- Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly wants out of Real Madrid
- Zinedine Zidane’s side have been linked with a host of forwards recently
- Could a transfer raid on Arsenal, Chelsea or Tottenham be on?
- READ MORE: Natacha Rodrigues gallery: Sizzling pics of model who claims she had one-night stand with Cristiano Ronaldo
With shock reports from AS that Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is pushing for a transfer at the end of this season, it could be time for president Florentino Perez to get his chequebook out.
The Portugal international will be a near-impossible act to follow at the Bernabeu, but there are still plenty of big names out there who could soften the blow of his departure.
Real are known for their spending power and have long brought in the world’s biggest names, including Ronaldo himself when he joined from Manchester United in 2009 for what was then a world-record £80million fee, as reported by BBC Sport.
So who could be the next to follow in his footsteps? Here’s our recommendation for six players who could be up to the job and who may be realistic targets given recent links with Madrid anyway…
Neymar (PSG)
Don Balon recently claimed that Ronaldo was left stunned by Madrid’s eye-watering plans to spend a total of €500million on Neymar’s transfer fee and wages.
The Brazil international is one of the biggest names in world football and would be of the calibre required to take on such an important role at one of the world’s most prestigious clubs.
Another report from Don Balon claimed Neymar was keen on the move to the Bernabeu if he fails to win the Ballon d’Or in the next two seasons with PSG, though he hit out at speculation over his future in an interview last week.
Sky Sports also quoted Sergio Ramos hinting ending up at Real is part of Neymar’s long-term plan, with PSG just a stop-gap as it would have been too controversial to move directly between Barcelona and Madrid.
‘I like to have the best and Neymar is one of them,’ Ramos said. ‘Maybe it was easier for him to go to PSG instead of directly to Real Madrid.
‘I think he’s one of the best in the world, but football goes around a lot and it’s very personal decisions.’
Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
A similar style of goalscoring winger to Ronaldo, Eden Hazard has been linked time and time again with a move from Chelsea to Real Madrid.
MORE: Chelsea transfer news
Recent claims by Don Balon suggested Perez would be keen on bringing in the Belgian if he convinces him with his performances at next summer’s World Cup, with manager Zinedine Zidane a big fan.
Hazard, 26, has also hinted he’d be keen on a move to the Bernabeu recently when discussing the prospect of playing under his ‘idol’ Zidane.
‘Zidane would be a dream to have as a coach, he was my idol when I was little. I have a lot of respect for him,’ Hazard told La Derniere Heure.
Harry Kane (Tottenham)
One of the very best goalscorers in the world at the moment, Marca have reported that Real Madrid are looking at Harry Kane after his recent form for Tottenham.
The England international has that same lethal touch as Ronaldo and never seems to lose his cool in the penalty area, with the Sun also linking Manchester United with a big-money bid for him next summer.
Replacing Ronaldo would certainly be a big job for Kane, but he’s passed pretty much every other test of his career so far with flying colours, so could make the step up to Real if asked to do so.
Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
Set to be available on a free in the summer, Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez could be a bargain option for Real Madrid if they move for him this January in an attempt to rescue the Gunners from losing him to one of their biggest rivals in Manchester City.
Diario Gol claimed recently that Real Madrid are already considering a move for Sanchez, but the Daily Mirror have claimed City remain confident of winning the race for his signature in the summer.
Sanchez shone in La Liga during his time with Barcelona so could do well to go back, though it also seems he himself is tempted to be reunited with his old manager Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.
Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
Another similar player to Ronaldo is currently plying his trade at the other end of Madrid, with Antoine Griezmann starring for Real’s rivals Atletico.
The France international has been linked as a target for Zidane by Diario Gol, and looks in many ways the ideal kind of marauding winger-forward to fill that Ronaldo void.
Griezmann has been prolific in a highly defensive Diego Simeone side, and would surely only score more if playing in Zidane’s more expansive Los Blancos outfit.
ESPN suggest, however, that Real would likely face competition from Manchester United for Griezmann next summer.
Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Surprise reports have emerged that Real Madrid still believe they could sign PSG forward Kylian Mbappe, despite him only just joining the French giants this season.
AS mention the 18-year-old as one of the attacking players on Real’s radar next summer, and he looks in many ways to be the heir to the likes of Ronaldo and Lionel Messi who have been the stars of their generation.
Mbappe burst onto the scene with 26 goals in all competitions for Monaco last season, earning him his big move to PSG, who have signed him on an initial loan with a view to a permanent deal, according to BBC Sport.
Still, Real are used to getting what they want and a player of Mbappe’s pace, skill and goal threat could be ideal to set them up to cope without Ronaldo for many years to come.