5 Contenders to Be Real Madrid's Next Galactico Signing

While there are few certainties in world football, there is one thing we can be sure of: As long as Florentino Perez is president at Real Madrid, the club's quest for dominance, wealth and notoriety through the Galactico policy will continue.  

Indeed, since returning to power in the Spanish capital in 2009, Perez has brought Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez to Real Madrid, continuing the lavish spending that defined his first term that witnessed the high-profile signings of Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and David Beckham. 

So who will be the next star to shoulder the Galactico tag?

Of course, transfer speculation surrounding Real Madrid never subsides, but it's important to note that not all those who sign with Los Blancos can be considered Galacticos. 

The term, though lacking a true definition, is widely viewed to denote incoming players whose transfer fees are not only extremely expensive, but players who are also bond fide stars prior to their arrival. 

In short, Galacticos tend to be the game's hottest properties. 

Across the following slides, we examine five candidates who could be the next player to join that illustrious group. 

Eden Hazard

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Amid reported interest from Real Madrid, Chelsea fans will have been pleased when hearing Eden Hazard verbally commit his future to the Blues last week.

"The only club that makes me dream is Chelsea," the star winger said in an interview with Canal+, per the Daily Mail. 

But we've heard similar noises before and witnessed stars move clubs shortly after. Like contracts, words mean little when the sport's biggest club comes knocking. 

For their part, Chelsea are looking to secure their prized asset as best they can, offering a bumper new deal to the Belgian.

And while it would seem unlikely for Hazard to be the next to make a switch to the Bernabeu (one would expect his transfer fee would match those paid for Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale), any high-profile transfer remains a possibility while Florentino Perez remains in charge at Real Madrid. 

Raheem Sterling

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The reports linking Liverpool's Raheem Sterling with a move to Real Madrid have circulated for months now, and it seems the Reds are doing all they can to protect themselves against another major setback. 

According to Dean Jones at the Mirror, Liverpool want to insert a £60 million buyout clause into a lucrative new contract for the Englishman, whose stock continues to rise after an impressive World Cup and a hot start to the new Premier League season. 

A fleet-footed winger, the 19-year-old's dynamic style would be a perfect fit at the Bernabeu, with his tender age meaning he could be a long-term option to fill the void that will inevitably be left by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Paul Pogba

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Paul Pogba has long been touted as a target for Real Madrid, with Simon Mullock of the Mirror reporting back in March that the Frenchman has his heart set on a move to the Spanish capital. 

More recently, L'Equipe (via Marca) has also indicated that Los Blancos own considerable interest in the Juventus prodigy. 

A commanding central midfielder, the 21-year-old would perfectly complement silky stars such as Toni Kroos and Luka Modric currently residing at the heart of Carlo Ancelotti's formation and would add strength and versatility to Real's slight-bodied midfield. 

Currently working with Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane has also heaped praise on his fellow countryman. 

"Maybe we are talking about Pogba a bit too much, but if he can keep up his current development he can become one of the best players ever," Zidane told L'Equipe, per Goal. 

"For me, he is a combination of Claude Makelele and Patrick Vieira," he added.

And his response when asked whether Pogba will ever join Real Madrid?

"We'll see..."

Hugo Lloris

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For many, Hugo Lloris won't be the sort of player they think of when pondering the possible identity of Real Madrid's next Galactico. 

But a situation is building that could see the Frenchman become just that:

• After little more than two seasons in England, Lloris is already among the finest goalkeepers in the Premier League, possessing superb shot-stopping skills and an uncanny knack for winning one-on-one situations with strikers.
• At just 27, the France international has as much as a decade still in front of him, given the typically longer career spans for those with the gloves.
• Real Madrid will be looking for a long-term successor to Iker Casillas.
• With Lloris having just signed a new, five-year contract with Tottenham this year, the price required to prise him away from north London will be extremely high. 

According to Tony Banks at the Express, Real Madrid are preparing a £20 million bid for Lloris in the coming January transfer window. But one feels that Tottenham's chairman Daniel Levy, who's a notoriously tough negotiator, will demand significantly more. 

Could Real Madrid be prepared to go as high as £30 million? If they were, a figure of that magnitude for a goalkeeper would be the equivalent of spending £60 million on a striker and would definitely mark Lloris as a Galactico. 

Marco Reus

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With Borussia Dortmund suffering a disastrous opening to the current Bundesliga season, it might only be a matter of time before Marco Reus pushes for a move away from the German outfit. 

One of Europe's most sought-after forwards, the 25-year-old is valued at £44 million, per Transfermarkt, but could be available for as little as £19.7 million due to a release clause in his contract, according to Tom Collomosse of the Standard. 

A move to the Spanish capital to join the European champions would undoubtedly be an enticing one for the German, with Marca's Miguel Angel Lara suggesting Real Madrid's relationship with Reus' representatives—who also look after Toni Kroos—could help to fend off interest from other heavyweights around the continent. 

Although Reus' price (thanks to his current contract) would potentially be lower than the typical Galactico, his stature in both the European and international game would ensure he's worthy of carrying such a tag.