Arsenal seek to trump Real Madrid for Ajax's Chivu

Arsenal have reportedly stolen a march on Real Madrid in the race for Ajax captain Cristian Chivu.

The Gunners are willing to offer £16 million for the Romania international, according to Italian media reports.

Chivu is also a big-money target for Real, but the Spanish giants are reconsidering the move because of the defender's lack of marketing value.

If Real are to match Arsenal's offer they would expect the player in question to deliver off the park in terms of merchandise sales.

But while the likes of Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo have brought in huge profits through their profiles, Real officials fear Chivu's status wouldn't go over the same way with fans.