Sampdoria sporting director Beppe Marotta confirms that a contract has been agreed with Antonio Cassano, but there’s no deal with Real Madrid yet.
La Gazzetta dello Sport revealed yesterday that Cassano was ready to take a 50 per cent pay cut to stay at Marassi and had consented to earning £2m per season until 2012.
However, the former Roma hitman’s loan from the Merengues expires this summer and Samp will have to meet Real’s valuation if they are to keep hold of one of this season’s star men.
“We want to go forward with Antonio and he wants to stay here,” Marotta explained on Radio Kiss Kiss.
“There is no problem in talks with his agent Giuseppe Bozzo, but we need to overcome the obstacle of Real. We have until June 10 to sort that out.
“The summer market? We will look around for players who don’t cost too much. Alberto Paloschi of Milan is an interesting youngster and he needs to mature by playing consistently.”
Samp have enjoyed an unexpectedly successful campaign and are vying for a Champions League berth with just a four-point deficit on fourth-placed Fiorentina.
“Obviously there is a great euphoria and satisfaction given the results we have had so far,” Marotta continued.
“The credit belongs to Coach Walter Mazzarri and the players who have gone above and beyond in every way."
