Roberto Carlos has insisted he wants to stay at Real Madrid, despite admitting that his representatives have spoken to Chelsea about a move to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are believed to have offered a three- or four-year deal worth 6 million a year after tax but Roberto Carlos said he wanted to finish his European career in the Spanish capital before returning to Brazil with Santos and that his priority remained a contract extension at Real - far from a foregone conclusion.
The 31-year-old Brazil full-back said: "Let me make this clear: I have not spoken directly to anybody (but) Chelsea's people have spoken to my lawyers. The story about me having a pre-contract agreement with them is false.
"I only have a year left on my contract, the market has opened up for me and there will be a number of important clubs running to me like madmen to offer money."
Following Real's normal modus operandi, his current contract should have been renewed by now. That it has not, has led to fears that the two sides are destined not to agree.
Roberto Carlos said: "This week or next, I will meet Jorge Valdano (Real's sporting director) and the president (Florentino Perez) to clarify my situation, so that when I go on holiday, I know everything is sorted out.
"I want four more years with Real, but at the moment they are only offering me two, with two more optional," he added. "I'm happy here and people know that. My aim is to keep playing until I am 38 and I want to spend five of those in Madrid and then the last two in Brazil with Santos."
It is believed the Brazilian's decision to go public with Chelsea's offer was designed primarily as a warning to Real, a bargaining tool with which to tempt the club into a new offer. He is now employing both carrot and stick in negotiations.
"I have given my all at Madrid and I want to stay - it's my home," he added. "I have never caused the club any problems", he said.
But he has long been irritated that he does not earn the same wages as the rest of Real's galacticos, even though he insisted: "I do not compare myself with (Zinedine) Zidane, Ronaldo or Raul."
He has complained before of a lack of "love" from the club's higher echelons. Once, during tense negotiations over image rights, he celebrated one goal by running towards the directors' box while the stadium chanted his name, touching his ear as if to say, "listen to that".
And, by revealing contacts with Chelsea, he has raised the threat of the club losing one of their most charismatic galacticos. He hopes Real will be forced into a better offer.
Should Real decide not to make a special effort for a 31-year-old, Chelsea appear to be first in line for him.
Meanwhile, Valdano has denied that Real will be listening to offers for David Beckham or Ronaldo this summer.
"Beckham is not going to leave, we are very happy with him," said the club's sporting director. "It's true that Beckham has had his personal problems, connected to the fact that he is a special player for the press, but he has generally played at a high level and his signing has been a success.We have high hopes for him next season."
Of Ronaldo, he said: "It's all rumours and he will continue at Madrid."
