Real Madrid set to sign Valencia midfielder Gomes

Real Madrid appear to have won the race to sign Andre Gomes, with reports saying that the Spanish giants are close to finalising a deal with Valencia for the transfer of the midfielder.

Spanish daily Marca says Real will pay a transfer fee of around €50m (£42m) for the 22-year-old Portugal international, with an additional €10m in performance-related extras.

If confirmed, the signing would represent a major coup for Real at the expense of a host of top European clubs.

Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United have all had bids rejected for Gomes, according to the Sun, while Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with him.

Marca says Zinedine Zidane had asked for Gomes's signing as a long-term successor to the 30-year-old Luka Modric.

Gomes made five appearances for Portugal in their triumphant Euro 2016 campaign in France. He played 30 league games for Valencia last season, scoring three goals.

Valencia reportedly refused to negotiate with Madrid over Gomes last summer unless the capital club tabled an €80m offer.

Marca says the Mestalla club's position has softened since then as they are in need of funds to make up for their failure to qualify for European football.

Real president Florentino Perez's good relationship with Valencia owner Peter Lim could help smooth a deal between the clubs, the paper adds. Gomes's arrival could see one of Isco or James Rodriguez leave the club, with Manchester United linked with the Colombia international.

Zidane has told Rodriguez that he cannot guarantee him a first-team spot at the Santiago Bernabeu next season.

"The idea with James is the same as with everyone else – he's a Real Madrid player," Zidane was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

"I'm not going to tell you that James is a starter. He's an important player. We'll see what happens this year, I have a big squad and it's complicated.

"I have to play the most competitive side I can and I'll do the same thing this season, that's my responsibility."