Real Madrid to offer Ajax player-plus-cash for Chivu

Real Madrid are prepared to offer Ajax a cash-plus-player swap for captain Cristian Chivu.

Real sports chief Jorge Valdano has been in regular contact with Ajax officials for the past year about Chivu's situation and is now pressing to secure a deal for the Romanian.

AC Milan dropped - publicly at least - their interest in Chivu yesterday, leaving the path clear for Real.

The Spanish giants would prefer to pay less than the £14 million that Ajax are demanding and reports last night suggested Valdano was willing to add one of the club's top young players to bring down the price.