Real Madrid ready ‘sexy Plan B’ for Benzema replacement

Robin Bairner

• 9 Jun 2023 09:00 BST
• 3 min read

Real Madrid have what is described as a “sexy” transfer plan ready to go should they miss out on Tottenham forward Harry Kane, with reports in Spain stating that Los Blancos no longer hold an interest in Chelsea’s Kai Havertz.

Kane is considered to be Carlo Ancelotti’s No.1 target to take the place of Karim Benzema, who left for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad on a free transfer, but as FootballTransfers has reported, the England forward ideally wants to remain in the Premier League and Spurs are ready to make any transfer difficult this summer difficult in any case.

Indeed, the 29-year-old has made a move to Manchester United his priority this summer while PSG are another potential alternative for the forward.

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Kane will be difficult for Real Madrid to sign, and in the event they are unable to land him, Foot Mercato reports that the Champions League semi-finalists are eyeing up potential alternatives.

Chelsea’s Kai Havertz had been strongly linked with the Bernabeu side previously, but Marca reports this is not a track that Ancelotti’s side are following.

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Laurato Martinez is Madrid’s alternative

Madrid are closely following Inter striker Lautaro Martinez, who will compete in the European Cup final for the Nerazzurri on Saturday.

After that date, Los Blancos are getting ready to make a move for a forward who has scored 28 goals and created 11 more in 56 matches in all competitions this season.

Laurato has been linked with a move to Real Madrid on numerous occasions, while he has also been regularly associated with Manchester United, though since Erik ten Hag took charge at Old Trafford, the Red Devils’ preference has switched to the likes of Kane, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Red Bull Salzburg’s Rasmus Hojlund.

Madrid are also keeping a close on the situation of PSG striker Kylian Mbappe, who will become a free agent in the summer of 2024, when his current deal at Parc des Princes is due to expire. The Ligue 1 champions, however, are unlikely to sanction any transfer this summer after losing Lionel Messi with Neymar to potentially follow.