Ricardo names striking targets

Bordeaux coach Ricardo has named several players he is interested in, as he bids to replace veteran striker Lilian Laslandes.

The Frenchman has fallen down Bordeaux's striking pecking order and now looks set to move to Nice, who have offered the 35-year-old a six-month deal, with an option for another year if they avoid the drop from Ligue 1.

Ricardo believes that after several years of sterling service, Laslandes deserves the opportunity to play on a more regular basis.

"Lilian wants to play," said Ricardo. "At 35-years-old, considering his past at the club, it is a special case.

"If another player would have wanted to talk, we would have refused.

"But he deserves to think first of himself, rather than us."

Should Laslandes depart then Ricardo will bring in a new striker and it is Espanyol's Raul Tamudo thought to be a realistic target.

Tamudo remains a firm favourite of the Espanyol faithful but has intimated he is ready for a fresh challenge and with the Spanish side still owing Bordeaux payments from the Albert Riera transfer, a deal between the two clubs could prove convenient.

Ricardo does, though, have several other alternatives in the fire.

"Spanish striker Raul Tamudo, Kepa Blanco (Real Betis), Joan Kleber (Nexaca), Dagoberto (Atletico Paranaense) and another Kleber (Dynamo Kiev) are targets," he added.