Saviola to leave Real Madrid says agent

Wednesday 13 May 2009 05:28 EDT
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Frustrated forward Javier Saviola will leave Real Madrid in the summer, according to his agent.

The Argentina striker has struggled to hold down a first-team place in either of the two seasons since he arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu on a free transfer from Barcelona.

Saviola still has more than 12 months to run on his Real contract, but has been linked with moves to a host of Premier League clubs.

"Javier has a deal with Real Madrid until 2010 but he has decided to leave as he has not had many opportunities this season," said agent Alfredo Cabrera Brizuela.

"It is true that some clubs have asked about Saviola, but we will attend a meeting at the beginning of June to resolve the issue.

"Saviola is still young and still offers much to the game. Clubs from England and Italy have contacted us."

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Gregory Coupet has revealed his intention to leave Atletico Madrid following a 'nightmare season'.

The veteran shot-stopper has struggled to oust Leo Franco from the starting line-up since arriving in Spain from Lyon last summer and is looking to move on again at the end of the season.

"It is a personal failure in the sense that I haven't been able to make it into the first team," revealed the 36-year-old France international.

"My frustration is at the fact I have not got a position and I have died of boredom on the bench.

"To continue here for another year would be to signal the end of my career and that is not what I want.

"Because of that I do not see another solution but to leave here. I still want to play."

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has warned against complacency ahead of Wednesday's Copa del Rey Final.

Barca are strong favourites to lift the trophy for the 25th time in their history as they will go head-to-head with mid-table Athletic Bilbao at the Mestalla.

"They'll come out strong and we have to be good to beat them," warned Puyol.

"Us being higher up the table doesn't make us favourites. Anything can happen and especially in a cup final against Bilbao."

Meanwhile, Puyol has denied suggestions that the club's pursuit of the La Liga and Champions League titles could see them take their eye off the domestic cup target.

Referring to the 3-3 weekend league draw with Villarreal, he added: "Ever since the end of the game we've only been thinking about the final.

"All the games we have left are massive and of course the final at Mestalla is one of the biggest of the year."

Elsewhere, David Silva is highly likely miss Valencia's remaining fixtures of the season and may have played his final game for the club.

The Spain winger limped out of the weekend victory over Real Madrid with a groin muscle injury which the club has confirmed will keep him sidelined for around there weeks.

Silva suffered a partial tear of his adductor tendon and may not be seen in action at the Mestalla again.

The £20m rated forward - along with fellow prize asset David Villa - could both be sold in the summer with the club facing major financial difficulties.

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