REAL MADRID
Real Madrid activate their plan to sign a striker: who are their options?
Real Madrid have created a list of potential Benzema replacements to sign during the summer.
Real Madrid have pushed the button and have activated their plan to sign a number 9 who can compete with Karim Benzema in the front line of the team. The idea behind signing a striker is simple: they will serve as a stop-gap for when Benzema can’t play, and will fill the hole in the squad that either Mbappé or Haaland will take in 2024.
The Spanish side, despite having their eyes on the two aforementioned stars, have not taken their foot off the gas when it comes to following the market trends over the past few years, and most of their homework is already done. Of all the names they have analysed, there are three that stand out: Dusan Vlahovic, Juventus’ 23-year-old Serbian forward; Harry Kane and Benfica youngster, Gonçalo Ramos.
Vlahovic and Ramos complete the ideal profile section of the test with flying colours, as they are both young and could, hypothetically, score around 30 goals in all competitions per season. Kane, on the other hand, would be a different bet, as this would potentially affect Madrid’s next move regarding Haaland.
Option number one: Dusan Vlahovic
As AS revealed before, Vlahovic is one of the names that is well-liked in the corridors of the Santiago Bernabéu. Juventus, who bought Vlahovic from Fiorentina in 2022 for €75 million, put him up for sale in the winter market and even began to negotiate with Manchester United on a price that floated around €100 million. Everything was given the green light until the player and his agent pulled out of the deal.
Curiously, the Super League would actually have a part to play in this potential operation, as the shared desire for the competition means that the relationship between the two clubs is excellent.
Option number two: Harry Kane
The other huge name on the list is that of Harry Kane, and it is not the first time that the Englishman has been linked with a move to Madrid. His contract with Tottenham ends in 2024 and a renewal looks unlikely, meaning that after 10 seasons and 277 goals, Kane could be on his way out this summer. Kane is the preference for the decision-makers in the Spanish capital, as he plays in a similar way to Benzema: dropping back and helping out with buildup, as well as being a top finisher.
There is, however, an air of caution around signing the player, after Madrid’s repeated experiments with British players, such as Owen, Woodgate, Bale and Beckham. As for the price, Daniel Levy has put a €100 million price tag on Kane.
Option number three: Gonçalo Ramos
Madrid’s third option is Gonçalo Ramos. At just 21-years-old, he has had a fantastic season at Benfica in which he has scored 18 league goals and 3 Champions League goals. There are, however, two stumbling blocks: Benfica don’t sell cheap and his representative is Gestifute, Jorge Mendes’ company, who no longer leave their doors open for Real Madrid after the abrupt exit of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Will signing a striker affect Madrid signing Bellingham?
No. The signing of a number 9 to compete with Benzema is a completely independent operation to that of Jude Bellingham, who remains Madrid’s priority in the middle of the pitch. A striker and midfielder are the two targets for Madrid this summer and the two obvious choices to develop the squad. Oh, and a left-back.
