List of top strikers Real Madrid missed due to Florentino’s Mbappé obsession: A barrier for Real Madrid’s attack

Since Kylian Mbappé’s breakthrough season at Monaco in 2016-2017, Real Madrid’s president, Florentino Pérez, has been fixated on the French international.

However, attempts to bring Mbappé to the Santiago Bernabéu have failed repeatedly. This obsession has led Real Madrid to miss out on signing top-notch forwards, especially in the last three seasons when Mbappé’s arrival seemed possible.

In 2021, despite PSG’s demand for €180 million and the chance to sign Mbappé for free the following year, Florentino was willing to pay.

Yet, PSG shut the door, and an emerging talent like Dusan Vlahovic, who scored 21 goals for Fiorentina, was overlooked. The Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, with a €60 million release clause at Borussia Dortmund, was also passed up in hopes of securing Mbappé.

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 07: Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester City at London Stadium on August 07, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

The subsequent summer saw another missed opportunity as Manchester City secured Haaland while waiting for Mbappé, who ultimately didn’t join Real Madrid.

Similarly, Harry Kane’s availability from Tottenham was hindered by high financial demands, with Levy’s asking price deterring Florentino’s renewed Mbappé pursuit.

DORTMUND, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 04: Harry Kane of Bayern Munich celebrates after scoring the team’s fourth goal during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern München at Signal Iduna Park on November 04, 2023 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Despite Mbappé publicly stating his non-execution of the automatic contract extension with PSG, Real Madrid ‘reserved’ over €100 million set aside for Tottenham’s Kane, intending to use it for Mbappé. However, negotiations never ensued, and Bayern Munich secured Kane.

Now, with Victor Osimhen of Napoli potentially available due to a reduced release clause, Florentino’s fixation on Mbappé continues. Osimhen’s potential cost-effectiveness contrasts with the impending possibility of securing Mbappé on a free transfer in 26 days.

Throughout this period, other forwards like Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic, Serge Gnabry, Rafael Leao, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Firmino, and Lautaro Martínez were on Real Madrid’s radar but remained unrealized acquisitions.

Relying heavily on Karim Benzema, Vinicius, and Rodrygo, Florentino’s pursuit of Mbappé might jeopardize the team’s future, especially considering the unexpected departure of Benzema and the weight of goal-scoring now resting on the Brazilian duo. Despite Jude Bellingham’s rise, Florentino’s Mbappé fixation could potentially impact the team adversely.

Source: SPORT