Eight of Real Madrid placed on transfer list

The leading English clubs were put on alert as Real Madrid placed eight of their squad on an unofficial transfer list for January.

There are no surprises in a group headed by striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, but their price tags have shock value. It is the season for giving but, after spending £265million in the summer, Real have decided they can’t afford to be charitable.

Liverpool, so dependent on Fernando Torres, would be at the front of the queue
for Van Nistelrooy but a £4million fee and £75,000-a-week wages are too much for

Liverpool would jump at a free transfer, as would Tottenham or Roma, but Real are insisting on hard cash for a player they believe can contribute 10 goals and help any side win a trophy.

Despite still figuring in first-team squads, Guti and Rafael van der Vaart are also on the list. Talented but brattish, Guti has a ridiculous contract at Real. Hhe could be pushed out for a £4m sweetener but stylish midfielder Van der Vaart would cost £8m.

Others at the Real exit door include Argentina midfielder Fernando Gago, the 23-year-old who has been linked with Everton. He had been assured of his future and guaranteed more games by coach Manuel Pellegrini but his outspoken desire to play has pushed the board the other way.

Everton will struggle to find the £7.5m required to buy him — while any loan approaches are being frowned upon.

Gago’s compatriot Ezequiel Garay, an accomplished centre half, is also up for sale.

He once caught the eye of Manchester United and, although Sir Alex Ferguson’s mind is concentrating elsewhere, Old Trafford’s defensive injury crisis may bring the 23-year-old back into sharp focus, especially at around £6m.

More eye-watering could be the £10m Real want for bulldozing midfielder Mahamadou
Diarra, a target for Juventus despite little more than an hour’s game time since a serious knee injury, and £6m-rated winger Royston Drenthe, a relative success at Real.

Both would find plenty of suitors in England but only Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Sunderland have the cash to splash this window.

Real want at least £30m to hit their financial targets but that may leave many of their ‘bargains’ on the shelf.

Former Liverpool keeper Jerzy Dudek is maybe a more realistic target for Premier League clubs feeling the pinch. Now 36, he is at least available on a free.