Real's Morientes heads to Monaco on loan

Real Madrid have sent their Spanish international forward Fernando Morientes to French top flight side Monaco on a year's loan, director Enrique Sanchez told Spanish radio Cadena Ser.

The 27-year-old Morientes, a veteran of three European Cup wins, lost his place in the Real starting line-up last season following the arrival of Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldo, who has forged a partnership with new club skipper and Champions League record goalscorer Raul.

Sanchez did not say if Real would continue to pay part of Morientes' wages estimated at between two and 3.5 million euros a year, the sum a sticking point which cooled interest from German side Schalke, coached by former Real mentor Jupp Heynckes.

Morientes, for whom Real wanted a transfer fee of nine million euros, is keen to spend the season in the limelight ahead of next summer's Euro 2004 tournament in Portugal where he hopes to renew his partnership with Raul.

Morientes has scored 105 goals in 257 Primera Liga matches and boasts 20 in 30 appearances for Spain.