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Man City offered 150 million euros for Casillas
MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has rejected a move to big-spending Manchester City, which was ready to pay a world record 150 million euros for the Spanish international, Spanish media said.
Under the deal, Casillas would have received 13 million euros a year to play for the English Premier League side, bought in September by the Abu Dhabi United Group.
Private Spanish radio station Cadena Ser, which is usually well-informed, said Manchester City made the written offer to the player's agent Luis Garcia Abad.
It was not forwarded to Real as Casillas immediately rejected it, the radio said.
The offer of 150 million euros (190 million dollars, 129 million pounds) would dwarf the current world record 76 million euros paid by Real Madrid to Juventus for Zinedine Zidane in 2001.
Casillas, 27, nicknamed Saint Iker in Spain, is one of the world's best goalkeepers and played a leading role in Spain's Euro 2008 victory.
Seen as very loyal to Real, he currently receives around six million euros per year at the Spanish champions, and his contract with the club was extended last February through the 2016-17 season. The buyout clause in the contract is 150 million euros.
Manchester City's new Arab owners have shown they are ready to pay huge sums to attract international stars to the club.
Italian newspaper Gazetta dello Sport recently reported the club made an offer to sign Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon for 75 million euros.
Manchester City last summer acquired Brazilian striker Robinho for British record transfer fee of 42 million euros.
Spanish media said Wednesday Robinho has asked the club's owners to sign more big names, such as AC Milan's Kaka or Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo, winner of the 2008 Ballon d'Or award.
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