Real deny Mendieta link rumour

Reports from Italy saying that Real Madrid are chasing Lazio midfielder Gaizka Mendieta are wide of the mark, according to The Merengues.

The Spanish international has failed to pull up any trees in Serie A after leaving Valencia on a summer move to Lazio.

Worse still, the blonde-haired wonder is now out-of-favour with Lazio coach Alberto Zaccheroni and spends more time on the bench than on the pitch.

Last summer, Real had hoped that Mendi would follow his father's footsteps and join them - but the eight billion pesetas asking price proved too much for chairman Florentino Perez, who signed Zinedine Zidane instead.

Rome-based daily 'Il Messaggero' is quoted as saying that Mendieta wants to move back to Spain and is, in fact, obliged to do so in two years' time, according to a clause in the contract he signed with Lazio in July.

The Italians are also claiming that Real Madrid have placed the player as an objective for January, although it seems unbelievable that Perez would fork out for another star when the midfield is already covered with world-class talent.

Real have solved their congested midfield, found a place for Zizou and managed to keep midfield pivot pair Claude Makelele and Ivan Helguera happy in one easy move.

Vincente Del Bosque has disposed with using Steve McManaman, Savio or Santi Solari on the left wing, moved Raul there, not as a wide player but to create space up front with Morientes as centre-forward, Zidane playing just behind and Luis Figo manning the right wing.

Where Mendieta would fit it is anyone's guess that it unless, Del Bosque seriously wants to start rotating his squad for the busy schedule during the next five months.

Sports manager Jorge Valdano responded to the rumours on Friday saying: "Any deal with Mendieta would be impossible, there's nothing going on at all."