Friday 6 January, 2006
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Inter are in pole position to sign Michael Ballack after Real Madrid pulled out of the chase, according to reports.
The Spanish giants were highly fancied to net the Bayern Munich star once his contract expired at the end of the season.
However, stories in Italy on Friday claim that Real have opted to snub his arrival as a favour to the Italian giants.
Inter are alleged to have eased Real’s capture of Antonio Cassano this week by not interfering with negotiations.
Now the Estadio Bernabeu outfit are prepared to do the same with regard to Ballack, given the excellent rapport between both clubs.
Real and Inter have done a massive amount of business in recent years involving players such as Ronaldo, Walter Samuel and Luis Figo.
Inter want the German playmaker to fill the void which Juan Sebastian Veron will leave when he returns to Argentina in the summer.
Nevertheless, Inter are not the only option for the former Bayer Leverkusen ace come this summer.
Juventus, Manchester United and Chelsea have also been associated, while Bayern still hope to keep the 30-year-old.
They are willing to offer him a four-year deal worth £3m a season in an effort to avoid losing him for nothing. |