Real Madrid Could Target Robert Lewandowski In Final Weeks Of Transfer Window

Real Madrid Could Target Robert Lewandowski In Final Weeks Of Transfer Window
09:56, 16 Aug 2018

The last thing you want as a defender in the first minute of a major European final is Diego Costa with the bit between his teeth and bearing down on you like his life depended on it.

That’s exactly what happened to Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane in the UEFA Super Cup final on Wednesday night.

The latter can be excused to a degree given that he’s barely had any match time in which to build up fitness. Well beaten for pace by the Spaniard, that’s something that won’t happen when they meet later in the season.

Real captain, Ramos, has no such excuse. He knows exactly what Costa is capable of yet gave him too much time to control his header and was then easily out-muscled in the chase for the ball.

Before the critics also lambast Keylor Navas, Costa’s shot packed so much venom, that Thibaut Courtois would’ve been similarly beaten.

A second goal to take the game to extra time was the Spanish-Brazilian’s reward for an all-action display that typifies his qualities as a No.9.

Though Karim Benzema got on the scoresheet himself, his goal was as much about the quality of Gareth Bale’s cross than anything else. He still had to hit the target, but that’s bread and butter for your front man.

For most of the rest of the time he was on the pitch, the Frenchman was largely anonymous, and it’s left the Madrid hierarchy wondering if they do need to enter the transfer market once again.

Cristiano Ronaldo guaranteed Real anywhere between 40-50 goals per season, and, even in top form Benzema won’t approach that.

There’s some certainty that he’ll do much better than last season as his role has reverted back to that of a true number nine, however, he’s no Diego Costa.

Julen Lopetegui said in the immediate aftermath of the final that the result wouldn’t change the club’s transfer policy, which was an odd turn of phrase.

It’s almost as if he was sending out a message to Florentino Perez, sitting in the stands and with a face like thunder.

The president was clearly unhappy and with a fortnight still to go until the transfer window closes in Spain, there is the opportunity to bring someone in.

Bayern Munich are adamant that Robert Lewandowski won’t leave Bavaria, but he would seem the most likely to be targeted as Eden Hazard is too expensive at this juncture and not the right profile if Los Blancos want a rampaging target man as their main striker.

Watch this space!

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