Real Madrid have announced that Karim Benzema is leaving the club, putting Carlo Ancelotti’s side in search of a striker that could include Victor Osimhen and Dusan Vlahovic.
The news had been in the air over the last few days and it was formally announced this morning that Benzema will not remain at the Estadio Bernabeu beyond this summer.
He is expected to sign for Al Ittihad, where he will face Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
This is bound to have a huge impact on the global transfer market, as Real Madrid need a big signing to fill the gap left by the Ballon d’Or winner.
The search could well take them towards Serie A, where Napoli hitman Victor Osimhen has just been crowned Capocannoniere with 25 goals.
The Nigeria international has mostly been linked with the Premier League, such as Chelsea and Manchester United, largely due to the price-tag of well over €100m.
Another alternative could be Dusan Vlahovic, who is cheaper at circa €80m and benefits from the fact Juventus are out of the Champions League, so looking to recoup some of the money spent on the Serbian.
Rasmus Hojlund of Atalanta is an investment for the future, the Dane probably coming in at €50m after one season in Serie A.
A veteran option for Real Madrid is Harry Kane, increasingly frustrated at the lack of progress from Tottenham Hotspur, who miss out on Europe altogether after a troubled campaign.