Real Madrid ´want Zenit´s Arshavin´

Real Madrid, suffering a shortage of strikers, want to sign Russian Andrei Arshavin from Zenit St Petersburg in January on a six-month loan, a Spanish sports newspaper said Tuesday.

The Spanish champions, currently fourth in the Primera Liga, would then negotiate the purchase of the striker with Zenit, based on his performance during those six months, the AS daily said.

It said the Russian and UEFA Cup champions are seeking 30 million euros for their 27-year-old star.

But Real would be unable to play Arshavin in the Champions League as he has already turned out for Zenit in the competition this season, AS said.

The club is on the lookout for new strikers after Brazil's Robinho left for Manchester City in September and Dutchman Ruud Van Nistelrooy suffered a knee injury which could see him out of action for several weeks.

Manchester United's Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo was linked with the Real for several months, but the English champions refused to sell.

Real is currently two points behind league leaders Barcelona, with its attack relying largely on the good form of Argentine Gonzalo Higuain.

They are to face third division Real Union at home in the second leg of the last 32 of the Spanish Cup Tuesday, after losing the first leg 3-2.

In the Champions League, Real has suffered two defeats against Juventus, and must beat Zenit next month to be sure of qualifying for the last eight.