Everton confirms contact

Officials from Spanish giants Real Madrid have contacted their Goodison Park counterparts officially

confirming an interest in Thomas Gravesen.

Rumours have been circulating for days that the Spanish club were poised to make their move for the

Denmark international who is now in the last year of his contract with the Blues.

That leaves Gravesen free to sign a pre-contract agreement ahead of a potential summer transfer under

the Bosman ruling but the fact Real have made contact indicates that they want to secure his services

immediately.

Everton have continually maintained that they want the 28-year-old to extend his stay on Merseyside

and will refuse to let Gravesen leave on the cheap after he established himself as the club’s most

influential player.

Initial discussions have taken place already and both Everton and Real Madrid, who are believed to

want a quick decision, will continue their talks on Friday.

A £2.5 million signing from Bundesliga side SV Hamburg in July 2000, Gravesen’s future has come under

intense scrutiny in the past 12 months with him being linked to numerous clubs across Europe.

Blues Boss David Moyes has kept a close eye on the situation and has held regular meetings with his

player as he continued with his attempts to tie him to a long-term deal.

It did look at one point that Gravesen may commit himself to Goodison following hints from his

representatives that a new deal would be possible if Everton made progress in the right direction.