According to reports today, the move by Liverpool to sign Luis Figo has moved extremely close to completion. The player has agreed terms with Liverpool, but now Real Madrid have reportedly gone back on their word by demanding a fee for the player.
Figo spent the latter part of last season as a substitute for Real, prompting him to question his future. After talks with the bosses at Real he was told he could leave on a free transfer if he could organise a deal. Figo had one year left on his contract, and the decision to release him was seen as both a way for Real to save on his wages, and also as a gesture of thanks.
The fee that’s been demanded – according to various sources now – is three million Euros, around £2million. Liverpool are reported to be refusing to pay the fee.
Liverpool of course would not be able to talk to the player to agree a deal without there being permission from his club. It looks like Real have had a last minute change of mind – maybe out of annoyance at being thwarted in their scheme to tempt Steven Gerrard away. We feel sure this deal will be sorted before the day is out.
Peter Crouch is getting closer to joining the Reds as we’ve already said.
As well as Steven Gerrard signing a new deal tomorrow the club are hopeful that he’ll be joined by team-mate Jamie Carragher. They’ve already announced that Djimi Traore has agreed a new deal.