Real Madrid coach Capello wanted USA defender Onyewu

The USA could have boasted a player on Real Madrid's books, it can be revealed.

Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello considered up until Thursday's transfer deadline a shock swoop for Standard Liege's USA international defender Oguchi Onyewu.

Belgian sources say Capello insisted on Gooch's signing, but a deal couldn't be struck before the deadline fell.

Capello turned to Onyewu as he sought to strengthen his central defensive options last week. Francisco Pavon and Ivan Helguera remain at Real, but Capello doesn't regard either as part of his first team plans this season.