Real Madrid target Liverpool's Gerrard

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has set his sights on Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

Club insiders have told AS that Gerrard is Real's prime target to stiffen the team's midfield after they missed out on Arsenal's Patrick Vieira over the summer.

Chelsea almost landed Gerrard at the end of the European Championships, only for Spanish coach Rafa Benitez to convince him to stay at Anfield.

But Real are aware that Gerrard, like Michael Owen, wants to win trophies and if Liverpool do not show progress this season under Benitez then he is likely to seek a move away from Anfield.

Real's interest in Gerrard isn't new. Indeed, Vicente del Bosque's parting gesture from Madrid was to urge the board to move for the England ace in the summer of 2002/03.