Sneijder set for Real Madrid move from Ajax Amsterdam

"We expect him to leave. He has let us know that he wants this transfer," Ajax technical director, Martin van Geel, told ANP. Coach Henk ten Cate said he was "getting ready for a life without Wesley."

   The Spanish champions Real have reportedly offered 24 million euros for Sneijder, 23, after they failed to get Kaka from AC Milan or Michael Ballack from Chelsea.

 The 32-times capped Sneijder has a contract at Ajax until 2009. He said only recently that he planned to stay at least until 2008.

 The news comes the day after Real signed Royston Drenthe from Feyenoord Rotterdam for around 14 million euros. A third Dutchman, Arjen Robben, is also set for a Real move, from England's Chelsea.

DPA