Real say Metzelder secured, three more players on the way

MADRID, June 19 (Reuters) Real Madrid President Ramon Calderon has said Germany international Christoph Metzelder and three other players are lined up for next season with the newly-crowned Primera Liga champions.

''We've been working on new signings for the last three months. Metzelder is signed up and there are three more who are almost done,'' Calderon told sports daily AS today.

Metzelder, whose contract with Borussia Dortmund finished at the end of the season, has been linked with a move to Real in the media for some time, though the club has yet to officially confirm the deal.

AC Milan's Kaka has been a target for Calderon since he promised to sign the playmaker in his election campaign last June. But the Serie A side have consistently said the player is not for sale.

''We all know that Kaka will have to force his exit from Milan...and I continue to believe that he will try,'' Calderon added.

Calderon and his team also have to decide on the future of coach Fabio Capello, who despite bringing them the league title and having two years left on his contract, has had an uneasy relationship with the president.

Real beat Real Mallorca 3-1 at home on Sunday in a nail-biting finale to the season, to finish level on points with arch-rivals Barcelona but top due to their superior head-to-head record. It was their first major trophy in four years.

REUTERS BJR DS1634