Who should Real Madrid target this Summer?

Forwards

Karim Benzema is a fine forward. He does a lot of work for the team - pressing, assisting CR7, tracking back and so on. But what he is not seen doing regularly, and that's what he is in the team for, is scoring. His league stats this season are abysmal, scoring 5 goals and assisting 10 in the 32 matches that he has played. He has been linked with a move to Chelsea and Napoli , and with Carlo Ancelotti announced as the manager of Napoli recently, it is a possibility. Also, Zidane leaving the club will be a factor in play for Benzema's departure as the Frenchman trusted his compatriot and made him start vital games for the team.

Neymar and Mbappe are on Real Madrid's radar

To replace him, Madrid have plenty of options at their disposal. The favourite among all is Robert Lewandowski. He suits the counter attacking play and the buid up play that Madrid tend to use in different situations. He is a favourite for the bookies amid reports that his agent stating " Robert needs a new challenge." He has a sublime record for the Bundesliga Champions and is a world class player. He is also friends with several Madrid players so it will not be tough for him to settle and sparkle .

While Lewandowki is a fan-favourite at the Allianz Arena, he is also being linked with Chelsea, PSG and Manchester United as well. It will be safe to consider other options as well, just in case he snubs Los Blancos for some other team or remains with the Bavarians. Mauro Icardi has had another prolific season with Inter and his scoring exploits, netting 29 in 34 games, have lead the Italians to an automatic qualification for Champions League next season. He has a knack of scoring goals in routine. Icardi tends to find spaces in tough times and it will help Madrid overcome tight defences that team like Las Palmas and Sporting Gijon bring with them. He will be an upgrade on Benzema and his stats are a proof of that.

With many linking either Gerath Bale or Cristiano Ronaldo, or both of them, with a move away from the European Champions, it will be good for Madrid if they start looking at the options to replace them. Reports suggest that PSG may not be able to activate the buying option in the loan deal for Kylian Mbappe due to the Financial Fair Play sanctions, which means that Madrid will be eyeing a deal for the French youngster as soon as his deal with the French Champion expires. The Monaco loanee is one of the quickest players there is and has all the tricks to pull himself out of a tight situation. He can play at any position in the front three and willl be slotted straight into the line-up in place of Benzema. A little reshuffling of the front 3 might be required to adjust him but it is a pain the manager would take for him. A quick, young player who can be the face of the team for the coming years is a solution that can solve many issues, all at once. His stats are also very impressive given his very young age, scoring 12 goals and assisting another 8 in their Ligue 1 triumph. So, if and when Roanldo or Bale leave for some other team, we have someone who can replace either of them and keep the goal-scoring intact.

Another man that has been regularly linked with the Spanish giants is Neymar. The Brazilian is perfect for Madrid, his flashy play, his goals and assists, and the fact that he can be considered as Cristiano Ronaldo's heir make him the best possible buy. His performances with Barcelona and now PSG are strong enough to consider him one of the World's best and he suits the Real Madrid style more than the style followed by Barcelona. He can also play as a central striker but given Ronaldo's age and recent change in his game, he will play as a wide forward with the Portuguese in a more central role. But the PSG chairman's claim of "2000%" regarding Neymar's stay and reports emerging that he is not interested in signing for Los Blanocs anymore, make it an interesting market for the 13-time Champions League winners to choose from.