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Villarreal have targetted Nicolas Anelka to bolster their front-line if they miss out in their quest to prise Julio Baptista from Real Madrid.

The Yellow Submarine have allowed several players to leave this summer and have yet to complete their rebuilding programme before the start of the new campaign.

While Baptista remains the club's priority, Anelka is now in the frame as a Plan B after Bolton Wanderers' manager; Sammy Lee, opened the doors for the Frenchman's exit.

The Spanish outfit have requested reports from their scouting team on the former Madrid, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City goalscorer.

Anelka would also cost less than Baptista and would adapt to life at El Madrigal, thanks to his previous experience in la Primera and the presence of Robert Pirès, Pascal Cygan and Rio Mavouba in the squad.

Werder Bremen have also expressed an interest in the 28-year-old, but Bolton's early reluctance to sell has seen the Bundesliga giants look elsewhere.

One problem that Villarreal may encounter is that Anelka has pledged his support to Lee, after the former Osasuna midfielder took over from Sam Allardyce as boss at the Reebok Stadium.

Villarreal's plan to tempt Baptista could also prove to be difficult after he stated that his intention was to return to the Bernabéu and play regularly after a loan spell at Arsenal.

Madrid's new boss, Bernd Schuster, and the sporting director, Pedja Mijatovic, have also said that he is considered to be part of their plans.