Real Can Forget Signing Owen, Says Houllier

Real Madrid pulled off a major coup on Sunday when they announced that defender Michel Salgado had agreed a new five-year deal with the club, while captain Raul and midfielder Guti would extend existing contracts.

Salgado, whose original contract expired at the end of this season, had been tipped to move to the English premier league after Spanish champions Real had set a weekend deadline for him to sign a new deal.

The highly-rated Spanish international said that both Chelsea and Manchester United were interested in securing his services but that after last-minute negotiations he had opted to remain at Real.

"I've always been hopeful that in the end I would stay at Real Madrid," the 28-year-old told a news conference.

"I feel honoured that Chelsea and Manchester United were interested in signing me -- it makes me feel very proud -- but I have now got what I wanted and will stay at Real."

"It has been a tense week, but from now on I will be much more relaxed as I have signed what will be the last long contract of my career."

Spanish radio station Cadena Ser reported that club captain Raul would extend his present deal to 2009, when he will be 32 years old, while 27-year-old Guti would renew his contract until 2008.

Both players, who began their professional careers at the club and whose present contracts expire at the end of next season, have always said they wanted to remain at Real.

Real's sporting director Jorge Valdano was delighted that the trio of influential players would be staying.

"They are three players who have brought identity and maturity to the team," he said. "With this decision Real Madrid have realised their aim that Raul, Guti and Salgado will end their careers at the club."

Real had said they wanted to keep Salgado, but were not prepared to match the sort of money being offered by foreign clubs who would have been able to pick up the player on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Salgado said that a final meeting after Saturday's 3-0 league victory over Athletic Bilbao had produced a last-minute agreement to extend his stay at the club.

"I met up with (club president) Florentino Perez and Valdano after the game," he said. "It was a tense meeting, but in the end both sides gave some ground and we are all happy about the new agreement."

"I'm now going to celebrate by inviting the rest of the players to a seafood dinner."

Salgado joined Real for $12.5 million in 1999 from Celta Vigo, quickly earning himself a regular place in the starting line-up and playing a key role in the club's European Cup triumphs in both 2000 and 2002.

He has been in outstanding form for Real for the past two seasons and is a fixture in the Spanish national squad.