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Real Madrid losing Karim Benzema to the allure of Saudi Arabia could open the window for Victor Osimhen or another of these five players to make a career-defining move to the Santiago Bernabeu
Real Madrid are set to lose captain Karim Benzema to a ludicrously expensive offer from an unnamed Saudi Arabian club, and they are already lining up a number of alternatives to the Frenchman.
We have compiled five players who Real Madrid are currently considering as Benzema’s replacement, with the pros and cons for both player and club on each deal.
1. Harry Kane
Tottenham forward Harry Kane is currently tipped as the favourite to replace Benzema after rumours of the England captain being approached by Real Madrid.
Kane’s reluctance to leave England with the record for the most goals in Premier League history in sight could be the stumbling block for a possible transfer to Spain, with the Spurs’ forward preferring a move to Manchester United.
After scoring 30 goals in the just concluded 2022/23 season, Kane was only stopped from winning a fourth Premier League golden boot by the irrepressible Erling Haaland, who scored 36 goals.
Kane is now only 47 goals away from matching Alan Shearer’s record of 260 goals, and his next transfer move will be crucial to whether or not he breaks the former Newcastle striker’s record.
2. Victor Osimhen
Napoli forward Victor Osimhen has been one of the most in-form strikers of the 2022/23 season and is set to clinch the Serie A golden boot at the end of the season, having scored 25 goals with one more game week left to play.
The Nigerian striker has been linked with a move away from Napoli, with clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and Chelsea all rumoured to be interested in the 24-year-old forward.
With Benzema set to depart the Bernabeu this summer, Real Madrid could look to the Super Eagles’ forward to replace the French forward.
The only drawback to a deal for Osimhen would be the price tag, as Napoli would request at least €150 million to part ways with their star forward.
3. Kylian Mbappe
Real Madrid have been long-time admirers of Kylian Mbappe and were close to signing the Paris Saint-Germain forward last summer before he made a dramatic U-turn and signed a two-year extension with an option for a third year with the French club.
Mbappe still has eyes for a Madrid move and is unlikely to trigger the option for a further year before the deadline to do so expires this summer.
That will leave Mbappe with only one year on his contract and could force PSG into a sale this summer or risk losing the France captain for free next season.
Mbappe could be a natural teammate for his former international teammate at Real Madrid thanks to his style of play and lethal finishing, although a move for Mbappe will be just as expensive as one for Osimhen.
4. Erling Haaland
After only one season at the Etihad Stadium with Manchester City, it would be bizarre for Erling Haaland to leave, especially if the Cityzens win the treble at the end of the season.
Yet the Norwegian’s open admiration of Real Madrid means that a move this summer cannot be ruled out, especially after the teething problems that Haaland faced at Manchester City.
The 22-year-old forward appeared frustrated at times during the season, despite scoring a bucketload of goals, as he was isolated upfront due to Manchester City’s struggles at the time.
Haaland reportedly has a release clause worth €200 million in 2024 and €175 million in 2025, meaning Real Madrid will have to pay a world-record fee to get Manchester City to let him go.
The price of the deal and Manchester City’s recent success will be the biggest stumbling blocks for the move, but with the player noting that he would like to play in Spain, he could push for a change with Benzema gone.
5. Roberto Firmino
One deal where price will not be an issue for Real Madrid will be Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino, who will be a free agent when his current deal expires at the end of the season.
The Brazilian forward has already said goodbye to the Liverpool faithful after eight seasons with the Reds and has been linked with a move to all three of Spain’s big three teams.
With Robert Lewandowski running the show at Barcelona, and potentially soon to be joined by Lionel Messi, Firmino is unlikely to want to play second or third fiddle to them.
Instead, a move to Real Madrid, who are currently searching for a leading man following Benzema’s departure would benefit Firmino the most as he could revitalise his career as the club’s focal point in atack.
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