Which forwards should Real Madrid target in summer 2021?

Real Madrid need to sign a competent, consistent goal-scorer in the 2021 summer transfer market. They currently have a steady 20-goal striker in Karim Benzema, but he is 33 and cannot hold the full weight of the attack on his shoulders for another year. Marco Asensio, Rodrygo Goes, and Vinicius Junior all have the potential to contribute, but it is too risky to head into the 2021-2022 season relying on a breakout from Rodrygo and Vini or a career-high in goals from Asensio.

Therefore, Los Blancos have been looking at the best forwards available in the coming summer transfer window. And they seem to be ambitious. Real are reportedly hoping to sign both Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, in addition to free agent defender David Alaba.

Those aren’t even the only targets, though. We’ve seen Real Madrid linked to Harry Kane. Even Mohamed Salah, Riyad Mahrez, and Jadon Sancho have been linked to Los Blancos as possible wide forward signings with double-digit goal potential. Even juicier, we’ve seen links to a Cristiano Ronaldo reunion.

In total, there are more than a handful of world-class players on Real’s radar, if we take the rumor mill at face value. A dangerous game, but it is not unreasonable to state that Florentino Perez will keep multiple avenues open, especially noting how difficult it will be to sign Mbappe and Haaland. Each of them could cost a minimum of 120 million euros, which is a massive fee in the current economic climate.

Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland become even more important to Real Madrid when considering the scope of the market

Out of all the options presented to Real Madrid, Mbappe and Haaland are the clear favorites. If it comes down to one of them, Mbappe should be the preferred target. He is a wide forward, he has been linked to Real for a while, he has wanted to come to Madrid for a while, and Real would have less competition. Nobody else even has a chance at signing Mbappe. And PSG have less leverage – for now, that statement could change depending on Dortmund’s Champions League qualification.

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But of course, Haaland is too talented to be “Plan B”. He is another record-breaking young talent. If anything, he is the “1b” to Mbappe’s “1a”. If anything, the backup plan for Real Madrid is Ronaldo, because while he is still an effective scorer, he is 36 and not the long-term upgrade Los Blancos need.

Where does Luka Jovic figure in all this? He seems to have no future at Real Madrid, but he once scored 27 goals in a campaign for Eintracht Frankfurt before Los Merengues purchased him for 60 million euros. The Serbian is on loan in Frankfurt, but he will return for 2021-2022 without another move. Would Real consider giving him one final shot over splurging money?

A left-footed right winger like Salah would be an intriguing upgrade on Asensio and would fill out a full front three if Eden Hazard is healthy next season, but would either Salah or Mahrez really be made available by their Premier League stalwarts?

To me, the choice is clear. It is Mbappe, Haaland, or a dice roll. If Real cannot sign either generational talent, it becomes a gamble based on availability. The Premier League trio of Kane, Salah, and Mahrez is probably off the table. If not, Perez must investigate. If so, Ronaldo may be a necessary evil, though the financially-prudent and potential long-term play would be sticking with Jovic. That may depend on Zinedine Zidane’s view of the striker, but with a dearth of real options outside of Mbappe and Haaland, trusting in Jovic is a valid option.

Next. The 3 key benefits Real Madrid can offer Kylian Mbappe. dark

Looking at the landscape of the forward positions in this tough market, it’s clear that the opportunity to sign either Mbappe or Haaland would be a gift. I cannot emphasize how difficult it will be to sign one of them, but I also cannot emphasize the importance of signing one of them to Real Madrid.

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