5 attacking options to replace Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid

The rumours about Cristiano Ronaldo finally ending his 10-year stint with Real Madrid has refused to go away. Online media are awash with stories that all have one common thread; this time, the move looks like it might actually happen.

A €100m deal looks to be on the cards for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner to joint Juventus in Serie A. Ronaldo's potential exit will leave a giant hole in Real's attack. The Portuguese superstar has been responsible for a lot of Los Blancos' goals, especially over the last four seasons.

New manager Julen Lopetegui and club supremo Florentino Perez will be well aware of this. It is expected that the 13-time UEFA Champions League winners will be active in the transfer market in a way it hasn't done in a while.

Former targets Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Mo Salah and Harry Kane have all recently moved to new clubs or signed new long-term deals.

Any move for this players would most likely require Real to break the transfer record, an undesirable scenario for even one of the world's wealthiest clubs.

Here is a look at five potential attacking targets that might be worth a look at:

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#5 Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao)

Inaki could be the perfect long-term replacement

In terms of youngsters who share similar attributes with CR7, the 23-year-old Spanish international will be top of the list.

Pacy, strong, intelligent and able to play anywhere across the front line, Williams will bring a directness if he is purchased. With Gareth Bale's long-term fitness and stay at the Santiago Bernabeu, a player like the Bilbao-born youngster would provide a good option.

Still growing and finding his feet, Williams can be very inconsistent but in Lopetegui, he will have the perfect manager to help him fulfill his potential. Having recently signed a contract extension, his buyout clause is said to be about €70m.

While expensive, the nature of transfers in Spain means it will be a straightforward transfer if the powers-that-be at Real Madrid see him as a worthwhile investment.

#4 Robert Lewandowski (FC Bayern Munich)

Lewa guarantees goals

There have been long-standing rumours linking the Polish goal-getter to the Bernabeu giants.

However, the overarching presence of Ronaldo was a reason why Real never really pursued the Pole as it would create a personality clash and ruin dressing room harmony.

With Ronaldo on his way out and Lewandowski clearly ready to leave the Allianz Arena, it seems to be the perfect storm for Real to make a move.

His goal scoring pedigree is impeccable as he is one of the few players who has come close to matching the incredible tallies of Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. A sticking point is his age (29) and Bayern is expected to demand a hefty sum for their prize asset.

If an agreement can be reached, then Madridistas can rest assured of a steady supply of goals for the next few seasons.

#3 Edinson Cavani (PSG)

Ligue 1's top marksman could become La Liga's as well

Another top class goal-getter, Cavani would fit in seamlessly into the Real setup.

His energy, work rate, and enthusiasm will definitely please Madridistas who have on occasion had cause to complain about Ronaldo's attitude especially when things aren't working on the field.

His ability and willingness to drift to the wings and put in a shift (something Ronaldo hasn't done in a while) will give Lopetegui the option of playing him alongside Benzema in a strike partnership if need be

The Uruguayan would love to be the main man in a side like Real. It would also help new PSG manager in defusing the potentially problematic clashes between Cavani and Neymar.

His age (31) and the amount that PSG will be expected to ask for may make this deal difficult.

However, selling Cavani to Real could help the French side keep it's younger attacking talent; Neymar and Mbappe happy (and away from Real Madrid's clutches) while also making enough money to avoid FFP sanctions.

#2 Eden Hazard (Chelsea)

Hazard would add even more guile to Real's attack

The Belgian maestro is not exactly the type of player that could be a like-for-like replacement for Ronaldo. Hazard has never been a great goal scorer and his presence would add more creativity to an already creative team.

However, manager Lopetegui had typically always liked to have the goals shared out among his players. Therefore, getting Hazard in could be the tonic to help the other attacking players (Bale, Karin Benzema, Marco Asensio and others) get more goals.

Hazard's close control, dribbling, decision making and goal scoring would add an extra dimension to Los Merengues' attack.

The Belgian is a more direct version of Isco and the potential combination play between both players could create lots of goalscoring chances for the other players.

Chelsea will not want to lose it's best player and talisman despite the 27-year-old's often stated desire to wear Real's jersey.

A fee of €160m could be enough to seal the deal and grant the Belgian national captain his dream move.

#1 Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan)

Icardi represents great long-term value

Probably the most realistic of all the players on the list, alongside Inaki Icardi represents the best long-term value purchase. The Argentine forward is a goal scorer supreme whose sharpness, movement and instinct are quite similar to Ronaldo's.

The 24-year-old has proven himself to be one of the leading marksmen in world football despite playing for a basket case club like the Nerazzurri

He would be an instant upgrade to the misfiring Benzema and would be the great number 9 that the Frenchman was supposed to have become.

Inter Milan may be one of Europe's most storied clubs but it has been out of the UCL for a while now. It also has failed to mount a realistic Scudetto title challenge in a long while.

Icardi would be well aware of Real's pedigree in Europe and this could sway him to abandon Milan for Madrid.

A move to a more visible side like Real would also do wonders for Icardi's international prospects with current Albiceleste manager Jorge Sampaoli expected to be sacked following the team's disgraceful World Cup outing.

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Who should replace Ronaldo at Real Madrid? Sound off your opinions in the comments section below!