Saturday, November 8, 2008 -- Reigning Spanish champions and European powerhouse Real Madrid are keen to take on board a striker when the transfer window reopens in January after their top striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has been ruled out for two to three months.

Van Nistelrooy possibly needs a surgery to overcome his recent injury crisis and this shall keep him out of action for two or three months. This has led the club to think of making winter signings as the Merengues need a striker to fill in the large and yawning shoes of the Dutch international hitman.

German international striker Mario Gomes' name has been linked with the 31 times reigning Spanish international. The Spanish born striker is currently on hot form with his German Bundesliga club VFB Stuttgart and has already scored five goals in 11 matches so far this season.

Real Madrid are now reportedly keen to sign him in January. The club's sporting director Pedrag Mijatovic had earlier insisted that he was not going to make any signings in January but in the wake of Van Nistelrooy's injury problem, it appears that he needs to make an acquisition.