Madrid Real deal as Buffon link with United dismissed
There were weekend reports that The Red Devils were tabling a 50 million bid for the Italy shot-stopper, rated as one of the best keepers in the world.
However, Martina has stressed that money would not be the motivating factor behind the Azzurri keeper leaving Juve.
“It’s true Juventus have a habit of selling their top players when a proper offer comes in,” he said yesterday.
“But I don’t think they plan to sell Buffon, at least not for now.
Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand insists his “head is on the chopping board” as he comes under increased pressure to sign a new contract with Manchester United.
The England defender claims negotiations are still ongoing between the club and his agent Pini Zahavi, although manager Alex Ferguson has previously expressed his frustration at how long it is taking to reach an agreement.
Asked why he had not yet signed the contract, Ferdinand said last night: “Negotiations. Some people take two years; some people take 18 months; some people take a year.
“Mine has been going now a month. It’s just negotiations and fingers crossed we can keep negotiating and then we will get an agreement.”
The 26-year-old believes Malcolm Glazer’s takeover of the club has also caused a delay in his contract talks, adding: “That has slowed things down a bit because that is more important than me.
“That’s the club and we have to get that sorted out as well.”
Wigan boss Paul Jewell insists he will not bring goalkeeper Roy Carroll back to his former club, claiming they would not be able to meet his wage demands.
Carroll was released by Manchester United after the FA Cup Final and had been linked with a move back to Wigan.
He left for United in a £2.5m deal in July 2001, and Jewell said: “Roy Carroll is a very good goalkeeper.”
But he added: “If he turned down £20,000-a-week at United it’s hardly likely that he will be coming here.”
Meanwhile, Lleida youngster Miquel Roque has claimed he is the latest Spaniard to sign for European champions Liverpool.
Anfield boss Rafael Benitez has already used his Spanish connections to sign Xabi Alonso, Luis Garcia and Fernando Morientes and Roque, a 16-year-old central defender, appears to be the next on the list.
Liverpool have extended their deal with shirt sponsors Carlsberg by two years.
The new agreement was finalised before the Reds’ Champions League final triumph against AC Milan last Wednesday. The deal will run until the end of the 2006-07 season.
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