Real eye striker options
Real Madrid are ready to sign a striker in January as Gonzalo Higuain looks unlikely to return this season.
By Graeme Bailey - Follow me on Twitter @graemebailey
Last Updated: 13/01/11 10:18am
Real Madrid are ready to sign a striker in January as Gonzalo Higuain looks unlikely to return to action this season.
The Argentine star had successful keyhole surgery on a slipped disc in his back earlier this week.
The injury has sidelined him since November and the latest procedure almost certainly means he will not play for Real again this term.
Real have previously said they were not keen to sign a striker, but now coach Jose Mourinho looks to be pushing for reinforcements.
"I have only Benzema and a club like Arsenal, you have five strikers," said Mourinho.
Options
Now reports suggest that Real have drawn up a short-list of four strikers as potential signings this month.
They are Miroslav Klose, Nelson Valdez, Emmanuel Adebayor and Adam Szalai.
Klose is believed to be the most likely option with his current deal due to expire in the summer, meaning they could land him from Bayern Munich without paying a huge fee, although he would not be eligible for the Champions League.
The most expensive option would possibly be trying to sign Hercules striker Valdez, who has impressed in Spain since his summer move from Borussia Dortmund.
Manchester City's Adebayor has been linked with Madrid for the last few weeks and he is under consideration as they could take him on loan and they would have few issues in taking on his wages.
The final option for Real is possibly re-signing Hungarian Szalai.
The club allowed him to sign for German club Mainz, where he has done well, and if needed they have a clause allowing him to move back to the Santiago Bernabeu for as little as €1.5million.