Real Madrid are having a season to forget at the moment. They have a chance to win the Champions League for the third season in a row but Zinedine Zidane will not be happy with the campaign on a whole and is expected to make wholesale changes to the squad, come the end of the season. This might see a few star players quit the club before the start of the next campaign.
One such player, extensively linked with an exit is Croatian midfielder Luka Modric. The 32-year old is unhappy with the situation at Bernabeu and could quit if Real spend on another midfielder in the summer. Arsenal are reportedly planning a £52m bid while Liverpool are also credited with an interest. But if Los Blancos decide to sell the midfielder, how can they replace him? Here are three players Zidane should target to replace Modric at Real Madrid.
Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City):
The Belgian playmaker has been in electric form this season and has been crucial to Manchester City’s run to the Premier League title in England. He has played as a part of the midfield and is in the running to win the Player of the Year award for the competition this season. At just 26, he will only get better and though is settled at Etihad, can be tempted with a chance to play regular football at Bernabeu. He is right up there with the best midfielders in Europe at the moment and is possibly the best replacement for Modric.
Paul Pogba (Manchester United):
The French international turned into one of the best midfielders in Europe in his time with Juventus and made a stunning move to Manchester United more than a year ago. However, he is yet to kick off his United career and is currently struggling to impress Jose Mourinho and cement a place in the first team. He is still integral to the plans at Old Trafford but his lack of success in England, in two stints now, might push him out of the country. There are very few teams that can afford his services and Real Madrid might surely be interested this summer.
Leandro Paredes (AS Roma):
The 23-year old Argentine midfielder made a name for himself last year in Serie A but has not been able to carry that form over to this season. However, he is still right up there with the best midfielders in Europe and has all the makings of a star player. He has potential enough to walk into the first team at Bernabeu and will be a decent replacement for Modric.
