Waching daily Oct 31 2018

 That is the claim of Spanish outlet AS, who say that Conte is the only man who Real will appoint if they name a new long-term manager in the next fortnight

 Julen Lopetegui was sacked on Monday after a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of bitter rivals Barcelona, having shown little hope of reversing Los Blancos' severe slide

 The publication say that talks with former Chelsea tactician Conte were at an advanced stage as they lined up the Italian to replace Lopetegui

 Santiago Solari, the Real Madrid Castilla boss, was handed temporary charge at the Bernabeu as the club line up a full-time successor

 But despite links to Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino and even Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho, who has already been in charge at Madrid, the European champions are still set on Conte

 That's what AS say, although any appointment means several wrinkles must first be ironed out

 The Times reported that negotiations had reached a standstill due to concerns over Conte's strictness - with his character and approach having seen his relationships with players and staff run into problems at Stamford Bridge

 That follows Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos' warning to the former Italy and Juventus coach that he could not impose his regime on the dressing room, declaring: "Respect is won, it is not imposed

We've won titles and team management is more important than the knowledge of a coach

"  It is thought Ramos' comments - and the apparent objection of the Real Madrid squad towards Conte - was taken into account by Florentino Perez and the club's hierarchy

 AS say that Conte is also more reluctant to take over because he wants the full support of the squad should be given the job

 Other issues include Conte's dispute with Chelsea over the compensation he is owed

It is believed the Blues must pay him the full £9.5million salary of the final year of the contract they cut a year short unless he takes up another job before the end of the season

 As a result it is claimed he asked for a similar financial package from Madrid to ensure he did not miss out, but that Madrid were only willing to sanction an €8million (£7

1m) wage. And the contract club president Perez was willing to offer only lasts the rest of this season and next year, with the Madrid chief unwilling to commit to the manager any longer than that

 Conte, AS claim, wants at least another two seasons on top of the rest of the current campaign

 Yet with Real Madrid lacking alternative options, Conte is the only serious contender to Solari as it stands

 The La Liga heavyweights could stick with Solari for the rest of the season and re-evaluate the situation in the summer, having originally intended to do so with Zinedine Zidane three years ago

 The Frenchman, like Solari, was promoted from Real Madrid Castilla to the first team after Rafael Benitez's sacking and went on to win the Champions League that season - adding two more European successes and a La Liga triumph in the two years to follow

 Solari will take charge of his first game tonight in the Copa del Rey round of 32 first leg against third-division side Melilla (6

30pm UK time) as well as clashes with Real Valladolid, Viktoria Plzen and Celta Vigo before the November international break