Lyon target Savio

Speculation surrounding the future of Savio continued today as French side Olympique Lyon are again said to be trying to sign the striker.

Lyon contacted Real some time ago and officials from the club met with Savio, his agent and Real's boss Jorge Valdano.

But the two parties argued over a price for the 27-year-old Brazilian, who has been out of favour with team coach Vicente Del Bosque. Real maintain that the asking price for Savio, £12 million, is not negotiable and for the moment, the possibility of any transfer has been put on the back burner.

Savio's contract at the Bernabeu expires in June 2003 and the club would prefer to sell him now rather than wait until the player is able to walk away from the club without a transfer fee. Despite constant complaints that he has been cold-shouldered by the Madrileno outfit, Savio says that he is keen to stay on at Real.

His agent, Joao Enrique Areias said recently: "We're not looking for another club but if Real receive an interesting offer then we are more than willing to listen and maybe negotiate his exit from the club."

"If Valdano thinks that it would be beneficial to Real and we are happy with the conditions on offer, then it would be better to try and find an outlet for Savio."

Areias added that Savio would prefer a move to another European club or one back to his homeland, Brazil.

Some weeks ago, angered at being dropped from the side, Savio threatened to wait until his contract with Real had expired to leave on a Bosman transfer.