Real Madrid have opened negotiations with Inter Milan striker Hernan Crespo about a January deal. AS says Real sports chief Pedja Mijatovic spoke with Fernando Hidalgo yesterday, but no agreement is in on the horizon. Crespo, 33, won't consider a six-month move and is insisting on a permanent, long-term contract.

Crespo is willing to take a pay-cut on his £3 million salary to make the move to Spain, but isn't interested in Real's new push to have a set number of games for players over 30 to meet if they're to have their contract renewed.