3 midfielders that Real Madrid can sign in the 2025 transfer market
Real Madrid have decided to go out in force to bring in players from the transfer market following an underwhelming season. Los Blancos have already parted ways with former manager Carlo Ancelotti and have welcomed Xabi Alonso at the helm of the club. Significant movements in the team have been seen in the past few weeks as veteran playmaker Luka Modric’s contract was not renewed, and the team saw the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen arrive.
Florentino Perez is not someone who will be content with a subpar season and he has shown his intent to participate actively in the summer transfer market. While the deal to sign Alvaro Carreras is expected to be made official before the Club World Cup, there have been several calls to add a new midfielder to the squad. Real Madrid know that they will need someone for Modric’s vacant position and the club has eyes on a number of playmakers, who could possibly become a regular first-team player in the future.
In this article, we probe into three midfielders that Real Madrid can bring in ahead of the new season.
Angelo Stiller
The “Kroos-recommended” midfielder tops our charts as it is no doubt that Angelo Stiller changed the game for Stuttgart in the Bundesliga this past campaign. The 24-year-old is a deep-lying playmaker, known for his capability to win ground duels to assert an impactful authority in the middle of the park. He is adept at reading passes and is mostly found in the right places in time to intercept dangerous balls.
Apart from his defensive abilities, Stiller is quick to turn defence into attack as he can take responsibility, from recovering the ball to mustering a counter-charge in no time by progressing the game and finding advantageous opportunities. The German seems comfortable at what he does and brings forth a calm presence in front of the defensive line.
Stiller is a modern midfielder, one who has the capacity to contribute in defence and then knows how to control the offensive tempo of the game to help his team’s attackers produce a lethal move upfront.
Martin Zubimendi
A product of the Real Sociedad academy which is known for unleashing remarkably talented playmakers, Martin Zubimendi would be an instant fit into the Real Madrid setup.
The 26-year-old Basque knows Spanish football like the back of his hand as he has made over 180 appearances for Real Sociedad since being promoted to the first team. Like Stiller, Zubimendi too is a deep-lying midfielder and he excels in ball retention in tight areas and shows tactful composure when adapting to the changing dynamics of the game.
Often compared to Sergio Busquets, Zubimendi is adept at crafting opportunities for his side to exploit and he is also seen making forward runs, jeopardising the opponents’ defence structure and marking. Real Madrid already have a lethal forward line-up with Vinicius, Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo, Arda Guler and Jude Bellingham. If Zubimendi arrives at Real, his ability to make forward runs will be a bonus but his ability to operate in tight spaces with technical skills mirrors his talent to that of Xabi Alonso.
Nico Paz
This is one midfielder who has caught the eye of numerous European clubs. Nico Paz has been a joy to watch under the guidance of Cesc Fabregas at Como.
The Argentine was a rising talent when he used to play for Real Madrid B as he was often deployed as right advanced midfielder. However, he has grown exponentially under Fabregas as he allows him tactical freedom by encouraging him to run forward into the final thirds of the pitch.
At Real Madrid, Paz’s role was constricted to that of a holding midfielder but with Como, he has unlocked his ability to threaten the opposition defence by increasing the numerical superiority of his side. Paz runs the midfield show at Como and he has paid rich dividends to the Italian side. In addition to this offensive intent, Paz is a strong controller of the ball and when the opposition is not pressing him, he can become a real menace with his remarkable ball distribution skills.
Real Madrid have a buyback clause in place for the midfielder and it will not be a big task for the club to bring him back whenever they want.
