5 players Real Madrid could sign as the next 'Galactico'

Real Madrid is irrefutably the biggest and most successful club in world football. Over the years, several greats of the game have donned the whites of Madrid and president Florentino Pérez likes to pull the transfer strings and fancies having the best players playing for him rather than against him.

Under his leadership, Los Blancos have signed several superstar players with Luis Figo, Ronaldo, David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez to name a few.

Though the 'Galactico' era seems to be on the decline, under which Madrid would sign a superstar every season, the competition across the rest of Europe is intensifying with oil riches helping clubs like PSG and Premier League clubs pocketing enormous sums with the TV rights deal.

Though Madrid has a relatively stable team, with all this money being thrown around, Perez wouldn't be a rubberneck and could soon make a statement of intent with a 'Galactico' of his own.

The prospect of playing for the best team, with the best players and earning mammoth salaries will indeed continue to lure players to the Spanish capital and here we look at 5 superstars who could sign for Real Madrid.

#5 Paul Pogba (Manchester United)

Paul Pogba can break the transfer record again.

Paul Pogba joined Juventus on a free transfer in 2012, after growing increasingly frustrated with his lack of playing time under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford. He instantly became a success in Turin and produced some scintillating performances. It was his time with La Vecchia Signora that helped him realize his potential and transformed him from a boy to a world-class player.

Paul Pogba returned to his boyhood club Man United last summer for what was then the world record transfer fee and has since then justified every penny United paid with a string of spectacular performances.

In 43 league appearances over the past 18 months, he has 9 assists and 8 goals to his name but it is his overall play that makes him stand out. He has created 72 chances, averages 85% pass accuracy, 76% tackle success, 48 interceptions and won 367 duels, all of which are highly commendable.

Pogba has undoubtedly been Man United's best outfield player since his return and is one of the complete midfielders in the game today. There is no question about his ability and Madrid could yet again break the world record transfer for a player who could be an ideal long-term replacement for Luka Modric at the Bernabeu.

#4 Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

Harry Kane fits the profile of a Madrid striker

Harry Kane is undoubtedly one of the best strikers in the world at the moment and is the lynchpin of a bright era for Spurs. It is a testament to his abilities that the 24-year-old is already being categorized as world class.

The Spurs forward has won the Premier League Golden Boot in each of the last two seasons and has had a brilliant start to this season as well, having already scored 24 goals in as many appearances this term.

He has had a remarkable 2017 and his hattrick against Southampton on Boxing Day made sure he finishes the year as the top goalscorer across Europe with 56 goals in a calendar year.

Real Madrid will soon look to replace the aging Karim Benzema and Kane's goalscoring exploits could make him a standout candidate

Kane has helped Spurs qualify for the Champions League knockouts this season, but hasn't won any trophy yet with the north London club and could soon look for a move elsewhere in search for silverware.

He is indubitably the best player in this Spurs lineup and could follow in the footsteps of his Spurs predecessors, Gareth Bale and Luka Modric if Real Madrid were to come calling.

#3 David de Gea (Manchester United)

A return home for de Gea could be a catastrophe for Man Utd.

David de Gea is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in the world at the moment. He has been outstanding for the Red Devils over the past few seasons, producing some astonishing performances week-in-week-out, but a move to Real Madrid could define his place in history and place him among all time greats.

The United No. 1 is excellent in dealing with long-range shots and his remarkable reflexes and ability to stop the ball with his feet in one on one situations are certainly unmatched.

The Spaniard arrived at Old Trafford in the summer of 2011 with loads of expectations, having been earmarked as a potential long-term successor for Edwin Van der Saar, with even Sir Alex famously missing a game to go and watch him play but apart from some early criticism, has gone from strength to strength and produced several awe-inspiring performances over the years.

Real Madrid has long been admirers of the 27-year-old and is on the lookout to replace Keylor Navas. The prospect of winning the Champions League and being the undisputed No.1 for Los Blancos, in addition to Manchester City's performances this season who look set to dominate Premier League in the near future could tempt de Gea to move to the Spanish capital and become the first Galactico goalkeeper.

#2 Eden Hazard (Chelsea)

Zidane has long been an admirer of Chelsea's Eden Hazard.

Eden Hazard has been one of the most coveted players in Europe and has been destined for greatness since his young days at Lille. He joined Chelsea in 2012, who warded off interest from several heavyweights across Europe to sign one of the most prodigious talents in world football.

Hazard has lived up to all the hype that surrounded him and has matured into a world-class player at Chelsea. The Belgian is an excellent creative player, is outrageously quick and has an impeccable dribbling ability highlighted by his 4.5 dribbles per game this season.

The 26-year-old began the season nursing an ankle injury but has been spectacular since his return, with 8 goals and 7 assists to his name in 25 appearances this season.

Hazard has won the Premier League title on two occasions with Chelsea and has been the recipient of PFA Player of the Year in 2015, but Real Madrid and especially Zidane have long been admirers and could make a move for the Belgian to replace Gareth Bale.

#1 Neymar (PSG)

Neymar is more than capable of replacing Cristiano Ronaldo as their star man

Neymar is unarguably one of the best footballers in the world right now. He signed for PSG in a record-breaking €222m deal in the summer to step out of Lionel Messi's shadow and get the recognition he deserves and has done just that since joining the Ligue 1 outfit.

The Brazilian has instantly made an impact and in the 20 games he has played in this season, averages a sensational 7.3 dribbles and 3.7 key passes per game to go with his 17 goals and 12 assists.

The saying that best players must play for the best clubs and with Cristiano Ronaldo soon turning 33, Real Madrid would soon be on a lookout for a worthy successor and the former Barca star ideally fits the bill.

Madrid was interested in signing the Brazilian before he signed for Barcelona in 2013 and could reignite that interest in the near future.

The 25-year-old is said to be unhappy with his life in Paris and misses his son who has stayed back in Barcelona. He has also been involved in disagreements with Edinson Cavani and seems to be unmotivated with the lack of competition in Ligue 1.

All this could tempt him to follow in the footsteps of Ronaldo Nazario and Luis Figo and sign for the Los Blancos.