Udinese confirm Real interest in D'Agostino

Udinese confirm Real interest in D'Agostino

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erie A side Udinese have confirmed that Real Madrid are interested in signing Italian midfielder Gaetano D'Agostino.

D'Agostino: Real's latest transfer target

The news will provide a boost to Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez, who has being trying to fend off the Spanish Primera Liga side's interest in Xabi Alonso.

Madrid admitted last week that Liverpool's asking price for the Spanish midfielder was too high and now appear to have switched their attention to 27-year-old Italian international D'Agostino.

Udinese president Giampaolo Pozzo said: "I confirm that they (Real) are interested.

"My son was set to meet them yesterday but he was unable to so we postponed everything until next week.

"The buy-out clause of the player remains the same, €25m, but there's always room to reason. There are players they have that could interest us. It's an open negotiation."

D'Agostino has been a target of Juventus this summer but Udinese's asking price of €17m was not met by the Turin giants.

D'Agostino, who is under contract with the Friuli outfit until June 2014, would love to play at the Bernabeu stadium.

"It's the dream of any player to play at Real Madrid," said D'Agostino to Onda Cero. "They have a spectacular team.

"That is why I'm nervous and excited. I thank Real for their interest, I am happy, but there's nothing official just yet."