Real Madrid 'facing striker dilemma this summer'

Los Blancos have fallen short in both La Liga and the Champions League this season, but they did win the Copa del Rey earlier this month by overcoming Osasuna in the final.

Carlo Ancelotti's side are expected to sign Jude Bellingham in a big-money deal from Borussia Dortmund this summer, but the club are also aware of their need to bring in another forward.

Karim Benzema has again had a strong season, scoring 29 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions, while Vinicius Junior (23), Rodrygo (16) and Marco Asensio (12) and Federico Valverde (12) have also been among the goals for the capital giants in 2022-23.

Real Madrid struggled in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Manchester City on Wednesday evening, though, conceding four unanswered goals to lose 5-1 on aggregate.

Benzema is preparing to sign a new deal until the summer of 2024, but Mariano Diaz is set to leave on a free transfer, leaving only Rodrygo as back-up to the Frenchman.

According to Onda Cero, Real Madrid are aware that they need to bring in another forward this summer but are finding it difficult to identify a suitable acquisition.

The report claims that 'no player on the market attracts them', with Kylian Mbappe and Erling Braut Haaland not available for purchase in the summer window.

Mbappe could potentially leave Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer next June, and Los Blancos are still said to have a firm interest in the Frenchman despite some recent reports.

Haaland will also not be leaving Man City in the upcoming market, but there have been claims that the Norway international could consider his future next summer.

Real Madrid are therefore facing a dilemma of waiting a year to move for Mbappe or Haaland, which would see them run the risk of struggling offensively during the 2023-24 campaign.

Haaland is believed to be the club's number one target to replace Benzema, with the 22-year-old enjoying a stunning first season at the Etihad Stadium, scoring 52 goals in 49 appearances in all competitions.

Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Eintracht Frankfurt's Randal Kolo Muani are among the forwards potentially available this summer, although Real Madrid would find it difficult to pay huge money for either in the same window that Bellingham arrives.

Ancelotti's side will be looking to bounce back from their Champions League disappointment when they continue their La Liga campaign against Valencia on Sunday night.