Rafael Benitez has arrived at Real Madrid and club president Florentino Perez looks set to put everything behind his new man as he attempts to bring glory back to the Bernabeu.
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Carlo Ancelotti has departed, despite winning the club’s 10th Champions League title last year, while several player sales may well swell the club’s coffers.
The likes of Gareth Bale, Rafael Varane, Karim Benzema, Fabio Coentrao and Iker Casillas have all been linked with the exit door at the club.
However, who will Benitez look to bring into the club?
In this feature, we profile six players who could be set to arrive in Madrid this summer as Benitez looks to rebuild the world’s grandest club.
Marco Reus
With Jurgen Klopp having called time on his Borussia Dortmund career, may several of his key stars at BVB be set to join him in leaving the club?
Mats Hummels and Ilkay Gundogan have both been linked with a move to Manchester United, while Marco Reus could also be on his way.
The attacking midfielder has been linked to Real and would be a complementary addition to the side’s already-glittering forward line.
Raheem Sterling
Authorities at Real Madrid may have indicated that the club are not interested in Raheem Sterling, but Rafael Benitez is believed to be considering a return to Liverpool forward.
The Reds’ wantaway star has indicated that he will not sign a new contract at Anfield, and while talks with Bayern Munich have broken down, Brendan Rodgers may look to cash in on the divisive figure should the offer be right.
Paul Pogba
There aren’t too many youngsters more talented that Paul Pogba in the game today. The midfield powerhouse has the lot, he is technically proficient, he can break up attacks and he delights in driving through the middle to great effect.
However, Barcelona have also acknowledged their interest in the Juventus man.
Laurent Koscielny
Real Madrid have also been linked with a move for Laurent Koscielny, who may be considered as a makeweight in any deal to bring Manchester United target Karim Benzema to the Emirates Stadium.
If Rafael Varane also moves to Old Trafford—with the Red Devils having already had a primary bid for the defender rejected—then Benitez may have need for an extra hand in the backline.
David De Gea
It is no secret that that Real Madrid are keen to bring the Spain international stopper to the Bernabeu.
Louis van Gaal has admitted that it would be hard to refuse the keeper’s desire to return to his homeland and the former Atletico Madrid man is the ideal choice to replace the ageing Iker Casillas at Real.
Sergio Aguero
With Benzema linked to Old Trafford, could another striker be set to move in the opposite direction and swap Manchester for Madrid?
Aguero boasts the kind of profile that would surely appeal to Perez, after all, who couldn’t be tempted by the prospect of signing the Premier League’s top scorer?
However, does Benitez’s intention of using Cristiano Ronaldo as a central striker indicate that the club have no need to recruit another star centre-forward?