Zaragoza zip in for Real starlet

Real Zaragoza appear to have won the race for Real Madrid's highly-rated young midfielder Ruben De La Red.

Mallorca and Getafe were amongst a host of other teams keen on the 21-year-old, but Zaragoza are set to sign him on an initial loan deal.

The loan will run until the end of the season whereupon they will have the chance to make the move permanent for a fee of ‚é¼1.5million (£1million).

However, Real have insisted upon a clause in the deal that prevents Zaragoza from ever selling the talented schemer to either Barcelona or Atletico Madrid.

De La Red is expected in Aragon on Wednesday to complete the formalities of the deal.

Meanwhile, Zaragoza are understood to be plotting a double raid on Real with Madrid youth goalkeeper Alberto Adan another target.

Coach Victor Fernandez is a big fan of the young shot-stopper, but will turn his attention to Real's number two Diego Lopez if he fails to land the Adan, with Lopez out of contract in 2008.