Schuster denies Ballack move
01 Aug 2007 - 08:09:59
Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster has denied having made any attempt to sign Chelsea's midfield star Michael Ballack.
Schuster had told a German TV station that Ballack would be an ideal addition to the Real squad, but he now denies any interest in securing the services of his compatriot.
"With his class, he fits perfectly to Real Madrid. I can very well imagine him playing for my team," Schuster was reported as saying at the weekend.
"He would be the link between midfield and attack and would really be perfect."
However, the former Getafe coach told the Spanish press: "I was very surprised myself. I said one thing and it came out in the press as something completely different.
"At no time did I say that we should make an offer for Ballack, but I did say that we need to be looking at players in Europe that play like him.
"There is no interest in Ballack on our part."
Meanwhile, Real are reported to be closing in on the signing of Ballack's Stamford Bridge team-mate Arjen Robben, with a £20million deal close to being completed.