[lfc-news] Zaragoza rule out Milito sale - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 22 July 2005
Zaragoza rule out Milito sale
By Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

RAFA BENITEZ has stepped up his search for defensive reinforcements as
Real Zaragoza appeared to close the door on a move for long-term target
Gabriel Milito.

The Reds manager has been pursuing Milito all summer but Zaragoza have
fought tooth and nail to hang on to their prize asset, even rebuffing a
£7.5m offer for the Argentinian international.

Milito has intimated he would like to move to Anfield but Zaragoza's
chief executive today insisted any such transfer would be "practically
impossible".

Jeronimo Suarez added. "Our interest is to keep him and for that reason
he has a very good offer from the club to extend and improve his contract."

The Spanish club has now offered to treble Milito's salary in an effort
to ward off Liverpool's interest and Benitez is now weighing up his
options as he looks for central defensive back-up for Jamie Carragher
and Sami Hyypia.

One player who has caught the attentions of the Liverpool manager is
Deportivo La Coruna's Jorge Andrade.

Coruna are believed to be preparing a formal approach for the Reds'
Milan Baros and it is thought Benitez may be ready to consider a
straight swap involving Andrade, a Portuguese international.

But Coruna have fought to hang onto Andrade all summer despite interest
from Manchester United and Newcastle United and a swap deal could hinge
on their desire to sign Baros.

If Benitez is unable to prize Andrade, 27, away from the Riazor he is
likely to continue trawling La Liga for a top class centre back.

Reports in Spain are linking Liverpool with a £7m move for Sevilla's
utility defender Daniel Alves and having already raided the Southern
Spanish club this summer for teenage right back Antonio Barragan,
Benitez is well aware of the qualities of the playing staff there.

Meanwhile, Baros is to hold showdown talks with the Reds boss in an
effort to convince him that he deserves to stay at Anfield.

Last year's top scorer has found himself out of favour during pre-season
and it is unlikely there is any way for him to find his way back into
Benitez's plans.

Speaking of his current situation, Baros said: "It is not pleasant, but
I am still a Liverpool player. I am working hard and I am trying to
persuade the coach that I deserve my place in the team.

"We will sit together with the coach and talk about his intentions for
me. If he says he does not need me, then we will start solving the
problem but nothing is happening now and I am not letting it play on my
mind."

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