As we close in on the business end of the season, it is starting to become abundantly clear that Real Madrid missed a trick by not signing a new striker in the last two transfer windows.
Karim Benzema’s fitness woes have shown no signs of slowing down, but the Frenchman continues to play, as was the case in Sunday’s El Clasico, as manager Carlo Ancelotti simply does not have another option of the same level and quality at his disposal.
So, it goes without saying that Los Blancos must sign a new No. 9 next summer. They have secured Endrick’s services, but he will only arrive in 2024, after he turns 18. Alvaro Rodriguez will be a first-team member next term as confirmed by Ancelotti himself, but is still too green.
Real Madrid have Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland on their agenda, but they will be unable to sign either of them until 2024. Hence, according to AS, the current champions of Spain and Europe are looking at possible options for the summer of this year.
One option is to look for an experienced striker who can be a stop-gap until 2024, like Real Madrid did in the past with players like Ruud van Nistelrooy and Javier ‘ Chicharito’ Hernandez.
The other option would be to go for a top striker right away, and in that regard, two names are being considered at the club currently – Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus and Harry Kane of Tottenham.
Vlahovic has not had the most prolific of seasons at Juventus, but the 23-year-old’s potential is not in doubt. With the Bianconeri facing financial troubles and sanctions from court, a sale could be on the cards, although he would likely cost around €100-120 million.
The report states that Juventus were working to sell him to a Premier League club in January for the aforementioned price, but his agent ended up stopping the move. It has since been reported that he has been offered to Real Madrid.
As for Kane, he is entering the final year of his contract with Tottenham, who will still demand £100 million for the England captain. The 29-year-old is a proven goalscorer with a prolific record and is seen as a good fit at Real Madrid.
But Kane’s signing would be difficult as he would unlikely be willing to share game-time with Karim Benzema, who is set to renew for one more year. Furthermore, the Tottenham man harbours dreams of becoming the Premier League’s all-time top scorer which might compel him to stay in England.
Vlahovic, thus, might be a more viable option as, at 23, he might be open to sharing the spotlight with Benzema next year before eventually taking over from him.