5 players Real Madrid could've signed instead of Eden Hazard

Real Madrid signed Eden Hazard from Chelsea in a deal worth €115 million in the summer of 2019. The Belgian was expected to light things up upon his arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu. However, more than two years have passed and he's yet to show any promising signs.

Eden Hazard has been a mere shadow of himself since becoming a Real Madrid player, with recurring injury setbacks ruining his spell in the Spanish capital. So far, the Belgian has contributed a paltry five goals in the Los Blancos Jersey, missing a whopping 59 games across two seasons.

Given the playmaker's struggles in recent years, one can't help but remember that Real Madrid overlooked a number of decent options to lure him to the Santiago Bernabeu. Had Los Blancos thought otherwise, they could've signed any of the five players mentioned below.

#5 Sadio Mane

Unlike Eden Hazard, Mane has gone from strength to strength over the last few years

Liverpool winger Sadio Mane is one of the few attackers who were linked with a switch to Real Madrid before the Spanish giants decided to sign Eden Hazard. Los Blancos could be biting their nails by now, having watched the Senegalese impress at Anfield over the last few seasons.

Mane continues to be a huge threat to opposition defenses in the Premier League. The attacker has entered the new campaign in red-hot form, bagging three goals in five games in the English top flight.

The Senegalese would certainly improve Real Madrid's attack with his physical presence, pace and eye for goal. His fitness record is also impressive, having missed just 12 games due to injuries across the last two seasons.

#4 Harry Kane

Harry Kane would greatly improve Real Madrid's attack

Harry Kane has been one of the most prolific strikers in Europe over the last few years. He finished as the Premier League's top scorer last season with 23 goals to his name in 35 appearances. He was also the top playmaker of the EPL 2020-21 season with 14 assists.

A partnership between the Englishman and Karim Benzema in Real Madrid's attack would've been a great joy to watch. With his impeccable goalscoring instincts, the Tottenham Hotspur superstar would guarantee 30-40 goals for Los Blancos every season.

Signing Kane would've been a good move for Real Madrid. The Spanish giants have a decent relationship with the player's club, which could've made things easier. After failing to secure a transfer to Manchester City this summer, the striker could still be open to leaving White Hart Lane in the near future. He has already expressed his desire to win trophies and was open to leaving Spurs this summer.

It would definitely make sense to go all out and sign him.

Also Check Out: Real Madrid Squad Worth

#3 Robert Lewandowski

Lewandowski would be a huge force in Real Madrid's attack

Apart from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, only Robert Lewandowski can guarantee a return of 40-50 goals per season in Europe right now. That is why it would have made more sense to replace CR7 with the Bayern Munich striker instead of Eden Hazard.

Lewandowski has been Europe's most prolific footballer over the last two seasons, scoring goals almost at will and helping his team claim major trophies. He was recently awarded the prestigious European Golden Shoe for his 41 goals in the Bundesliga last season. He broke the late Gerd Muller's record of 40 goals in one season in the process. That came just a few months after he was crowned the best player in the world by FIFA.

The Polish striker would've been a great option to lead Real Madrid's attack. With him and Karim Benzema up front, Los Blancos would stand a better chance of claiming silverware.

#2 Mohamed Salah

The Liverpool forward has performed better than Eden Hazard in each of the last four years

The Egyptian winger also appeared on Real Madrid's radar before the Spanish giants decided to settle for Eden Hazard. Interestingly, Mohamed Salah was clearly at a superior level to the Belgian prior to his move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Egyptian contributed 44 goals and 16 assists for Liverpool in the 2017-2018 campaign, a far cry from Hazard's 17 goals and 13 assists for Chelsea. Salah bagged 27 goals and 12 assists for the Reds in 2018/2019, which also stands strong against the Belgian's return of 21 goals and 17 assists.

Hazard has bagged just five goals and nine assists since switching to Real Madrid, with Salah bagging a whopping 59 goals and 21 assists within the same timeframe. (Stats: Transfermarkt)

#1 Kylian Mbappe

The Frenchman could join forces with Eden Hazard at the Santiago Bernabeu in the near future

Paris Saint-Germain winger Kylian Mbappe has been on Real Madrid's radar since his days with Monaco. Of course it would cost Los Blancos more money to lure the Frenchman from the Parc des Princes. But he would definitely be worth every penny, especially considering his age.

Mbappe has the profile to become a huge star at the Santiago Bernabeu with his charisma and aura on and off the pitch. More impressively, the 22-year-old has established himself among the big names in European football, with brilliant displays over the last few seasons.

Since joining Paris Saint-Germain in 2018, the Frenchman has recorded a whopping 136 goals and 65 assists to his name in 178 appearances across all competitions. Both parties were heavily linked during the recently concluded transfer window. Apparently, it is only a matter of time before Mbappe becomes a Real Madrid player.