of a player who has been on Real Madrid’s radar for a long time. Recent reports have even claimed that the Spanish giants are prioritising signing him in the summer transfer window. We are talking about Aurelien Tchouameni.
The Frenchman’s stock has skyrocketed since joining AS Monaco from Bordeaux in January 2020. Tchouameni is now widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in Ligue 1 with a high ceiling. So it is hardly surprising that some of the most high profile clubs across Europe are keen on signing him in the summer.
Tchouameni, much like Casemiro, is a strong tackler and reads the game well. These qualities make him a natural replacement for the Brazilian midfielder. But the AS Monaco man is also proficient in the air, using his 1.85m frame to good effect. Such a trait makes him all the more appealing for Real Madrid, as he could add a presence in the box during set-piece situations.
But Real Madrid will need to fend off stiff competition from several European bigwigs. At the same time, his eagerness to play in the Premier League could throw a spanner in the works for Los Blancos. But Real Madrid might be one of the few clubs in Europe that could afford him, making them a strong contender for his signature.
Bruno Guimaraes
? Bruno Guimaraes is the top rated new signing in the Premier League this season
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) April 30, 2022
The next name on our list features a player whose star has been ascending for some time. And he has been a tremendous game-changer at his new club, Newcastle United, leading their charge to evade relegation from the Premier League while possibly finishing in the top half of the table. The midfielder in question is Bruno Guimaraes.
Like Tchouameni, Bruno Guimaraes is a player who has been on Real Madrid’s watchlist for years. The Merengues have reignited their interest in the Brazilian international following his exploits at Newcastle United and are considering an approach for the summer transfer window.
The 24-year-old is not an accomplished tackler like Tchouameni or Casemiro. But Bruno reads the game smartly, meaning he often does not need to put in a tackle as he gets into a position to nip the opposition attack in the bud. At the same time, his skills on the ball could make him an upgrade on Casemiro in the long run.
Casemiro is, after all, not the best of passers, although he does not need to be proficient with the ball at his feet due to the presence of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. But Bruno Guimaraes’s qualities during transitions will be handy because Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga are not as creative as Kroos and Modric.
However, signing Bruno Guimaraes in the summer transfer window might be a tall order for Real Madrid. The Brazilian midfielder joined Newcastle United only three months ago and has insisted that he is committed to the Magpies’ project. But it will be interesting to see if the lure of playing for Real Madrid does the trick for the umpteenth time.
N’Golo Kante
The last name on our list might spring a surprise for many, considering he is older than Casemiro. But Luka Modric’s example shows that N’Golo Kante could stretch his career beyond what the conventional beliefs dictate for a player at a certain stage of his career.
While it is true that Kante has suffered from a few too many injuries in the last couple of years, but when he is fully fit, very few players perform at his level. And amid the uncertainties surrounding Chelsea, the French international could be an attractive target for Real Madrid. However, they will have to fend off stiff competition from Barcelona.
Barcelona’s plan is to sign Kante next year, but the Blaugrana could fast-track the pursuit of the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner if Real Madrid’s threat rises. As for what he brings to the table for Real Madrid, Kante is a strong tackler, and he has become more versatile over the years.
The Frenchman is a confident ball carrier and can efficiently find teammates in pockets of space, unlike Casemiro. Kante is also a goal threat from long range, making him an all-round midfielder. All in all, the Chelsea midfielder could be a formidable and proven short-term solution in the Real Madrid midfield if Casemiro departs from the Santiago Bernabeu.
