'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
This season has been shambolic for Real Madrid. The defending European champions have been out of sorts throughout this campaign, which led to the termination of Julen Lopetegui's contract and the subsequent appointment of Santiago Solari.
Despite results improving upon the Argentine's appointment, they are yet to hit form this season. However, they are winless in their last two LaLiga games and currently find themselves in the fifth place in LaLiga, 10 points behind the table-toppers and rivals, Barcelona.
More worryingly, the 33-time LaLiga champions are also struggling in front of goal, having scored a paltry 26 goals, which pales significantly in comparison to the 50 scored by Barcelona.
January transfer window gives them an opportunity to sign some quality strikers to improve their efficiency in front of goal. The subject of this piece would be to highlight four cheap forwards who could bail Real Madrid out of their attacking conundrum.
All transfer values are taken from transfermarkt.com
#4 Dries Mertens
Dries Mertens benefitted a lot from the tactical switch deployed by Maurizio Sarri when he was at Napoli. The Italian gaffer converted him from a winger into an auxiliary striker, following an injury to Milik. Since then, the Belgian has been emphatic in front of goal.
In his first season as the focal point of Napoli's attack, the 31-year-old banged in 28 goals from 35 matches, in addition to nine assists and finished just one goal behind eventual winner Eden Dzeko in the race for the Serie A Golden Boot. He followed that up with 18 goals and six assists in his next season.
So far this campaign, Mertens has scored eight goals and registered eight assists from 18 Serie A matches. With a transfer value of just €30 million, Dries Mertens would prove to be more than a decent value for the money spent, giving his propensity for scoring goals.
#3 Iago Aspas
One of the more consistent performers in LaLiga over the last few seasons, Iago Aspas does not get the recognition his immense displays deserve.
The 31-year-old has regularly posted double figures in terms of goals for Celta Vigo, ever since his return from his ill-fated spell with Liverpool. With 22 goals, he was the fourth highest goalscorer in LaLiga last season. Aspas also scored 19 goals and assisted three more during the 2016/17 campaign for Celta Vigo.
So far this campaign, the Celta Vigo number 10 has continued from where he left off last season, scoring 10 goals and assisting two from 17 LaLiga matches. At just €25 million, he represents good value for money for the LaLiga giants.
#2 Callum Wilson
One of the revelations of the current Premier League season, Callum Wilson has shocked everyone with his displays in the ongoing campaign, which has seen him go from unheralded to Golden Boot contender, monitored by some of Europe's biggest clubs.
Wilson won his first cap for England and scored on his debut to cap off what was a wonderful 2018 for him. So far this season, the 26-year-old has scored nine goals and provided five assists from 20 Premier League matches, which has led Chelsea assistant manager Gianfranco Zola to declare that the Blues are interested in bringing him over to Stamford Bridge.
Wilson is also available for a relatively low price of €25 million and considering how inflated the current market is, this could potentially be a deal too good for Real Madrid to turn their back on.
#1 Krzysztof Piatek
Arguably the breakout player of the season, Piatek has shocked everyone with his performances in Serie A this season, which has seen him outscore the likes of Mauro Icardi, Gonzalo Higuain, Dries Mertens, Ciro Immobile among others, while also pushing Ronaldo all the way in the race for the Serie A Golden Boot.
In 18 Serie A matches this season, the Polish international has scored 13 goals, while also adding in a whopping six goals from just two Coppa Italia matches. Earlier in the season, he became the first man since the legendary Gabriel Batistuta to score in each of the first seven Serie A matches of the campaign and has caught the eye of several big clubs.
Real Madrid are rumored to be interested in bringing Piatek on loan for the rest of the season. He could prove to be a great signing for the LaLiga giants.
