Real reject Bilbao Campo bid

Real Madrid have dismissed an approach from Basque club Athletic Bilbao for central defender Ivan Campo, who they say is staying at the Bernabeu.

The Bilbainos enquired about the availability of 27-year-old Campo a couple of weeks ago. But Real made it clear that under no circumstances would the player be sold, at least at the price Athletic were offering.

Vicente Del Bosque wants to keep the centre-back as a strong back-up player in case first-team regulars, Aitor Karanka or Fernando Hierro pick up injuries or suspensions.

The former Alaves star has been riddled with injury problems all season and he has only recently returned to the squad after recovering from a hairline fracture to his ankle.