Madrid may pip Barca to Saviola

Reports Suggest that Real Madrid are hoping to beat arch-enemies Barcelona to the signing of River Plate ace Javier Saviola in the summer.

According to reports from Buenos Aires, Saviola's agent Alfredo Cabrera Brizuela has been put under pressure by Diego Maradona, who has tried to persuade both the player and his agent not to negotiate with Barcelona.

The Catalans had hoped to take Saviola to the Nou Camp at the end of the season but Barca chairman Joan Gaspart seems to be dragging his heels over making a firm offer to River, possibly because Barca look set to sign Boca Juniors ace Juan Roman Riquelme in the summer.

On hearing that Barca haven't yet made a concrete offer for "El Conejo" (the Rabbit), Real Madrid's Jorge Valdano was believed to have contacted the Argentine club to ask about the player's availability.

The 19-year-old's contract with River finishes in 2002 and Barca, who are believed to have a verbal agreement from the player, see no point in rushing matters. The player will be able to walk free from the Argentine club in a year's time under the Bosman ruling and so it seems likely that River will bring forward negotiations with either Barca or Real Madrid in order to recover a handsome sum for their star player.

River stand to receive around US$12million for Saviola from whichever club is lucky enough to land the player.