Real Madrid's over-reliance on Kylian Mbappé was on show last night in the Champions League as he scored all of their goals in a 4-3 win over Olympiacos. The Frenchman played 90 minutes, with the club's other center-forward options, Endrick and Gonzalo García, left on the bench.
Endrick could soon be departing Los Blancos on loan in January. There is a rumored switch to Olympique Lyonnais on the cards. Therefore, Xabi Alonso will need to bring in another striking option. If Mbappé were to get injured or be suspended, then Real Madrid would be in a very sticky situation.
It will be difficult for Los Blancos to sign a striker in January. Any recruit will know that they are signing to be a backup option for Mbappé. However, there are a few names that could be happy with that role.
3 logical CF solutions Real Madrid could pursue in the January window
Niclas Füllkrug
Niclas Füllkrug was a star for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga. However, he has struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League. Multiple injuries have not helped him to settle at West Ham United. In total for the Hammers, he has scored just three times in 28 games in all competitions.
Despite his disastrous form for West Ham, Füllkrug was linked with Real Madrid last summer. It has also been reported that he wants to leave the East London club in January. Surprise moves such as this have happened in the past when Julian Faubert signed for Real Madrid from the Hammers. It would be a gamble for Real Madrid. Füllkrug is now 32, injury-prone, and appears past his best.
Karim Benzema
Real Madrid have been known to re-sign former players in the past. Joselu came back to the club at the end of his career and was a key player during the 2023/24 season. The Spanish international had unfinished business at Los Blancos, whilst Karim Benzema won it all during his stint at the Bernabeu.
Benzema is now playing in the Saudi Pro League for Al-Ittihad. They would be reluctant to let their star player and captain leave the club. However, Benzema has admitted that he would be interested in a return to Real Madrid.
Benzema has still managed eight goals in 11 games for Al-Ittihad this season. However, he is now 37 years old. Performing in the Saudi Pro League is not the same as La Liga. We do not know if Benzema will still be able to perform in European soccer, plus it would be a very short-term solution for Real Madrid.
Ademola Lookman
Ademola Lookman was desperate to leave Atalanta last summer. He even handed in a transfer request with Inter Milan heavily linked with the player. However, the move did not come to fruition, and he has since been reintegrated into Atalanta's roster.
He has played 12 times this season, scoring just two goals. However, on his day, he can be a star. In Atalanta's Europa League final, he scored a hat-trick against Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen side. Therefore, the current Real Madrid boss will know all about him.
The Nigerian international has also helped his country reach the final of the Africa Cup of Nations. Lookman has also received a nomination for the Ballon d'Or. At just 28, he is a younger option to Fullkrug and Benzema.
He may be willing to play second fiddle to Mbappé, as it will be at arguably the biggest club in the world. Lookman has played for some big teams, including Everton, Leicester City, and RB Leipzig. However, none are on the scale of Real Madrid.