Salgado's future to be decided in next week, say Real

The future of Real Madrid right back Michel Salgado, who finishes his contract at the end of the season, will be resolved in the next week according to the club's sporting director Jorge Valdano.

The highly-rated Spanish international, who has been in outstanding form for Real over the past two years, is reported to be on the target list of a number of leading European clubs including Chelsea and Manchester United.

"Our aim is to sort out his future in the course of the next week," Valdano was quoted as saying by Spanish website Libredirecto.com on Tuesday.

"It isn't healthy to allow these things to drag on and we won't allow it to go on beyond the end of the month."

Real have made it clear that they want to extend the defender's contract, but say they will not be prepared to match the sort of money being offered by interested clubs from abroad who will be able to pick the player up on a free transfer at the end of the season.

The Spanish champions sold influential midfielder Claude Makelele to Chelsea for $26 million at the start of this season after the player pressed for a move to the premier league side when Real refused to agree to his demands for an improved contract.

But Valdano issued a warning to Chelsea over making a similar move for Salgado.

"No matter how strong you are you have to respect the laws," he said. "We have already experienced a conflict over Makelele and if it is true that Michel (Salgado) has received a serious offer (from Chelsea) then we will report it to FIFA."

The former Celta Vigo player, who turns 28 on Wednesday, has admitted that a number of clubs are interested in signing him up for next season and that Real may have made a mistake leaving the negotiations so late.

"I'm in a very fortunate position," he said in an interview with football magazine Don Balon this week. "I have had five great seasons at this club. They want to extend my contract and there are several other big clubs who also want me. As a player I couldn't ask for more."

"They (Real) could have called me before now to negotiate over a new contract, but they didn't. They have only chosen to look at it now."