Real Madrid sports chief Predrag Mijatovic insists he wasn't to blame for the club not landing Valencia striker David Villa. Asked about claims from Villa's minders that it was he who wrecked the deal, Mijatovic told AS: "I was not prepared to pay one Euro more and they came back with a counter offer including players. I am not the culprit.

"Look, if the player, his agent and his family choose to renew his contract with Valencia, then the case for me is closed. I saw no hope and the feeling was the situation would not change."