Real Madrid Shortlists This Striker As Latest Signing

Real Madrid is interested in signing a veteran striker and has already shortlisted a La Liga star in that respect according to Mundo Deportivo, which cited anonymous sources.

Because of newfound domestic dominance from bitter rival FC Barcelona, and being outclassed by Arsenal on the continent in the Champions League quarterfinals, Madrid finished this season without major silverware.

Its 2023/2024 campaign under the since departed Carlo Ancelotti was a different story, however, with Los Blancos enjoying a European Cup, La Liga and Supercopa treble.

One of the unexpected heroes of that immortal campaign was of course Joselu. Coming off the bench to sink Bayern Munich in a dramatic UCL semifinal second leg at the Bernabeu, he then fled to Qatar for what should be one last big career day in his mid-30s.

Though Kylian Mbappe did a fine job in a new role as a central number 9, winning Europe’s Golden Boot in the process, perhaps one of the reasons for coming up short last time round was the lack of a veteran marksman who could come off the bench and net a much-needed strike.

Under Xabi Alonso in 2025/2026, Madrid seeks to provide the legendary midfielder with such a figure by pursuing Ante Budimir according to Mundo Deportivo.

Scoring 24 goals and providing four assists as Osasuna finished ninth and only just missed out on European qualification to Rayo Vallecano, Budimir turns 34 on July 22 and can be picked up for a cut fee.

That’s around $9 million (€8 million) if his next stop is elsewhere in Spain, with another couple of million euros slapped onto the asking price if a potential suitor is located elsewhere.

If Budimir could be bought and scores the important goals to land titles like Joselu did, his transfer would pretty much end up paying for itself.

Real Madrid would have further options up front

Though Mbappe will likely remain Xabi Alonso’s first choice for the striker’s position, bringing in Budimir would obviously give the ex-Leverkusen tactician further options up front. Essentially, the potential new acquisition could battle for leftover minutes with Endrick, who enjoyed little prominence on Ancelotti’s watch at Real Madrid but will probably be reunited with him on international duty for Brazil upon his return from injury.