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Real Madrid transfer news: Cristiano Ronaldo replacement found, Eden Hazard decision made
REAL MADRID boss Julen Lopetegui has decided to promote Marco Asensio as Cristiano Ronaldo’s replacement in the team.
Real Madrid: Ronaldo exit means Asensio can step up says pundit
After nine seasons at the Bernabeu, Ronaldo left the club to join Juventus and the departure of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has left a major void in the front-line which needs replacing.
A host of names have been linked with Real Madrid including Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Eden Hazard.
Hazard openly admitted he would like a move to Real but Chelsea have put a £177.9million price tag on him.
And as a result of Chelsea’s demands, Spanish newspaper Marca say manager Julen Lopetegui has assessed his squad over pre-season and decided on how he will replace Ronaldo.
Hazard openly admitted he would like a move to Real but Chelsea have put a £177.9million price tag on him
It is claimed Lopetegui would rather use Asensio in his front three than spend a “ludicrous sum” on Hazard.
Real are said to have accepted the fact that Neymar won’t be joining them this summer but president Florentino Perez remains keen to bring the Brazilian to the club at some point.
The report also gives an update on several other signings.
Chelsea want a replacement for Thibaut Courtois before they let the Belgian goalkeeper join Real.
The UEFA Super Cup will be used to see whether Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema are enough to lead the attack.
And Real are reluctant to spend heavily on Tottenham’s Harry Kane or Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski.