Real slammed by Depor chief

Deportivo president Augusto Cesar Lendoiro has launched a stinging attack on Real Madrid for their attempts to lure defender Manuel Pablo.

Both the international right-back and his agent Antonio Morales have admitted being contacted by Real Madrid in recent days.

But Lendoiro accused the Spanish champions of being underhand, saying: "They have attempted to make the player feel insecure by offering him sums that we could not possibly pay him."

"If Madrid really want him then let them do the correct thing. First they must speak to the club, then pay his buy-out clause."

Manuel Pablo’s contract runs until 2009 and his buy-out clause is set at an astronomical $US 77.3m (15,000 million pesetas).

"We aim to compete on an even footing with Madrid and Barcelona. I’m saying to Madrid that they must not treat our players as if our only aim was to sell. It would be very difficult for any club to prise our players from us."