RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesReal Madrid have reached an agreement with Fulham for the transfer of talented Spanish striker Gonzalo Garcia.
The 22-year-old is nearing a move to Craven Cottage in a deal worth around €40 million , with Los Blancos retaining 30 percent of his rights.
Once this deal is formalised, according to Rodra on ESPN , Real Madrid are weighing up the possibility of signing a traditional centre-forward.
Los Blancos are considering adding a profile their squad are currently lacking, someone who can play an important role in certain game states.
Gonzalo’s exit creates a vacancy
Gonzalo’s move is expected to give him the regular first-team football that was difficult to guarantee behind Kylian Mbappe.
While Real Madrid will receive a significant fee for the striker, they will also lose one of the few natural centre-forwards in the squad.
Set to join Fulham. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Thus, it is understandable that they want to evaluate the market to sign a new striker who can replicate a similar profile.
IfReal Madrid do move for a striker, the objective should not necessarily be to find another superstar.
Instead, a player capable of offering a different profile could prove extremely valuable across a long season.
Joselu demonstrated exactly that during his spell at the Santiago Bernabeu, providing an aerial presence, physicality and penalty-box instincts that often changed games from the bench.
With Mbappe, Vinicius Jr. and the club’s other attacking stars preferring to attack space and combine in fluid positions, there are still matches where a classic No. 9 offers solutions that no one else in the squad naturally provides.
A practical addition
Real Madrid already possess one of Europe’s strongest attacks, so any new striker would likely arrive to complement rather than compete with the established stars.
Mourinho wants to sign a traditional No. 9. (Photo courtesy: Real Madrid official website)
A reliable target man could give Jose Mourinho another tactical option against deep defensive blocks, while also easing the workload across multiple competitions.
The flip side of such a signing would be Endrick’s future. The Brazilian’s minutes in the first team already do not look certain.
Signing another natural number nine would certainly mean that Madrid may have to send Endrick out on loan again.
The youngster had a very good six-month stint at Olympique Lyon, but when the player ahead of you in the pecking order is Kylian Mbappe, there is not a leg to stand on.
The ideal situation for Madrid may be to find another loan deal for Endrick while signing a natural number nine profile for the squad.
It remains to be seen whether the club work towards finding their next Joselu.
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