Cannavaro im Interview mit AS

-Do you know that Real Madrid has thought of you in order to strenghten its centre of defense?
- Yes, I know that Real Madrid is interested in me. This is something that makes me happy, just like it would make any other player happy, because we are talking about one of the biggest clubs in Europe. Real Madrid, Manchester United y la Juventus are the maximun that one can desire. On the other hand, since some time now, I am very clear about playing in a foreign league one day. It is an experience and I don't want to renounce it. But my contract with Parma ends in 2003, so any respective decision doesn't depend on me, but on the club.

- Real Madrid is looking for a DC for some time. Would their defensive problems finish if they sign you?
- I am hearing for some time now that Real Madrid has defensive problems. And I'm asking, what kind of defensive problems can a team that has won the ChL twice in three years have, and that counts with Fernando Hierro? Because, for me, Hierro is one of the most complete defenders in world football. Not only does he defend well, but also scores goals and carries the ball with a lot of class.

- Would you like to play by his side?
- Who wouldn't? I could be his ideal partner. He is tall, I am fast... We are two players with different characteristics, and we could form a good DC pair.

- I see already that you don't dislike at all the idea to sign for Real Madrid...
- Every footballer's goal is to go as up as possible. That is in my opinion to win the ChL and that can be succeeded only when you are at teams of the highest level. Real Madrid's level is, day after day, the highest possible because it is the team that has won the most times this Tournament in the recent years. On the other hand, one has to be careful regarding the way of life. My friend Christian Panucci has explained to me that Madrid is an incredible city to live in. he climate, the food, the people... Look, I am napolitano and I am used to this style. If the city is nice, the team wins titles... what more can one ask? But I insist, it does not depend on me, but on whether Parma is disposed to negotiate.

- If Real Madrid's offer is attractive, what would Parma do in your opinion?
- I really have no idea right now. Everything remains to be seen, no?

- There are people who think that leaving Serie A to go to Spain would be a step backwards.
- Not me. Going to a team like Real Madrid, or even Barcelona is always a step forward, because we are talking about two of the biggest clubs of world football. No, it's not a step back, it is an honor. Moreover, I really love Spanish football because it is more technical than the italian, and with my game characteristics, I would adapt better.

- Who are the Real Madrid players that you like the most?
- Except for Raul, I really like Steve McManaman. I cannot understand how he could have been criticized in Real Madrid last summer. He is a great player that does everything, and that makes everything easy : he runs, he plays, he passes, he is very good tactically... Of course, he is not the only world class player: there is Roberto Carlos, there is Hierro... there are so many!

- For many people, you and Nesta form the best defensive pair of DCs in the world.
- This is one opinion. What makes one pair to be considered the best in the world are the titles, and we haven't won any. I have been playing with him for the NT for 6 years and we have won the Euro U21 twice, in 1994 and 1996, but we lost the Euro. The truth is that playing with Nesta in the NT and with Thuram in Parma is a privilege, because they are very high class defenders. This is the truth.

thanx to 'hala' for translation

Madrid links persist

The Savio deal may be off for now, but Spanish reports claim Chelsea could be in for Atletico's Hugo Leal or Real's Santiago Solari. Atletico midfielder Hugo Leal has received an offer from the Blues, according to Spanish press reports. The news comes the day after the Portuguese player expressed his wishes to leave the Vicente Calderon. Hugo Leal's agent, Jorge Mendes was contacted by the Blues three weeks ago when Italian coach Gianluca Vialli was still in charge of the team. The recent arrival of ex-Atletico coach Claudio Ranieri at Stamford Bridge could re-spark Chelsea's interest for the player. Chelsea's failed attempts at signing Savio Bortolini from Real Madrid may also turn their attentions to Real's neighbours south of the river Manzanares. Hugo Leal has a buy out clause of nearly 16 million pounds making him more expensive than Savio but the player is determined to leave Atletico if he doesn't get the chance to play more first team football. Meanwhile, some sources suggest Real Madrid reserve Solari - signed from Atletico this summer - is another foreign name on Ranieri's shopping list. The Argentinian is largely a squad player this season. by teamtalk


Hutchinson claims Chelsea dropped Savio interest

Colin Hutchinson claims it was Chelsea who pulled the plug on the deal to sign Savio from Real Madrid - and not the Brazilian himself. The Real Madrid star was reported to have turned down the move to Stamford Bridge earlier this week, despite agreeing personal terms which would have doubled his wages at the Bernabeu. Savio claimed Blues defender Christian Panucci persuaded him to change his mind, but this has been flatly denied by Hutchinson, who says the Italian tried hard to convince his former team-mate to head for England. The Chelsea MD said: "We broke the agreement. We had an agreement to pay nearly 13 million dollars for Savio but the president of Real Madrid, Florentino Perez, informed us that he wanted another four million dollars." Jorge Valdano's appointment as Hutchinson's opposite number (General Manager) at the Bernabeu, changed the arrangements at the last minute It is a plausible explaination as to why the deal died and it certainly gets Panucci off the hook! by teamtalk


Liga giants fight over Saviola

Barcelona and Real Madrid are head-to-head in a battle to sign River Plate's highly-rated striker Javier Saviola. The Argentinian club have financial problems and want to cash in on the player at the end of the year. River Plate spokesman Cesar Traversone said the club would have to reduce the number of players on their pay-roll from 39 to 22 due to monthly losses of £1 million. River are reportedly £28.5 million in debt. "We think Saviola will end up at a big Spanish club but we won't talk until we receive a concrete offer, said Traversone. "There has been no news from Barcelona or any other club at the moment. "It is very likely that Saviola will leave the club by the end of the year," he continued. "We've got a very big squad, so we need to sell." Saviola admitted on Friday evening that he will be leaving and said he would like to move "to Barcelona or any other big European club". But Real Madrid, who are short of a quality forward since Nicolas Anelka's sale, are leading the chase and officials at the Bernabeu have opened talks with the player's agents in Buenos Aires. According to Spanish newspaper AS, River Plate officials have been trying to contact Real sports director Jorge Valdano to offer him the star player. It has also been revealed that the Argentinian would not take up a non-EU place because his grandmother was born in Alia, a province of Caceres, Spain, entitling the player to a Spanish passport. by onefootball


Real Madrid deal could save club from bankruptcy

Real Madrid hope to recover part of their huge £182 million debt by selling their training faciltiy to Madrid city council. According to Spanish daily, 'As' it has been estimated that the sale of 'La Ciudad Deportiva' facility could recoup the the entire debt whilst leaving money for the a new facility to be built. President Fiorentino Perez was criticised by his rival Lorenzo Sanz for the deal, but former president Sanz's relationship with the council was badly strained and the club's supporters would welcome a deal which would erase the outstanding debt. Madrid's mayor Jose Maria Alvarez de Manzano has admitted that the city indebted to the club for the succes it has brought over the years. Real's finances are so perilous that they still owe Arsenal £16 million for the transfer of Nicolas Anelka over a year ago and, according to UEFA, they, like any other club who are unable to sort out their finances would be relegated from their league and ejected from any European competition until such time as their financial problems have been cleared up. by worldsoccer


Savio is disposed to leave Real Madrid

Ulises Sanchez Flor. Madrid


Savio ready to leave

Savio doesn't feel comfortable in Real Madrid. The fact that Vicente Del Bosque cannot guarantee neither a starting position for him nor his playing for enough minutes makes the idea of leaving the club grow on him. Yesterday he looked concerned to find out that he was included in the list of transferables should a good offer arrive. In this respect, the brazilian stated: "It's better for me not to be one of the untouchables for the club. I am a football professional and I am open to any offer that should arrive. It's obvious that I would like to continue being at Real Madrid but, but I'm not closing the door to a possible offer." Savio finished with these statements that had a clearly dissapointed and revolting tone in not being clearly reassured that he'll be one of the standard players in Vicente del Bosque's 11. Savio revealed to MARCA that his future could lie away from Real Madrid. He will not be the one to force his exit, but he has made an effort to find out whether he should feel useful or "just one more" for the team. If by December -a month that the transfer market re-opens- he doesn't like his situation, he will have a meeting with the club officials in order to study his exit. Neither the player nor his representative Joao Henrique Areias want to rush to anything for the moment. Although it's certain that his agent has started working and is estimating that there are clubs interested to sign Savio Bortolini. The competence that exists in the left wing has caused him anxiety to know whether he will be del Bosque's choice and is very worried. Savio was able to verify his feelings when del Bosque substituted him with Munitis who fulfulled his part satisfactorily. Furthermore, there is Solari and even Guti. There are many "heavy names" for this place and this is causing insecurity and nervousness. This is the brazilian player's case. Savio's behavior this days is sad and preocupied. The technical group was able to see this in every training and during some travels. The one thing for sure is that a "Savio case" exists. from marca we thank 'hala' for translation