Wednesday 18th July 2001
Real Madrid have re-opened talks with Javier Zanetti after the Internazionale midfielder scotched reports about his wage demands.
Real manager Vicente del Bosque said last week that the Bernabeu club must continue to strenthen the squad, despite signing France star Zinedine Zidane from Juventus for £46 million - and Zanetti is next on the shopping list after Valencia president Jaime Orti insisted that Gaizka Mendieta would not go to the Bernabeu.
Zanetti has denied earning £3 million a season at the San Siro, and rubbished reports that he is greedy. "I'm more interested in prestige than earning money," he said. "In the press it appears that I'm only interested in cash but it's not like that."
His agent, Jorge Oliva, who will travel to Spain at the weekend, confirmed: "The player isn't asking for so much money. He earns a lot less than he is reported to."
Zanetti added: "I'm proud that a club as important as Real Madrid are after me. I am a footballer who gives his all and I have a lot to give.
"I don't want to get ahead of events. First of all, there has to be an agreement between the two clubs. Inter coach Hector Cuper has said that he wants me but I don't know what my future will be.
The Italian club are asking for £14 million for their club captain, but Real value him at nearer £10 million.
Oliva, who is waiting to hear from Real sports director Jorge Valdano, commented: "There is time to sign the player but it makes sense to hurry it up as there are also English teams who are interested."
If a deal goes through, it will close the door on Real's attempt to buy Manuel Pablo from Deportivo, who have declared they want to keep the player.
Earlier this month, Oliva said: "It gives Javier great pride that Madrid are looking to sign him and, although we have offers from Arsenal, Manchester United and Lazio, he would turn them all down for the chance to join Real."
"Although nothing has been set, when Real do make their move I can see very few problems in the transfer going through smoothly."
"I spoke to Valdano about many things that would affect the move, including the player's personality and his current situation with Inter. I told him then that Javier would be enchanted to play for Real, that it would be a dream for him to do so."
Onefootball.com revealed last month that Inter sports director Gabriele Oriali had stated Zanetti, the club's longest-serving player, would be sold to finance Cuper's squad rebuilding programme.
In a heated meeting, which was also attended by Inter chief executive Rinaldo Ghelfi and another Zanetti representative, Filippo Cavadini, Oriali declared that Inter were set to build a new team – and that Zanetti would be the first casualty.
Real Madrid have re-opened talks with Javier Zanetti after the Internazionale midfielder scotched reports about his wage demands.
Real manager Vicente del Bosque said last week that the Bernabeu club must continue to strenthen the squad, despite signing France star Zinedine Zidane from Juventus for £46 million - and Zanetti is next on the shopping list after Valencia president Jaime Orti insisted that Gaizka Mendieta would not go to the Bernabeu.
Zanetti has denied earning £3 million a season at the San Siro, and rubbished reports that he is greedy. "I'm more interested in prestige than earning money," he said. "In the press it appears that I'm only interested in cash but it's not like that."
His agent, Jorge Oliva, who will travel to Spain at the weekend, confirmed: "The player isn't asking for so much money. He earns a lot less than he is reported to."
Zanetti added: "I'm proud that a club as important as Real Madrid are after me. I am a footballer who gives his all and I have a lot to give.
"I don't want to get ahead of events. First of all, there has to be an agreement between the two clubs. Inter coach Hector Cuper has said that he wants me but I don't know what my future will be.
The Italian club are asking for £14 million for their club captain, but Real value him at nearer £10 million.
Oliva, who is waiting to hear from Real sports director Jorge Valdano, commented: "There is time to sign the player but it makes sense to hurry it up as there are also English teams who are interested."
If a deal goes through, it will close the door on Real's attempt to buy Manuel Pablo from Deportivo, who have declared they want to keep the player.
Earlier this month, Oliva said: "It gives Javier great pride that Madrid are looking to sign him and, although we have offers from Arsenal, Manchester United and Lazio, he would turn them all down for the chance to join Real."
"Although nothing has been set, when Real do make their move I can see very few problems in the transfer going through smoothly."
"I spoke to Valdano about many things that would affect the move, including the player's personality and his current situation with Inter. I told him then that Javier would be enchanted to play for Real, that it would be a dream for him to do so."
Onefootball.com revealed last month that Inter sports director Gabriele Oriali had stated Zanetti, the club's longest-serving player, would be sold to finance Cuper's squad rebuilding programme.
In a heated meeting, which was also attended by Inter chief executive Rinaldo Ghelfi and another Zanetti representative, Filippo Cavadini, Oriali declared that Inter were set to build a new team – and that Zanetti would be the first casualty.
