Real Madridare contemplating signing a striker following Morata's departure, and one of the names which has cropped up is that of Álvaro Negredo.

He is a home-grown player and the club directors like him. However, it will not be an easy signing to make because the plan was to bring in a young player to act as an understudy to Benzema. Signing Negredo would repeat the situation of having two strikers competing for the same place, as occurred with the Frenchman and Higuaín under Mourinho. However, there are voices in support of this option, because the coming season is expected to be extremely demanding from the off.

The problem is that City will not sell him on the cheap. Atlético de Madrid already went after him before moving on to Mandzukic and City refused to go below 30 million. He forms part of Pellegrini's plans and a transfer is not under consideration unless the player formally requests a move.

Negredo is attracted to the idea of returning to Spain. He did not play as much as he would have liked last season, but he does not appear to be looking to leave - for the time being at least.

Negredo ruled out the possibility during an online session with City supporters: "I don't want to leave City, I'm very happy and settled here. I had a difficult end to the season and that's why there's been a lot of talking. But I've been very happy from the first day I arrived." Although he did not mention the possibility of returning to Madrid, he may at least be willing to listen to an offer.