Man Utd confident of clinching deal for Real Madrid's Makelele

Despite the David Beckham controversy, Manchester United will press ahead with their bid to bring Real Madrid's Claude Makelele to England in the summer.

The French international broke off contract talks with Real over Christmas and is likely to be sold by the European champs at the end of the season, despite his importance to Vicente del Bosque's first team.

The Times says United are confident they can land Makelele for less than £10 million because of his age (30) and knows the Frenchman is currently one of the lowest paid players at the Santiago Bernabeu.