Real Madrid MUST find a solution to their centre-forward problem this summer

Real Madrid are cursing them for missing out on Erling Haaland last summer after Karim Benzema’s no-show in their semi-final humiliation at the hands of Manchester City.

Haaland fell short of the net over the two legs, but only Thibaut Courtois’ performance kept him from scoring a hat-trick in the second game, while Benzema was anonymous for 180 minutes.

Madrid will sign a centre-forward this summer to take on the Frenchman, but they regret their decision last year not to fight for Haaland’s signature, instead focusing all their attention on Kylian Mbappé.

Haaland’s father and agent Alfie took Madrid on his tour of top European clubs in the run-up to the Borussia Dortmund player’s transfer, but they ruled out an attempt to compete with Manchester City for his signature, arguing that Mbappé had put his signature. signed with PSG to join them for free at the start of this season.

What followed still haunts the club – the 24-year-old stunned them with a last-hour decision to extend at PSG, leaving them none of Europe’s top two young strikers.

Madrid ruin their decision last year not to fight for Erling Haaland (left) but to focus all their attention on Kylian Mbappé (right)

The club gambled on three fronts to cover the absence of a major signing. First, they believed Benzema could repeat his incredible numbers from last season. He has scored 29 goals in 57 games this season, up from 44 goals in 56 games last season when he won the Ballon d’Or.

Gamble number two was that Eden Hazard, having missed out on Mbappé and Halaan, would finally come out on top in his fourth season at the club.

But Madrid’s top earner has only started four games all season and never offered a serious alternative to Benzema. Madrid will be saddled with the Belgian’s massive £400,000-a-week wages for another season.

Plan number three was for reserve striker Mariano Diaz to be able to factor in the goal, but he has not scored since last May and will leave the club permanently at the end of his contract this summer.

Neither Haaland (left) nor Mbappe are realistic short-term goals for Carlo Ancelotti (right)

Neither Haaland (under contract with City until 2027) nor Mbappé are realistic short-term goals this summer.

Madrid would only try to sign Mbappé when his contract expired, like last summer. They know that PSG have no intention of releasing him this year, so they will not prosecute him.

That could change in 2024 if it is suggested that the player has a release clause, but even with that option on the table, Madrid are adamant that he should come to them – they will not go after him.

The alternatives are not convincing. Harry Kane is considered to be at the wrong end of his career and the younger Dusan Vlahovic is too expensive.

One signing the club is sure to complete is that of Jude Bellingham and much of the investigation into Madrid’s capitulation at the Etihad has centered on the arrival of the 19-year-old England midfielder.

Bellingham is seen as key to the rejuvenation of a midfield that was dwarfed by Rodri and company on Wednesday night.

Gambling on centre-forward Mariano Diaz (left) and Eden Hazard (right) has not paid off

That won’t be the last of the new arrivals this summer. Fran Garcia has already agreed to return to the club he represented at youth level.

Rayo Vallecano’s left-back will be joined by a new right-back as 31-year-old Dani Carvajal faces more competition for his place than converted winger Lucas Vazquez currently offers.

But it is in attack that Madrid must find a solution. Benzema will turn 36 around this time next season and they cannot afford another scenario where if the opposition closes Vinicius, they close Madrid.