Real Madrid are preparing to enquire about the availability of Chelsea's Michael Essien after coach Bernd Schuster told the club's hierarchy that he is the one midfielder he wants this summer.

The German trainer was adamant that the Ghanaian international came ahead of such names as Daniele De Rossi and Christian Poulsen to replace the departing Mahamadou Diarra at the Bernabéu.

Sporting director, Predrag Mijatovic, joined a host of representatives from Europe's most powerful club at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday to watch Essien first hand and to make contact with the Blues.

Madrid maybe big players in the transfer market, but Chelsea paid around £36m for the versatile midfielder from Olympique Lyonnais and would demand a high price to allow him to leave.

AS believe that Roman Abramovich would have the final say over any offer from Los Merengues, however, and could be prepared to let Essien leave if the price is right.

Mijatovic was also in London to ensure that Madrid stay in touch with the movements of Didier Drogba, who is set to leave Chelsea this summer and is interesting several clubs.

While Ruud van Nistelrooy's future cannot be assured, Schuster has asked for another powerful striker and the Ivory Coast forward has long been linked with a move to the Spanish giants. source: Daily Guide