Five centre forward options for Carlo Ancelotti to consider.
With noises continuing to suggest that Liverpool could be lining up an audacious January swoop for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, manager Carlo Ancelotti could soon be thrown into an important decision at the Bernabeu – who can become their next star number nine?
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The European Champions were thought to be interested in Radamel Falcao this summer but missed out on the Colombian to Manchester United, so who could they sign if Benzema does head to the Premier League?
Here are five options for Ancelotti to consider:
Paco Alcacer (Valencia)
The Valencia striker added yet another international goal this weekend against Luxembourg and is now an important player for Vicente del Bosque, as well as continuing to improve his goalscoring and assisting record for the La Liga side. With their new found investment, however, would Valencia even entertain the idea of selling their most exciting young prospect to Real?
Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint Germain)
PSG’s Uruguayan line-leader is reportedly still unsettled at the Parc des Princes due to the fact that he is being shunted out of position to accommodate Zlatan Ibrahimovic and could be keen to move on, even as soon as January. Cavani would cost a huge fee but is one of the finest attackers on the planet and would slot perfectly into the Real side to replace Benzema.
Alexandre Lacazette (Olympique Lyonnais)
One potential left-field choice for Real would be to return to the club where they got Benzema, Lyon, for Ligue 1’s new striking sensation Alexandre Lacazette, who has plundered seven goals in nine appearances so far this season. Blessed with lightning pace and clinical finishing, Lacazette is a player who we can expect to hear a lot more about in the coming years.
Robin van Persie (Manchester United)
The Dutch captain and Manchester United striker could well find his place at Old Trafford under threat this season if Louis van Gaal decides that a strike force of Wayne Rooney and Radamel Falcao is the way forward, meaning that he could be available for transfer. Despite his well-documented injury issues, van Persie still guarantees goals when he plays and should have a good three or four years at the highest level left in him yet.
Jackson Martinez (FC Porto)
FC Porto goal machine Jackson Martinez has indicated that he would be willing to leave the Portuguese club in January to test his hand in a stronger league, with the Colombian having become the most prolific player in the Primeira Liga in recent years. He would be something of a risk, having never played in a stronger league, but has a good relationship with James Rodriguez from Colombia duty and could be an inspired buy.