Morientes happy to stay at Real

Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes has dismissed suggestions he is unhappy with the club following the recent attempt to include him as part-exchange in the deal to sign Ronaldo.

"I am very satisfied with the club," the Spanish international told reporters in Athens on Thursday ahead of Spain's Euro 2004 against Greece. "I am a very positive person and believe that I am lucky to be doing something I enjoy. The only negative aspect was the uncertainty about my future, but I am happy the way everything has turned out."

The 26-year-old centre forward was poised to leave Real for Inter Milan or arch-rivals Barcelona in order to raise funds for the 45 million euro deal to sign Ronaldo.

Morientes's proposed move fell through at the last minute after Barcelona withdrew their bid for the player, but it did not prevent Real clinching the Ronaldo deal just minutes before the European transfer deadline.

The former Real Zaragoza player, who was Real's top scorer last season, said that although he was delighted to be staying at the club he knew he would find it tough to win a place after the arrival of the World Cup's top-scorer.

"I am not stupid and know that ahead of me will be one of the best players in the world but my intention is to give 100 percent to ensure I play at Real," he said. "It hasn't been easy in past seasons and this time it will be tougher still."

Morientes, also at the centre of speculation surrounding a possible move to English side Tottenham Hotspur, has played a part in the Real's three Champions League triumphs in the last five years and helped them win the Spanish first division title in 2001.