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After nine glorious seasons at Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo has parted ways with the European Champions, leaving for Juventus in a sensational €100 million transfer.
His departure has created somewhat of a vacuum at Madrid, with neither Benzema nor Bale having not shown the ability to consistently score 40 plus goals a season single-handedly at the moment.
Madrid have also been suspiciously tame in the transfer market with Vinicius Junior and Alvaro Odriozola being their only outfield signings. However, unlike the English transfer market, the European transfer market is still open. Here are five players Real Madrid could still sign, potential Ronaldo replacements - at least to an extent.
#1 Eden Hazard
It's unlikely Real Madrid can sign Hazard at this point. The English transfer window is closed and Chelsea are unlikely to sell their star player with no scope for replacement. However, Hazard is arguably a perfect fit for Real Madrid.
He is at the peak of his career at age 27. He is definitely a world class player who fits the Galactico profile, and while he probably will not score as many goals as Ronaldo, he can certainly contribute his fair share of goals and assists.
He's also hinted that Real Madrid would be his preferred destination on multiple occasions. Seems like a perfect match, Hazard comes with a reported £200 million price tag.
#2 Neymar
Definitely the most high profile would be Ronaldo replacement. Already having signed for Paris Saint Germain for €222 million last year, Neymar is already the most expensive player in the world.
The fee Madrid will have to pay to prize him away from Paris would be enormous. Widely touted as the best player in the world behind Ronaldo and Messi, he has seen his stock fall in recent weeks following a poor World Cup showing.
Maybe a move to Real Madrid could help restore his credentials as one of the very best in the world. He has issued a statement saying that he will be remaining in Paris, at least for now. However, it is rumored that Florentino Perez has set his sights on Neymar as his number one target, and more often than not - Florentino Perez gets what he wants.
#3 Kylian Mbappe
Logically Mbappe would be the perfect successor to Ronaldo. He's incredibly talented, he's very young, and he has already shown that he can be a regular goalscorer, maybe even to the extent of Ronaldo and Messi.
Also signed by Paris Saint Germain last year on loan, he has now completed a permanent transfer to Paris in a switch worth €180 million. Despite being overshadowed by Neymar for most of last season, he upstaged the Brazilian star at the World Cup, playing a key role in France's victory, while Neymar was subjected to harsh criticism for poor performances and simulation.
He has joined Neymar in stating that he will be staying in Paris Saint Germain this season, and were he to move, he definitely would not come cheap, but considering Madrid's deep pockets, nothing is impossible.
#4 Harry Kane
The British goal machine has had a fantastic few seasons for Tottenham Hotspur since he came on the scene during the 2014-15 season. Since then, he's scored a minimum of 20 goals per season in the Premier League, even reaching a high of 30 Premier League goals last season.
Although he's not a like for like replacement for Ronaldo - playing as a central striker while Ronaldo played on the left wing, he could definitely fit into the Real Madrid front line, maybe forming a strike partnership with Karim Benzema, or more likely being a more dynamic replacement.
Either way, he is a proven goalscorer and could definitely help fill the void caused by Ronaldo's departure. Of course, he signed a new contract at Tottenham this summer, and that probably means he won't be wearing the famous white jersey anytime soon, but he represents an interesting option to say the least.
#5 Robert Lewandowski
He's been linked with Real Madrid for a long time now, even before Ronaldo's departure, and even before his move to Bayern Munich. There's no doubt he's a world class player, and one of the top strikers in the world.
However, he's already 29 and will turn 30 before the end of the transfer market. While he's definitely not yet past his prime, he's getting up there, and it would not make any sense for Real Madrid to spend upwards of €100 million on a 30 year old player.
However, we are on the topic of possible replacements for Ronaldo, and he definitely is one. He has been an incredibly consistent goalscorer in the Bundesliga, having been the league's top scorer thrice already. He has an incredible eye for goal, and would be a welcome addition to any team.
#6 Gareth Bale
Bale is already a Madrid player, unlike the other players on this list. However, ever since his 2013 transfer to Real Madrid, he has constantly had to deal with being in Ronaldo's shadow.
Of course he was fairly injury prone in those years, but even when fit he had been forced to play second fiddle to Ronaldo. With Ronaldo's departure to Serie A, Bale can finally claim to be the star man at Madrid.
Granted, he is not as prodigious a goalscorer as Ronaldo has been, however - he is definitely a world class player.
So yes, Madrid already have a fairly suitable replacement for Ronaldo on their roster. It remains to be seen if he can grab the opportunity.
