Real plot 'surprise' Hleb swoop

Coach Schuster keen to land reportedly unsettled Gunner

By James Dall   Last updated: 27th May 2008

arsenal alexander hleb newcastle

Hleb: Exit expected

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Real Madrid head coach Bernd Schuster hopes to secure the services of Arsenal's Alexander Hleb after overcoming the initial surprise of his availability.

Midfielder Hleb is expected to leave Emirates Stadium this summer after his agent confirmed that he has struggled to adapt to life in the capital since moving to North London from Stuttgart in 2005.

Serie A side Internazionale were thought to be leading the race for Hleb's signature, however Real boss Schuster has confirmed the club's intention to land the Belarusian - who has struck 10 goals in his three years with The Gunners.

"There are a couple of positions that we can improve and that needs to be strengthened to have the necessary balance," Schuster told AS.

"Over the past two months we have had a plan and we know what we want, but now Hleb has been added.

"We did not know he could leave Arsenal but in recent days it has been more positive. We were surprised that he might leave there."