Pompey agreed a deal with the Spanish giants for the 23-year-old midfielder earlier this week, with the fee reported to be in the region of £20million.

The France international, who was also interesting Manchester City, is expected to sign a four-and-a-half-year contract if there are no problems with the medical.

Madrid had an offer for the Frenchman accepted on Wednesday, although City boss Mark Hughes later said he was still interested in hijacking the move and taking him to Eastlands.

But the former Chelsea and Arsenal man has opted to join the current Primera Liga champions.

He is likely to earn an immediate starting spot at the Bernabeu with fellow defensive midfielders Mahamadou Diarra and Ruben de la Red both ruled out for the season.

Diarra will work under new Madrid coach Juande Ramos, who is in charge until the end of the season following the sacking of Bernd Schuster earlier this month.