Will Arsenal or Man United capitalise on this defender’s unhappiness in Madrid?

It looks like Sergio Ramos isn't the only defender at Real who is unhappy with Jose Mourinho, after reports emerged that Spanish international Raul Albiol could be looking for a way out of the club in January. talkSPORT's Transfer Spotlight has more on the brilliant full-back...

Name: Raul Albiol Tortajada
Date of birth: 04/09/85
Birthplace: Vilamarxant, Spain
Position: Centre back/full-back
Club: Real Madrid
International: 36 Spain caps
Honours: UEFA Cup (2003/04), Copa del Rey (x2), La Liga (2011/12), World Cup (2010), European Championship (x2)

What's the latest?
Despite barely kicking a ball under Jose Mourinho, Albiol recently renewed his Real contract until June 2017. However, with the defender continuing to see limited game time, the suspicion is that offering him a new deal may have been a way to simply maximise his transfer fee, which is thought to be around £10m. Man United, who are struggling to field an experienced back line due to persistent injury worries to Nemanja Vidic and the ageing Rio Ferdinand, are thought to be one side keen on the Spaniard, while Arsenal are also believed to be interested, with his capacity to play at full-back and the uncertainty of Bacary Sagna's future making him an attractive option.

Did you know?
1) Albiol came through Valencia's youth academy, and made his debut for Los Che in a particularly successful season, with the side winning the 2004 UEFA Cup. His first appearance for the senior team was in the European competition against AIK Solna.

2) The defender comes from a family of Valencia players, with his uncle Jose Luis and brother Miguel both former players.

3) The Spaniard has shown his versatility in the past, playing as a defensive midfielder in his Valencia days, as well as both centre-back and full-back. As a result he became a regular starter for Los Che, and he finished the 2006/07 season as the player with the most minutes under his belt for the side, playing in the Copa del Rey, league and Champions League.

4) Real expressed interest in acquiring Albiol's services in 2006, but he instead decided to renew his contract with Valencia, despite being offered a higher salary from the Madrid side. When they came back with another offer in 2009 he finally made the switch, becoming the first Spanish player to sign for Real following the return of Florentino Perez to the club.

5) Under Manuel Pellegrini, Albiol started regularly in the centre of defence, but upon Jose Mourinho's arrival at the club he lost his position to Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho. In Mourinho's first season he made sporadic appearances as backup to the duo, but the signing of Raphael Varane meant his minutes lessened significantly, leading to speculation that the decorated defender could be heading elsewhere, despite recently renewing his contract.

What is being said?
They say
“Is his exit from Real Madrid possible? I don't know yet. In principle Real Madrid want him to continue...” Albiol's agent Manuel Garcia Quilon in June 2012

“Last season was complicated for him, without a doubt. He spent seven consecutive years playing nearly every game since he was on loan at Getafe. This year for whatever reason he featured less as a starter, but whenever the coach needed him he has always demonstrated that he has high professional standards and commitment. He's a valuable player” Garcia Quilon on Albiol's limited game time at Madrid

Video evidence

Where would Raul Albiol get more game time: Arsenal or Man United? Comment below and have your say...