Kluivert puts England first

Barcalona striker Patrick Kluivert said on Friday that he would choose to play in the English Premiership ahead of joining Real Madrid.

Kluivert has been forced to respond to rumours that he has made a verbal agreement to join Real Madrid on completion of his contract at Barca.

Spanish radio station Cadena COPE reported on Wednesday night that the Dutch ace had agreed a lucrative move to Madrid in June 2002.

But the player quashed the speculation on Friday, saying: "These are just rumours, I don't know anything about all of this. I think that it's always best to join a club with which you have a good feeling and I have a good feeling here at Barcelona, although I've always maintained that I would like to play in England someday."

Kluivert felt that it was wise to deny the Real Madrid allegations for fear of a backlash from Barca supporters, who may not forgive him if he ever followed Luis Figo in joining the club's most bitter rivals.