Real Madrid 'planning to sign big-money forward this summer'

Real Madrid will reportedly prioritise the signing of a new forward during this summer's transfer window.

Los Blancos have been relatively quiet in the last two markets, only bringing in Antonio Rudiger on a free transfer from Chelsea and Aurelien Tchouameni in a big-money move from Monaco.

However, Carlo Ancelotti's side are expected to be active in the middle of 2023, with the club potentially allowing a number of players to leave the club on free transfers.

Nacho, Mariano Diaz and Dani Ceballos are all out of contract at the end of June, while the same can also be said for Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Marco Asensio.

Real Madrid continue to be linked with Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham, but according to The Athletic, the club will prioritise the signing of a new forward ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

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The report claims that Real Madrid will either look to sign a striker or a right-sided forward who could play alongside Benzema and Vinicius Junior in a front three.

Benzema's contract is due to expire at the end of June, but the Frenchman is preparing to sign an extension until the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

The 35-year-old has again been in strong form this season, scoring 18 goals in all competitions, but he has had fitness problems this term, and Real Madrid are believed to be wary of entering next term with Benzema as their only genuine option through the middle.

Federico Valverde and Rodrygo have both played off the right this season, with the former scoring 12 goals and registering four assists in 36 appearances, while the latter has 10 goals and eight assists in 35 outings.

Vinicius is also enjoying an excellent campaign, scoring 18 goals and registering nine assists in 35 appearances, but Real Madrid are short on numbers in the final third, with Asensio, Mariano and Eden Hazard potentially all leaving over the summer.

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Napoli's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has recently been linked with a switch to the Bernabeu, but the Italian club's director Cristiano Giuntoli has said that the 22-year-old is "not for sale".

"Khvicha's a fantastic player and we want to keep him," Giuntoli told reporters. "It is not even the case to mention a specific price tag to sell him.

"In this moment, Kvaratskhelia is not for sale. The market hasn't even started."

The Georgia international has been in impressive form for Napoli during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring 12 goals and registering 15 assists in 25 appearances in all competitions.

Real Madrid continue to be linked with Paris Saint-Germain attacker Kylian Mbappe, with the France international's long-term future in Paris far from secure, while Erling Braut Haaland, who moved to Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund last summer, is believed to be a long-term target.