5 potential replacements for Karim Benzema if Real Madrid sell him

Will Karim Benzema leave Real Madrid and who will replace him if he does?Rumours are going round that Arsenal are on the brink of bolstering their attack and potential title challenge by signing France and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema before the transfer window slams shut at the end of the month. Manchester City were also linked. If new Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez does decide it is time to get rid of the man who has plied his trade in Spain’s capital for just over six years now then who could he replace him with?It’s hard to list players that could make the jump to Real Madrid’s level; they only want the best and sometimes it can be hard to get the best. Even when they do they have an immense level of pressure to work under and have to meet a high amount of expectation.But here are five players that could fill the gap left by Benzema, should he go to England.

#5 Cristiano Ronaldo

Can Ronaldo step up and take the #9 role?

Let’s be honest. Cristiano Ronaldo still runs the show at Real Madrid and Karim Benzema is nothing but a backup act for him, a very talented backup act though, I must add. Could Ronaldo make that move back to the point of the attack like he did under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United between 2008 and 2009?

If you look at it logically; he is quick, he is tall, and he has all the attributes needed to play in this role. Sure you will miss the cutting in from the left flank and shooting part of his game but when he’s playing in a central role he will be involved in almost every attack. Not that he already wasn’t, to be fair.

It could be a master class move from Rafa Benetiz very early on in his tenure at Madrid, he sells a striker and converts one of the world’s best talents into the replacement for him. They would also free up that left winger role for a youngster coming through or perhaps a new signing.

Ronaldo isn’t getting any younger. Perhaps converting him into a centre-forward would prolong the years of quality they can get out of him. Most world class wide-men opt to make the move inside eventually when age takes over. Maybe the time for Ronaldo is now?

#4 Alexandre Lacazette

Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette was the leading goalscorer in Ligue 1 last season

Like they did with Karim Benzema, Real Madrid could end up finding their next forward at Lyon. Alexandre Lacazette had an impressive previous two seasons with the Ligue 1 side, scoring 15 and 27 goals in 2013/14 and 2014/15 respectively.

At 24 years of age, he should be ready to step up and would be the perfect age for Real Madrid to either grab him and get a player for the next few years or improve him and flip him for more money. Either outcome is a win for Real Madrid. They just have to make sure he is the right player to fit into their system.

The risk of it all is that Lacazette has only really shown what he is capable off in the last 18 months. We have seen players come and score goals and then disappear as quickly as they seemed to arrive. Anyone remember the Mattia Destro to Chelsea rumours?

If they think this isn’t some flash in the pan run of form for the French forward, then that’s fine. But no doubt it will be in the back of their mind if they consider this signing.

#3 Sergio Aguero

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero won the EPL Golden Boot last season

Since joining Manchester City Sergio Aguero has gone from strength to strength. He has provided City fans with what is possibly the greatest moment in their club’s history and has scored some truly remarkable goals. For me, though, Aguero is the talisman of City, the player to sum up the transition between mid-table team to league title contenders.

For that reason alone, getting a hold of him will be difficult. But if Real Madrid can somehow manage to find the money to take him away from City then they would be getting a player that would fit in perfectly with their squad. Imagine Ronaldo, Bale, Aguero and Isco all interchanging and linking up. It sounds almost perfect.

Keeping him fit would be the issue, he always seems to pick up an injury that keeps him out of action for a month or two at a time. And for a club like Real Madrid where every game counts in the title race and the number of games they play with the domestic and continental cups, he may not be the most reliable player to sign.

#2 Edinson Cavani

Can Edinson Cavani come out of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s shadow at PSG?

Edinson Cavani was in fantastic form for when he plied his trade in the Serie A with Napoli. But when he signed for Paris Saint-Germain, he has since found life a little more difficult when fighting for a spot with Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Let’s be honest, it must be difficult living in Ibrahimovic’s shadow, with his constant outbursts and world class ability. He is probably the most love/hate teammate you could ever possibly have. But let’s not forget the talent of Cavani.

He is a tall and well-built player who has great technical ability. It is the perfect combination for a striker, and at 28 years old his time is running out on making a real mark in his career and he is reaching what should be his peak years as a striker.

Maybe Cavani sees his future away from Paris and what better way to persuade him of that than Real Madrid asking him to go to them? On the flip side maybe he feels that it’s only a matter of time before he takes up Ibrahimovic’s throne in Paris

#1 Robert Lewandowski

Would Bayern Munich sell Robert Lewandowski at the right price – possibly a record-breaking one?

Robert Lewandowski has shown in the last few seasons that he can be a lethal striker at the very highest level – a game winner all on his own. And since signing for Bayern Munich last summer on a free transfer, he has bagged 18 goals in 32 league games for the German Bundesliga Champions.

Lewandowski has proven he can cut it at the top level, and for that reason his transfer fee would be the biggest stumbling block for Real Madrid. Realistically, he would cost upwards of £50 million and Bayern will not want to let go of such a prized asset.

But Real Madrid have shown that no target is out of their budget as they have shown in the previous years. If Madrid feel he’s worth it, then they will pay it as shown with the signings of Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, James Rodriguez and many other players in recent seasons.

The only question to be asked is whether one season at Bayern is enough for Lewandowski to leave and seek a new challenge or does he see his best years at the German champions?