In demand: Mourinho is interested in signing Drogba
and Adebayor
Jose Mourinho wants an imposing new striker at Real
Madrid - with Emmanuel Adebayor and Didier Drogba identified as
perfect candidates.
The Bernabeu boss is on a collision course with general director
Jorge Valdano, who wants to instead turn his attention to
off-loading players after believing that Mesut Ozil would be the
final signing of the summer.
However, the Madrid press have been briefed that Mourinho still
wants a 'No 9' because he is unconvinced by France striker Karim
Benzema and fears they have no real alternative to Gonzalo
Higuain.
The Portuguese is a huge admirer of Drogba, who developed into
one of the world's best strikers when they worked together at
Chelsea.
However, the Blues would resist a move for the Ivory Coast
international and the 32-year-old insists he is happy at Stamford
Bridge.
Madrid exit? Jose Mourinho is unconvinced by
striker Karim Benzema
In charge: Mourinho wants to add to his
squad
Adebayor may be easier to land. The former Arsenal
striker did not start Manchester City's opening Premier League
match of the season and was recently quoted in Italy as saying he
was keen on a move to Juventus.
The 26-year-old has been handed the No 9 shirt by City, but
Roberto Mancini tends to play just one central striker and has
handed the captaincy to Carlos Tevez - as well as splashing out on
his former Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli.
Mourinho is also keen on Anderlecht's 17-year-old 'New Drogba'
Romelu Lukaku - a Chelsea target - but would prefer a more
established star this summer.
The short list of targets that the boss has reportedly handed
Bernabeu chiefs includes PSV Eindhoven's Ola Toivonen, who is
wanted by Liverpool and Tottenham.
Mourinho is also said to be at loggerheads with Valdano over
Lassana Diarra. Valdano is apparently prepared to listen to offers
for the former Portsmouth midfielder - as well as Rafael van der
Vaart, Mahamadou Diarra and Fernando Gago.
However, the former Inter Milan coach would not be prepared to
lose all the midfielders and apparently wants to keep the man they
call 'Lass' above all others.
Sportsmail revealed that Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp wants to
take the France international on loan, while Marseille are also
understood to be tracking him.
Wolfsburg boss Steve McClaren has lodged a bid for Van der
Vaart, who has been linked to Liverpool and Chelsea, while Benfica
and Galatasaray are keen on Royston Drenthe.