Cole set for Real deal

England full-back Ashley Cole is set to leave behind English Premiership side Arsenal and join Spanish giants Real Madrid in a cut-price move at the end of the season.

Cole, who was involved in a notorious 'tapping-up' affair with Premiership champions Chelsea, reportedly has a release clause in his contract which stipulates he can leave Highbury for a modest fee, according to the Sunday Mirror.

The 24-year-old Cole, who is currently sidelined with a broken foot, signed a 12-month extension to the remaining two years of his deal in the summer after the affair.

His secret talks with Chelsea cost him a 70,000 pounds (122,000 dollars) fine and his relationship with the Gunners hierarchy has never recovered.

Real are reportedly interested in Cole as a successor to Brazilian wing back Roberto Carlos.