Real Madrid are expected to announce the signing of Ajax striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar today. AS says Real president Ramon Calderon was informed by sports director Pedja Mijatovic yesterday that "only the faxes of the club and the player's signature" needed to be settled.

Calderon told Real members: "At six in the afternoon, perhaps we can officially announce it if everything is formalized in writing. With these signings, we must be very careful. ... I want to be cautious but I am sure you will like them."

He continued: "The player is very expensive. They have asked £30 million for him and now we only have eight or ten for other signings because it is in the summer when we're going to make the big outlay on two major players.

"I would only say that the one coming will be here to stay for many years, he is not a signing for six months."

It's understood Mijatovic thrashed out terms yesterday over a £15 million fee for Huntelaar, who will sign a five-year contract with Real on January 1 worth £5 million-a-season.

Ajax are pushing for £17 million, but Mijatovic hopes to finalise details this morning by offering a £2 million compromise based on goals scored by Huntelaar.