For many years, Real Madrid’s engine room was formed by the trio of Casemiro, Kroos, and Modric. The strengths of one covered the weaknesses of another, and vice versa, which led them to embed themselves in the hearts of Madridistas and become a nightmare for opposing teams.

Players like Camavinga, Tchouameni, Arda Guler, or Thiago Pitarch, the gem emerging from the academy, want to take over, but for now, Fede Valverde is the only one who could sit at the table with the three aforementioned players. The rest have been too inconsistent, with Arda showing the most promise. In contrast, the futures of the Frenchmen Tchouameni and, especially, Camavinga are unclear.

This has led the white club to decide that, no matter what happens at the end of this season, they will sign someone this summer who significantly raises the team’s level, as various media outlets have reported.

Rodrigo Hernandez, 29, is the preferred option. His contract ends in 2027; he wants to return to play in Spain and would cost around €100 million. He knows Spanish football perfectly after his time at Villarreal and Atletico Madrid, and is an experienced player with immediate impact. That his heart is red and white is not a problem, as he himself acknowledged. The other two options are Enzo Fernandez and Adam Wharton.

The Argentine international would be a reliable signing, as he is a world champion and has already shown his potential at the highest level. He has a long-term contract, but has openly stated that he would not mind a change of scenery. He is a player with character, one who connects quickly with the fans, and a natural leader. It would be like having a second Fede Valverde on the field.

The only problem is that he is a player with a lot of temperament and ego, and in a dressing room like Madrid’s, there are already several profiles like that. Additionally, he would have to fit in with players like Vinicius and Mbappe, with whom he has had his differences. His price exceeds €100 million.

The simplest option is, without a doubt, Adam Wharton. The English player has already said he wants to join a Champions League team. He is a profile of an organizing holding midfielder who controls the game's rhythm and has excellent vision. He has a left foot that puts the ball wherever he wants.

His price would be high because he is the youngest and has great potential. The downside is that, except for matches against England, he has not been tested in high-pressure scenarios.

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