Real put huge price on Pavon

Real Madrid have slapped a £20million price tag on prodigy Francisco Pavón - sending a clear 'hands off' message to any interested clubs.

Pavón, a product of the club's youth set-up, has wowed Real's technical staff with his performances in the first team this season.

The central has proved that he is a more than capable back-up for regulars Fernando Hierro and Aitor Karanka.

Unphased by meeting Spanish heavyweights such as Barcelona and Villareal, Pavón has delighted fans with his willingness to join Real's attack for corners and free-kick set-pieces.

Real Madrid sports manager Jorge Valdano has set the wheels in motion to quadruple the player's buy-out fee to 4 billion pesetas.

Left-back Raúl Bravo has also extended his contract until June 2005 while goalscoring sensation Javier García Portillo will have to wait until he gets over a bout of flu before he can pen a new four-year deal with the Spanish champions.