[BlackNess]

Barcelona Choose Milito Over Chivu

FC Barcelona have chosen to pursue their interest in Gabi Milito from Real Zaragoza and end all interest in signing Christian Chivu from AS Roma.


The Blaugrana technical staff opted to put all their efforts into signing one of their two main targets and the Argentinian was the preferred option.

Apart from his familiarity with the Spanish league, Barça have been impressed with Milito's repeated desire to join the club over the past two or three seasons.

Now vice-president, Ferran Soriano, and technical secretary, Txiki Begiristain, will step up talks and hope to have a deal in place by next week.

Zaragoza are demanding €20m for the central defennder, but Barça are trying to offset that by offering Thiago Motta and Santi Ezquerro as part of an exchange.

Milito's agent, Eduardo Gamarnik, has already been in contact with the club, as he was in the city to oversee the transfer of Clemente Rodríguez to Espanyol.

Milito, who is on international duty with Argentina at the Copa Amèrica in Venezuela, has maintained contact with his representative and knows of the Blaugrana's interest.

Juventus were in the frame to capture the player that Real Madrid turned down four years ago, claiming that he had a knee problem, but their offer was below Zaragoza' asking price.

The Italian giants opened with a €14m bid and raised that by €1m at the start of this week, but the Aragónese outfit are holding out for more.