Real are anxious to sign the Spanish international with club president Ramon Calderon saying: "He wants to be with us and we are looking for the best solution to resolve this problem."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger paved the way for the switch when he left Reyes out of last week's Champions League qualifier against Dinamo Zagreb. If he had played he would have been ineligible to turn out for Real in Europe's top club competition.

Reyes, who is on duty for Spain in a friendly against Iceland later Tuesday, was optimistic that his arrival at the Bernabeu was very much on the cards and he paid tribute to Wenger's support.

"If I'd played in Zagreb it would have been very complicated. The boss was good," he told Tuesday's edition of The Sun.

"If Arsenal want to sell and Real Madrid buy it was what he had to do.

"Wenger has acted exactly like he is -- a gentleman. I want to thank him publicly for everything he has done for me."

Arsenal have stuck a 16 million pound price tag on Reyes who joined the Premiership side on a nine million pound deal from Seville in January 2004.

The player added: "I've told Wenger and the chairman the offer from Madrid is irresistible for me.

"It is a dream that I want to fulfil and now the only thing that is lacking is an offer which is also good for Arsenal."