Real Madrid lining up mega £50m double swoop for Liverpool star Steven Gerrard and Chelsea's Ashley Cole

Real Madrid want to conclude their summer transfer business by capturing Ashley Cole and Steven Gerrard.

Real director general Jorge Valdano yesterday said they intend to bring in two more players, following the arrival of Argentina winger Angel di Maria from Benfica in a £20million deal.

The Spanish giants will now step up their efforts to sign the Premier League pair following England’s exit from the World Cup and could even try to finalise deals before Mourinho starts work in earnest on July 14.

Sportsmail understands that Real sent Chelsea a formal document registering their interest in Cole before the World Cup and are now set to follow up with a firm bid in the region of £25m.

Real have already made an offer of £20m for Gerrard, rated at £35m. But with Liverpool saddled with debts of £472.5m, any increased offer for their skipper will be hard to resist.