Real frustrating
Liverpool midfielder not happy with Real's claims
Posted: Friday November 20, 1998 03:26 PM
LIVERPOOL, England (Reuters) -- Liverpool's midfielder Steve McManaman denied on Friday that he was
negotiating a move to Real Madrid.
The 26-year-old becomes a free agent in the summer under the
Bosman ruling and his advisor Colin Gordon has claimed that 14
clubs are interested in securing his services.
European Cup holders Real have been reported as saying they
are close to tying up a deal but McManaman said that he hoped to
agree a new deal with his hometown club.
"I am getting frustrated by the things that are being said
by Real Madrid," he said.
"At this stage I am still talking with Liverpool and if it
can be worked out that will be great, but nothing has changed in
the last few weeks in our negotiations.
"Liverpool have told me they haven't been approached by
anyone and that is the only way I will find out if a club really
is interested."
McManaman can sign a pre-contract agreement with another
club from January 1 that will commit him to a summer move but he
would not discuss on Friday whether he will start the New Year
by handing his French boss Gerard Houllier another headache.
"Things can change on January 1 but we are in November and
that is a long way away." said McManaman.
Houllier, who took over in sole charge at Liverpool last
week and watched the club lose 3-1 at home to Leeds, has
redoubled his efforts to reach a deal with the player.
However the Liverpool Daily Echo reported that the Reds were
now willing to accept a cut price fee of 2 million pounds (US$3.32
million) rather than let McManaman go free.
It said that chief executive Rick Parry had met the Real
president and was told by Sanz that the side had been approached
by McManaman's representatives but do not plan to make an
immediate move for the player.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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