Real 'bid' for River Plate star

The father of Gonzalo Higuain claims Real Madrid have lodged a bid of ‚é¼10 million.

The father of Real Madrid target Gonzalo Higuain claims the Spaniards have lodged an offer of ‚é¼10 million (£6.75 million) for the player.

Reports have long linked Fabio Capello with a move for the free-scoring River Plate striker and now those stories appear to have been given real foundation by Jorge Higuain's claim on Argentine radio.

Higuain senior, who has already claimed that his son has been offered a contract by the Liga club, revealed on Tuesday that Real have submitted a formal offer to River with the intention of concluding the player's purchase during the January transfer window.

"There is an official offer of ‚é¼10 million from Real Madrid and officials of that club have told us they intend to have my son signed by January 2007," Higuain told Radio La Red.

Real officials are poised to travel to Buenos Aires in order to conduct further negotiations over a possible transfer.

Higuain continued: "They are important negotiations for both parties so it has to be considered seriously. We have to meet all the people involved."

Gonzalo is not the only Higuain claiming newspaper column inches, however, with interest also in Jorge's older son Federico.

"I have received phone calls from several teams interested in my son Federico. He is playing well at Nueva Chicago so that seems to have caught the attention of other clubs," said Higuain.