Real agree Heinze deal

United defender to sign four-year contract

By Mark Buckingham   Last updated: 22nd August 2007

Argentina Manchester United Heinze

Heinze: Joining Real

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Real Madrid have agreed a deal to sign Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze.

The Spanish champions have been strongly linked with the Argentine, who had been hoping to join Liverpool, in recent weeks.

Following a Premier League panel's decision to block the player's move to Anfield, Real have now stepped in with an offer.

Real have confirmed their bid has been accepted by United and Heinze will sign a four-year contract at the Bernabeu.

Heinze is expected to arrive in Madrid on Thursday to undergo a medical before being confirmed as a Real player.

Favourite

The versatile stopper joined United from Paris Saint Germain three years ago and quickly established himself as a fans' favourite.

But he was second-choice left-back behind Patrice Evra last season and had been given permission by United to leave for a suitable club over the summer.

The Red Devils were unwilling to sanction a switch to Liverpool, prompting the Premier League to look into the matter.

A panel ruled on Tuesday that the champions were within their rights to refuse Liverpool's offer for Heinze, while there were claims that the player's agents wanted to engineer a move to Rafa Benitez's side via Crystal Palace.