Real Madrid adds six strikers to the transfer shortlist for Benzema's replacement

Real Madrid has reportedly added six names to their shortlist for a backup striker in the 2022-23 season. Carlo Ancelotti's side will once again head into the new campaign with Karim Benzema leading the line after failing to prise Kylian Mbappe away from Paris Saint-Germain. However, the La Liga and Champions League holders are set to be in the market for a new center-forward who can provide backup and competition to the 34-year-old. Borja Mayoral and Mariano Diaz are both expected to leave the club in the coming weeks, and the likes of Benjamin Sesko, Timo Werner, and Armando Borja are being linked with moves to the Bernabeu. Now, Defense Central claims that Los Blancos are considering as many as six other strikers for the role of Benzema's deputy in 2022-23, including two other Salzburg youngsters. Switzerland international Noah Okafor - who only has two years left to run on his contract with the Austrian champions - has supposedly been mentioned as a potential target. The 22-year-old amassed nine goals and nine assists from 21 top-flight games last season and will shoulder more of the attacking burden this term following Karim Adeyemi's exit for Borussia Dortmund. Real is also said to be keeping tabs on the development of Okafor's teammate Roko Simic, who is eight years his junior at just 18 and is seeking to make the step up to top-tier senior football. The report adds that Brian Bruby is also on the list, but the 20-year-old has just completed a permanent transfer to Ajax from Leipzig. As many as three Bundesliga strikers have also been shortlisted, including Stuttgart's Sasa Kalajdzic, who is also said to be on the radar of Manchester United.
Jonathan Burkardt of Mainz 05 is also thought to be admired by those at the Bernabeu.