Pablo ‘would’ve cost more than Zidane’

Deportivo La Coruna veteran Manuel Pablo has explained how he almost joined Real Madrid over a decade ago.

Pablo is in line to play on Saturday for Depor at Santiago Bernabeu and spoke to AS ahead of the fixture, discussing the state of his team today.

He also reminisced about the Depor of old and shared the background on his proposed move to the capital, explaining how it came about and what led to its breakdown.

“[Emiliano] Butragueno called me at home. He said he loved me and they would try to buy me,” Pablo revealed.

“He asked me if I could talk to the club to make it an easy operation.

“I went to talk to [then-President Augusto Cesar] Lendoiro and said it was a good deal for the club and for me, because I was going to be allowed to compete for trophies. I am very competitive and loved that idea.

“I laughed [when Lendorio said he should cost more than Zinedine Zidane]. I had cost Depor almost nothing and Zidane was already a star.

“€24m was offered but Lendorio considered it insufficient. He wanted €30m. He said we were competing with Madrid and I was indispensable. So after that I focused on training and stayed with Depor.”

Tags Deportivo Manuel Pablo Zinidine Zidane
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