Real Madrid Transfers: 10 Players Zidane Should Sign

4. Juan Mata

Whether or not Juan Mata is of the required quality to demand a place in Madrid's first-team is open to interoperation, however if the mooted transfer of Gareth Bale to Manchester United, as reported in The Metro, goes through then it's one that makes sense logically. The price-tag allegedly attached to the Welshman is, at best, eye-watering, and would likely make up the entirety of the club's budget. Not to mention the wages he would command. Manchester United aren't in any immediate financial trouble, but if they have a way to reduce either of those costs they'd be well advised to take it. With Bale joining a squad that contains Wayne Rooney, Memphis Depay and Antony Martial, Mata would likely find himself the man to make way. Madrid would also find themselves a player light going into the business end of the season, and would need any replacement to settle quickly at the club. Mata, being a former academy graduate at Madrid and a seasoned veteran of La Liga, would fit like a glove. It's a deal that suits both parties. He's certainly not Gareth Bale, and it's likely he'd eventually find himself equally as frustrated at Madrid in the coming years, but he's more than capable of adding some guile and craft to a Madrid side that's proven very dimensional in big games. He deserves better than being a make-weight in a bigger transfer, but needs must occasionally.