Boca want over 20 million euros from Real for Gago - TalkSoccer

**Pennywise** · 17-12-2006, 05:40 PM

Boca Juniors president Mauricio Macri arrived in Madrid on Saturday to negotiate the sale of Fernando Gago to Real Madrid saying he wants over 20 million euros ($26.22 million) for the highly rated midfielder.

"We have to talk everything over with Real Madrid so that we can agree the Gago transfer," Macri was quoted as saying in the Spanish media on Sunday.

"I told them not to make me travel unless they were ready to be flexible in the negotiations."

"Real Madrid earn 40 times more than us from their television contracts and their income is 15 times higher than Argentine clubs. I hope that such a powerful club will be able to satisfy the expectations of Boca who want 22 million euros for the player."

Real, who signed Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain from Boca's arch-rivals River Plate on Thursday, have made it clear they see Gago as an important part of their future plans.

"We need him, if not we wouldn't be signing him," coach Fabio Capello told a news conference on Saturday. "We've got good players but we will sign if it is to improve the squad."

The 20-year-old was a key part of the Boca team that was pipped to the Apertura championship by Estudiantes in a playoff this week and has been compared to Argentine midfielder Fernando Redondo who played for Real between 1994 and 2000.

Macri met Real president Ramon Calderon late on Saturday after arriving in Madrid and transfer negotiations are expected to continue on Sunday.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 17-12-2006, 05:42 PM

He isn't worth that much is he ?

**Pennywise** · 17-12-2006, 05:43 PM

I actually don't know. But Real Madrid is depended on a new central midfielder, if they shall have a chance of winning this season.

Gago is just 20-year old too, but he has to be a great player when they're asking so much for him and Capello and Madrid are so keen on bringing him to the Spanish capital.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 17-12-2006, 05:45 PM

If Capello is so determined then the Real President will probably sign him.

Real are depended on a new central midfielder ?
You already have Diarra and Emerson.

**Pennywise** · 17-12-2006, 05:52 PM

Well, an offensive midfielder. They only have J.M Guti in that position as 100 % OM.

Diarra, Emerson are defensive midfielders.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 17-12-2006, 05:53 PM

I thought Gago was a DM

**Pennywise** · 17-12-2006, 05:55 PM

I think he is DM for Boca, but has skills to play midfielder/offensive midfielder too...better than Diarra and Emerson.

**LAF** · 17-12-2006, 06:21 PM

Gago is amazing. He has the Redondo's about him, if that helps.

Him and Diarra playing DM would be something incredible. He is a great passer and also gets his foot in.

**Pennywise** · 18-12-2006, 12:00 PM

Boca Juniors president Mauricio Macri is ready to offer Fernando Gago to Barcelona or Atletico Madrid after failing to reach an agreement with Real Madrid yesterday.

Real refuse to go higher than £11 million for the Argentine, however Macri won't consider selling the youngster for anything less than £17 million.

"I hope that Madrid has flexibility. My objective is £17 million," said Macri. "And I believe that Gago is worth much more than that. In fact, our initial price was £20 million and we lowered it, already too much, until the £17 million that we want."

"Fernando is worth much more. Look, within six months, he will be worth £25 million. For that reason, it seems to me reasonable to demand £17 million. I hope they are flexible."

Macri added: "I'm now in Barcelona and hope to resume negotiations on Monday (today)."

**LAF** · 18-12-2006, 04:56 PM

Madrid are fools to let Barca get their hands on him. Gago wants the move to Real though. Madrid maybe are playing a game though as they're not short of cash just now.

**azzurri** · 18-12-2006, 05:07 PM

If Madrid want him, pay up. 20 mil is nothing for a club of Madrid's size, especially in light of that TV contract.

Didn't Madrid spend the same on Baptista?

**LAF** · 18-12-2006, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azzurri

If Madrid want him, pay up. 20 mil is nothing for a club of Madrid's size, especially in light of that TV contract.

Didn't Madrid spend the same on Baptista?

The spent more on Ramos, who was abit of a gamble.

I prey we get him though mate, he's something special.

**Pennywise** · 18-12-2006, 06:21 PM

Fernando Gago is also a big gamble. Its a bigger chance that he'll fail than succeed in Madrid IMO. We've read and seen players like Gago before, and when they're facing Europe, they've 'disappeared'

When it comes to Bap and Ramos, they'd already showed that they could play in Europe and La Liga on a high level. Ramos was also a international for Spain and regular for Sevilla in a age of 18.

Even Madrid have money in the bank, they also have limits and principles.

No doubt that this Gago is a great talent, but I am agree that they don't shall sit down and watch the president of Boca are pressing them to pay more. €20 mill is much money and espesially a buy in January..and it had perhaps been better to try to sign Diego from Werder Bremen that have showed great play in both Europe and the CL.

**LAF** · 18-12-2006, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pennywise

Fernando Gago is also a big gamble. Its a bigger chance that he'll fail than succeed in Madrid IMO. We've read and seen players like Gago before, and when they're facing Europe, they've 'disappeared'

When it comes to Bap and Ramos, they'd already showed that they could play in Europe and La Liga on a high level. Ramos was also a international for Spain and regular for Sevilla in a age of 18.

Even Madrid have money in the bank, they also have limits and principles.

No doubt that this Gago is a great talent, but I am agree that they don't shall sit down and watch the president of Boca are pressing them to pay more. €20 mill is much money and espesially a buy in January..and it had perhaps been better to try to sign Diego from Werder Bremen that have showed great play in both Europe and the CL.

Diego plays in a different position though. Although he'd be good for Madrid.

It's also a gamble letting a talent like this go to Barca.

**Pennywise** · 18-12-2006, 06:35 PM

This is a game the President of Boca is playing. Barcelona have NOT showed interest for this player and why shall they go and spend €20 mill on him now? When they have one of the greatest talents in Europe (Iniesta) + all the other stars in that position..

Another thing is that Real Madrid already have Diarra (€25 mill) and Emerson (€12 mill) in that position. They need an offensive midfielder. But the combination Gago-Diarra is also a possibility.

Time will show then