Karanka no closer to Real deal

Real Madrid are no nearer to agreeing new terms with defender Aitor Karanka, who may leave the club on a Bosman free at the end of the season.

Karanka is under contract until June but according to declarations by Real's Sports Manager Jorge Valdano at the weekend, the contractual talks that have been going on since last summer are nowhere near being resolved.

"There are no new developments, while the club isn't saying anything, the situation remains unchanged," Valdano said before commenting on coach Vicente Del Bosque's decision to axe the defender for the last two games in favour of youngster Francisco Pavón.

"The coach has all the right in the world to pick his team, there's no debate about that."

"Casillas renewed his contract last year and then found himself on the bench, signing a new contract doesn't mean that you're automatically in the team every week," he added.

Karanka looks set to leave the Bernabeu at the end of the season, apart from interest from several English clubs - the Basque star is also being chased by Athletic Bilbao and Deportivo.