Real Madrid consider 'surprise' transfer for 'desperate' striker target

Updated: 24 Nov 2023 19:50 GMT
3 min read

Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid, 2023/24 — © ProShots

Real Madrid are continuing to pursue a striker and their search could lead them to a 'surprise' target whom they have been monitoring for a long time and have even tried to sign previously.

The La Liga giants have been using veteran loanee Joselu as their specialised striker since the departure of Karim Benzema in the summer, with Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior also filling in centrally despite their preferences to play out wide.

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Real’s long-term plan is to bring in a new forward such as Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe, while Brazilian wonderkid Endrick is also set to arrive next summer when he turns 18.

However, a flurry of injuries to Vinicius, Rodrygo and top scorer Jude Bellingham has left Joselu as Carlo Ancelotti’s only senior option up front, with young players set to drafted in from the youth teams to deputise as backups.

Real president Florentino Perez had previously not been keen on bringing in any reinforcements in January but the injuries may force the club into sanctioning a temporary solution.

And Catalan outlet El Nacional have suggested the 'surprise' name of Youssoufa Moukoko who is described as ‘desperate’ to leave Dortmund and having ‘personally offered’ his services to Real this January.

Real offered Moukoko signing in ‘very favourable conditions’

Moukoko has been touted as one of the brightest young strikers in the world, with Real being amongst the clubs who had hoped to sign him a year ago when he was in the last few months of his contract at Dortmund.

The 19-year-old rejected the interest and opted to renew his deal with the Bundesliga side but he is still yet to break into Edin Terzic’s side, having made just seven substitute appearances this season, scoring once.

© ProShots - Youssoufa Moukoko has struggled for minutes this season.

With Moukoko behind Sebastien Haller and Niclas Fullkrug in the pecking order, the teenager’s lack of first team football has led to frustration and Real are said to have been offered the chance to sign him under ‘very favourable conditions’.

The report quotes a price of €30 million or even a loan move, which could prove tempting for Real as they look to close the gap on La Liga leaders Girona and avoid succumbing to their major injury woes.