Real Madrid outbid Olympique Lyon for Manchester United defender Gaby Heinze yesterday with an £8 million commitment.

Real offered £1.5m more than Lyon and, if he passes a medical today, he will sign a four-year deal worth £2.75m a year.

Heinze, 29, said: "It has been complicated. I am convinced my move to Anfield would have worked out and I believe I had a case and needed to defend my rights - it's not a crime - but it hasn't worked out. I am grateful for what Rafa Benitez said and tried to do."