Real Madrid are determined to hand Steven Gerrard an escape route out of Liverpool.
The Times says Inter Milan coach José Mourinho is expected to take charge at the Bernabéu this summer, and he wants the England player as his first big signing.
Real are willing to pay about £30 million for the Liverpool captain, who turns 30 this month. They are hopeful of exploiting the uncertainty at Anfield, with the position of Rafael Benítez, the manager, unresolved and an ever-changing cast in the boardroom.
Gerrard is disillusioned with developments this season and it will almost certainly take a change of manager to convince him that the club are striding forward.