Madrid Hunting For Strikers

As soon as Ruud van Nistelrooy was ruled out for the season, Real Madrid embarked upon a quest to sign a replacement. The list appears to have been narrowed down to three names.

The most realistic possibility appears to be Ricardo Oliveira. The Brazilian received a salary increase to remain in La Segunda, and is on €2.3 per season at Real Zaragoza, with a €30 million buy-out clause included in his contract. Zaragoza, however, will be willing to accept bids of around €20 million. The major advantage of this option would be that Oliveira would not have to wait until the transfer window to move, and could play in the Champions League.

The next option is Inter Milan's Hernan Crespo, who, at 33 years of age, is nearing the end of his career. He has not been registered for the Champions League, so being cup-tied would not be an issue, but any transfer would have to wait until the window opens on January 1. Real Madrid have sent scouts to watch Crespo in training. However, Jose Mourinho is not keen to sell the Argentine star. Despite giving him less playing time than Javier Saviola is getting in Madrid, the Portuguese has stated that "If Crespo is important for Madrid, then he is also important for Inter."

The final target is the Brazilian Vagner Love, from CSKA Moscow. The forward has scored 30 goals in the last two seasons, is only 24 years old, and would also be eligible to play in the Champions League. His asking price is also around €20 million.

In case none of these moves come to fruition, there are other options for Real Madrid, although these are more complicated. Carlos Tevez would cost €38 million, Klass-Jan Huntelaar is injured until January, and Genoa will not sell Diego Milito for less than €30 million. Indeed, when Genoa president Enrico Preziosi was quizzed on the matter, he replied: "We will not sell Milito. They can buy Crespo."

Arjun Miglani