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Real Madrid weighing up Edinson Cavani bid but Juventus lead chase - sources

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How Dzeko will work with Ronaldo in Pirlo's formation (1:15)

ESPN FC's Julien Laurens discusses how Edin Dzeko will fit in with Andrea Pirlo's tactics at Juventus. (1:15)

Real Madrid are weighing up the option of signing Edinson Cavani in a bid to solve their crisis in front of goal but Juventus lead the chase for the striker, sources have told ESPN.

Cavani, 33, is available for free after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired in June and he has been offered to a number of Europe's biggest clubs.

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Sources have told ESPN the Uruguay international has already held talks with Juventus and he would be keen on a return to Italy, with his children still residing in Naples.

Juve are looking for a replacement for Gonzalo Higuain, who has joined Inter Miami, and sounded out Cavani before they ruled out a move for Barcelona's Luis Suarez last week. Atletico Madrid's Alvaro Morata is also an option, sources have confirmed.

Madrid, meanwhile, were not initially looking to strengthen their squad due to the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic but several sources have told ESPN they are now considering changing that stance.

However, to sign Cavani, they would first need to shift some of the excess forwards they have in the squad before the transfer window closes.

The Spanish champions are open to offers for Luka Jovic, Borja Mayoral and Mariano Diaz but face a race against time if they want to sell them before the Oct. 5 deadline.

Zinedine Zidane's side's problems in front of goal were once again in evidence on Sunday as they kicked off the La Liga season with a goalless draw against Real Sociedad.

Jovic and Mayoral were both unused substitutes against Sociedad, with Zidane not turning to either despite Madrid's need for a goal, while Mariano missed out with tonsillitis.

Rather than using Jovic or Mayoral, Zidane turned to academy wingers Marvin Park and Sergio Arribas in a clear sign that, aside from Karim Benzema, he doesn't trust the strikers at the club.

ESPN reported in July that there was a clamour inside the club for a new attacker to arrive to take the weight off Benzema.

There are no complaints about the France international, who scored 27 goals last season, but there are concerns that the club's second top scorer was defender Sergio Ramos, with 13.

Despite that, Madrid managed to beat Barcelona to the La Liga title thanks to 10 wins in their final 11 games but there's an acknowledgment they will need to improve to compete in Europe this season.