Transfer Centre

Three forwards Real Madrid could target to replace Karim Benzema

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 09 June 2023

Sports Mole picks out three forwards that Real Madrid could target this summer to replace Karim Benzema, including Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane.

Karim Benzema's decision to leave Real Madrid this summer certainly came as a surprise, with the forward ending his long association with the club to move to Saudi Arabia.

Los Blancos have also released Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio and Mariano Diaz, meaning that it will be a busy summer window for the club, particularly in the final third of the field.

The departure of Benzema will clearly be felt the hardest, but in Asensio, Real Madrid have lost a very important squad player, which is expected to lead to Brahim Diaz being brought into the team next season following a lengthy loan spell at AC Milan.

Manchester City's Erling Braut Haaland and Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe are not in reach for Carlo Ancelotti's side this summer, but there will be a high-profile forward addition at Bernabeu in the coming months.

With that in mind, Sports Mole picks out three strikers that the capital giants could target during this summer's transfer window to boost their attack.

Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane claps the fans on May 20, 2023 © Reuters

Harry Kane would be the dream summer addition for Real Madrid, but the numbers would have to make sense, as Los Blancos are paying a huge amount to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund this summer.

Kane only has another year left to run on his contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and there is currently widespread speculation surrounding his future.

Manchester United are keen on the 29-year-old, but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is said to be adamant that he will not sell to a domestic rival, potentially meaning that Real Madrid could go head-to-head with Bayern Munich if it becomes clear that the England captain will be on his way out.

Kane scored 32 goals in a struggling Tottenham side last season, and he is now just 47 goals short of Alan Shearer's all-time Premier League record of 260.

The striker is said to be determined to remain in England in order to chase down the record, but Real Madrid would be a difficult club to turn down, and it would be a huge statement of intent from Ancelotti's side if they managed to bring him to Bernabeu this summer.

Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)

Lautaro Martinez in action for Inter Milan on September 7, 2022 © Reuters

Lautaro Martinez has been in excellent form for Inter during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring 28 goals and registering 11 assists in 56 appearances in all competitions.

The forward has already won the Coppa Italia this season, while he helped Argentina secure the 2022 World Cup towards the end of last year.

There is also the small matter of the Champions League final on Saturday, where Martinez will line up at the tip of the Inter attack, bidding to help the Italians beat Manchester City.

The 25-year-old has another three years left to run on his contract, but there have been suggestions that he could be available this summer due to Inter's financial problems.

Martinez has netted 102 times in 237 appearances for Inter, and there is no reason to suggest that he would not be able to score goals on a regular basis for Real Madrid, so the forward could emerge as an interesting option for the capital giants during this summer's transfer window.

Randal Kolo Muani (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Eintracht Frankfurt's Randal Kolo Muani celebrates scoring their first goal on January 25, 2023 © Reuters

Randal Kolo Muani was in excellent form for Frankfurt during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring 23 goals and registering 17 assists in 46 appearances in all competitions.

The fact that the forward has posted those numbers at not an elite club makes him a very attractive proposition, and the likes of Man United and Bayern have also been credited with an interest.

Kolo Muani managed 15 goals and 14 assists during the recent Bundesliga season, while he also scored twice in the Champions League.

The 24-year-old is now regarded as a key player for France and is set to play a leading role in Euro 2024 for the Blues, should they qualify for the competition.

Kolo Muani has another four years left to run on his contract at Frankfurt, but it would be very difficult for the club to keep hold of him if they are presented with a big-money offer, and the thought of him featuring alongside Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo in the Real Madrid attack would be very exciting for the club's fans.