Real to drop Mendieta interest

Real Madrid could be set to drop their interest in Gaizka Mendieta after Valencia chairman Jaime Orti hinted that he would not sell to Real.

Orti declared that the club would be willing to negotiate a fee with any club for the Basque midfielder, except the Spanish champions.

Orti said that Valencia would be open to selling the player but if Real want him, then they will have to pay $US 54million.

Valencia's hard-line tactics may just be enough to fend off the Madrilenos, who are only prepared to go to $US 30m for Mendieta, with perhaps one Real player thrown in to make up the odds.

If the situation stands as it is, then Real Madrid may look elsewhere to strengthen their squad with reports from Madrid suggesting they will make a bid for Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira.