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Inter says deal over Ronaldo falls apart Posted: Friday August 30, 2002 2:38 PMMONTE CARLO, Monaco (AP) -- Revived negotiations between Inter and Real Madrid to transfer Brazilian superstar Ronaldo to the Spanish club broke down Friday over money, Inter said. The development came after Inter Milan's general director, Massimo Moretti, met with Real officials in Monaco on the sidelines of the UEFA Cup draw and as the transfer deadline neared. "In the meeting in Monte Carlo, the technical and economic conditions to conclude the Ronaldo operation did not emerge," a statement on Inter's website said. Just a few hours earlier, a Spanish television station had said an agreement had been reached on Ronaldo's transfer to Real Madrid for 20 million euros ($19.6 million) and in exchange for two players. Antena 3 said Moretti and Madrid president Florentino Perez reached a deal in Monte Carlo that envisioned the transfer of Spanish international striker Fernando Morientes and forward Pedro Munitis. Italian news reports later said Moretti had rejected the offer and headed home to Milan. Moretti had said earlier that Ronaldo's fate would be known by Friday -- fueling speculation that the striker's collapsed move to Real Madrid could be revived. "Ronaldo? At the moment there's no news but today is an important day because this afternoon everything will be sorted out, one way or the other," he said at the end of Friday's meeting of the G14 association of Europe's most powerful clubs in Monaco. Madrid president Florentino Perez was in the principality for his club's European Super Cup match with Feyenoord on Friday, adding to speculation that a last-gasp transfer could be completed before the transfer deadline Saturday. The deal appeared dead and buried after the Spanish powerhouse's offer early last week to swap two of its players for Ronaldo was rejected by Inter Milan. Madrid aimed to include Spanish international striker Fernando Morientes and Brazilian international Flavio Conceicao in a no-cash deal for the Italian club's famed striker. Milan was said to prefer Argentine international midfielder Santiago Solari in a player plus cash deal worth some 70 million euros ($68.5 million). Ronaldo, who has yet to be selected for Inter this season, returned from long-term injury this summer to emerge as the World Cup's leading scorer with eight goals and lead Brazil to its fifth world title.
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