Luka Jovic is the striker Real Madrid have set their sights on as the long term solution to their lack of options at the position. The 21-year-old is playing at Eintracht Frankfurt on loan from Benfica but they have an option to buy him for somehwere between €6 and €12 million, which they plan to use.

The attacker, who was born in Bosnia but has a Serbian passport, has a contract until June of this year. He has scored 18 goals in 25 games with the German club - 13 in the Bundesliga and five in the Europa League - and has been a revelation in the Bundesliga this season.

Madrid will have to hurry though as Barcelona and Bayern Munich are interested in the striker, who is mobile, versatile and can finish well. Real Madrid are looking for a young striker to replace Benzema when necessary.

Real Madrid's other options ruled out

They have recently discarded options for striker who did not fit the profile they require such as Cavanu, who is 32 in February and Lewandowski, who is 31. Aside from that, PSG and Bayern demand huge amounts of money for their players. Harry Kane was also linked but in Real Madrid offices they say it's a non-runner. "Not a chance," is the term used at the club when the English striker is mentioned due to Daniel Levy's tough negotiating stance.

They already have Rodrygo (18), who will arrive in the summer and do a preseason with the club. Winning a place in next year's Real Madrid squad will be quite the adventure for the Brazilian.