Cristiano Ronaldo's potential Real Madrid exit has sent alarm bells ringing in the Spanish capital. As well as negotiating a potential deal with Juventus, the Spanish giants have also been keeping an eye on the transfer market in search of a potential replacement, with Eden Hazard, Mauro Icardi and Robert Lewandowski all being linked with a move to the Bernabeu.
According to journalist Michele Cricitiello of 'TuttoMercato', those three are Madrid's preferred targets to replace the Portuguese, who could complete his move to Turin in a matter of days.
Eden Hazard
The club's top target is understood to be Eden Hazard. The Chelsea star has been shining for his country at the World Cup for a Belgium side who could well go all the way in Russia. Now 27 and with plenty of experience gained in the Premier Legaue, Ligue 1 and the Champions League, Hazard may be ready to make a step up to one of the biggest clubs in world football.
However, a move for Hazard could force 'Los Blancos ' into a change in system, with the Belgian the only player on this shortlist who isn't a natural striker. Hazard scored 17 goals in all competitions last season, but it is no secret that he prefers to receive possession deep in the channels and drive forward with the ball as opposed to with his back to goal on the edge of the box. Nevertheless, he could prove good foil for the likes of Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.
Robert Lewandowski
Real Madrid hold a long-standing interest in the powerful Pole, having made tentative offers for his services on numerous occasions. However, until now, there had never been a real chance of him leaving Bayern Munich.
The arrival of Lewandowski would be the perfect solution for Real Madrid in terms of style as he could slot straight into the gap left by Ronaldo in the starting lineup with no need for a change in system. Lewy's record of 41 goals in 48 games in all competitions last season is up there with Ronaldo's figures. One world-class striker for another would seem a natural move, but with the Poland international set to turn 30 in August it remains to be seen whether Madrid will hunt for more youthful options.
Mauro Icardi
The Argentine represents another slightly different option to the other two player on this list, albeit with more similarity to Lewandowski. The 25-year-old has a great future ahead of him and Real Madrid know it. Icardi plundered 29 goals in 36 games last season, giving interested parties a hint as to his capabilities.
However, there are two main arguments which work against him. The first is that he has yet to reach his peak and with Madrid in need of someone to come in and hit the ground running, they may prefer a more 'mature' option such as Lewandowski. The other factor is that Icardi has comparatively little big game experience. Hazard has starred in Ligue 1, the Premier League, the Champions League and the World Cup, Lewandowski is one of the first names on the team sheet for a Bayern team that dominated in Germany and is a genuine contender for the Champions League crown every year, whereas Icardi has almost no European or international experience.