Real eyeing Manuel Pablo

A Spanish newspaper has claimed that Real Madrid are planning a big-money bid for Depor’s international right-back Manuel Pablo Garcia.

The daily 'As' said that Manuel Pablo was the choice of coach Vicente del Bosque to fill a position that the new Spanish champions consider one of their weakest areas.

The 24-year-old has an astronomical buy-out clause of over $US 50 million but cash-strapped Depor are thought to be prepared to reduce the figure considerably.

The paper says that an offer of some $US 11 million supplemented by several players would be enough to land the powerful defender.

Since joining Depor from Las Palmas in 1998, Manuel Pablo has gone on to win nine caps for Spain.