The 33-year-old's career at the Bernabeu appears to be over after new boss Jose Mourinho indicated he does not feature in his plans for the coming season.

Schalke have tabled an offer which would take Raul to Germany where he would become the club's biggest earner.

And a deal could be completed sooner than first thought, with Schalke boss Felix Magath confirming a deal may be completed in the coming days.

"It looks very, very good that Raul will be presented in Gelsenkirchen as soon as next week," he said.

Raul has been targeted by Schalke as a replacement for Germany international Kevin Kuranyi, who left for Dynamo Moscow earlier this summer.

Eurosport