Former Real Madrid striker Predrag Mijatovic says Los Blancos could pay for failure to sign a new midfielder this summer.
The Spanish giants have spent around €300 million in the current transfer window on the likes of Eden Hazard, Ferland Mendy and Luka Jovic, but there is still no midfield recruit with less than a week until the transfer window closes.
"Let's see if they bring someone in the time they have left, but I'm not optimistic," the 50-year-old told El Larguero on CADENA SER. "The midfield is hobbling a little, there aren't many alternatives."
Madrid had hoped to sign Paul Pogba from Manchester United, but that deal looks difficult now. Meanwhile, interest in Tottenham's Christian Eriksen has cooled and Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek seems set to stay in Amsterdam."
"Another top-level midfielder would do them a lot of good," said Mijatovic, scorer of the winning goal for Madrid in the 1998 Champions League final against Juventus.
"If the squad stays as it is, they can compete, but we can't be too optimistic and think we are the best and that we are going to win a lot of titles. We will compete, but there other teams in better shape."
Mijatovic believes Hazard will do well and says Neymar would be a good addition to the squad, while he is also keen to see a fired-up Gareth Bale in 2019-20.
"Hazard is the only one who can make a difference," he said. "I expected a little more from the squad strengthening this summer.
"If Neymar comes, I'm sure he'll bring interesting things, I'd like to see him at Real Madrid.
"I'm a little surprised that Bale is now undisputed. He has done well these first two games. They have to count on him and they have to motivate him. Let's see what happens."
