Bolton Wanderers remain confident of closing a double £5 million signing for Real Madrid pair Marcos Alonso and Rodrigo Moreno.

The Bolton News says reports from Lisbon claim Benfica are still very much in the hunt for the Spain Under-21 internationals, and are willing to match asking price for the pair who both forced their way on to the bench last season under former Real manager Manuel Pellegrini. He has since been replaced by Jose Mourinho.

But the lure of regular football in England appears to have given Wanderers the edge in what is likely to be Owen Coyle's first cash signing since taking over at the Reebok.

Chairman Phil Gartside has already met with sporting director Jorge Valdano at the Bernabeu and hopes to resume negotiations early next week.