Real Agree Makelele Fee With Chelsea

Real Madrid have agreed to sell French international Claude Makelele for £13.8m, according to reports in Spain.

The midfielder is now heading to Chelsea for a medical so he can complete his move to the Premiership's extraordinarily big spenders before the transfer window closes on Sunday.

Makelele's exit from the Santiago Bernabeu looked inevitable after the 30-year-old fell out with the Spanish champions over his wages, which is tiny in comparison to Real's other stay players, even though Makelele has been rated by many as just an important player.

It is believed a deal with struck between Roman Abramovich and officials from Real's at yesterday's Champions League draw in Monaco.

Real are set to try and sign Roberto Ayala from Valencia, although Rafael Benitez' side have today denied the Argentine defender is for sale.