Real Madrid and Real Betis are battling for Inter Milan goalkeeper Francesco Toldo.

Madrid see the Italian veteran as a replacement for Diego Lopez, who was sold to Villarreal a fortnight ago, and have been in negotiations with the Inter man for some weeks.

However, Betis supremo Manuel Ruiz de Lopera has made contact with Toldo's representatives in recent days after new coach Hector Cuper urged him to land the shot-stopper. The one stumbling block for Betis is Toldo's high wage demands.