Youcef Atal could replace both Nacho and Odriozola at Real Madrid

Youcef Atal could replace both Nacho and Odriozola at Real Madrid

 El lateral derecho del Niza marcó este fin de semana ante el Nimes un gran gol / | Perform

Zidane has told Florentino Pérez that Atal is the man he wants to challenge Carvajal for the right-back role

After Zinedine Zidane sanctioned the sale of Achraf Hakimi to Inter Milan, Real Madrid need to reinforce their right back options. At the moment, the only alternatives he has to Dani Carvajal are Nacho Fernandez and Alvaro Odriozola. Yet it appears neither of those two has done enough to convince Zidane and the coach has recommended a new name: Youcef Atal. 

The 24-year-old full-back, who can also play on the right of midfield, is someone who has caught Zidane's eye this season. The belief is that Atal, who plays for Nice, could fulfil a similar role to what Ferland Mendy has done on the other side of the defence. Mendy's progress this season has lessened the reliance on Marcelo and the hope is Atal could do the same but with Carvajal.

A SIMILAR TYPE OF PLAYER TO ODRIOZOLA 

This move would seem to impact Odriozola more than Nacho as the young Spaniard has similar characteristics to Atal. Both are greater in the final third than they are defensively. Yet now Zidane has a greater say in transfers, his opinion means a lot to Florentino. Nacho, at least, could be used to cover a wide variety of roles in defence.

Atal is reportedly valued at €20m which is half of the Hakimi money. However, interest from other teams could spark a bidding war that ramps up the price. PSG and Borussia Dortmund are said to be keeping tabs on developments. Madrid will hope that if Atal comes in, they'll be able to sell Odriozola for the same price in order to balance the books.

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