Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has made Carlos Tevez his number one transfer target this summer.
Mourinho wants Real Madrid's hierarchy to back him with a big-money bid to reunite the Manchester City striker with his former Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.
And the Special One appears to be getting his way as Real general manager Jorge Valdano has sounded out Tevez's adviser, Kia Joorabchian, about a potential £35million move.
City are facing a major battle to keep Tevez this summer, with the Argentinian striker believed to be considering his future.
Inter Milan have also been linked with the player, but the outgoing European champions' president Massimo Moratti played the idea down last week.
Ex-Chelsea boss Mourinho is a big admirer of Tevez and wanted to sign him in January, but the Spanish giants brought in Emmanuel Adebayor on loan from City instead as they struggled to fund a big-money offer.
Real, who have already agreed a deal to sign Borussia Dortmund's Turkish playmaker Nuri Sahin at the end of the season, may be willing to use midfielders Lassana Diarra and Sergio Canales as part of any deal to tempt City.
The Spanish giants, set for another huge splash in the transfer market to yet again try to make up ground on arch-rivals Barcelona this summer, have recently given up on Atletico Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente to concentrate on Tevez.
Mourinho's position has been under threat because of the ugly manner of their Champions League defeat to Barca, but he is determined to have the final say over targets and a quality striker is his top priority.
TWITCHY'S CITY VEIW OF THE DAY
HARRY REDKNAPP has branded Manchester City “unstoppable” and predicted a raft of summer signings at Eastlands that will beggar belief.
Redknapp’s Tottenham travel to City tonight where a win for Roberto Mancini’s side will secure them a Champions League berth for the first time, and make them even more attractive bait for the world’s top players.
Redknapp, who admits Spurs need a miracle to oust City for the second season running, said: “The Champions League is the key. People I know at City tell me they’ve got one or two players lined up already who’ll blow your brains out. That’s where they are going.
“They’ve got unlimited funds and won’t stop until they win the championship and even then the Champions League.”
MCF.NET THREAD: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=38510
WAG OF THE DAY
OTHER BOLLOX
Liverpool's pursuit of a new left-back has taken them towards a possible signing of Arsenal's Gael Clichy, with the north London club reluctant to meet the player's salary demands. Caughtoffside.com
Cesc Fabregas is back on Barcelona's radar after the Spanish side's coach meets the Arsenal midfielder's family. Metro
Arsenal's summer transfer plans suffer a setback as they are warned off trying to lure teenage midfield sensation Mario Goetze from Borussia Dortmund. Daily Mail
Arsenal are considering making a £20m bid for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema as a replacement for Nicklas Bendtner. Metro
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has advised Manchester United to sign 25-year-old Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder from his former club Inter Milan. Metro
Italian side Roma are lining up a move for Tottenham's 26-year-old midfielder Nico Kranjcar. Metro
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is considering Guus Hiddink and Porto's André Villas Boas as possible replacements for manager Carlo Ancelotti. Both have previously worked at Stamford Bridge, Hiddink winning the FA Cup in 2009 as caretaker manager while Boas helped Jose Mourinho. Guardian
Abramovich also wants club legend Gianfranco Zola to return as a member of the coaching staff next season with Hiddink back as manager. Daily Mirror
Chelsea will make a £6m push at the end of the season to persuade Turkey coach Hiddink to return to Stamford Bridge. Daily Express
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has voiced his sadness that Saturday's FA Cup final would be overshadowed if Manchester United win the Premier League moments before Man City and Stoke walk out at Wembley. Daily Mail
Arsenal are "mentally weak" and do not have enough fight to win the Premier League, according to the club's French defender Bacary Sagna. Metro
Brazil legend Pele has sung the praises of Manchester United's Javier Hernandez after a sensational debut season in the Premier League, and believes the Mexican can, in time, become one of the world's greatest players. talkSPORT
Former Netherlands internationals Marco van Basten and Frank Rijkaard are emerging as front-runners to replace coach Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea, should the Italian be removed from his position. Sporting Life
Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Manchester United's rivals his side can dominate the Premier League for years with their next generation of superstars. Daily Mirror
Atletico Madrid manager Quique Sanchez Flores could replace Gerrard Houiller at Aston Villa should the Frenchman step down following his recent health scare. talkSPORT
Former West Ham hero Paolo di Canio is lining up a shock return to England - as manager of League Two Swindon. Daily Mirror
TV chef and Norwich's joint majority shareholder Delia Smith is treating the club's promotion heroes to an end-of-season trip to Las Vegas. Daily Mirror (I wonder if she'll put £50k on red and shout "let's be havin' you")
