Real Set Sights On Ayala

Spanish titans Real Madrid are intent on bolstering up their suspect backline with the acquisition of Valencia's Argentinean international defender Roberto Ayala.

According to the latest reports out of the Spanish capital, Real are prepared to shell out just over 10m euros for the tough-tackling centre-back, which they plan to fund by selling out-of-favour midfielder Claude Makelele to Chelsea for roughly the same price.

Another way the powers that be at the Bernabeu envision Valencia relinquishing their star defender -who has been strongly linked to Manchester United in recent weeks- is a cash-plus-player swap involving Fernando Morientes.