Neymar, Kylian Mbappe or Eden Hazard: Who should Real Madrid sign to replace Cristiano Ronaldo?

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All three stars have been heavily linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu to replace the Portuguese.

Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s sudden departure to Juventus, Real Madrid fans across the world have been clamoring for a superstar signing or two to replace the legendary forward. New boss Julien Lopetegui will also have his task cut out in emulating Zinedine Zidane’s incredible record at the Santiago Bernabeu. Under such circumstances, club president Florentino Perez has assured supporters of signing more “magnificent players” to usher in the era of Galacticos 3.0.

Of course, signing world-class footballers for record amounts has always been the Madrid way under Perez. However, Zidane had also managed to find a balance in the squad, with the likes of Casemiro, Raphael Varane, Marco Asensio, Lucas Vasquez all coming to the fore. He managed to find cheaper and more practical replacements to replace Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Morata and James Rodriguez. Asensio and Vasquez were promoted from the Castilla, the Madrid academy and the Spanish club made history last May by winning 3 back to back Champions League.

However, this season is very much a transition period for Los Merengues and it will be interesting to see who they sign to replace the Portuguese as their main goal-getter. It will be no easy task to replace the 5-time Ballon d’Or winner, but here is a list of possibilities that Perez is apparently looking

Neymar

The Brazilian has been a long-term target for Perez, who missed signing him twice. The first time was in 2005 when he gave a trial at the club as a part of Robinho’s move from Santos but later opted to return to his homeland. The next time was in 2013 when Barcelona signed him before Perez could make a move for him.

However, following Neymar's spectacular move to Paris St. Germain last summer, rumors have linked him to one final big-money move to the Bernabeu over and over again. The former Santos man was spectacular for the Parisian club until he suffered a broken metatarsal during a game in February. He managed to come back in time for Brazil at the World Cup, but his performances were underwhelming and the Selecao was knocked out in the quarter-finals.

Neymar will be a like-to-like replacement of Ronaldo

That did not stop the rumor mills from spinning tales though. There is no doubt that the 26-year-old is capable of taking over CR7’s mantel and despite Madrid issuing an official notice that they are no official communication between the player and the club, speculation remains.

Kylian Mbappe

One of the players of the World Cup in Russia and a part of the French side that won the World Cup last Sunday, Kylian Mbappe could also have been a part of the Madrid side if the club could muster a package for the teenager last summer. PSG outbid them and he ended up joining the Ligue 1 side from AS Monaco.

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Currently the most expensive teenage player in the world and the second youngest player to score at a World Cup final after the great Pele, Mbappe has once again been linked to Los Vikingos. Blessed with great pace, technique, skill and goalscoring abilities, he has all the makings of a generation-defining talent.  With Ronaldo off the wage bill, Madrid could pursue him with a lot more gusto this summer despite having issued a press notice stating otherwise.

Mbappe was in tremendous form last season, especially in the World Cup

Eden Hazard

Of the three mentioned in the article, the possibility of Eden Hazard ending up as a Galactico this summer is the highest. Both Neymar and Mbappe were signed only last summer and the Qatar oil-backed club will do all it takes to keep them at the club. Hazard, on the other hand, has already stated that after six years at Chelsea, he is looking for a fresh challenge. He would fit Lopetegui’s tactics flawlessly and is on excellent form, as was shown in the Mundial. He was one of the key players for Belgium as they garnered a historic third-place finish and the English club has expressed their interest to sell him at the correct price.

Eden Hazard - The Belgian Wizard

All in all, any of the three would make for a terrific signing for the Spanish club. There are others like Thiago Alcantara, Harry Kane and Robert Lewandoski on the list as well, so it remains to be seen who ultimately ends up as Real Madrid’s next poster boy.