Real bid for 'Gooch'.

Real Madrid have made a bid for Standard Liege defender Oguchi Onyewu before the transfer deadline in August.

The USA international almost joined Middlesbrough during the close season but he did not enjoy the best of World Cups and has been rebuilding his reputation in the Jupiler League.

The strapping 24-year-old, nicknamed 'Gooch', has clearly impressed Real scouts and a move could be in the pipeline for the former Metz centre back.

"A transfer is now open to discussion," admitted Standard coach Michel Preud'homme to Het Laaste Nieuws.

"It was a fabulous offer [from Real] but we did not let Onyewu leave then because we had no time to bring in a replacement."

Ironically, if Real did sign Onyewu, it could pave the way for Middlesbrough to make Jonathan Woodgate's loan move to The Riverside permanent.