Real Madrid confident of smooth talks with Liverpool's Gerrard

Real Madrid are confident of striking a deal for Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard - if he wants to move to the Santiago Bernabeu next season.

Gerrard is represented by SFX, the same company that handles Real Madrid pair Jonathan Woodgate and Michael Owen.

Real have a strong relationship with the multinational company and are confident if they do push for a deal with the Liverpool midfielder, negotiations will be smooth.

Real president Florentino Perez has made Gerrard one of his big targets for next season and having assumed more control over transfers from sports director Emilio Butragueno, he will be spending the months leading up to Christmas putting out feelers about a possible deal.