Schalke Plan Morientes Coup

Slow-starting Bundesliga side Schalke 04 are reported to be preparing a bid for Real Madrid's superfluous Spanish international striker Fernando Morientes.

Real are ready to listen to offers but it remains to be seen whether the 27-year-old forward, who is firmly behind Raul and Ronaldo in the Bernabeu pecking-order- would accept such a step-down in prestige.

How much Schalke are willing to spend on him is a matter of speculation but Jupp Heynckes is said to be quite determined to add some more bite to his misfiring forward department.