Valdano promises new striker

Real Madrid's Sports Manager Jorge Valdano has admitted the club have set the wheels in motion to sign a quality striker in the close season.

Valdano told Spanish radio, Radio Marca, today: "Even with Morientes in the side, it's not enough. We desperately need to sign another forward in the next few weeks."

The news has sparked speculation about Real's desire to poach Barcelona marksman Patrick Kluivert, who is making slow progress with the Catalans over his contract renewal.

Kluivert, whose contract at Barca expires in 2002, caused a storm in Catalunya for his remarks that if he and Barcelona don't come to a new arrangement soon then he will study other offers including those from Real.

Another possibility could be to bring AC Milan ace Andrei Shevchenko to the Bernabeu in the summer.