Real Madrid play down Rooney transfer rumours

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Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano has lauded his side's attack and questioned the need for another goalscorer amid rumours linking Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney with a move to the Spanish giants.

Valdano also reiterated coach Jose Mourinho's comments last week that Madrid are not planning on making any changes to their playing squad during the January transfer window.

Reports have suggested Madrid as a possible destination for Rooney if United decide to cash in on the England striker, whose contract with the Red Devils runs until the summer of 2012 and whose relationship with manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been the subject of plenty of speculation recently.

Madrid have also been linked with Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente, but Valdano was keen to highlight the firepower already at the club, with the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel Di Maria, Mesut Ozil and Karim Benzema carrying the fight up front for Mourinho's men.

When asked about Rooney, Valdano was quoted as saying on Telemadrid: "Madrid have two great strikers; Higuain and Cristiano, who already showed last season that they are capable of scoring 60 goals between them.

"As well as that there are Di Maria and Ozil, who are going to help these two goalscorers. The question is, who would we move aside if we signed another striker?"

When asked if Madrid did not need another striker, Valdano said: "It's not a debate in Madrid. Mourinho had to come out and stop these types of rumours. And as well as that, Benzema has not had the last word."

On in-form Spain frontman Llorente, Valdano added: "I like him, but from that to finding him a place in Madrid, that won't be easy. Every season there will be a new player, but it doesn't always have to be a centre-forward.

"Llorente is improving a lot and he is ready for new experiences, but often the media are discussing things that are not happening in the club."

It remains to be seen if things change over the course of the season, but Valdano also confirmed that the Bernabeu club will not be doing business in the January transfer window.

"In January there will be neither ins nor outs. June is a long way away," he said.