Real Madrid are a genuine threat to Manchester United's bid for Wigan winger Antonio Valencia.

The Times says Valencia's future is expected to move closer to being resolved next week, with United and Real having lodged bids for the Wigan Athletic and Ecuador winger.

United may yet ask Real to step aside given that they are selling Cristiano Ronaldo to them. However, the Spanish club have been badgering Wigan for weeks about Valencia and have offered no indication that they are prepared to back off.

Valencia, 23, is thought to want to stay in England. He is concerned that his first-team opportunities might be more limited at the Bernabéu given Ronaldo's impending arrival and the capture of Kaká from AC Milan.