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Real Madrid's euphoria of winning a third consecutive Champions League title will be hard to come out from. After all, the history that they have created isn't something people witness every year or two.
However, there's still a mammoth amount of work to be done at the Bernabeu. Real might have won the Champions League, but their slump in the La Liga was nothing short of worrying.
Add the fact that since 2011, Los Blancos have lifted the league title only twice, with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid providing them with a stiff competition. They might be the champions of Europe but their supremacy in Spain has taken a massive hit.
Also, with the imminent departures of titans Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, signing worthy replacements has become a dire need more than a necessity.
With footballing enthusiasts expecting a busy summer at the Bernabeu, here are 5 players the Spanish giants should target in order to strengthen their squad and regain their supremacy in Spain.
#5 Joshua Kimmich
Bayer Munich starlet Joshua Kimmich has rapidly established himself as one of the best right backs in the world at the moment. Real Madrid don't need a third game to know how talented the 23-year-old is after he found the net against them in both the semi-final legs in the Champions League.
Zinedine Zidane has been in a dilemma regarding the replacement of the first-choice right-back Dani Carvajal. With the Spaniard sidelined to the fringes due to injuries, the Frenchman has opted to go with and Achraf Hakimi at times, who rarely offers the required experience at the back.
Joshua Kimmich has what it takes to be a Real Madrid player. The German defender has scored 6 goals and assisted 13 in 46 games in all club competitions. He is an excellent blocker of the ball and a sublime passer, two assets that can help Real invaluably during defence and attack.
Barcelona were rumoured to be eyeing a €50 million deal for Kimmich, an amount Real can easily outclass considering their abundantly filled coffers.
#4 Sergej Milinkovic Savic
Lazio midfield general Sergej Milinkovic has earned rave reviews for his impressive performances in the Serie A this season. The Serbian could prove to be an effective replacement for Madrid's Brazilian enforcer Casemiro.
No doubt the Brazilian is a world-class midfielder, but he has his weaknesses like everyone else. He often ventures forward and is exposed to counter-attacks. Also, his accumulation of 13 yellow cards in all club competitions this season is a testament to his erroneous tackling.
Milinkovic-Savic could be an able deputy for the Casemiro. He is excellent with long shots, a quality that will improve Real's threat from outside the box. He is also good in the air, apart from being a good dribbler and a great through passer.
Manchester United have recently submitted a club record £96 million bid to poach the midfielder from Lazio, while Juventus and Manchester City are also vying for the Serbian's signature.
#3 Leonardo Bonucci
Leonardo Bonucci's shock move to AC Milan in 2017 left people scratching their heads and wondering about the reasons behind the move. The Italian chose to sign for the Rossoneri in spite of top European clubs vouching for his services.
The defence has mightily disappointed Real Madrid this season and is a major factor in the club's slump in the La Liga.
Sergio Ramos might be a top-class general at the back, but the skipper has his own set of weaknesses to take care of. He is often found out of position during Real's attacks, a weakness many of the teams have effectively exploited this season. Bonucci's astute positioning sense could help Zidane shore up the Madrid defence.
The Italian defender has been chased by Manchester United and is intent on leaving San Siro. Real Madrid can succeed in signing him, thanks to the guarantee of a strong Champions League campaign that they can offer him.
#2 Mohammed Salah
Mohammed Salah has had the best season of his entire footballing career. Arriving as a doubtful signing from Roma to Liverpool, thanks to his nightmarish years at Chelsea, he has silenced his doubters in a spectacular fashion.
46 goals and 14 assists in 55 games; no wonder the Egyptian pharaoh could become the hottest property in Europe should he decide on leaving Anfield.
With Gareth Bale's departure increasingly becoming imminent, Mo Salah could be the perfect replacement Real Madrid are looking for. Much like the Welshman, he ticks the box for a deafening pace that has troubled the Premier League defenders this season. Also, he is an efficient dribbler of the ball, having earned comparisons with the great Lionel Messi himself.
However, it's his consistency in the EPL that should be the main reason why Madrid should sign Salah. Should he replicate the same form in the La Liga, Zinedine Zidane will be closer to his second league title sooner than later.
Although the deal for the Egyptian would be a tough nut to crack, the return on investment will, no doubt, be a treat to savour.
#1 Eden Hazard
Cristiano Ronaldo's time at the Santiago Bernabeu seems to be over after he made worrying statements about his future. The fans have been fretting over the possibility of seeing their star talisman depart for a new venture in the summer.
While Real Madrid will undergo a gigantic loss should the Portuguese skipper go for the exit door, the best they can do as a consolation is sign Chelsea's Eden Hazard.
The 27-year-old's quality as a footballer needs no special introduction. He has been one of the most consistent footballers in the Premier League since his arrival. Dribbling, finishing, creating chances, through balls; the Belgian appears to be the perfect, tailor-made replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.
While Maurizio Sarri's appointment might convince Hazard to stay put, Real's enigmatic charm as the world's best club and their guarantee of winning the Champions League will be more than enough to lure him to the Bernabeu.
