No Stuttgart move for Figo

By European Football
June 28 2005

With Newcastle United, Bolton and West Ham all rumoured to be interested in the capture of Luis Figo, one club has ruled themselves out of the running.

Stuttgart’s new boss Trapattoni has stated to the German press:

"Figo is not part of our plans"

But where will Figo end off?

Newcastle United: If he drops his wage demands, there is a good chance he could sign for the magpies, at least according to a lot of the Spanish press, who believe they would be top of the list of the English clubs believed to be interested.

West Ham: Not really given much hope or credence, not helped by the fact his agent has denied any interest from them.

Bolton: The chances are not high in my opinion, but Sam has been known to pull of the odd surprise, so not entirely out of the running.

Italy: Inter Milan are said to be interested, but it seems to be more of a nostalgia move for the Inter management, and up until now, they have not made any serious move to actually sign him.

Real Madrid: He still has a year on his contract left, but he won’t get any football. Despite this his agent is adamant that unless he gets his wages a whopping 90,000 a week, he will remain and see out his contract.

One way around this which was suggested in the Spanish daily Marca, was for Real to pay a percentage of his wages, much in the way Barcelona did with Kluivert last season, leaving the signing club to pick up the rest.

Football Oblivion: Japan, or some other place from the world football forgot, possibly favourite at the moment, they will pay his wages and he will be treat like a god. However if he wants competitive football and to realise his desire to play in the Premiership, he will have to drop his wage demands.