Kylian Mbappe has ignored Real Madrid to sign a contract extension with PSG.
Real Madrid also tried to sign Erling Haaland before he joined Manchester City this summer.
Still, Los Blancos must find a young striker who will take over the mantle from Karim Benzema in 2023 or later. We simply cannot ignore the fact that our goal machine is already 34.
Here are some options:
1. Victor Osimhen
The Nigerian striker has proven to be a powerful finisher who is full of confidence and the drive to succeed.
Osimhen is good in the air, he can shoot and most defenders struggle against him in a foot race.
What's more, the Napoli striker is just 23 and is already considered a big bully of a number 9 in Italy. He recently scored four goals in one game for his country too. There's literally nothing preventing him from excelling at Real Madrid.
2. Harry Kane
The English goal poacher is considered one of the best in the business in the Premier League right now.
Kane has excelled consistently at Tottenham, scoring goals like they're going out of fashion.
Actually, the only reason he's number 2 on this list is that getting him out of Spurs will be pretty difficult.
At 28, Kane is in the prime of his life. He could give Real Madrid at least four goal-laden seasons.
3. Lautaro Martinez
One South American option Real Madrid can explore is Lautaro Martinez. The Argentine is a warrior in attack who rarely ever goes on a goal drought.
The 24-year-old looks like a perfect fit for Real Madrid. Getting him from Inter Milan will not be too difficult either.
Martinez pushed Inter all the way in the Serie A title race last season, bagging 21 goals in 35 games.
4. Moussa Dembele
If Real Madrid intends to replace Benzema with another Frenchman, they could pick Moussa Dembele - a 25-year-old who knows how to stick goals in week-in-week-out.
Dembele is just 25, he's excellent in the air, powerful, rarely gets injured and you need to see him shoot.
Last season, Dembele registered 21 goals in the French League after just 30 appearances. Another good poacher who's under the radar.
5. Others
There are other less likely options Real Madrid could go for. A good example is Ajax's Sebastien Haller, who just keeps scoring for the Dutch side.
There are easy pickings too - like Jarod Bowen of West Ham and Roma's Tammy Abraham - these guys really know how to score.
Real Madrid are pretty stocked in midfield. But which proper young number 9 would you recommend to your favourite team?
