MADRID (AFP) — Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has rejected a
move to big-spending Manchester City, which was ready to pay a world
record 129 million pounds for the Spanish international, Spanish media
said.
Under the deal, Casillas would have received 13 million
euros a year to play for the Premier League side, bought in September
by the Abu Dhabi United Group.
Private Spanish radio station
Cadena Ser, which is usually well-informed, said Manchester City made
the written offer to the player's agent Luis Garcia Abad.
It was not forwarded to Real as Casillas immediately rejected it, the radio said.
The
offer of 129 million pounds would dwarf the current world record 76
million euros paid by Real Madrid to Juventus for Zinedine Zidane in
2001.
Casillas, 27, nicknamed Saint Iker in Spain, is one of the
world's best goalkeepers and played a leading role in Spain's Euro 2008
victory.
Seen as very loyal to Real, he currently receives around
six million euros per year at the Spanish champions, and his contract
with the club was extended last February through the 2016-17 season.
The buyout clause in the contract is 150 million euros.
Manchester City's new Arab owners have shown they are ready to pay huge sums to attract international stars to the club.
Italian
newspaper Gazetta dello Sport recently reported the club made an offer
to sign Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon for 75 million euros.
Manchester City last summer acquired Brazilian striker Robinho for record transfer fee of 42 million euros.
Spanish
media said Wednesday Robinho has asked the club's owners to sign more
big names, such as AC Milan's Kaka or Manchester United's Cristiano
Ronaldo, winner of the 2008 Ballon d'Or award.
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