When Real Madrid miss out on the European crown they've long claimed as their own, it only means one thing.
Carlo Ancelotti's ageing side were humbled over two legs by Man City in their Champions League semi-final, prompting the sort of frenzied inquest that can only be associated with Los Blancos. And despite Copa del Rey success, failure to also defend their LaLiga title as they finished 10 points off Barcelona has prompted president Florentino Perez to pursue some big-money targets.
Indeed, the clearout of stars needed to make way for incomings has already begun, with club legend Karim Benzema heading to Saudi Arabia and Eden Hazard's ultimately underwhelming stint ending with his early release. Forward Marco Asensio is also on his way out of the Bernabeu, with attention now turning to the latest brand of 'Galacticos' to soon arrive in their place.
Kane the perfect fit following Benzema blow
How do you replace one of world football's great No 9s? With one of world football's great No 9s.
Karim Benzema's massive money move to Saudi may have caught the Real Madrid hierarchy off guard, but it has now seemingly paved the way for Ancelotti to swoop for a player he's long admired. Manchester United have long seemingly led the race for Tottenham striker Harry Kane, and a switch to Old Trafford would indeed allow him to continue to pursue Alan Shearer's Premier League goalscoring record as well as the trophies he craves.
But Spurs chairman Daniel Levy would surely favour a move abroad as opposed to direct club rivals. And the opportunity for Kane to land silverware would arguably be greater in Spain, with Man City tipped to dominate England's domestic scene again next season.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Will Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham end up at Real Madrid? Comment below.
As Real well know from their eventual capture of Gareth Bale, to say Levy may prove difficult to negotiate with probably represents a ludicrous understatement. But with only a year left on his current contract and the realistic prospect of their record goalscorer moving for free next summer, Spurs aren't coming from a position of strength.
And the reported £100 million fee won't faze Mr Perez.
The quest for forward reinforcements doesn't end there though. The 14-time European Cup winners are also closing in on Chelsea's Kai Havertz for a fee of £75m. Wasted of late as a central striker at Stamford Bridge, a deeper role supplying Kane from one side of the field, with the mercurial Vinicius Jnr on the other, would represent a formidable trio.
Bellingham can add life to an ageing midfield
Ok, so Kylian Mbappe is still work in progress, but history suggests that when Real Madrid come for their man, they get him.
It's a notion that Liverpool seemed well aware of when they declined to go to war with the Spanish giants for one of world football's rising stars. And at only 19, Dortmund's apparent £108m valuation, in this elevated market, represents value for a long-term acquisition.
The class of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos remains apparent, but their combined age of 70 surely means reduced roles in 2023/24. Hence why Celta Vigo's rising star Gabri Veiga is also being pursued. There is stiff competition though, with Barcelona, Liverpool and Chelsea all prepared to meet the £34m release clause.
Real seek defensive back-up from Bayern
Real aren't the first big-name side to ship four goals at the Etihad, and they will not be the last.
But the manner in which they were ripped apart by Pep Guardiola's side would have undoubtedly alerted Ancelotti to the notion it's not just attacking talent he needs through the door. And the Italian boss is set to respond with a bid for Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard.
The versatile 2018 World Cup winner with France is a specialist right back, and can also play in central defence. And with the 26-year-old only set to cost £15 million, Daniel Carvajal's regular starting berth could soon be under threat.
A starting XI to conquer Europe again?
When an era ends at Real Madrid, the subsequent demand is to start a new one.
Landing all their intended targets is likely to cost the iconic club around £330m and will require further sales to satisfy UEFA Financial Fair Play regulations. But Mirror Football has speculated how Real could line up come the opening day of the La Liga season.
