Jose Mourinho has a successful season in charge of Real Madrid. The Spanish side have become the deserved winners of the La Liga and fell just short in the Champions League.
Despite this, the Portuguese manager will look to strengthen his squad even further going into next season, as Madrid seek European glory.
Especially with the likes of Higuain and Di Maria both expected to leave the club.
Below are various players Madrid have been linked in recent weeks.
Transfer Targets
Sergio Aguero – Manchester City – Striker
Real Madrid want to fund a multi-million pound bid for Sergio Aguero. President Florentino Perez is desperate to sign the Manchester City striker and is willing to part with whatever money it takes to lure the Argentine to the Bernabeu according to the Daily Mail.
To fund the ambitious offer, which City would be very reluctant to accept, Real want Higuain to move to Stamford Bridge.
Aguero has been a sensation for Roberto Mancini’s side, scoring 22 goals in 33 Premier League games.
Edison Cavani – Napoli – Striker
Reports have emerged that Real Madrid are watching Napoli striker Edinson Cavani’s situation.
The Uruguay international has emerged as the game’s hottest young striker and his performances in the Champions League have led to him being linked with Chelsea and Manchester City in recent weeks.
However, Real president Florentino Perez is also monitoring Cavani’s form and willing to put £35 million towards buying the Uruguay international at the end of the season.
Robin Van Persie – Arsenal – Striker
Real Madrid will make an offer for Robin van Persie in the summer as they join the £30million race for the Arsenal striker.
Manchester City and Barcelona are also keen on the Dutchman, 28, who has 12 months left on his Arsenal contract and is yet to commit to another deal.
Mourinho feels Van Persie would be a perfect fit into his evolving Madrid side.
Glen Johnson – Liverpool – Defender
Real Madrid are targeting Glen Johnson and Kyle Walker to fill their problem right-back position.
Officials at the Bernabeu were trying to sign promising Brazilian Mario Fernandes but have not even come close to agreeing a fee with Gremio.
So Jose Mourinho has turned to ‘Plan B’, according to Madrid newspaper Marca, and is planning to raid the Barclays Premier League for a player to fit his system.
It is thought Johnson, 27, would not cost more than £12.5million and is ready-made to match the wing-raiding prowess of Marcelo on the opposite flank.
Kyle Walker – Tottenham – Defender
21-year-old Kyle Walker is another right back being linked with a switch to Madrid. The young Tottenham star has been highly impressive since establishing himself as a first team regular in Harry Redknapp’s side.
Real boss Jose Mourinho has been tracking the Tottenham right-back ever since he shined on England duty against Spain at this summer’s European Under-21 finals.
And the manager of La Liga’s leaders has been impressed with Walker’s superb displays for club and country this term
Mourinho wants Walker to provide competition for Real right-back Sergio Ramos.
Walker is contracted to Spurs until 2016 but boss Harry Redknapp is braced for a bid from his friend Mourinho – which would need to be at least £20million to tempt chairman Daniel Levy into selling.
Edin Dzeko – Manchester City – Striker
Manchester City have decided to offload Edin Dzeko at the end of the season in a move that had already alerted Juventus and Real Madrid.
City manager Roberto Mancini has let it be known he will listen to offers for Dzeko after noting the striker’s unrest over limited opportunities in the starting line-up and sensing they will become even scarcer. Jose Mourinho is a firm admirer of the 26-year old.
Raul Meireles – Chelsea – Midfielder
Reports have emerged that Real Madrid have joined Juventus interest in Chelsea midfielder Raul Meireles.
The Daily Express says Real Madrid want to take unsettled Portuguese midfielder Meireles to Spain in a £10m move.
Gareth Bale – Tottenham – Midfielder
Bale, 22, has been linked with a switch away from White Hart Lane – and claims a big-money transfer to one of Europe’s top clubs is appealing.
“If you are talking about Barcelona or Real Madrid, two of the biggest clubs in the world, then it’s a bit like Harry and England, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime dream,” he said.
“If you said to any young player that you could play for Barcelona or Real would they turn it down Probably not.”
This will no doubt alert Mourinho who would love to bring Bale to the Bernabeu.
Lucas Rodrigues Moura da Silva – Sao Paulo – Midfielder
The La Liga winner’s scouts have been monitoring Lucas for some time and have apparently now recommended him to the directors.
Manager Jose Mourinho is also said to have given his approval to bid for a player widely regarded as one of the rising stars of South American football.
Lucas, who is also a target for Inter Milan and Chelsea, broke into the Sao Paulo team in 2010 and made his debut for Brazil last year. He was included in the squad for the 2011 Copa America and already has ten caps to his name.
Papiss Cisse – Newcastle – Striker
Recently, Cisse has been falsely linked with Madrid. The Senegal international has refuted the claims in the media that he is after a move to the Spainish giants, instead pledging his continuing commitment to the Magpies.
Also See:
More Real Madrid News.More Transfer Rumours.