Tuesday, 9th August, 2011

Real Madrid are considering offering out-of-favour midfielder Fernando Gago to Manchester City in a part-exchange package for Emmanuel Adebayor.

Jose Mourinho has been forced to reassess his plans for the first half of the new season after Santos striker Neymar confirmed his intent to remain with the Brazilian club to contest the Club World Cup in December.

The 19-year-old therefore will not be landing at the Bernabeu until 1st January, 2012.

And this leaves Mourinho in a bind, as the Portuguese is certain he requires another striker in his squad for the new La Liga season.



Adebayor has always been Mourinho’s favoured option if Neymar was not able to arrive for La Liga’s kick-off, but Real Madrid are reluctant to pay a substantial fee for the Togo hitman.

It had been mooted that defender Raul Albiol could form part of a deal to take Adebayor, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Real Madrid, to Spain. But that trail has gone cold.

Now though Los Blancos are willing to offer Argentine midfielder Gago to Roberto Mancini’s men.

Gago has been keen to return to former club Boca Juniors after falling out of favour at the Bernabeu, but his agent has declared such a move to be a non-starter.

"It is impossible that he will go to Boca Juniors", said Marcelo Lombilla.

"They have not made an offer to Real Madrid and are not about to make an official approach either."

Real Madrid therefore are ready to use the 25-year-old to ensure Adebayor is placed at Mourinho’s disposal.


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