Baros welcomes Real interest

Milan Baros has welcomed the news that one of the three candidates for the Real Madrid presidency is planning to sign him from Liverpool this summer.

Lorenzo Sanz is the chief rival to current Real president Florentino Perez, who will stand for re-election in Sunday’s poll of members, and Baros is top of his wish-list.

Since finishing as top scorer at Euro 2004, with five goals in the Czech Republic’s run to the semi-finals, Baros has been allowed to take leave from Liverpool and recharge his batteries ahead of the forthcoming Premiership season.

But Baros has had his head turned by news of Sanz’s interest, and he would relish the chance to team up with fellow strikers Ronaldo and Raul at the Bernabeu.

The 22-year-old revealed how his agent, Pavel Paska, had spoken with Sanz to propose the deal which would be conditional on the results of Sunday’s elections and new Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez’s say-so.

“Something happened during the European Championship,” Baros told Czech newspaper Sport.

“Mr Paska called me at the weekend and told me about it. It would certainly be a great challenge. But I have a contract with Liverpool.

“I will return there after the holidays on July 19 and everything will depend on possible agreement of both clubs and my manager.

“When I return to Liverpool, I will talk with coach Benitez. He will tell me his view.”

Baros struggled to break into Liverpool’s first team last season and has said that he would have sought a transfer if Gerard Houllier remained in charge for the upcoming campaign.

Houllier parted company with the club last month, however, giving Baros renewed hope of igniting his career at Anfield.

He admits that Sunday’s elections in Madrid will figure prominently in his thinking over the weekend, with Sanz seeking to regain the position he lost to Perez four years ago.

“If you mean like waiting for news on teletext, then no, but I will learn the news certainly,” he said.

Sanz has pinpointed Baros as one of four players he intends to bring to Madrid, should he beat Perez on Sunday.

Tomas Rosicky, an international team-mate of Baros, should join next year, while Portugal star Maniche is lined up for this summer.

Sanz would also look to bring in Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto’o, who is owned on a 50-50 basis by Madrid and Real Mallorca, with whom he has been a prolific scorer in recent seasons.

Baros and 23-year-old Rosicky, who plays for Borussia Dortmund, are contracted to their current clubs for a further three seasons, so there would be transfer fees involved for both young players.