Lads, it's official. Cristiano Ronaldo has left Real Madrid for Serie A champions Juventus in a €100 million deal. The transfer appears to be good business for all parties; Madrid get to offload an ageing Galactico for a bumper fee, Juventus are receiving a player that has proved this season that he is still a world class player and Ronaldo gets a move to a league which is well suited to a player of his age.
The only problem with the deal is that Real Madrid now face the impossible problem of replacing the five time Ballon d'Or winner.
Here are seven players who have been touted as a replacement for the Portugese captain.
Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard has blown hot and cold throughout his Chelsea career, the winger is coming off of a good (but not great) season at Chelsea. The Belgian international would be a step down from Ronaldo in the goals department, the 27-year-old has never broke the 20 goal barrier during his six seasons at Chelsea, but the creative capabilities and thirst for Champions League football make the midfielder a viable option for Los Blancos.
Gareth Bale
It was always a case of either one or the other with regards to Ronaldo and Bale at Madrid and with his team mate now headed for Turin it gives the Welshman a chance to finally flourish at the Santiago Bernabeu. The 28-year-old has struggled with injuries at the club, but showed in the Champions League final that he brings world class talent to the table. Regardless of who Madrid buy in the absence of Ronaldo, Bale will be primed to take the burden of being the main goalscorer from the 33-year-old.
Harry Kane
The Tottenham forward has no release clause in his contract, which he extended in early June to run to 2024, and with the notoriously parsimonious Daniel Levy at the helm it will take a mammoth bid from Florentino Perez to prise Spurs' crown jewel from their crown.
Mauro Icardi
Icardi has 107 goals in 182 appearances for the Nerrazzuri, and with the 25-year-old on the cusp of the best years of his career a move to Spain could be on the cards.
Mohamed Salah
Liverpool fans will be loath to hear that the Spanish giants are in for their Egyptian king, but their have been reports that the former Roma player would be interested in a move to La Liga. Madrid may be put off by Liverpool's valuation of the player with Salah only signing an improved deal with the Reds last month.
Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe has lit up this World Cup and after a fine season with PSG, the 19-year-old would be a terrific signing for Madrid. The only problem is that PSG's Qatari owners are under no pressure to sell the teenager, although with tensions rising between the player and team mate Neymar, that could change.
Neymar
The world's most expensive player is never far from the transfer buzz, with the forward repeatedly linked with a return to Spain following his €222 move to Paris St. Germain. Again a transfer may prove hard to broker for Florentino Perez, but Neymar has proved in the past that he is well able to agitate a move away from his club if his head is turned.
