Madrid tie up striking starlets
Friday, October 3, 2003
Article summary
Strikers Javier Portillo and Iván Sánchez Rico 'Riki' have extended their contracts with Real Madrid CF.
Article body
Buy-out clause raised
The 21-year-old Portillo, who has signed a deal tying him to the Santiago Bernabéu until June 2007, finalised the agreement with his agent Herminio Menéndez and Madrid's sports manager Jorge Valdano on Friday afternoon. His buy-out clause has been raised to €36m in a bid to fend off possible suitors.
Riki shines
Meanwhile, Portillo's close friend Riki has extended his contract until June 2005. The 23-year-old forward has been a revelation in Madrid's B team this season, with nine goals in his first six games. Coach Carlos Queiroz has been so impressed with his progress that he has twice called him up for first-team duties.