Real Madrid will swoop for Liverpool legend Roberto Firmino - if they fail to sign Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane or Kai Havertz.
The Spanish giants are on the hunt for a new striker after captain Karim Benzema left the Bernabeu for Saudi Arabia. The veteran Frenchman, 35, will play for Al-Ittihad next season and challenge Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr for the Saudi Pro League title.
Mbappe, 24, is Real's first-choice target and could be available later this summer if he refuses to extend his Paris Saint-Germain contract, which is due to expire in a year's time. PSG would rather sell the World Cup winner than lose him on a free transfer.
Although Real are the favourites for Mbappe's signature, Manchester United are also in the conversation. It's believed the Red Devils could make an audacious bid for the France international if Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani completes his proposed takeover.
As reported by Defensa Central, Real have compiled a shortlist of replacements for Benzema. Mbappe is at the top of that shortlist, closely followed by Kane. The England skipper, who turns 30 next month, is also out of contract in a year's time.
Kane is yet to indicate whether he will sign a new contract at Tottenham. He wants to become the Premier League's all-time record scorer but knows it will be difficult to win silverware with Spurs. Despite scoring plenty of goals, Kane is yet to win a major honour.
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As for Havertz, a number of clubs are chasing the 24-year-old's signature. Chelsea are willing to sell the German but want £70million for his services, which is a lot for a player who has struggled for goals. Havertz has scored just 19 goals in 91 Premier League games.
If Real fail to sign Mbappe, Kane or Havertz, they will look at Firmino. The 31-year-old is a free agent after eight years at Liverpool, where he scored 111 goals and won seven trophies - including the Premier League title and Champions League.
The Brazilian is renowned for his intelligence in attacking positions and link-up play, which could suit Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo. That is a role Benzema fulfilled for 14 years in the Spanish capital, particularly during Ronaldo's and Gareth Bale's time at the club.
As for Man Utd, it's believed they are negotiating granting exclusivity to Sheikh Jassim. The Qatari banker is battling Sir Jim Ratcliffe for ownership of the Red Devils, and manager Erik ten Hag could be handed a big transfer budget if Sheikh Jassim is victorious.
Man Utd are on the hunt for a new striker after Ronaldo left the club in November. Wout Weghorst was signed on loan to fill the void, but he has now returned to parent club Burnley. Ten Hag has prepared a transfer shortlist, which doesn't include Kane.
Rasmus Hojlund, Kolo Randal Muani and Goncalo Ramos are all thought to be realistic options for United at this moment in time. That will all change, however, if Sheikh Jassim and the Qataris walk through the door at Old Trafford.
