Liverpool Karanka link denied

Real Madrid have denied any knowledge of Liverpool's rumoured interest in centre-back Aitor Karanka.

The Spanish giants told on Tuesday that they "know absolutely nothing" of any interest from the UEFA Cup holders nor any other club.

The 28-year-old Basque defender has been involved in contract talks with Los Madrileños for the past few months, with no end to the wrangle in sight.

Karanka will be free to leave the Bernabeu in June and clubs from around Europe have been queuing up to hire his services.

In Spain, Deportivo and the player's old club Athletic Bilbao are keen on signing the Spanish international while English clubs Manchester United and Liverpool have shown interest.

It is rumoured that Karanka is asking for a tax-free $3.5million for each season of a three-year deal - a request that Real are not willing to meet.

The club said that, until next June, Karanka will be a Real Madrid player, but would not comment on any interest from outside clubs.

However, Real did not deny that the player and his agent, Miguel Santos, would be meeting with the club's sports manager, Jorge Valdano, before the summer to have one last crack at reaching an agreement with the Merengues.