Real in English 'signing' mystery

Real Madrid presidential candidate Lorenzo Sanz has sparked a transfer debate.

Real Madrid presidential candidate Lorenzo Sanz says he has agreed to sign an Englishman and all could be revealed this week.

Sanz, who has previously had the top job at the Bernabeu, is waging a war with the other candidates in a bid to gain control at the capital club.

Speaking to Radio Marca, he claims to have struck deals with Internazionale, which will involve Brazil striker Adriano, and also for an England star - possibly Ashley Cole of Arsenal.

"With [Inter president] Massimo Moratti, I have reached an agreement for an exchange of players between Real Madrid and Inter," revealed Sanz.

"On Thursday we will present the four contracts with the clubs and players to demonstrate that we have made signings, not like the others.

"Those four players are, not to give many clues, two from Inter, another one is Portuguese and the fourth is English."

The barbed comment is aimed at other candidates, such as Juan Miguel Villa Mir, who claims to have agreed to bring Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger to Madrid and reckons Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo will also head for Real.

The Portuguese player Sanz is referring to could be Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho, who has admirers in Madrid.

All is expected to be revealed on Thursday when the candidates' transfer claims could shake up a number of clubs across Europe.