Real Madrid want Liverpool’s Arbeloa

Real Madrid are set to keep on spending – shelling out £8million for Liverpool’s Alvaro Arbeloa this time around.

There are also rumours that Real will table a £15m bid for Ashley Cole to keep him from the grasps of Barcelona.

A little more than a day after having an £80m fee for Cristiano Ronaldo accepted by Manchester United, Real supremo Florentino Perez has contacted Liverpool with a concrete offer for right-back Arbeloa.

The 26-year-old was an important member of Rafa Benitez's squad last season.

Benitez will attempt to resist Los Blanco's offer despite being told that he will need to offload some personnel in order to be able to make some signings

Arbeloa was once a Real Madrid youngster but only played two games for Los Meregues before moving to Deportivo La Coruna.

He was transferred to Liverpool for £3m in January 2007 and Madrid, who are in the know about the Reds' financial problems, are convinced they can get Arbeloa on a flight to Spain.

Having spent a combined £142m on Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo, Madrid are now looking to shore up their defence.