The summer transfer window hasn’t officially opened yet, but for Real Madrid, the La Liga giants are already scrambling to find an alternative for Kylian Mbappe.
The French superstar announced earlier this month that he will be staying at PSG for the next three years, throwing a massive spanner in Madrid’s summer plans and reportedly sending those at the top of the Spanish club into a fit of fury and rage.
With Mbappe and Erling Haaland now off the table, Madrid will have to find alternatives this summer to compliment Karim Benzema upfront, though given the finances Los Blancos were willing to put for the PSG star, money is seemingly not an issue this transfer window.
Madrid are desperate for an attacker, and after being embarrassed by Mbappe, here are five forwards who the UEFA Champions League titans could now sign this summer as an alternative to the 23-year-old striker.
Rafael Leao
Missing out on Mbappe can lead Real Madrid down a winding road to signing a player who doesn’t fit their system or future plans at all, yet Rafael Leao could be a sensible alternative to the PSG sensation.
An attacker who has quite literally been compared to Mbappe in his career and is currently off the back of a fantastic season with AC Milan, the Serie A title-winner could be a smart signing for Madrid if they’re open to bringing in a player who might not be as well-known or have the Galactico factor as Mbappe does.
Robert Lewandowski
One attacker who does have that cutting edge very few players in world football have, though, is Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski, who this season with 50 goals in all competitions has been the most prolific striker in Europe’s top-five leagues.
With the Polish international also reportedly open to leaving Germany this summer, Madrid could land Lewandowski at the height of his powers, and with FC Barcelona also interested in the striker, beating their La Liga rivals to the attacker would only sweeten the deal.
Sadio Mane
Mohamed Salah has often been linked with a move to Real Madrid, though as we inch closer to the summer transfer window, Sadio Mane could be a more realistic option for the European giants, especially as an alternative to Mbappe.
The Senegal international shares many qualities with the PSG star, and with Mane this season evolving his game to play as a centre-forward, the possibilities of the 30-year-old flourishing at Madrid are endless, especially alongside Benzema and Vinicius Junior.
Darwin Nunez
Darwin Nunez has arguably been the breakout striker of the season in Europe with the Benfica star lighting up both Portugal and Europe over the past 12 months, and according to AS, Real Madrid are interested in the South American attacker.
With many top European clubs also eyeing Nunez including Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool, signing the Uruguayan could be difficult for Madrid. Though if Carlo Ancelotti guarantees the striker regular minutes, the Benfica star would find it difficult to reject a move to Spain.
Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling’s season with Manchester City has somewhat gone under the radar, with the England international bagging 17 goals and nine assists in all competitions as the winger added a fourth Premier League title to his growing trophy cabinet.
Yet despite the winger’s incredible record this season, a summer move is a growing possibility for the attacker, with Real Madrid reportedly joining Arsenal and Tottenham in eyeing a potential move for Sterling, with City potentially open to offloading the 27-year-old if a suitable offer comes in.
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