Real Madrid set to sign Joselu from Espanyol as Karim Benzema ponders his future

Real Madrid will sign Espanyol striker Joselu this summer on a one-year loan deal, according to SPORT.

Los Blancos are looking for a new striker and have identified the Spaniard as the man to fill the void.

Real Madrid eyed low-cost options such as Roberto Firmino but have decided to sign Joselu.

He netted 16 goals in 32 appearances for Espanyol this season but was unable to prevent them from being relegated.

The player is eager to leave, as a clause in his deal allows the club to halve his salary if he drops into the second tier.

Joselu will replace Mariano Diaz as Madrid’s back-up striker. Diaz will leave Los Blancos this summer when his contract expires.

Joselu was with Madrid’s Castilla team between 2010 to 2012. He made two appearances for the senior side and scored twice in only 18 minutes across those games.

First-choice Madrid attacker Karim Benzema reportedly has an offer from Saudi Arabia. The 35-year-old is studying the contract that will see him earn €200 million in two seasons but is yet to decide.

If he decides to leave for the Gulf nation, Madrid want either Harry Kane or Victor Osimhen to replace him.

They will face arduous negotiations if they decide to enter talks with either Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy or Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

Madrid have also enquired about Lautaro Martinez and have a long-term interest in Erling Braut Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.