Espanyol president slams rumors linking Kiko Casilla with Real Madrid move

Espanyol president Joan Collet has slammed reports linking goalkeeper Kiko Casilla with a €3 million move to Real Madrid.

Late yesterday, Cadena COPE broke a story which claimed Casilla was set to re-join Real Madrid – the club where he began his career as a youth player. The report stated that the 28-year-old was expected to join the team this week and would fly with the rest of the squad to Australia on Sunday, where they will begin their pre-season tour.

The signing of Casilla appeared to become a priority as it has been learned that Real Madrid’s captain, Iker Casillas, is on the verge of joining FC Porto. Also, back-up Keylor Navas has been ruled out for at least three weeks while he recovers from an injury; and Real Madrid officials are still attempting to negotiate the transfer of David de Gea from Manchester United.

But today, Espanyol’s president Joan Collet dismissed the report from Cadena COPE as a “lie”.

While Collet did admit talks have taken place with Real Madrid general director Jose Angel Sanchez over the past few days, the club president says no offer has been made for the Spain international and went on to say there were “ulterior motives” behind the timing of this story.

“It’s nothing but lies,” Collet said. “There’s nothing. I’m not only surprised, I am completely amazed.

“I have spoken quite a few times with [Real Madrid general director] Jose Angel Sanchez over the past few days and he did ask one question to me. But we haven’t sat down to negotiate.

“All I know is that Kiko will turn up at midday to go on the summer stage with the rest of the squad.

Asked if a deal for Casilla could take place in the coming days, Collet responded: “I don’t know what will happen tomorrow but right now, there’s nothing and there won’t be for the price that’s being banded about.

“We’re talking about a player who has been an international for Spain and will be called again. But first there has to be an offer, then we have to see whether the player wants to leave and after that, we need to talk to the coaching department.

Collet went on to say that the reported fee of €3 million was an insult to the player and club.

“To talk about those kind of fees for him makes our blood boil. I don’t know where that information has come from,” the Espanyol president said.

When pressed further about a theory floating around which claims Real Madrid started this rumor in order to increase pressure on Manchester United to sell goalkeeper David de Gea, Collet agreed there was “something fishy” about the timing of this story.

“I don’t know,” he concluded. “There’s something fishy about this.

“Someone is playing with our emotions and the player’s. I don’t like it when they use his name for ulterior motives.”