(Football news) Karim Benzema has had his fair share of injuries this season, having missed 11 games already. It has been really unfortunate for him and for Real Madrid as he won the Ballon d’or last season. Real Madrid are suffering the effects of his absence as he is their captain and the best player in the side. Another reason why he is missed so much is that Real Madrid don’t have a proper backup for him. The only other natural striker in the Real Madrid squad is Mariano who doesn’t have Carlo Ancelotti’s trust and rightly so. Rodrygo and Marco Asensio can play in that position but they are not proper number 9s. 

Real Madrid have needed a back-up striker for a while now but they have never been close to signing one. Gabriel Jesus was reportedly a candidate last summer but Los Blancos didn’t have a non-european spot free at that time. Now with Karim Benzema’s recurring injuries Real Madrid will have to go shopping for a striker in the summer. Karim Benzema’s current contract expires in the summer but according to reports he has already signed a renewal. Carlo Ancelotti has also confirmed that the striker will continue with Real Madrid next season. However Ancelotti has not commented on the need of a back up striker despite being asked a few times in press conferences.

One player who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid is Dusan Vlahovic. The Serbian has been at Juventus for just over a year now but according to reports he has offered his services to Real Madrid. Richarlison is another player who is on Real Madrid’s radar as a back-up. Richarlison is more similar to Benzema while Vlahovic is more of a poacher. With Karim Benzema’s injury issues and age, Real Madrid need someone who will be good enough to take over from Benzema and not just be back-up. Teenage sensation Endrick will arrive in 2024 but he might need a couple of years to settle in.

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