Real Madrid are reportedly taking a keen interest in Genoa striker Krzysztof Piatek, who is attracting several top European clubs including Barcelona.
Spanish publication Don Balon are speculating that Florentino Perez is looking towards Serie A in order to recruit a new striker for Real Madrid. The search has led the club president to in-form Genoa striker Krzysztof Piatek, who has had a thunderous start to his life in Serie A and is already drawing interest from Barcelona and other top European clubs.
Krzysztof Piatek arrived in Italy as Genoa chose to splash the cash on the rather unknown quantity from Cracovia Krakow. The striker though, has surpassed all expectations with his impressive start to the 2018-19 campaign, taking to life in Serie A all too well. Piatek boasts of a record of 12 goals in 7 matches thus far, including a 4-goal haul in a Coppa Italia tie.
His brilliant start has drawn comparisons to compatriot Robert Lewandowski, who had a similar start at Borussia Dortmund after earning a move to the Bundesliga. Along with the comparisons, there has been the arrival of interest from top clubs, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Juventus, Schalke, Napoli, Barcelona and even Dortmund all keeping track of the 23-year-old.
Barcelona are in serious need of a new striker. Paco Alcacer was unable to be the desired cover for Luis Suarez and has now moved to Dortmund, who could make his stay permanent. Luis Suarez, on the other hand, has just not been himself this season and will need replacing soon. The club’s over-reliance on Lionel Messi is starting to exceed the recommended limit. Piatek with his current form, could just be the antidote.
Real Madrid though, have a potential crisis at hand. While the club, like Barcelona, has an ageing first-choice misfiring striker in Karim Benzema, their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo has departed club, with Florentino Perez not signing a replacement. Mariano was added to the roster. But, he has been unable to have much of an effect just yet.
This has seen Real Madrid now go three games without a goal, their worst dry spell since the 2006-07 season. Krzysztof Piatek has shown ominous signs of super-stardom with his start in Serie A. It is worth noting that Robert Lewandowski has been linked with Real Madrid for years now.
Florentino Perez could choose to go for the budget option in Piatek, who is reportedly valued by Genoa at €50 million, a figure which may rise with each positive display. Piatek is also just 23 and would offer more years of service to Real Madrid compared to Lewandowski.
One thing Perez needs to be careful about though, is the fact that Piatek could turn out to be a one-season wonder as well. Real Madrid, Barcelona and others need to track Piatek’s performances for a little longer before being apprehensive about moving in for the Polish international.
Piatek needs no convincing though. He is already enjoying the fast life in Serie A. The 23-year-old already has more goals than Suarez and Benzema combined so far this season. Perhaps, by the end of the 2018-19 campaign, we will be talking about Piatek, not as an in-form striker but a wanted superstar.
