Real step up Mendieta chase

Real Madrid plan further talks with Valencia in the coming days with the hope of adding Che skipper Gaizka Mendieta to their star-studded squad.

The Merengues have been great admirers of the Basque midfielder and are keen to grant his wish to quit Valencia before the new season.

Mendieta seems in favour of a move to The Bernabeu where his father was once a reserve keeper, but Real are refusing to pay the buy-out fee of $US 51.8million (£37million). The only option left open to Real is to persuade Valencia chairman Pedro Cortes to drop the asking price for the player - maybe by including one or more players in part-exchange.

Valencia have been keen on right-back Michel Salgado as a replacement for Jocelyn Angloma, however Curro Torres could fill that role following a season on loan at Tenerife.

Real are hoping to land Mendieta for a figure around $US 42million (£30million) but they will first have the tough task of convincing Cortes to let his prize asset leave at a reduced price.