Real Madrid Striker sought after bad week at El Madrigal

Preparations for the new season at Villarreal have taken a sinister turn after Roberto Soldado's injury and boss Marcelino's exit, but the club are targeting a loan move for Real Madrid striker Mariano in a bid to solve their problems.

Positivity at the prospect of a season in the Champions League has evaporated just days before their playoff with AS Monaco, with work to be done to ensure they are ready in time under new coach Fran Escriba.

Signing Sassuolo striker Nicola Sansone and Alexandre Pato from Corinthians may not be enough after Soldado suffered a cruciate ligament injury in a friendly at Deportivo La Coruna, and the Yellow Submarine are set to join the chase for Real's Dominican youngster.

Highly-rated at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Mariano netted 25 goals for Castilla in Segunda B last term and is also being chased by the likes of Leganes, Osasuna, Alaves and Las Palmas.

Although the 23-year-old is keen to stay with Los Blancos and fight for a place, coach Zinedine Zidane has stressed his immediate chances of first team are slim with Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema at the club.