Manchester United will demand Karim Benzema is used as part of any deal involving goalkeeper David De Gea and La Liga giants Real Madrid.
SEE ALSO:
Manchester United Transfer News
Tottenham star in contact with Manchester United over summer transfer
Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez prepares £76m bid for Man United & Liverpool stars who top his summer transfer wish-list
Manchester Evening News report that United boss Louis van Gaal is resigned to losing his star goalkeeper and feels a swap deal that includes Benzema would go some way in cushioning the blow.
With Radamel Falcao departing the club after his loan deal was not turned into a permanent one and Robin van Persie’s future up in the air, the Red Devils could be in desperate need of the extra fire-power in attack.
Should the Dutch striker depart this summer, it would leave just captain Wayne Rooney and youngster James Wilson as the only strikers at Old Trafford next season, which is unlikely to be enough if they are to pose a genuine threat for the Premier League title.
Benzema is regarded as one of the finest strikers in European football and was on target 15 times in 29 league appearances for Los Blancos this season.
However, it still remains to be seen what new Madrid manager Rafa Benitez wants to do with the French forward, but there has been speculation that Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero is being lined-up by the Spaniard (via Guardian Sport).
Should that move prove successful then Benzema could be available but the Red Devils are likely to face strong competition from rivals Arsenal, who are reporteldy watching developments closely (via Express Sport).