FCBARCELONA.CAT

06.07.2007 14:00

Txiki: "Everything remains open"

Roger Bogunyà

FC Barcelona's technical secretary, Txiki Begiristain, has stated that all options remain on the table in the club's pursuit of a new central defender and said that various players were being considered.

"We are simply holding talks and nothing more," he said. There is nothing specific yet and we are continuing to work on it." Txiki was reacting to constant media speculation over various summer transfer targets and he continued: "Everything remains open. We are working on several different options."

Gabriel Milito

When asked about the reported interest in Gabriel Milito, Txiki confessed that the Argentinian international is "the closest and we are working on that", but he then added that "there are alternatives". AS Roma's Romanian defender Christian Chivu has also been strongly linked.

Closing the deal

Reflecting on Milito again, Txiki stated that the player himself "had the desire" to join FC Barcelona. The technical secretary was cautious, however as he added: "We are continuing to try and close a deal and, from there, we hope that everything goes well."

An added attraction

Txiki believes that one thing in Barça's favour is that players want to join the club. "We have had that advantage for years," he said. "But one has to work hard and be sensible and try to reach an agreement that is good for both the club and the player. Barça is an attractive club for any player due to the style and system of play."