How Karim Benzema’s Real Madrid exit could impact transfer plans at Manchester United – opinion

The summer transfer window is already off to a hectic start and it hasn’t even officially opened yet.

Karim Benzema will be bringing down the curtains on his Real Madrid career after 14 years.

The news was confirmed today by the club, with the 35-year-old mulling over a lucrative proposal from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad.

He leaves the Spanish giants having won 24 trophies, including five Champions Leagues, four La Liga titles and three Copa del Rey titles.

Now, the Madrid board must seek a suitable successor to their all-time second-highest top goalscorer.

Kane’s exit could be limited to foreign clubs

Just two days ago when speculation began on the Frenchman’s future, Carlo Ancelotti asked the club’s hierarchy to pursue Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur.

As Manchester United fans know, the Englishman is Erik ten Hag’s main transfer target for this summer, though both interested clubs know how difficult a deal may be to navigate.

This is down to Chairman Daniel Levy’s reluctance to oversee Kane’s departure. You can see why, as without his 30 Premier League goals this season, who knows where Spurs would have finished in the table after another substandard campaign?

The situation could open up a bidding war for the 29-year-old consisting of two of the most decorated and successful clubs across Europe. Surely at some point, Levy will have to cut ties.

However, a blow in United’s pursuit is that Levy is unwilling to see his star man, who recently became Spurs’ and England’s all-time top goalscorer, move to an English rival. Could you imagine the feeling of seeing the greatest player in your history line up against your team in their colours?

From Levy’s perspective, should he offload Kane in the coming months, Madrid would be the only suitable destination.

Through the eyes of Kane

But what’s going through Kane’s mind?

For Kane, trophies have always eluded him, and it’s something that has continued to frustrate him as his career has gone on. As potentially the most prolific striker in world football, having nothing but “runner-up” in your honours list does not go hand-in-hand with the talent he possesses. This makes Madrid, the 14-time European champions, a lucrative destination to finally start racking up that precious silverware.

However, Kane is also a man that eyes the records. As aforementioned, he already boasts top-goalscorer status for his club and national team, and there’s another one on the horizon; the forward is 47 goals away from knocking Alan Shearer off the top spot as the Premier League’s all-time top ‘scorer.

Given how efficiently he can find the back of the net, he can secure that title in around two seasons.

With Manchester City now set for the foreseeable future up front in the form of Erling Haaland, the only plausible option for Kane is Old Trafford – where an out-and-out striker must be sought this summer.

What better time to join than now? Ten Hag has kickstarted a resurgence in M16 that has fans finally feeling optimistic about the days ahead. He ended a six-year trophy drought by guiding his squad to Carabao Cup success in February and after securing a third-placed finish, booked their spot in next season’s Champions League.

Ten Hag also led United to the FA Cup final against their city rivals. Whilst it ended in defeat, you’d be forgiven for wondering how much the result would have differed if Kane had started the game in Red.

Ultimately, Kane has a career-changing transfer window ahead of him. He either commits his future to his boyhood club and hopes that one day he’ll have more than a silver medal placed around his neck, or he pushes for change – the chance to lead the line for England’s most successful club.

And as for Madrid, if we do happen to steal Ancelotti’s Benzema replacement, we can provide a younger Frenchman to fill his void? No returns!

More Stories Carlo Ancelotti Harry Kane Karim Benzema Manchester United Real Madrid

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