Karim Benzema and Mariano Diaz have both left Real Madrid since the end of last season, leaving a gaping hole in the club’s attacking department. To salvage this situation, the club is looking at a number of targets to sign in this summer’s transfer window.
One of the players that the club had identified for its attack was the La Fabrica graduate, Joselu. The Spanish striker played for Espanyol last season, but as the Catalan club is relegated from La Liga, Joselu and other high-profile players were expected to be looking to join other sides in the top divisions across Europe.
Taking advantage of the situation, Real Madrid have signed the veteran striker on a loan, with an option to buy him permanently at the end of the next season. The club has officially announced his signing, and the player will be presented in the Bernabeu in the coming few days.
With his signature, Joselu would return to Real Madrid once again, having developed through the ranks at its youth academy. The player played for two seasons at Real Madrid Castilla, before he made his debut with the first team under Jose Mourinho in 2011. However, he was unable to remain in the first team and was sold to Hoffenheim for €6 million in 2012.
After more than 10 years playing in various clubs in Germany, England, and Spain, the striker has once again joined Real Madrid. He had an impressive season last year with Espanyol, in which he scored sixteen goals and gave two assists, and was behind only Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema in the Pichichi chart.
While he is not expected to be a regular starter at Real Madrid next season, there are still hopes that the player will play an important role in the squad, and come up with important goals throughout the season. His experience will definitely be of use for Ancelotti, but it is arguable whether only his signing would be enough to fill the gap left by the exit of Karim Benzema.