Real Madrid and Juventus are locked in a record-breaking tug of war over world player of the year Zinedine Zidane, it was reported today.
Spanish giants Real have offered their Italian rivals a staggering 50 million dollars plus three players as they seek to land the French midfield maestro.
But Juventus have countered by demanding 50 million dollars for the player - plus Real's Portuguese international Luis Figo, sports daily Marcareported.
Figo moved to Real last year for a then world record 56 million dollars.
If the Madrid side were to meet Juve's stratospheric demands it would put the total value of Zidane's transfer above the 100-million-dollar mark.
"Madrid and Juve begin arm-wrestling for Zidane," Marca's headline said today, stating that the brother of Real president Florentino Perez had recently met Juventus officials to discuss a deal.
As well as the 50-million-dollar transfer fee, Real are offering Brazilian Flavio Conceicao, Frenchman Claude Makelele and Spaniard Michel Salgado into the deal, Marca reported.
Marca said securing Zidane's signature had become Real president Perez's "greatest dream."
The Madrid boss already has an impressive track record in securing unlikely transfer coups, last year luring Figo away from arch-rivals Barcelona.
Another Madrid daily reported today that Real wanted to have Zidane on board well before the start of next season. The AS sports newspaper said Real were aiming to have signed the player in time for the World Club Championships in August. AFP