Real offered Mendieta for £36m
Valencia have told Real Madrid they can take Spain midfielder Gaizka Mendieta to the Bernabeu if they are prepared to honour his £36 million buy-out clause. "Real are in with a chance if they meet our valuation of the player," said president Pedro Cortes.
Valencia have told Real Madrid they can take Spain midfielder Gaizka Mendieta to the Bernabeu if they are prepared to honour his £36 million buy-out clause. "Real are in with a chance if they meet our valuation of the player," said president Pedro Cortes.
"Gaizka's clause is £36 million and it won't do us any good if we accept lower bids," he added.
"The only way clubs will get any of our players is by paying the price stipulated in their contracts. I will not deceive anyone who is interested. They can say what they like, but unless they offer the right amount, nobody is going anywhere."
Mendieta was reported to be on the verge of a move to Serie A giants AC Milan, but Cortes dismissed those claims. "Mendieta has not signed anything with any club," he said. "It's just speculation. No deal for Mendieta has been done."
Valencia and Milan enjoy a 'special' relationship following Fabian Ayala's cut-price move from the San Siro to the Mestalla last December and it was thought a deal for Mendieta would be cut along similar lines.
Real Madrid are only expected to follow up their interest in Mendieta if they fail to land Zinedine Zidane from Juventus. The France playmaker declared on Saturday that he wants to join Real, despite Juve's apparent unwillingness to sell.