Real Madrid close on Reyes

Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello dished out praise for Arsenal's Jose Antonio Reyes as a move to Santiago Bernabeu seems imminent.

"In my view he is a good player," Capello told Spanish daily AS on Thursday. "Reyes would be an important player for us in my scheme for the team."

"He is Spanish and that is important too and has to be taken into account.

"I know him well especially from when he played against us (Juventus) in the Champions League last season."

Spanish media claimed Real's sporting director Predrag Mijatovic was in London negotiating a deal.

Real Madrid are reportedly prepared to bid between 15 and 18 million Euros, while Arsenal are seeking over 20 million ($25.77 million).

The 22-year-old Spanish international said he was hoping for a swift resolution that would see him return to La Liga.


"I have told the club what I think and I hope that everything will be sorted out as soon as possible," he told sports daily Marca on Thursday.

"My family also want to return to Spain."

Reyes was left out of Arsenal's 3-0 victory over Dinamo Zagreb in the third qualifying round of the Champions League.

But Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger insisted the decision to leave Reyes on the sideline was purely technical.

"I don't think he had the right concentration. The fact he will be cup-tied did not come into my mind," the French boss said.

"I do not send messages out. I send a good team out with chance to win. You can take all the conclusions you want," he added.