With Rivaldo reportedly wanting to leave, Nesta and Crespo may leave Lazio if they don't qualify for the Champions League and Ayala wanting a United move, this summer could see United with some massive summer signings?
From onefootball regarding Rivaldo:
Rivaldo paves way for Barca exit
Tuesday 5th March 2002
Rivaldo may leave Barcelona at the end of this season after suggesting he would not extend his contract beyond summer 2003.
The Brazil international admitted that his persistence in playing when not fully fit to help his team-mates was not appreciated by sections of success-hungry Nou Camp supporters.
"I have done that for myself and for the club," he explained. "I have played matches with medical help but it seems people don't value those kind of efforts for Barcelona. I don't know what else I can do."
Barcelona officials have not yet approached Rivaldo, who signed a £4.8 million-a-year contract in October 2001, about extending his existing deal at the Catalan club. "Nobody from inside the club has contacted me yet to talk about that," he said.
Speaking at a press conference for the first time in two months, the former Deportivo star went on to reveal that the fans' feelings towards him may force him to refuse to extend his contract. "Their attitude makes me think twice about re-signing. Let's wait and see what the future brings."
Rivaldo also blamed the press for creating instability surrounding the future of coach Charly Rexach. "He's an excellent coach who's doing what he thinks is the best for Barcelona.
"I just ask for some respect for Rexach and what he's done for this side, not only as a coach but also as a player. It's really complicated to keep on working when there are constant rumours about a coach change because it's not the coach who fails but the players. We're the ones who win and lose matches."
Last July, the former World and European Player of the Year had a row with the club after accusing former president Josep Lluis Nunez of reneging on an agreement to increase his salary made two years previously. There was then doubt about whether he ever received the pay-rise after that.
At the time of the row, Sports daily Mundo Deportivo published the results of an online survey of almost 5,000 fans which showed that 45 per cent believed that Rivaldo should leave the club.
The talented Brazilian responded: "The money has nothing to do with what I do on the pitch. It is normal that the spectators whistle when I play badly and it will always happen, but I do not want to confuse my form with my salary.
"Talking about how much I earn makes me unpopular with everyone. It is a situation I know because I used to be a fan also and I went against any football player because of what the press said. But there is no reason to make a big issue out of every single thing that I do and it seems to me that this is happening more and more."
Sport had reported that Barcelona improved Rivaldo's salary from an annual £2 million to £4.8 million but left his contract buy-out clause and expiry date of June 2003 untouched.
One clause states that Rivaldo can be transferred – if the club agree – to one of 24 top clubs previously agreed, as long as the buying club pays exactly the same salary as the player receives from Barcelona. The Brazilian's agents also inserted a clause under which, should Barcelona sell him before his contract expires, he would receive a £6.82 million lump sum.
Only if Rivaldo refused to move to one of the 24 agreed clubs would Barcelona have the upper hand, and the player would revert to the previous contract under which he would be paid his former salary of £2 million.
From onefootball regarding Rivaldo:
Rivaldo paves way for Barca exit
Tuesday 5th March 2002
Rivaldo may leave Barcelona at the end of this season after suggesting he would not extend his contract beyond summer 2003.
The Brazil international admitted that his persistence in playing when not fully fit to help his team-mates was not appreciated by sections of success-hungry Nou Camp supporters.
"I have done that for myself and for the club," he explained. "I have played matches with medical help but it seems people don't value those kind of efforts for Barcelona. I don't know what else I can do."
Barcelona officials have not yet approached Rivaldo, who signed a £4.8 million-a-year contract in October 2001, about extending his existing deal at the Catalan club. "Nobody from inside the club has contacted me yet to talk about that," he said.
Speaking at a press conference for the first time in two months, the former Deportivo star went on to reveal that the fans' feelings towards him may force him to refuse to extend his contract. "Their attitude makes me think twice about re-signing. Let's wait and see what the future brings."
Rivaldo also blamed the press for creating instability surrounding the future of coach Charly Rexach. "He's an excellent coach who's doing what he thinks is the best for Barcelona.
"I just ask for some respect for Rexach and what he's done for this side, not only as a coach but also as a player. It's really complicated to keep on working when there are constant rumours about a coach change because it's not the coach who fails but the players. We're the ones who win and lose matches."
Last July, the former World and European Player of the Year had a row with the club after accusing former president Josep Lluis Nunez of reneging on an agreement to increase his salary made two years previously. There was then doubt about whether he ever received the pay-rise after that.
At the time of the row, Sports daily Mundo Deportivo published the results of an online survey of almost 5,000 fans which showed that 45 per cent believed that Rivaldo should leave the club.
The talented Brazilian responded: "The money has nothing to do with what I do on the pitch. It is normal that the spectators whistle when I play badly and it will always happen, but I do not want to confuse my form with my salary.
"Talking about how much I earn makes me unpopular with everyone. It is a situation I know because I used to be a fan also and I went against any football player because of what the press said. But there is no reason to make a big issue out of every single thing that I do and it seems to me that this is happening more and more."
Sport had reported that Barcelona improved Rivaldo's salary from an annual £2 million to £4.8 million but left his contract buy-out clause and expiry date of June 2003 untouched.
One clause states that Rivaldo can be transferred – if the club agree – to one of 24 top clubs previously agreed, as long as the buying club pays exactly the same salary as the player receives from Barcelona. The Brazilian's agents also inserted a clause under which, should Barcelona sell him before his contract expires, he would receive a £6.82 million lump sum.
Only if Rivaldo refused to move to one of the 24 agreed clubs would Barcelona have the upper hand, and the player would revert to the previous contract under which he would be paid his former salary of £2 million.