As reports on Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema swapping La Liga for the glamour of the Premier League continue to swirl, the image of the Frenchman donning the Arsenal shirt in a few weeks’ time is excitedly becoming more and more believable.
However, if Los Blancos really are willing to grant the Frenchman a transfer, there’s the small matter of who might take his place at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Have a read of five top replacements that Rafael Benitez might be considering in the final month of this summer’s transfer window…
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5. Fernando Llorente
If Los Blancos are searching for a cheap option to replace Benzema, Llorente should be their man.
Reports have suggested that he could cost less than £10m, but the only problem – and quite a significant one – is goals.
Llorente has struggled to maintain his form in front goal, hitting the back of the net on just seven occasions in Serie A last season, and could be considered a risk at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Nonetheless, with a mouth-watering number of goals guaranteed from Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Isco Suarez, his ability to hold up the ball may be all that Real require – and could therefore make him a steal this summer.
4. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
No doubt a controversial pick.
While the Sweden centre-forward has insisted his happiness to see out his contract at the Parc des Princes, the possibility of PSG opting to cash in should not be ruled out.
He remains one of the most intimidating strikers in Europe, the only question remains whether his ego – and likely monstrous wages – would disrupt Real’s uneasy dressing room.
Chelsea and Manchester United have also been credited with interest by the Express.
3. Alvaro Morata
Morata was sold by Los Blancos last July, putting pen-to-paper on a five-year deal with Juventus, but the decision to sell may have been rash by the La Liga BBVA giants.
At 22-years-old, the Spaniard still has his peak days ahead of him, and his performance against his former club in the Champions League last season illustrated a player finally blossoming into a top striker.
According to reports, a buy-back option was written into the agreement on his sale to Juve, but they will have to wait until the end of the 2015-16 season to activate this clause.
2. Edinson Cavani
With the arrival of Angel Di Maria and the return of Javier Pastore to fitness, Cavani’s position in the French capital is by no means guaranteed.
It would therefore come as no surprise if the Uruguayan is considering his future in the final month of the summer transfer window.
Despite his threat in Laurent Blanc’s side, he is not essential, and with claims of a £50m price-tag, cashing wouldn’t be a bad idea for the Ligue 1 giants, particularly having just spent £44.3m on Di Maria.
Cavani has scored 34 goals in 65 appearances for PSG, and considering a large chunk of these strikes come from a wide position, this is mightily impressive.
1. Sergio Aguero
According to reports from Spain, Aguero is Rafael Benitez’s dream replacement to Benzema.
He has scored a stunning 78 goals in 120 appearances for Manchester City, despite persistent niggling injury problems throughout his career in England.
A deal this summer would shock Europe, but if the Citizens again fail to lift a trophy and disappoint in the Champions League, it would come as no surprise if he considers his options in 12 months’ time.
The Argentine is among the world’s best strikers, and it will take one heck of an offer for the two-time Premier League champions to grant him a transfer to the Spanish capital.
But if anyone can, it’s Real Madrid.
