Galatasaray's new manager, Roberto Mancini, has expressed his interest in acquiring the services of French striker Karim Benzema during the winter transfer window, stating that the team needs another player to strengthen the front line to ensure it has a successful season.

Mancini has also stated that he wants to sign Kolarov, knowing the Serbian full back well from their time together at Manchester City, but his prime target is a spearhead for his attack in the form of Karim Benzema, according to the Turkish daily 'Malatya Güncel'. The paper claims that Galatasaray also wants to move last season's Champions League sensation Burak Yilmaz on to pastures new.

The whole operation depends on the transfer of the experienced Turk, who scored eight goals in the 2012-13 Champions League campaign, a figure that was only beaten by Cristiano Ronaldo (12) and Pole Robert Lewandowski, who finished the competition on 10 goals after featuring in every round.

Mancini, who replaced the seemingly eternal Fatih Terim two weeks ago, has informed his new club's directors that his main target is Benzema, reminding them of the player's stats for the season. "He's 25 years old, he's played eight games and he's scored two goals", added the digital edition of the Turkish daily.