Higuain, Benzema offered to Man City as Real Madrid CF chase Tevez - report

Real Madrid have reportedly offered Gonzalo Higuain or Karim Benzema to Manchester City as part of a £50million bid for Carlos Tevez.

Tevez last Monday issued a statement confirming he wants to leave City this summer, leading to the club slapping a £50m price tag on him.

Several strikers have in recent days been linked with a move to Eastlands as a replacement for the Argentina international, including Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto'o and Atletico Madrid forward Sergio Aguero, with the latter reportedly close to a move to Manchester (see below).

But according to Goal.com, Spanish giants Real Madrid have opened tentative discussions with City over a possible swap deal which would see the Premier League club offered either Higuain or Benzema, plus £25m cash.

27-year-old Tevez has been linked with Los Blancos throughout 2011, with manager Jose Mourinho believed to be a big fan of the former Manchester United striker.

It was revealed earlier this week that Mourinho was happy with his squad after a busy start to the summer in the transfer market, although he has the backing of the club's president should he wish to spend more.

But while Mourinho's top transfer target is believed to be Santos striker Neymar, Tevez is now reportedly seen as a bigger priority for the Special One than Aguero.

Whether Mourinho would consider moves for both Neymar and Tevez remains to be seen. The former Chelsea boss is not a huge fan of Benzema and it would come as no surprise to see the France international offloaded this summer regardless of who comes in, especially as Arsenal are believed to be interested in signing him.

And with Higuain's recent injuries still cause for concern for Mourinho, a complete overhaul of his central strikers should not be ruled out completely either.

Real are still showing interest in City striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who spent the second half of last season on loan at the Bernabeu, and while they are reluctant to pay City's asking price, the Blues have reportedly told them that if they withdraw their interest in Aguero, they can sign him at a reduced rate.

Inter Milan and Juventus are also believed to be interested in signing Tevez, with the latter having cooled their interest in Aguero this week after learning of City's interest.