Real closer to Arbeloa swoop

Liverpool’s Spanish defender Alvaro Arbeloa is heading towards a Real Madrid return for £4.5m in the next few days, according to the player’s agent.

While, the Spaniard had been linked with a switch to the Bernabeu earlier this summer, but rumours concerning his future had died down.

However, Arbeloa’s representative, Manuel Garcia Quilon, remains in discussions with the Primera Liga giants and expects a conclusion by the start of next week.

Quilon told The Sun: “Discussions with Real are not over and I expect a solution early next week.”

Real sporting director Jorge Valdano has also confirmed that the 26-year-old, who played for the club in 2004-5, remains a transfer target.

Valdano said: “Arbeloa is a basic part of our plans.”

Arbeloa has one year remaining on his contract at Anfield and faces a fight for a first-team place on Merseyside following the arrival of Glen Johnson.