Real Madrid says Figo staying put

Portuguese star Luis Figo will stay on at Real Madrid for the foreseeable future, the club's director of sport Jorge Valdano said in an interview.

"We are very pleased with his performance and I sincerely believe he has been a decisive factor in each of the titles we have conquered since his arrival," he told sports daily A Bola on Thursday.

Figo has played over 100 league matches for the Spanish champions since his signing from bitter rivals Barcelona in the summer of 2000.

The 31-year-old's contract with Real Madrid runs to 2006 but several English Premiership clubs have reportedly made contact with the player in the past month about an end-of-season move.

Valdano dismissed the reports.

"It is always the same thing. Real is a club that has produced much news over the years. The problem is when there is no news it is replaced by rumours," he said.

Valdano also dismissed as "absurd" recent speculation in the Spanish media that Real intend to fire their Portuguese manager Carlos Queiroz at the end of the season, his first with the Spanish giants.

"I am very happy with his work," he said.

Queiroz's predecessor Vicente del Bosque was dismissed for "only" winning the league title last season, despite netting two European Cups in his four years in charge.

While Real's Portuguese manager has faced some criticism over his tactical decisions in early matches, and difficulties in dealing with a shortage of cover in defence, Valdano said the club had no plans to sign a defensive pillar.

"We are not thinking about defensive reinforcements," he said.

Portuguese star Luis Figo will stay on at Real Madrid for the foreseeable future, the club's director of sport Jorge Valdano said in an interview.