Liverpool chiefs expect a massive offer from Real Madrid to arrive for Steven Gerrard this week. Spanish sources claim Jose Mourinho's side consider their swoop for the Anfield icon to be virtually a done deal, and are not prepared to wait for Kenny Dalglish to sort out the Kop club's managerial situation.

Dalglish was expected to contact Gerrard in South Africa this week in an attempt to convince him to stay at Liverpool but it may be that the cash-strapped Reds are unable to resist a £50m price for their talisman, says the Sunday Mirror.

Real are said to have ridiculed Barcelona's stuttering pursuit of Cesc Fabregas and intend to blow away Tom Hicks and George Gillett with an offer they cannot refuse.