Sweden forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic heads a list of young stars targeted by Spanish giants Real Madrid to join its band of Galacticos, according to sports daily newspaper AS.

Madrid are keen to revive its aging ranks with some young blood and the 24-year-old Juventus striker is one of six players being trailed by the nine-time European champions.

Also coveted are Arsenal's 25 year-old left-back Ashley Cole, a long-term target, Liverpool's Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso, 24, Schalke's Denmark midfielder Christian Poulsen. 25, Cologne's German forward Lukas Podolski, 20 and 19-year-old Osasuna midfielder Raul Garcia.

After winning three UEFA Champions League titles in five years between 1998 and 2002 and last lifting the Spanish title in 2003, Madrid have been playing second fiddle to Valencia and bitter rivals Barcelona domestically, while also flattering to deceive in Europe.

Aging players such as Spain defender Fernando Hierro and Portugal winger Luis Figo have already been shown the door in the last two close-seasons and now Madrid are keen to reduce the average age of their first team squad.

"Plan 2006: Ibrahimovic and five young guns," read the AS headline on Tuesday before predicting that the Swede will play as a second striker off Ronaldo in the new-look Galactico stikeforce next season.

AS claims Ibrahimovic will set Real back 40-45 million euros although it seems unlikely that the club, which was once more

than 300 million euros in debt, can finance such a large spending spree on six players, each likely to cost a minimum of 10 million euros.

The newspaper goes on to claim that Poulsen will replace fellow Dane Thomas Gravesen in midfield with the former Everton man leaving in June.

Cole is slated to take the place of Brazilian full-back Roberto

Carlos who has found himself the target of abuse among sections of home fans in the last two campaigns.

AS dispelled concerns that Real would suffer from bringing In so many young recruits, stating: "The players are all under 26 but loaded with experience."

Madrid have been prolifically signing young talent in the last year, bringing in highly rated Brazil forwards Robinho and Julio Baptista as well as Italian starlet Antonio Cassano from Roma.