United deny Ayala interest
Tuesday, January 8, 2002
Article summary
Manchester United FC have denied making a bid for Valencia CF defender Roberto Ayala.
Article body
Manchester United FC have denied claims that they made a €16.8m bid to Valencia CF for Argentinian international defender Roberto Ayala.
Champions League final
Reports of the English champions' interest in Ayala, a cornerstone of the Valencia side that reached last year's UEFA Champions League final, prompted the Spanish club's president, Jaime Orti, to state: "Roberto Ayala is not for sale."
'Tabloid speculation'
However, United, who sold central defender Jaap Stam to S.S. Lazio earlier in the season for €26m, insist they have made no move for the former Milan AC player. The club's official website dismissed the reports as "tabloid speculation".
Second in the table
Ayala, who is expected to play a pivotal role for Argentina at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, will remain at the Mestalla stadium as Valencia go in search of their first league title since 1971. Valencia are two points adrift of Primera División leaders Real Madrid CF.