Espanyol sports chief Paco Herrera was quickly on the phone to Real Madrid after Raul Tamudo suffered his broken arm this week.

DiarioSport says Herrera made a move for Real striker Roberto Soldado as a direct replacement for Tamudo, but received little encouraged from Real over his request to take the Spain international on-loan.

Real sports director Pedja Mijatovic - and Soldado, himself - insist he will only leave Madrid in a permanent deal.