🖐️ Five options for Real Madrid to replace Karim Benzema | OneFootball

After 14 years, 647 appearances and 353 goals, Karim Benzema is leaving Real Madrid.

So what next for Los Merengues as they look to replace one of the greatest players, and the second top scorer, in the club’s history?

The Natural Replacement

Real Madrid have lost a talismanic striker who is clinical in front of goal and selfless in terms of dropping into midfield and linking play.

Tottenham’s Harry Kane has just one year left on his contract and the north London club are said to be reluctant to sell him to another Premier League club, preferring to let him run down his deal even at the risk of losing him for nothing.

But what if they could rake in a huge fee for the striker and make sure he doesn’t strengthen a rival? Enter Real Madrid.

Whether Kane, who is the Premier League’s second all-time top scorer on 213 goals and needs just 48 more to break Alan Shearer’s long-standing record, is ready to say goodbye to English football remains to be seen but the England captain would surely be tempted to secure a move to such a prestigious club as he looks to finally win the silverware that has eluded him throughout his career to date.

The Goal-Getter

For a similar fee, a younger option and a more typical penalty box number nine could be available.

Napoli will be reluctant to lose Victor Osimhen after a stellar season — they’ve reportedly slapped a €150m price tag on the striker — but that doesn’t mean they’ll be able to keep hold of him.

The Nigerian is still just 24 but has scored a goal every 123 minutes in Serie A during his three years there, including 25 in 31 appearances as Napoli won the Scudetto this season.

If Real Madrid want someone with their best years ahead of them to get on the end of things and finish clinically, Osimhen is their man.

The Old Flame (or his international understudy)

Surely, surely, we won’t get another Kylian Mbappé summer saga? Surely PSG won’t sell to Madrid now the striker has two more years left on his contract?

So what about France team-mate Randal Kolo Muani?

Currently linked with Bayern Munich and Manchester United, the 24-year-old managed 15 goals and 11 assists in his first Bundesliga season, with his fine form earning him a spot in the national team setup.

The striker is a superb dribbler, possesses real pace, and is selfless when it comes to the final third, which could all allow him to provide the ideal foil for Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo.

Another French national team forward — Marcus Thuram — is out of contract with Borussia Mönchengladbach …

The Free False Nine

With so much money already set to be spent on Jude Bellingham this summer, a cheaper, more short-term solution up front cannot be ruled out.

Roberto Firmino is departing Liverpool with his contract expiring and could perfectly play the false nine role with Real Madrid’s star-studded case of forwards around him.

It would probably require another addition too, with Rodrygo perhaps another candidate to fill in through the middle, but do not rule out a stop-gap like this as Madrid take their time to assess the market.