Portillo Will Not Be A Pawn

Javier Portillo is not set to be used a pawn in the Barcelona presidential campaign the striker's agent has claimed.

But the Catalan club have contacted Portillo's representative, Herminio Menendez, as the pre-election war begins.

"Somebody connected with Barcelona has spoken to me about Portillom" Menendez confessed.

"But it was not one of the presidential candidates There has been some enquiries made though."

"Under no circumstances will Portillo be used in a presidential race."

Barcelona would love to capture one of Madrid's stars after Florentino Perez signed Luis Figo from the Blaugrana after promising to if he took over as the president at the Bernabeu.

Portillo has a buy-out clause of €15million and his arrival at Camp Nou would make the new supremo an immediate hit with the Catalan club's fans.

"If is flattering that there is interest in him, but for the moment his priority is playing for Real Madrid," Menendez added.