Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa claims he could complete his return to Real Madrid in the next few days. Arbeloa, along with Liverpool team-mate and compatriot Xabi Alonso, has long been linked with a move to Madrid.
Reports in Spain suggest the 26-year-old has already agreed personal terms with his former club and that Liverpool have accepted a bid of around €4 million.
And Arbeloa believes the last few details will be finalised this week.
“At the moment I am focused on Liverpool but it is true that the deal is close to being completed,” he told Spanish sports daily Marca.
“We’ll see what happens in the next few days, if we can all make an effort so the the negotiations come to a good end, and we all come out having benefited, which is what everyone wants.
“I insist that everything is going forwards and everyone is in agreement - I am the one who has the most desire to sign for Madrid.
“I don’t know what the likelihood is in percentages, it’s a question more for the clubs. But, as I understand, it seems everything is going well and there is little left to resolve.
“It could all be sealed this week.”
Arbeloa progressed through the ranks at Madrid but only played for the first team twice before moving to Deportivo la Coruna in 2006.
He left Spain for Liverpool a year later and has done well in the Premier League, earning a call up to the Spain team with whom he won Euro 2008.
Also potentially on his way out of Anfield is Andrea Dossena, whose agent claims Liverpool have accepted an offer from Napoli for the Italy defender.
It was revealed yesterday that Dossena was keen on a move back to Italy having failed to settle on Merseyside and that Napoli had made a bid of €5 million plus bonuses.
Roberto La Florio insists this has been accepted by Liverpool, who signed the 27-year-old barely 12 months ago.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)