Cambiasso eyes River Plate move

Real Madrid midfielder Esteban Cambiasso could sign for Argentinian side River Plate within the next 24 hours.

Real's Sports Manager Jorge Valdano has been in permanent contact with officials at River and the deal looks set to be closed by Thursday. River Plate will buy just 50 per cent of the player's image rights from Real Madrid - a tactic frequently employed in the South American leagues, and also the means Villarreal used to bring Boca Juniors' Martin Palermo to Spain at the start of the year.

Elsewhere, striker Jorge Lopez "Tote" and Alberto Rivera are expected to be loaned out for the new season. Primera outfits Sevilla, Tenerife and Real Betis have all enquired about the Madrid duo.