Life without Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid has started with a whimper, as the reigning Champions League winners suffered a 4-2 extra-time defeat to Atletico Madrid last night in the UEFA Super Cup. Having failed to replace Ronaldo after his big money move to Juventus in the summer, Real have also had to contend with a change of direction at management level with Julen Lopetegui taking over from Zidane, who exited the Bernabeu after their Champions League win over Liverpool.
Now, in the aftermath of their defeat to neighbours Atletico, many have called for Real to rapidly enter the transfer market, as their only real big-named signing has been Belgian Thibaut Courtois, who joined from Chelsea last week to bolster the Real Madrid Squad, and while the goalkeeping area has been significantly strengthened the void that Ronaldo has left has to be filled by a new addition before the European transfer window shuts at the end of August.
We pick out THREE players that Real Madrid should look to sign over the next fortnight.
Christian Eriksen
You could argue Toni Kroos and Luka Modric offer enough creativity in central midfield for Real, but Tottenham Hotspur's Christian Eriksen would be a superb addition, as he would fit in well just in front of those two world class stars, and he has shown for Spurs that his ability to unlock defences is arguably the best in the Premier League, and while Paris Saint-Germain are sniffing around the dazzling Danish international, it's now the time Real should look to lure the creative midfielder away from north London.
We have often seen Spurs wilt when monster transfer fees are offered, so Real could well twist Mauricio Pochettino and Daniel Levy's arm when trying to sign Eriksen if they offer the right price for the Dane.
Eden Hazard
It's been reported in the Daily Star this morning that Real are eyeing up a move for Chelsea's Marcos Alonso, but it's his teammate Eden Hazard that Los Blancos should pull out all the stops for, as he showed with a fine cameo last weekend for the Blues in their easy win over Huddersfield Town that when on form he can break down defensive lines with ease, and he would be the ideal replacement for Ronaldo.
He may not possess the goalscoring record of the Portuguese legend, but Hazard's ability with the ball at his feet was evident at the World Cup, as he helped Belgium get to the semi-finals, and Real should swiftly re-invest their Ronaldo transfer money and sign Hazard.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
A name linked with a host of top European clubs throughout the summer, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic was not signed by any English clubs last week, so it's now Real Madrid's job to try and get the signature of the world class international, as the 23-year-old would surely relish a move to the Spanish capital.
Top notch for Lazio in Serie A, Milinkovic-Savic has been dubbed as the 'Serbian Zidane' and his progression as one of the world's best midfielders would continue at the Spanish giants, and while he has also been linked with a move to Juventus this summer, Lopetegui has to try and strengthen his squad before the start of the La Liga season, and the Serbian is the third on our list.
