Real Madrid failed to defend their UEFA Champions League title following a shock defeat by Ajax in the round of 16 and are outside favourite for the 2018/19 La Liga title.
The Los Blancos struggled at the start of the season under Santiago Solari which necessitated a change at the helm and the very successful Zinedine Zidane returned to the club less than a year since he stepped aside.
The Frenchman was welcomed with warm embrace and he made an immediate impact with the team, winning 2-0 in his return. He reinstated Isco in the starting line-up and Gareth Bale immediately got his groove back.
However, for the 13-time European Champions to compete properly for next season, Zidane is plotting a massive swoop in the transfer market as he wants to revamp the squad and make them formidable again. And this means, Barcelona and Lionel Messi will have a good fight on their hands come next season.
Here are five players Zidane want in his new line-up at the Santiago Bernebau:
Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe is Zidane’s top target, according to France Football. The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star is already one of the most expensive players in world football at the tender age of 20, having moved from Monaco last summer for a fee in excess of €140m (£120m/$159m).
And reports suggest it could take a staggering €280m (£240m/$317m) fee to prise the World Cup winner out of Paris. Mbappe has scored 31 goals and 15 assists from just 35 appearances so far this season.
Mbappe
#PSGOMpic.twitter.com/T3lFbOh80p
— Ⓒ Ⓡ ⑦ (@CR_2070) March 17, 2019
Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard is another player Zidane want in his corner and the Chelsea playmaker is open to a move to the Los Blancos after describing it as a dream for every player.
The Belgium star could cost the Los Blancos a whopping £200m and the Blues may have to let him go at the end of the season even though he has maintained that he is happy with the playing style of Maurizio Sarri.
Eden Hazard’s reaction to the Real Madrid rumours pic.twitter.com/WcyuTvsLQw
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) March 25, 2019
Saido Mane
Saido Mane is a powerhouse and one that is in the form of his life at the moment. The Liverpool star is one of the major reasons why the Reds are still challenging for the premier league title and showed in the UEFA Champions League that he is a world class forward.
His deal may however depend on, if Real Madrid were not able to lure Eden Hazard away from Stamford Bridge in the summer.
Stunning Solo goal from Saido Mane #LFC pic.twitter.com/vATTrR2rhn
— dQ (@d1ckypermana) August 14, 2016
Paul Pogba
Pogba returned to Old Trafford – four years after leaving for Juventus and has been one of the most consistent Manchester United midfielder since his £89m move.
What a sublime assist by @paulpogba … pic.twitter.com/eiXpVoBWTb
— Khay Ghee (@kae_gea) March 23, 2019
Since his return, he has helped the Red Devils win the Europa League, FA Cup and Community Shield but struggled at the beginning of the current season under Jose Mourinho but since the arrival of Ole Gunnars Solksjaer, the French World Cup winner is shining through with aplomb.
Zidane is a huge admirer of his fellow country man and Pogba is tempted by the lure to play for the 13-time UEFA Champions League winning manager. The news may not be fun for the Manchester United fans but they have watched Cristiano Ronaldo moved in that direction in the past and may have to deal with another one at the end of this summer.
N’Golo Kante
Kante rose to prominence at Leicester City when he helped the Foxes achieve a remarkable fairytale by winning the premier league title. He left the Foxes the following season and moved to Chelsea where he also won the premier league title.
Can run
Can tackle
Can pass
Can shoot
Can score
Is there anything that N’Golo Kante can’t do?pic.twitter.com/n0OtHcQFhj
— Goal (@goal) March 13, 2019
Zidane is expected to move on Luka Modric in the summer and get Kante in. This will allow him push Toni Kroos forward like he played at Bayern Munich and let Kante seat in central midfield alongside Casimero.
If Real Madrid get these five players, they will be unstoppable next season especially with Zidane in-charge of technical matters at the Bernabeu.