[lfc-news] Real employ usual tactics in attempt to lure Gerrard - Independent

The Independent, 17 June 2005
Real employ usual tactics in attempt to lure Gerrard
By Patrick McCurdy in Madrid

Steven Gerrard may have hinted that he wants to sign a new contract with
Liverpool, but Real Madrid are hoping to turn the England midfielder's
head and tempt him away from Anfield. The Spanish club have already
begun the first step in their tried and tested tactics in order to
secure the player they believe has all the credentials to become their
next galactico.

As with Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and David Beckham the club is using the
Spanish sports press, and in particular the top-selling daily Marca, to
keep Gerrard's name in the headlines in the hope that the interest will
put pressure on both the player and Liverpool ahead of contract
negotiations.

Photographs of the Liverpool captain have been splashed across the front
page of Marca twice this week and Real's interest has occupied more
column inches than any other story. The paper caught up with Gerrard on
holiday in Ibiza and got him to agree to being photographed with the
Real midfielder Guti, who was at the same resort. The headline read:
"Are you coming?" alongside a picture of the two players shaking hands.

Gerrard, however, refused to talk about his future. "I don't know
anything about any interest from Real Madrid and I prefer not to speak
about it," he said.

But Guti, who has said he wants to move to England because of his lack
of first-team chances, said: "I've seen the reports that Real want
Gerrard. He's an excellent midfielder and has won the European Cup. He's
a very complete player."

Real will offer Gerrard a salary of £4m a year and aim to exploit their
links with his agents, SFX. Marca say Real have earmarked 27 June as a
key date, because if Gerrard, who has two years left on his contract,
has not signed a new deal by pre-season training they will make a move.

Rick Parry, Liverpool's chief executive, said: "We're not going to put a
timescale on talks but, like Steve, we'd like the situation resolved
sooner rather than later."

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