Figo

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THANKS MAFA:

Ferguson revives interest in bringing Figo to Old Trafford

By Jason Burt
18 June 2005

Manchester United are weighing up a move for Real Madrid's Luis Figo. The 32-year-old midfielder is available on a free transfer and United figure prominently on a list of clubs who have made initial inquiries.

However, it appears more likely that the Portuguese international, who has one year left at Real but has been told he can move, will join Internazionale. Massimo Moratti, the Inter president, has strongly indicated that he wants Figo and has made the early running.

Inquiries have also been made by Middlesbrough and the Qatari club Al-Rayyan, while Liverpool have rebuffed approaches from Figo's representatives. It is thought that Figo is asking for €5m a year (£3.5m) which equates to £67,000 a week. If he did move to Old Trafford it would come five years after Sir Alex Ferguson tried to sign him from Barcelona.

Leaving Inter, meanwhile, will be Emre Belozoglu who has agreed to join Newcastle. A £4m fee has been settled on for the 24-year-old Turkish midfielder. Newcastle are believed to have come closest to meeting Emre's £60,000-a-week wage demands, outbidding several other Premiership clubs. An announcement will be made next week, with Newcastle then turning their attention to central defence. First choice is Hamburg's Daniel van Buyten, who would cost £5m, followed by Manchester City's Sylvain Distin. Craig Bellamy could be used as bait for the latter.

Although Emre is leaving, Inter have this week reached a "gentleman's agreement" with Adriano which will mean that the Brazilian striker will stay with the club for one more season - before leaving next summer. Despite discussions with Chelsea - whose interest has cooled - it is thought that Adriano will join Real Madrid.

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Che make bid for Figo

by Francisco Acedo - created on 17 Jun 2005

Valencia have made an offer to sign Real Madrid winger Luis Figo on a free transfer.

The Portugal international is waiting for clarification on his future in the Spanish capital following a bust-up with coach Wanderley Luxemburgo.

The Real boss axed Figo from the starting line-up towards the end of last season and that has sparked talk the 32-year-old will leave the Bernabeu.

Real have played down rumours about Figo's future, while the experienced wide man has suggested he would prefer to stay with the club.

The likes of Bolton Wanderers and Liverpool have been linked with Figo but Valencia are now trying to keep the player in La Liga.

Reports on a Spanish radio station, confirmed by Figo's agent, claim that Valencia have made a serious offer to sign the ex-Barcelona ace.

The Che are willing to pay Figo €6 million a season to take him to the Mestalla and end his illustrious stay with Real.

Valencia are in the process of rebuilding after relinquishing the Spanish title and also failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

They want to sign Figo on a free transfer and take advantage of the fact that he is out of contract next summer.

But Valencia's cheeky offer for the mesmeric attacker has met with a lukewarm response from Real, who are loath to let Figo join a fellow Spanish side.

Real would prefer Figo to move to The Premiership or Serie A and would not countenance the Portuguese joining Valencia, particularly on a free transfer.

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Real deny Figo exit claims

by Tom Adams - created on 17 Jun 2005

Real Madrid director of football Arrigo Sacchi has rejected rumours that Luis Figo is set to leave the Spanish giants.

After being shunted out of the starting eleven to accommodate English star Michael Owen the Portuguese legend has been strongly linked with an exit from the Bernabeu this summer.

Clubs from all over the world have been credited with an interest in the 32-year-old winger, including Marseille, Liverpool, Bolton and Qatar based side Al Rayyan.

Figo has proved to be one of La Liga's most consistent performers ever since moving to Barcelona ten years ago, and became the world's most expensive player in 2000 when he made the switch to Madrid for £37 million.

With the increasing toll of age his influence has waned somewhat, although Figo still remains an attractive proposition for a host of top clubs after falling out of favour with Real coach Wanderley Luxemburgo.

Despite the persistent rumours about the star's future at Los Merengues, Sacchi insists that there have been no moves to ship him out of the Bernabeu as of yet.

"There are many rumours but nothing is happening," Sacchi insisted.

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Bolton casting an eye on Figo

Trevor Baxter

BOLTON boss Sam Allardyce would love to sign Real Madrid legend Luis Figo, who looks certain to leave the Bernabeu Stadium.

But Figo would need to take a massive drop in wages to move to the Reebok Stadium.

He is believed to be on £80,000-a-week, but Real could offer him on a season-long loan with both clubs splitting his wage bill in half.

Figo has already said that he would fancy a move to the Premiership, particularly with Manchester United or Liverpool.

But Middlesbrough are also now said to be interested in the Portugese star.

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Figo: I couldn't turn down Man Utd, Liverpool

Real Madrid winger Luis Figo admits he'd welcome a move to the Premiership.

Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle and Bolton have all been linked with the Portugal international, who could move to England on-loan to enable Real to cover part of his wages for the final year of his contract.

Figo said: "I have always said that the Premier League is a competition which I would like to play in someday and that has not changed.

"But also I must think about my family and it is important that we make a suitable decision. The Premier League has improved a lot in the last years and many of the best players in the world have signed with clubs in England.

"It is very different from the Spanish Liga, but I am sure that I will be able to adapt if someday I end up playing there.

"They have told me Manchester United and Liverpool are interested. Any player would like to join one of those teams and I am no exception."

[zidane]

Half of those news items are from tribal, which are rarely true .. the 'Real Deny Figo Exit Claims' is probably the only concrete news item.

You should source the news back to its original website.