Perez confirms ‘Di Maria rejected new Madrid contract to join United’

Andy West 08:24 06/09/2014
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  • Good business: Florentino Perez.

    Real Madrid president Floren­tino Perez claims Angel Di Maria snubbed the offer of a huge pay rise to leave for Manchester United.

    Di Maria was critical of the Bern­abeu hierarchy when he left the club, saying he was disappointed not to have been offered a “gesture” – widely interpreted as a new con­tract – for his excellent perform­ances last season.

    But Perez rubbished those claims, saying Los Blancos worked hard to keep Di Maria, suggesting he was offered a new deal which would have made him the second highest paid player at the club. Perez said: “He had financial aspi­rations that Real Madrid would not meet.

    “If I had accepted them, it would have undermined the stability of the club. We made a competitive offer which he decided not to accept. Nobody here earns these quantities apart from Cristiano Ronaldo.

    “I’m happy that Di Maria has found another team and we’re happy for the amount received for his transfer.”

    Perez also defended Ronaldo in the wake of his comments that he would have not allowed both Xabi Alonso and Di Maria to leave dur­ing the summer transfer window. “There is no quarrel with Cris­tiano,” insisted Perez. “I know him very well and his loyalty to Real Madrid is unquestionable.

    “I’ve listened to the full interview and since I know him, I know he wasn’t undermining the club. We have a fantastic relationship.”

    The outspoken Perez, who has overseen Madrid’s famous ‘Galactico’ transfer policy since first being elected president in 2000, also claimed the decision not to sign striker Radamel Falcao was down to coach Carlo Ancelotti.

    It has been alleged that Los Blan­cos turned their back on a deal to sign the Colombian striker from Monaco as retribution towards his agent Jorge Mendes following the club’s unhappiness at the depart­ing comments made by Di Maria, another Mendes client.

    But Perez denied those claims, saying: “We reviewed the situation with Ancelotti and made a decision not to pursue signing the player.”

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