Ayala agrees new Valencia deal
Thursday, September 25, 2003
Article summary
Defender Roberto Ayala has agreed a new contract with Valencia CF, keeping him at the Mestalla until 2007.
Article body
Madrid interest
The news appears to end Real Madrid CF's hopes of signing Ayala, a player they were courting in the summer. The 30-year-old has excelled since his €4m transfer from AC Milan in September 2000 and is widely considered one of the best central defenders in Europe.
Yet to play
Ayala has yet to feature for Valencia this season and was not in the squad for last night's UEFA Cup first-round win at AIK Solna. He is reportedly injured but having sorted out his future is expected to be back in action soon. Ayala's agent, Gustavo Mascardi, said: "We are very happy because we have got what we have wanted for the past year and a half."
