SOCCER TRANSFER NEWS:CHELSEA'S SUMMER of frustration in the transfer market deepened yesterday when Adriano Galliani, the Milan vice-president, said Alexandre Pato will remain at San Siro, while Valencia's David Villa, another to have attracted covetous glances from Stamford Bridge, ruled out a move to England, preferring to remain playing in La Liga.
“A week ago my future was clear, and now it’s not,” Villa was quoted as telling Spanish television channel Cuatro,
Villa had consistently stated that if and when he leaves Valencia it will be for another Spanish club. Barcelona are reported to have offered €43 million for him, while Real Madrid want him, but not at that price.
After refusing to discuss the matter with reporters over the course of Spain’s recently-ended involvement in the Confederations Cup in South Africa, the striker yesterday declared: “When I said I had taken a decision it was true, and this decision is that next season I will play in Spain because it is the league that is best for me, I will not go abroad.”
Lyon, meanwhile, confirmed that Real Madrid, frustrated in their efforts to land Villa, have made inquiries about Karim Benzema but insist the striker is not for sale.
The young forward is one of the world’s hot properties, with Inter Milan and Manchester United, as well as Madrid, among the clubs reportedly considering a €34 million) bid.
Benzema came through the ranks at the French giants and burst on to the scene in the 2007-08 season with 31 goals in 51 games, a streak that saw him named Ligue 1 player of the year as well as top the league’s scoring charts.
The last campaign was less impressive for both club and player, as Lyon ended the season without the Ligue 1 title for the first time in eight years, but the France forward nevertheless scored 23 goals in all competitions – a goal every other game.
Lyon, and the player himself, have always claimed he will remain at the Stade Gerland at least until next summer’s World Cup and the club are confident that will happen.
“The only new fact is that Real Madrid got in contact with us a few days ago to know the position of the club on the subject of Karim Benzema,” Lyon’s director of communications Olivier Blanc told the Marca sports newspaper.
Real have, however, reached agreement with Valencia to sign defender Raul Albiol. Albiol will undergo a medical next week and, if all goes well, will pen a five-year deal.
Although no fee has been officially announced, media reports suggest Madrid will pay in the region of €15million.
Chelsea are among the clubs to have been credited with an interest in Pato, although they have not made an official offer. Carlo Ancelotti, who left Milan for the manager’s job at Chelsea, helped to develop the Brazilian and might have welcomed his signing, but Galliani, said that the player will stay put.
“Pato will have his contract extension and we shall go from there,” he said. “I don’t think there are any other 20-year-olds in the world as strong as he is. In any case, no one should worry because Pato has a contract until June 30th, 2012.
“The only offer that we did get is a monstrous offer, from England,” he added. “I won’t say from who but it is for a player who is called Alexandre Pato and is newly-wed.”
Jose Mourinho’s desire to be reunited with Ricardo Carvalho and Deco at Internazionale is still being stifled as the Italian club remain some way short of Chelsea’s asking prices.
Inter are confident a deal will be struck for the Portuguese internationals but they will have to raise the offers made as Chelsea are determined to recoup money.
Carvalho cost Chelsea €23 million when Mourinho signed him in 2004; the Italians appear prepared to pay around €11 million for him.
Inter believe Deco, 32 in August and who cost Chelsea €9 million when Luis Felipe Scolari was the manager, has little market value.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are close to signing left winger Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow.
GuardianService
