The departure of Karim Benzema towards Arabia has caught Real Madrid out of place, who hoped to keep the Frenchman for another season in their squad. The white club is now debating the need to find a high-level substitute. Harry Kane, who turns 30 on July 29, is the best placed but hiring him raises many doubts, both due to the player's age and the large outlay required, some 120 million euros.
What is practically done is the return of Joselu, the Espanyol striker who at 33 years old has been the top national scorer (16 goals) and who would thus return to the Bernabéu, from which he left in 2012. The Galician looked like the perfect complement for Benzema, a forward with guarantees that allowed the last Ballon d'Or to be dosed more. In no case did he come as a starter nor is he expected to play next season accompanied only by youth squad player Álvaro Rodríguez.
Madrid does not want to rush, but the fans are surprised to see that in a few days four of their strikers have left the club (Benzema, Asensio, Mariano and Hazard) and at the moment no replacement is in sight to accompany Vinícius and Rodrygo.
Sources consulted in Madrid indicate that the club is immersed in doubt. Leaving aside that English footballers have not usually worked at the Bernabéu, at Concha Espina they are aware that signing Kane definitely removes the chances of bringing Haaland or Mbappé in the summer of 2024 and that is big words.
It is not a majority feeling, but there are those who advise Florentino Pérez to wait another year and not commit to bringing English and to rush the options of one of the other two to the end, which would be strategic signings for ten years, which that was a bit the signing of Cristiano. Florentino Pérez is not very keen on waiting another year, especially disenchanted with Mbappé's attitude. And regarding the Norwegian, it was never a decided bet and talking about him seems like siren songs to him.
Given Kane's price, the club is probing other markets as well. The possibility of bringing in Kay Havertz, Chelsea's German striker, was considered but right now it doesn't seem like a feasible option. Other avenues remain open.
Real Madrid is waiting to officially announce the signing of Jude Bellingham, which Borussia Dortmund has already done. In Madrid they explain that paperwork is still missing and that the contract will be closed soon, without specifying when.
Regarding the ups and downs of the squad, Madrid is still in negotiations to close the continuity of Nacho Fernández and Dani Ceballos. Both take it for granted that they continue, although neither of them has said it clearly. Apart from Joselu and Bellingham, the additions of Fran García (Rayo) and the return of Brahim from his two-year loan at AC Milan are also considered tied.
