Real Madrid seal Huntelaar deal

Real Madrid have announced that they have reached an agreement with Ajax to sign Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar for an initial fee of 20 million euros (£17m).

The 25-year-old will sign a contract running until the summer of 2013 at the Bernabeu, with Huntelaar just needing to pass a medical to formally become a Real player.

A statement on the Spanish club's official website confirmed: "Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is the new Real Madrid player. Real Madrid and Ajax Amsterdam have reached an agreement for the forward.

"As is usual, the deal is dependent on the player passing a medical and the signing of his contract with Real Madrid.

"Klaas-Jan Huntelaar will be tied to Real Madrid until June 30, 2013."

Meanwhile, Valencia captain Carlos Marchena has admitted that he and his team-mates are unsettled by the uncertainty surrounding the club's financial future.

Reports in Spain have suggested that Los Che could even be close to going out of business, with the club's staff waiting anxiously to see whether they are paid in December.

Marchena commented: "What is more serious is that the club has these problems. The squad is worried and we have asked for some news.

"We cannot do anything more than to try and make everything go well on the pitch, as we have no control over the way the finances are dealt with.

"We hope that stability returns, as anything else is not good for the club."

Elsewhere, Luis Medina Cantalejo has been confirmed as the referee for Barcelona's 'El Clasico' meeting with rivals Real Madrid at the Camp Nou on 13 December.

The high-profile official has twice refereed the combustible fixture - both at the Camp Nou and which ended in draws in 2002 and 2006.

The Andalucian official was in charge when Real were dumped out of the Copa Del Rey by second division side Real Union earlier this season.