5 attacking options Real Madrid could consider signing in January

Real Madrid is in an attacking crisis and is in need of a pickup desperately. The team has not scored in four matches across all competitions (3 of which have been losses).

There are problems all across the place; injury problems, shaky tactics, underperforming stars and the works. The sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus has had a more adverse effect on the team than previously thought.

Karim Benzema has after a good start to the season gone back to his terrible ways of contributing little to the team. Gareth Bale has struggled with injuries and form and the other attackers: Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz and others have also struggled.

Julen Lopetegui and president Florentino Perez will surely be considering their options for the January transfer window. Star targets Mauro Icardi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar will definitely not be joining in January as it's a transfer market too early.

However, something will have to be done in January as players like Benzema have clearly shown that they are not capable of filling the huge Ronaldo-shaped void.

Here are 5 attacking options they could consider in the window. Even if the moves for one of Mbappe, Neymar or Icardi materialize, these targets could still play a role for Los Merengues alongside one of these proposed marquee signings.

#5 Ciro Immobile (SS Lazio)

Immobile may be the perfect short-term solution

One of the more curious players around, the Italian international's career has been one bookmarked with high peaks and great troughs.

After all, this is a guy who has won the Capocannoniere award twice in his career (with Torino in the 2010-2011 season and last season with Torino). He is also the same guy who looked hopeless in spells with Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla where he couldn't hit a cow's backside with a bazooka.

The 28-year-old was at his destructive best last season as his razor-sharp finishing, brilliant hold up play and instinct for always being in the right place made him stand out. He was the joint top-scorer with 28 goals.

His finishing and holdup play are just as good as Benzema's. He has shown himself to be a better goalscorer in worse teams than Real Madrid and will find it easy to score many goals in a team with the quality of Los Merengues.

It is unclear how much Lazio may charge for their top marksman who has already scored 6 goals this season. Whatever it may cost though, Madrid will need a goalscorer better than Benzema who would help the team achieve its objectives.

#4 Willian Jose (Real Sociedad)

Willian (left) may do a job for Real Madrid

Not the flashiest of names, purchasing the 26-year-old could represent a piece of shrewd business. A traditional number 9 in the true sense of the phrase, his style of play is direct and uncompromising.

The La Real forward is strong in the air and provides a scary threat in the opposition’s box on set pieces as his heading ability will remind older Real Madrid fans of a certain South American who wore the white shirt with distinction: Hugo Sanchez.

While he does not possess the all-round abilities of Benzema (how many strikers do?), Willian more than makes up for this by his ability to hold up the ball, run the channels and be in the right place at the right time.

This season in La Liga, he has scored 3 goals in just 5 games for a Sociedad side that is still very up and down. He would offer Real Madrid a better goalscoring option than Benzema currently does and may even be used alongside the misfiring French striker or Mariano Diaz.

#3 Timo Werner (RB Leipzig)

Werner would provide far more than Benzema

The 22-year-old German international quickly established himself as a deadly striker with 21 goals in RB Leipzig’s debut season, which helped them secure Champions League football in their very first attempt.

His strengths include predatory finishing, ability to hold up the ball and bringing others into play, coupled with a keen understanding of the game. His pace and ability to play down the flanks make him perfect for how Lopetegui wants his team to play.

His pace could help Los Merengues break down stacked defences (something it has struggled with this season). He will be a perfect replacement for Benzema and could combine very well with Bale, Asensio, Isco and the other forward players.

Florentino Perez should expect a rough time from the acclaimed sporting director, Ralf Ragnick, and any bid for the player, who has already scored 2 goals this season may likely start at the £70 million mark.

#2 Leon Bailey (Bayer Leverkusen)

Bailey would provide a different option for Real's attack

Real Madrid fans may wonder why a left-footed winger is needed with Asensio and Gareth Bale in the team. However, for all their gifts, Asensio is not the fastest player around and the Welshman is still not reliable.

This is where the young Jamaican player comes in. The winger is left-footed but capable of playing on either flank. He has been one of the standout stars in the Bundesliga and is on the radar of many a big club on the continent. His ability to play anywhere across the frontline would make him an invaluable asset to a Real Madrid team whose attacking verve has been looked extremely blunt of late.

Bailey is already used to switching positions in a young and vibrant Bayer 04 attack (alongside fellow tyros like Kai Harthez & Julian Brandt) so switching to the right wing in order to allow Asensio and Bale to occupy the other flank will not be a problem for the as-yet uncapped youngster.

He has also been tried in an attacking role and may be used in that role if manager Lopetegui chooses to park Benzema and Diaz on the bench. He recently signed a contract extension but may be available for the rather princely sum of £52m.

#1 Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao)

Inaki's style makes him perfect for the current Madrid set-up

In terms of physique & style, there is hardly anyone more suited to replace Cristiano than the highly rated Williams who has been on the radar of leading European clubs for a while now.

Pacy, strong and intelligent, Iñaki is already evolving into the type of player that may be the answer to the current problems at Madrid. Athletic Bilbao manager Eduardo Berizzo has deployed the 24-year-old as a central striker this season.

While it is still a work in progress, there are signs that Williams may grow into the role. His hold-up play is improving and his pace is helping the team stretch opposing defences. Were he to join Real Madrid, his pace would add an aggressive side to an attack that relies more on skill now than pace.

There is a nagging sense of unfulfilled potential with the young winger though, regular La Liga watchers will attest to the fact that there are still quite a number of flaws in his game that need to be addressed.

Given that he recently signed a new deal to stay at San Mames and given Athletic's notorious refusal to negotiate transfers, Real Madrid will have to meet his buyout clause rumoured to be €80m.