Ayala Gets His Deal

Valencia have pacified Roberto Ayala by granting him a new and improved deal while simultaneously ending Real Madrid's hopes of prising away their star defender.

The 30-year-old Argentine, who has not played a competitive game for Los Ches this year due to an injury, was beginning to become more and more vocal about his frustration with the top brass at the Mestalla, who had been slow to act on their promise of a new contract if he resisted the lure of Real.

"We are very happy because we have got what we have wanted for the past year and a half." beamed Ayala's agent Gustavo Mascardi shortly after his client put pen-to-paper on a deal that will keep him at the club until 2007.