European giants in hunt to sign Gravesen

Thomas Gravesen’s agent has strenuously denied reports he is in talks with Real Madrid about a possible transfer for the Everton midfielder, but has claimed “around half a dozen” top European clubs have expressed an interest in his client.

Newspapers in Spain have strongly linked the Danish international with a move to the Bernabeu, and some newspapers have even claimed that the player’s representative John Sivebaek is in the Spanish capital to finalise a deal.

However Sivabaek, speaking from Velje in Denmark, has denied he has received any official approach from the Primera Liga giants.

“I’ve heard that Real Madrid are interested but there has been nothing official from them,” he told PA International.

“All I can say is that I’ve had contact with many big clubs in Europe – so it’s not just about Real Madrid. Around half a dozen (clubs have expressed an interest).

“It’s difficult to say something at the moment because there is a long way between interest and something happening, and it is difficult to deal with these rumours.

“Some newspapers even said I was in Madrid having talks with Real but that’s ridiculous because I am actually in Denmark.”

Sivabaek admitted, however, that Gravesen is flattered to be linked with Real, who are through to the knockout stages of the Champions League but are well off the pace in the domestic title race.

“It’s a big, big club and of course he likes to hear those things, but at the moment he is concentrating on his football with Everton and he will speak to clubs later, perhaps in a month or two,” he said.

Sivabaek also added that it was “not impossible” that Gravesen could stay at Everton beyond the summer, when the 28-year-old’s contract is due to expire.

Real are 13 points adrift of leaders and fierce rivals Barcelona in the Primera Liga, and installed Wanderley Luxemburgo as their new head coach last week in an effort to kick-start their flagging campaign.

Although Real have a formidable strikeforce in Raul, Ronaldo, and Michael Owen, they have never really replaced defensive midfielder Claude Makelele, who moved to Chelsea in the summer of 2003.

Gravesen, who has made over 130 appearances for Everton since signing for the Merseyside club from German outfit Hamburg in 2000, has been a key figure in helping David Moyes’ team into fourth place in the Premiership this season.