Real Madrid general manager Arrigo Sacchi is set to make an offer for AZ Alkmaar captain Danny Landzaat.
The 29 year-old Holland international is seen by Sacchi as the man to replace Santiago Solari, who signed for Inter Milan earlier this month.
Landzaat is also in the sights of Birmingham City, but has been a target for Sacchi since January and would jump at the chance of joining Real Madrid.
A Madrid insider told AS: "Sacchi always has spoken very well of Landzaat. He is one of the options that we are working seriously on for the centre of the field."