Rui Costa pleads for Real Madrid move

Hours after it was revealed on Wednesday that Fiorentina must sell several stars to ward off bankruptcy, Rui Costa claimed Real Madrid, AC Milan, Lazio and Parma have all approached the cash-strapped Serie A side with bids for him. "The team is about to disappear and if Real Madrid want me, I wouldn't even think twice," said the Portugal international.

Fiorentina officials spent most of Wednesday denying media reports that the club's auditors had filed for bankruptcy, but it then emerged that an Italian court had opened a bankruptcy file.

A meeting of the club's board had closed after just 90 minutes on Tuesday evening, when an agreement was reached 'to proceed with the sale of those players who do not fit within the budget so as to balance the economic situation'.

The club has debts reported to be in the region of £100 million and the Association of Italian clubs has set the Viola a deadline of July 12 to repay £40 million, or face bankruptcy.

Much of that could have been paid off, had goalkeeper Francesco Toldo completed an £18 million move to Barcelona, but that fell through earlier in the week. Roma, another suitor of the Italy international, signed Ivan Pelizzoli on Tuesday and Toldo's future remains open to much speculation.

Juventus, who are keen to replace Holland international Edwin van der Sar, could sign the goalkeeper, but only if a bid for Valencia's Santiago Canizares breaks down. Parma might also be interested, should Juve turn their attentions to Gianluigi Buffon.

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani, meanwhile, has already declared an interest in Portugal midfielder Rui Costa and could also be set to move for striker Nuno Gomes, who has had limited first-team opportunities recently.

"He has chosen Milan, he wants Milan," Galliani said.

Rui Costa, however, later claimed that Real Madrid would be his preferred choice.

The Portuguese star, who will attend Luis Figo's wedding on Saturday in the Algarve, said: "I think Real Madrid and Fiorentina talked two days ago and the Spanish side asked for a price."

"At that time I hadn't any chance to move but now things have changed and Fiorentina needs to sell the half of the squad.

"The team is about to disappear and if Real Madrid wants me, I wouldn't even think twice."

"I would move inmediately because Real is one of the biggest teams in the world and I would be playing with Luis Figo."

It is understood Fiorentina valued Rui Costa at nearly £26 million when they were approached earlier this week, but they may be persuaded to lower their price now in return for a quick sale.

Enrico Chiesa has been linked with a move to Internazionale, while Angelo di Livio and Tomas Repka are also reported to be on their way.

Fiorentina vice-president Mario Sconcerti resigned on Friday, apparently because of the financial problems bedevilling the club, while president Vittorio Cecchi Gori recently suffered a financial blow when shares in Fiat – which he had received in exchange for a TV company – fell dramatically.

In April, he was reported to be lining up the sale of the club to American investment bank Morgan Stanley for £110 million.