According to reports in the early editions of today’s Madrid-based press, Spanish giants Real Madrid have asked German centre-back Christoph Metzelder to wait for their call before making any public declarations about his possible signing for the Merengues.
Borussia Dortmund man’s contract expires at the end of the season and he’s therefore seen as a bargain ready to be snapped up. Although Juventus were rumoured to be interested in signing him, the player underwent medical exams in Madrid last week.
The sudden decision to remind the player to keep quiet has piqued suspicion in Spain, some saying that the Merengues want further tests to avoid buying a player on the verge of a serious injury – as per Woodgate – and others claim that he’ll be used in some sort of swap deal.
The same sources allege that an 'important English team’ is interested in the player, said reports being published side by side with claims that Cristiano Ronaldo will land in Madrid this summer.
The grapevine is starting to rustle with rumours that Madrid are looking for ways to bring the astronomical-sized signing of the Portuguese star down to a less 'Galactic’ level and some pundits claim that some Real Madrid players will be offered to cheapen the deal. Others rubbish that idea and claim that there is a lot of internal tension when it comes to signing backs.
The Madrid defense has suffered continual problems since the retirements/transfers of Hierro and Manolo Sanchis. Samuel, Woodgate and now Cannavaro were brought in as Cinderella solutions, but all turned into pumpkins at the Bernabéu. Once bitten twice shy...or just a smokescreen to protect the signing from the prying and panicky Madrid press?
APM
goal.com