Mourinho plans 50 million pound Chelsea raid for Real Madrid

Madrid, May 26(ANI): Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho, who is expected to be named Real Madrid manager within the week, has told the Spanish club to make a 50 million pound bid for Chelsea stars Ashley Cole and Michael Essien.

According to reports, Mourinho, who had talks with Real Madrid officials on Monday, has already finalized his summer targets with an expected 100 million pound budget at his disposal.

Mourinho's interest in Cole is well known, and it is believed that Real Madrid is preparing a 25 million pound bid for him, The Daily Express reports.

Essien is also high on Mourinho's hit list despite the midfielder missing half the season with knee ligament problems, which he suffered on international duty with Ghana in January.

He is now close to recovery and is expected to figure for his country in the World Cup in South Africa next month.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti may dash Mourinho's plans regarding Essien, as he hopes to keep him at Stamford Bridge due to uncertainty over the future of Michael Ballack and Joe Cole. (ANI)