Madrid believed to have joined the race for sought-after Gunners star

1:03pm Wednesday 21st May 2008

REAL Madrid have joined Barcelona and Inter Milan in the race to sign Arsenal's Alexander Hleb, according to Spanish reports.

With a reported £60,000 a week offer on the table from the Gunners, all three interested clubs are prepared to dwarf that with deals equating to £100,000 in weekly earnings.

Arsenal are renowned for their unwillingness to buckle to extortionate player demands, best illustrated by Mathieu Flamini's decision to take the £60,000 a week on offer at AC Milan, in preference to the Gunners' £55,000 deal.

And it is unlikely that the club will break the club's wage structuring programme to cater for Hleb.

The 27-year-old's agent has admitted over the last week that his client is keen on a move away from the Emirates Stadium.

And it is understood that Madrid are eager to boost the right side of their midfield, and see the Belarussian as an ideal option.

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