Madrid could be Real deal for Ballack

MADRID (Ticker) - Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack is still a transfer target for Spanish champions Real Madrid, according to its coach Bernd Schuster.

The Bernabeu boss has admitted he did attempt to lure the Germany captain away from the English Premier League club in the summer, but financial difficulties blocked the move.

But now Ballack has been left out of Chelsea’s squad for the Champions League group stage, Schuster is prepared to try again.

He can offer the 30-year-old Ballack regular first-team football.

“Nobody wants to take a pay cut,” Schuster told Kicker magazine. “Ballack has an excellent contract with Chelsea which would have absolutely demolished the wage policy at Real. No player here is in the same category (of earnings).

“The door is not closed for Michael. His qualities are clear and they will still be there in six months.”