Zanetti in the dark over £14m Real deal
Javier Zanetti ruled out leaving Internazionale on Saturday, despite claims in Spain that he has already agreed to join Real Madrid. "I don't know where this has come from," declared the Argentina defender, who has also been linked with Arsenal. "It is an invention."
Javier Zanetti ruled out leaving Internazionale on Saturday, despite claims in Spain that he has already agreed to join Real Madrid. "I don't know where this has come from," declared the Argentina defender, who has also been linked with Arsenal. "It is an invention."
Jorge Valdano, the sports director at Real, is reportedly set to meet the defender's agent, Jorge Oliva, next week. The Spanish champions are keen to strengthen the right side of their rearguard, where Michel Salgado has been under pressure all season.
According to newspaper Marca, Real were given encouragement when Inter accepted that every player has a price - and Zanetti is rated at around £14 million. Negotiations between the two clubs could be stepped up next week.
But Internazionale captain Zanetti insisted: "I will not leave Inter. I haven't talked with journalists for a long time. I only talk to Internazionale's web site and I have never thought about leaving the club."
Zanetti said his representatives were due to meet Inter officials to put the record straight. "They will explain that I want to keep playing in a black and blue shirt," said the Argentinian.
Meanwhile, Christian Vieri has revealed that he is unsure of his future at the San Siro.
"I don't know if I will leave Internazionale," said the striker, who has been linked with Juventus. "I only know that I have three years left on my contract and I can't decide to leave without someone else's say-so."