The Reason Why Real Madrid Opted Against Signing the €90 Million Player Explained

Real Madrid’s search for a world-class striker this summer was widely anticipated, especially after Karim Benzema’s departure to Al-Ittihad. However, Los Blancos opted for a different approach, securing Joselu on loan from Espanyol. While Joselu is a talented player, he doesn’t quite fit the profile of a 30-goal-per-season striker.

The club had been linked with renowned forwards like Harry Kane, Lautaro Martinez, Kylian Mbappe, Dusan Vlahovic, and others but ultimately didn’t make any significant forward signings.

One player in their sights was Randal Kolo Muani, who eventually joined PSG for a reported €90 million fee. Real Madrid’s hesitance to pursue Muani, as reported by The Athletic and explained by Mario Cortegana, stemmed from concerns over repeating the “Jovic case.”

Real Madrid signed Luka Jovic from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2019 for approximately €60 million after his impressive 27-goal season in the Bundesliga. However, Jovic struggled to find his footing in the Spanish capital, scoring just three goals during his tenure and subsequently moving to AC Milan.

Since the Jovic transfer, Real Madrid appears to have shifted its transfer strategy. They now prioritize acquiring either promising young talents before they reach their peak potential or established players with minimal risk. While Kolo Muani had a remarkable 2022/23 campaign with Eintracht Frankfurt, Real Madrid seems cautious about whether he can consistently maintain that level of performance.