Real Madrid set to finalise move for €6m La Liga striker as Mariano replacement

Real Madrid have been struck with huge news in the last few hours as Karim Benzema’s future has been put under a cloud of doubt. The Frenchman, free in the summer, is now closer to leaving the club than renewing his contract.

Benzema has been offered a mammoth €200 million two-year contract from Al-Ittihad, and is seriously considering it. The contract also includes image rights, advertising money, and social work.

As such, Madrid will have to work overtime to look to reinforce their forward line ahead of next summer. With Mariano Diaz also leaving, they will be without a natural striker should Benzema not continue. They are, however, close to signing Espanyol’s Joselu, as per a report by Sergio Santos. He will serve as Mariano’s backup in the squad. If nothing goes wrong at this point, he would be the first signing for the club once the season officially calls curtains next weekend.

Joselu has a clause in his Espanyol contract that helps facilitate his transfer in case of relegation. With the Catalan outfit now officially back in the Segunda Division, the Spaniard could be on the move. Real Madrid have almost completely closed the signing of Fran Garcia already, who is set to return to the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of his season. Joselu’s announcement could follow, after next week, as the club prioritising focusing on the league, hoping to finish second.

Should Benzema call it quits on his time at Madrid, though, the club are expected to go after another striker in the summer. Roberto Firmino and Harry Kane are among names being considered, but each with problems of their own. The Brazilian wants to know about his fit in the team before making an official decision on his future, while the Englishman will carry a huge price tag