AC
06-04-2005, 06:51 AM
Real Madrid have had a £10 million offer for Seville defender Sergio Ramos.
After seeing his Seville miss out on Champions League qualification, president Jose Maria del Nido is ready to listen to offers for Ramos - but Real's opening offer fell short of his valuation.
Del Nido had originally claimed nothing less than Ramos' £18 million buyout clause would be considered. But with finances now tight due to their Champions League failure, he has informed Real they can sign Ramos for £16 million.
Real still see that price as too steep, but are confident they can convince Del Nido to sell for around £12 million as the summer market opens.
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EXCLUSIVE Real star's FOUR secret trips to Anfield
LIVERPOOL are preparing one of the biggest transfer coups ever as they line up Real Madrid skipper Raul.
The Champions League all-time top-scorer has visited the club four times in recent months, and contact has been made with the 27-year-old over the possibility of a sensational move to England - after he indicated he is ready to leave Spain.
He visited Liverpool mainly to see his friend Fernando Morientes, but also has been to Anfield and even to the club's training ground to see the facilities.
The work of Anfield boss and fellow countryman Rafa Benitez has hugely impressed Raul, and he would relish the chance to team up with Morientes again after forming such a lethal partnership in Madrid. Raul is the king of Real Madrid, and there would be uproar in the Spanish capital if he were to leave the club.
But the striker, who is also his country's top scorer, has become disillusioned with life under Bernabeu president Florentino Perez.
Raul said: "After 11 years here I want what's best for the club. If at some time I have to sacrifice myself in order for the team to progress, then I will do.
"If the club calls you up and says you have to go, then as a player you have to be prepared to look for a way out that benefits everyone.
"If I listen to the polls in some papers, it looks as though I should leave now. I still feel useful to the club and believe I haven't reached my peak, but I don't want to be in the way. All I want is for the club to be clear with me."
Perez and Raul are thought to hate each other after a dramatic bust-up two years ago when manager Vicente Del Bosque was sacked along with skipper Fernando Hierro on Madrid's 'night of the long knives' - hours after they won the Spanish title. Raul was outspoken at the time against Perez, and the two have become sworn enemies.
Michael Owen -who has pledged to stay at the Bernabeu despite playing second fiddle to out-of-form Raul last season -has been told he will get far more of an opportunity next season, which raises further questions over the skipper's position.
Privately, Raul has indicated that he has become disillusioned with life in the Spanish capital and is ready to consider a move abroad. Liverpool would jump at the chance to pair up Raul with Morientes. Raul is still only 27 despite winning three Champions League finals. But Liverpool would need a cut- price deal as the superstar is rated at around £25million.
After seeing his Seville miss out on Champions League qualification, president Jose Maria del Nido is ready to listen to offers for Ramos - but Real's opening offer fell short of his valuation.
Del Nido had originally claimed nothing less than Ramos' £18 million buyout clause would be considered. But with finances now tight due to their Champions League failure, he has informed Real they can sign Ramos for £16 million.
Real still see that price as too steep, but are confident they can convince Del Nido to sell for around £12 million as the summer market opens.
_________________________________________________________________
:yield: :yield:
EXCLUSIVE Real star's FOUR secret trips to Anfield
LIVERPOOL are preparing one of the biggest transfer coups ever as they line up Real Madrid skipper Raul.
The Champions League all-time top-scorer has visited the club four times in recent months, and contact has been made with the 27-year-old over the possibility of a sensational move to England - after he indicated he is ready to leave Spain.
He visited Liverpool mainly to see his friend Fernando Morientes, but also has been to Anfield and even to the club's training ground to see the facilities.
The work of Anfield boss and fellow countryman Rafa Benitez has hugely impressed Raul, and he would relish the chance to team up with Morientes again after forming such a lethal partnership in Madrid. Raul is the king of Real Madrid, and there would be uproar in the Spanish capital if he were to leave the club.
But the striker, who is also his country's top scorer, has become disillusioned with life under Bernabeu president Florentino Perez.
Raul said: "After 11 years here I want what's best for the club. If at some time I have to sacrifice myself in order for the team to progress, then I will do.
"If the club calls you up and says you have to go, then as a player you have to be prepared to look for a way out that benefits everyone.
"If I listen to the polls in some papers, it looks as though I should leave now. I still feel useful to the club and believe I haven't reached my peak, but I don't want to be in the way. All I want is for the club to be clear with me."
Perez and Raul are thought to hate each other after a dramatic bust-up two years ago when manager Vicente Del Bosque was sacked along with skipper Fernando Hierro on Madrid's 'night of the long knives' - hours after they won the Spanish title. Raul was outspoken at the time against Perez, and the two have become sworn enemies.
Michael Owen -who has pledged to stay at the Bernabeu despite playing second fiddle to out-of-form Raul last season -has been told he will get far more of an opportunity next season, which raises further questions over the skipper's position.
Privately, Raul has indicated that he has become disillusioned with life in the Spanish capital and is ready to consider a move abroad. Liverpool would jump at the chance to pair up Raul with Morientes. Raul is still only 27 despite winning three Champions League finals. But Liverpool would need a cut- price deal as the superstar is rated at around £25million.