Real quoted $US 40m for Thuram

Real Madrid have been told they must find $US 40m if they want to sign Parma's French international right-back Lilian Thuram.

The Spanish champions contacted the Italian club three weeks ago to enquire about Thuram's situation but Real directors scoffed at Parma's over-inflated price for the 29-year-old.

Real say they are only prepared to splash out around $US 17m for Thuram, who joined Parma in 1996 from Monaco. The defender is believed to be frustrated at not having won any silverware in his time at the Ennio Tardini, although Parma have reached the qualifying stages of next season's Champions League, but amid rumours that he would be moving on this summer Thuram was quick to defend himself.

Speaking on his own personal website, Thuram said: "I'm 100 per cent sure that I'll be staying at Parma. Our objective is to make the group stages of the Champions League next season and win the Coppa Italia."

Real's search for a quality right-back continues and another player near the top of their hit list is Deportivo La Coruna's Manuel Pablo.