Real Madrid missed out on three world-class signings under Zinedine Zidane including Arsenal and Liverpool stars

Real Madrid may regularly sign superstars but, in 2020, they missed out on three world-class players, including Arsenal and Liverpool stars.

The Spanish giants have already been busy in this summer's transfer window, with Trent Alexander-Arnold their most high-profile addition.

They have also signed Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth and Alvaro Carreras from Benfica and highly-rated 18-year-old Franco Mastantuono from River Plate while they are also weighing up another raid on the Premier League having settled on their first-choice central midfield target.

But their current squad could have been much stronger if they had managed to sign three rising stars back in 2020 while Zinedine Zidane was still in charge.

One of those players Real earmarked for a move was Kai Havertz, who left Bayer Leverkusen for Chelsea that summer.

The German spent three seasons at Chelsea, with his most memorable moment being the winning goal in their Champions League triumph over Manchester City in 2021.

Since making the switch to join Arsenal, Havertz has been a regular for Mikel Arteta, but missed the end of last season with a torn hamstring.

Kai Havertz could have lined up for Real Madrid. (Image: David Price / Contributor via Getty)

That same summer Zidane was also keen on signing Florian Wirtz, who had made the switch from FC Köln to Bayer Leverkusen in the January.

Since then, the 22-year-old has become one of Europe's leading talents, scoring 57 goals and registering 65 assists across 197 appearances for the German side.

He was recognised as the Bundesliga Player of the Season in 2023/24 as Xabi Alonso's side went unbeaten on their way to winning the Bundesliga.

Wirtz's astonishing form caught the attention of Europe's top clubs, including Liverpool, who signed the attacker for a potential £116.5 million if various add-ons are met.

Real Madrid also missed out on Nuno Mendes in 2020.

A year later, the Portuguese left-back moved to PSG on a season-long loan with an option to buy, which the French giants triggered.

Although his first couple of seasons in France were positive, it was last season when he started to be considered as one of the world's best full backs.

Trent Alexander Arnold swapped Liverpool for Real Madrid this summer. (Image: Francois Nel / Staff via Getty)

Mendes scored in both legs of their Champions League quarter-final tie with Aston Villa as PSG won the competition for the first time.

The 5-0 dismantling of Inter Milan in the final completed a treble for Luis Enrique's side.

Although they fell short in the FIFA Club World Cup final, losing 3-0 to a Cole Palmer-inspired Chelsea, they are still regarded as the best team in the world.

For Mendes, his summer was still a success as Portugal won the UEFA Nations League.

He scored in the final, as they drew 2-2 with Spain, and then converted his spot-kick as his country won on penalties.

After the best season of Mendes' young career, Real Madrid will be left wondering if they will have another chance to sign the full-back.