Predrag Mijatovic Seething At Real Madrid's Faubert Purchase

Juande Ramos' search for a right-midfielder who was eligible to play in the Champions League came to an unexpected end this week as the club secured the loan signing of Julian Faubert from English Premier League side West Ham United.

The deal raised more than a few eyebrows across Europe, as Los Blancos secured the services of a player who was only ever on the periphery of the action at Upton Park.

Now reports have emerged suggesting that Predrag Mijatovic refused to be involved in the deal because he believes the 25-year-old is nowhere near good enough to pull on the coveted white jersey, and his signing is in danger of making Madrid a laughing stock across Europe.

Altercation with Portugal

It is believed the main source of his agitation is Technical Secretary Miguel Angel Portugal, who masterminded bringing the Frenchman to the Bernabeu and was also heavily involved in the bid to bring Wigan midfielder Antonio Valencia on board.

Mijatovic rates neither player as capable of playing for the club, and a number of Spanish sources suggest that the former Valencia and Yugoslavia forward could be on the brink of severing all ties with the club he helped to win the Champions League in 1997.

The name of Zinedine Zidane is constantly being linked with an ambassadorial role, but the most expensive signing in history following his move from Juventus for £50 million in 2001 is also said to want to bring some fellow Frenchman with him.

The high-profile names of Karim Benzema and Franck Ribery are understood to be top of Zidane's shopping list, and with him circling it would appear that Mijatovic's days are numbered.

Paul Macdonald, Goal.com





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