Ben’tez sets sights on new targets as Figo deal falls apart
From Oliver Kay in Tokyo
LIVERPOOL'S bid to sign Luis Figo looked doomed last night when the Real Madrid winger claimed that negotiations with the Merseyside club had stalled irrevocably.
Figo was believed to have agreed a £3 million one-year contract with the Merseyside club this month, but, speaking after appearing as a substitute in the final match of Real's troubled tour of the Far East, he hinted that his choice was between staying in Madrid and moving to Inter Milan.
"I don't think there's any chance (of moving to Liverpool)," the 32-year-old Portugal captain said. "Things have stopped, so there is nothing more to say about that. It's nice to hear that big clubs are interested in me, but all I want is to play football and to play for Real Madrid.
"If I don't have a chance to do that, I will have to move, but I don't want to play for another club, just for Real Madrid."
Rafael Ben’tez, the Liverpool manager, has talked of having alternative targets to Figo for the right-wing position, with Juanfran, Figo's understudy in Madrid, believed to be among them.
Juanfran played no part in Real's 3-1 victory over Jubilo Iwata in Tokyo yesterday. Two goals from Ronaldo and one from Raœl ensured that Real's trip to the Far East ended in smiles, although Michael Owen, the England and former Liverpool forward, appeared less than content after being asked to make way for Figo at half-time.
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