Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has, on Sunday evening, provided an insight into the club’s plans to secure attacking reinforcements with a view to next season.
The subject of the centre-forward position, of course, has taken its place front and centre in the headlines surrounding Real on Sunday.
This comes after the rumoured departure of captain Karim Benzema was confirmed.
In an official statement across the club’s social media platforms on Sunday afternoon, Los Blancos announced:
‘Real Madrid Football Club and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to bring his brilliant and unforgettable time as a player at our club to a close.’
Official Statement: Benzema.#RealMadrid | #GraciasKarim
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 4, 2023
So, what next for the capital giants? Replacing Benzema will prove no easy task, with the Frenchman fresh off a haul of 30 goals and six assists in 42 appearances across all competitions.
If the latest word stemming from the German media is anything to go by, though, then the focus of Florentino Perez and co. has in fact turned elsewhere.
As per a report from Bild, Chelsea star Kai Havertz is on the verge of linking up with Real, with a big-money deal between the two clubs as good as ‘imminent’:
🚨 Kai Havertz is close to agreeing a deal with Real Madrid. It’s described as imminent.
The move from Chelsea could be closed quickly. 👀
(Source: @BILD ) pic.twitter.com/dNXpJYYlyb
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) June 4, 2023
Speaking to the media on the back of his side’s final La Liga outing of the campaign, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of potential reinforcements up top was put to Real boss Carlo Ancelotti.
And the Italian’s ensuing response certainly appeared to hint at the arrival of a player of Havertz’s profile.
“We want to sign a striker that can score goals and link up well,” Ancelotti explained. “A striker that plays football well.”
🚨💣 Ancelotti: “We want to sign a striker that can score goals and link up well. A striker that plays football well.” #rmalive
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) June 4, 2023
