Sampdoria Agree To Madrid's Cassano Price

Sampdoria have agreed to meet Real Madrid's evaluation of Antonio Cassano and will make the striker's loan move to the club permanent at the end of the current season.

The Italian club have been impressed with the forward during his first few months at the Luigi Ferraris and he has already stated his desire to stay long-term.

After spending an unsuccessful 18 months in Spain, Cassano returned to Serie A last summer and is beginning to flourish once again at Sampdoria.

With his current wages being around €4m-per-year, Madrid and the Blucerchiati are currently sharing the payment, but the 25-year-old has agreed to a pay-cut in order to complete the transfer.

"Cassano has has shown is a real desire to stay here and he is prepared to reduce his salary demands to do that," said the club's chief administator, Beppe Marotta.

"That is something we have to take into serious consideration."

Sampdoria are keen to strike a deal, but will ask Madrid for a payment plan as they cannot afford to fork out €5.5m in one block.

It is believed that the Spanish giants will agree to the proposal as they want to recoup the same fee that they paid when signing Cassano from AS Roma two years ago.

After scoring on his debut for Los Merengues, Cassano's time at the Bernabéu quickly went sour and he became an outcast following a changing room showdown with Fabio Capello last season.