Real Madrid Transfer Rumour: Mourinho Wants Manchester City Striker

Manchester City fans itching to see the last of Argentinean striker Carlos Tevez in their club's colours may well get their wish, since a report in The Sun suggests Tevez is being courted by Spanish champions Real Madrid and could be the subject of a £25mn bid.

Roberto Mancini has some difficult decisions to make ahead of City opening the defence of their Premier League crown at home to Southampton on 18 August. Tevez's compatriot Sergio Agüero is the club's undisputed number one striker, particularly since he scored the goal that gave City the title last season. The genius of Italian forward Mario Balotelli is the only thing that keeps him second in line, at least for as long as Mancini is around. This means Tevez and Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko could be deemed surplus at the Etihad, particularly since there is considerable reported interest in Arsenal's Robin van Persie. Furthermore, even if Dutchman van Persie does stay at Arsenal, a report by Goal.com, which suggests City have enquired after Atletico Madrid's Radamel Falcao and Napoli's Edinson Cavani, seems to indicate both Tevez and Dzeko are certainly on their way out.

Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid, meanwhile, have also zeroed in on two other Premier League star and earlier IBTimes UK reports identified them as City's David Silva and Tottenham's Luka Modric, for both of whom transfer fees in the region of £30mn have been spoken of.

Incidentally, Tevez is believed to be on a deal worth nearly £200,000 per week and while Madrid should not have a problem matching that it will be interesting to see if the club is willing to sanction that amount, given the player's disciplinary problems.

Finally, it could be City have a sudden surfeit of strikers. Another Goal.com report state City youngster John Guidetti will not return to Dutch club Feyenoord on loan. The report quoted Feyenoord technical director Martin van Geel as saying the rumour he would look to take the young Swedish striker on loan again as "the greatest nonsense". Guidetti had a hugely impressive time in Holland last season, scoring 20 goals in 23 appearances in the Eredivisie. However, Feyenoord will renew a loan deal for another City youngster - winger Omar Elabdellaoui. This suggests City have recalled Guidetti with a view to introducing him to their first team.