After more than 640 games, 350 goals and now at the end of his fourteenth season in Spain, Karim Benzema is set to depart Real Madrid. According to multiple reports, the French striker will confirm his departure from the LaLiga giants on Thursday and following the expiration of his current deal in the Spanish capital, he will then join Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad.
At 35 years of age, Benzema is undoubtedly in the twilight of his career but few could doubt that the former France international has remained a vital part of Madrid’s squad as they’ve continued to compete for silverware in Spain and in Europe. Over the course of his time at the club, the striker has won no less than 12 major trophies with Madrid, with his most recent LaLiga and Champions League successes coming last season. As such, the Frenchman departs Madrid as one of their most decorated players.
However, while Benzema may be looking forward to the next chapter in his career, the senior striker has left his former club in a tricky situation. Due to the player’s superb fitness and goalscoring record well into his mid thirties, Madrid have since become dependent on the ever-present forward. As such, Los Blancos will be in desperate need of a new No.9 and perhaps more than one if they are to adequately replace Benzema’s goals for the club.
Kane, Mbappé or Firmino – the players tasked with replace Benzema
Indeed, Madrid are no strangers to making generational, outlandish transfers when called upon and it seems as though the club will have to dig out their check book and put their money where their mouth is this summer if they hope to sign a fitting replacement to Benzema . To no great surprise, the club have been heavily linked with a number of strikers in recent months and may well find a successor this summer.
Perhaps the most obvious transfer target would be Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappé, who Madrid tried to sign last year. However, the player has since signed a new contract with the Ligue 1 giants until 2025 and seems intent on staying put for now. “The next step? Winning the Champions League,” Mbappe told France 3 in a recent interview. “I have already made a final, semi-final, quarter-final, round of 16… I have done everything but win. That’s all I need. Where [I want to do it]? In Paris. I’m a Parisian and under contract. So it’s PSG.”
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According to the Times, Madrid may instead turn their attention to Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane, who would likely fit into Benzema’s role as facilitator and scorer of goals relatively well. However, Spurs are likely to ask for more than €100m for the striker and it remains to be seen whether Madrid could match that alongside other transfer commitments this summer. According to the Athletic, Napoli forward Victor Osimhen may also be an unrealistic option, but may inquire about the availability of Lautaro Martinez whose club Inter Milan will likely need to sell players this summer.