Real’s Milito approach fails

Genoa president Enrico Preziosi claims he has rejected an approach from Real Madrid for striker Diego Milito.

The Spanish champions are desperate to boost their striking options after losing Ruud van Nistelrooy for the remainder of the season through injury.

But the Argentina hot-shot, who scored 51 goals during three seasons in La Liga with Real Zaragoza, will not be leaving the Stadio Luigi Ferraris for a return to Spain.

"Real Madrid came for Milito and there was contact with the Spanish club," claimed Preziosi. “But I responded to them and I simply said that Milito was our striker and that he wouldn't be leaving Genoa."

Milito has been in stunning form for the Italian side this season, scoring ten times in just 11 appearances for the club he joined in the summer.

Meanwhile, Fernando Morientes has vowed to put thoughts over his Valencia future on hold until the end of the season.

The 32-year-old striker will be a free agent next summer after two seasons at the Mestalla following a brief and unsuccessful stint with Liverpool.

The former Spain international has a clause in his contract which triggers an automatic extension should he score 15 goals this season.

Morientes has found the net just once in seven appearances this season and is unlikely to reach his target, but insists he is not letting talk over his future impact on his form.

"I am focussed on taking each day as it comes," he said. "A lot has been said about this and it is better to think about the present.

"Whatever happens will happen and I am sure that things will turn out to be fine. Between now and the end of the season, I will try to my best and we will just have to wait and see.

"I reckon that if I score 15 goals then I will stay, but it is better to not think like that. It is the same as other years when I have doubts about my future and I am confident that things will be good.

"If I did score that many goals and the club still did not want me then we could sit down like gentlemen and talk about it."

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Leo Franco is confident of agreeing a new deal with Atletico Madrid.

The 31-year-old is out of contract at the end of the current season but remains the Rojiblancos' number one choice despite their capture of Gregory Coupet during the summer.

The Argentinian joined Atletico from Real Mallorca in 2004 and is confident of extending his stay at the Vicente Calderon.

"Since I arrived here four-and-a-half years ago, I have always had the same intention of continuing," he said when asked about his contract situation.

"It is something the club is sorting out with my agent. I am accustomed to staying away. They will tell me when there is a solution."