Real Madrid eye Roma's Samuel, AC Milan defender Roque Junior

Real Madrid sports chief Jorge Valdano has a short-list of three names to fill the gap left by the departure of Fernando Hierro.

After Gaby Milito's transfer collapsed over the weekend, Real are now focusing on Valencia's Roberto Ayala, AS Roma defender Walter Samuel and also Roque Junior of AC Milan.

Brazilian international Roque Junior is deemed the best bet for Real, given their strong relationship with Milan.

However, Samuel is the one Real chiefs want to land, having been in regular contact with Roma for some six months about the Argentina international.