Real Madrid will look to offload a string of unwanted stars from the Santiago Bernabeu in January in a bid to reduce their wage bill, but will drive a hard bargain from potential suitors.

Los Blancos are said to be willing to listen to offers for the likes of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rafael van der Vaart, Guti, Fernando Gago, Ezequiel Garay, Mahamadou Diarra and Royston Drenthe in the imminent transfer window.

Van Nistelrooy's situation is well-documented. Desperate for first team football in order to make Holland's World Cup squad, the former Manchester United man has been a reported target for Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool amongst others.

However, with his £75,000-a-week wage demands, and with Real demanding around £4million for his services, the 33-year-old is likely to be considered dear, and may be left on the shelf over the New Year.

Van der Vaart is in precisely the same situation as his compatriot, urgently in need of a run of games, Liverpool, Arsenal and Everton are said to have expressed an interest, the playmaker would cost around £8million.

Guti, a one-club man having spent his entire career at the Bernabeu, is one Real are especially keen to get rid off as he recently fell out with Chilean tactician Manuel Pellegrini and enjoys a highly lucrative contract at the club.

Manchester United and Manchester City have both been linked with the 33-year-old, as has Serie A champions Inter Milan.

Argentine duo Gago and Garay are also being ushered towards the exit. Pelligrini has apparently ran out of patience with 23-year-old midfielder Gago's constant demands to be handed more first team action.

Meanwhile Garay, also 23, could be a target for Sir Alex Ferguson with the United boss believed to be a big admirer of the defender, and considering the injury crisis at Old Trafford, might represent £6million well spent.

Dutch wing back Drenthe is usually closer to the first team picture, but he is another who, having been first choice last term now finds himself all too frequently out of contention in the wake of Madrid's £265 million summer spending.

Finally there is the £10 million-rated Diarra - a reported target for Ciro Ferrara at Juventus, the midfielder has been pushed out of the team with the arrival of his namesake, Lassana Diarra who signed from Portsmouth last season.