Liverpool skipper Gerrard open to Real Madrid

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is keen to speak with Real Madrid officials about a move to Spain next year, it has been claimed.

AS says Gerrard has told close friends he is interested in joining Real Madrid and was delighted to learn of their interest this week.

Speculation suggests Gerrard has already pumped England pals David Beckham and Michael Owen for information on Real during their time away for the World Cup qualifiers against Austria and Poland.

With the possibility of landing galactico signings now drying up, Real president Florentino Perez has decided to go on a different tact to push the club into new markets - sign the cream of the Premiership.

Well aware of the Premiership's profile around the world - particularly in Asia - Perez is now basing his foreign policy on England's best players and wants to add Gerrard to a stable that already includes Jonathan Woodgate, Owen and Beckham.

The Real supremo would also have gone for Wayne Rooney in January if Manchester United had not signed the teenage whiz last week.