Manchester City are battling to keep David Silva away from Real Madrid.

The Daily Star says Real are desperate to snatch Silva from Manchester City in a shock £30m deal.

Luka Modric has been touted as Jose Mourinho's prime midfield target.

But sources in Spain now suggest that the move to take the Croatian from Tottenham is merely an elaborate smokescreen to mask Mourinho's true plans.

The Special One really wants to add Silva's wizardry to the lethal finishing of Cristiano Ronaldo as his Spanish champions bid to conquer Europe.