Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest on Robin van Persie and Edinson Cavani Rumours

Real Madrid are in the hunt for a new striker this summer, and it seems they've identified Robin van Persie and Edinson Cavani as possible targets.

Citing "reports," Lee Thomas-Mason of Metro claims that Real have made an approach for United striker Van Persie as they look to bolster their forward options.

In January, the Dutchman admitted that he did not know where his future lies. Per the Guardian's Jamie Jackson, he said: "It is not up to me. For the moment I am staying here for 18 months. That is it really. I can’t look into the future. I don’t know what is going to happen after that. We shall have to wait and see."

Though the forward is contracted until the end of the 2015-16 season, Louis van Gaal may be tempted to cash in on the ageing Van Persie.

The Manchester Evening News' Rob Dawson hinted that United could be shuffling their front line this summer:

Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe believes it is time for the Red Devils to part ways with the Dutchman:

While United would seem happy to let the striker go, he would be a strange signing for Los Blancos.

Van Persie will be 32 in August, and his ability to contribute has been in steady decline since he joined United.

He was sensational for the Red Devils in his first campaign with the club, scoring 30 goals in all competitions and providing nine assists in the league, per WhoScored.com. Last season, he scored 18 in all competitions and registered three assists in the league. This term, he has netted 10 times and assisted just twice.

Jon Super/Associated Press

While his career is far from over, Real are several years too late in making a move.

A better option would be Cavani.

According to Calciomercato (via Ed Dove of CaughtOffside), Cavani is a "key summer target" for Los Blancos.

The Paris Saint-Germain man has been in scintillating form yet again this season, scoring 28 goals for Les Parisiens in all competitions, per WhoScored.com.

Christophe Ena/Associated Press

As ESPN FC's Jonathan Johnson notes, Cavani has learned to partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic with success this season. This indicates the Uruguayan would have little difficulty slotting in alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and co. in Real's forward positions.

At 28, Cavani is not a particularly long-term option for Real, but he is certainly better than Van Persie in that regard, and Real could expect at least three good years from the striker.

Van Persie is not the player Real need to compete with Barcelona in La Liga or the other European giants in the Champions League, but Cavani just might be.