Maicon Saga to Conclude This Week?
The summer transfer window in European football has been dubbed the "Silly Season," and justifiably so.
Speculation surrounding the move of a single player can go on for months, and many deals that are reported to be certain end up falling through.
One such story this summer has involved the transfer of Brazilian right-back Maicon from Italian champions Inter Milan to a new club.
Spanish team Real Madrid, now coached by Maicon's former Inter manager Jose Mourinho, is said to be very interested in completing a deal for the defender.
But despite the club's widely reported interest, a deal has yet to materialize. Even Maicon himself admitted to feeling confused by the transfer talks.
"I really do not know how I stand. When just beginning to play, you don't have a price," said the 29-year-old.
Wages and Price Tag Contentious
Inter's reported asking price of €28 million could prove too steep for Real, who will be reluctant to spend that sum on an aging defender.
"People say my price is very high but I am trying to ignore these conversations and concentrate on my football," Maicon continued.
In the last few days, it's been rumoured that the Brazilian's personal wage demands have got in the way of an agreement between the clubs.
On Tuesday, Maicon's agent Antonio Caliendo expressed disappointment with the Spanish club, who seemed unwilling to meet the player's demand of an annual salary of €7m.
It was reported that Real were willing to offer Maicon no more than €5.5m per year.
But on Wednesday, Maicon was said to have accepted Real's wage offer, which leaves it to the Italians and Real to agree on a transfer sum.
According to some sources, it is to be expected that Inter will lower their price tag on the right-back. If the clubs can agree on a sum, a deal should be completed within the next few days.
Came to Europe in 2004
Maicon left Brazilian side Cruzeiro in 2004 to join French club AS Monaco. During his two seasons in the Ligue 1, the right-back made a strong impression on Inter, who signed him in 2006.
Since then, Maicon has made 125 appearances for the Italian side, scoring thirteen goals for the club.
Maicon made his national team debut in 2003. In this summer's World Cup, he scored a spectacular goal from a narrow angle against North Korea following one of his trademark offensive runs.
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