Ernesto Bronzetti claims that Maicon to Real Madrid is "definitely off"

Reports had been circulating that the Nerazzurri had taken the highly-coveted defender off the market after new coach Rafa Benitez publicly stated he would love him to stay at the club. However, Bronzetti was of a slightly different opinion.

“Talks between the clubs never really got off the ground,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “I talk to [Real Madrid president] Florentino Perez every day and I am aware that the price tag Inter put on the player was out of sync with Madrid's valuation of player, considering his age. Nothing really happened after that.

“It's true that Jorge Valdano met with Maicon's agent around a week ago, but, as I said, the asking price was too excessive. The truth is that Perez had dropped the idea to sign Maicon a good while back.

“Taking Maicon off the market isn't really a tactical move by Inter, no clubs would have signed him at their asking price anyway. Setting the bar so high was a good move – they never wanted to sell him in the first place.

“I can tell you that the speculation over Maicon's move to Madrid is definitely over. The club are looking at players who are not in Serie A.”

Newly appointed Blancos coach Jose Mourinho had told the press that he would love to be reunited with the talismanic right-back after their successful time with Inter, but at 29 years old €28m was just too much for the Spanish capital club.

“Perez would have had no problem buying the player [for Mourinho], but after looking at the figures he decided to take a step back. I really don't see the move happening.

“Obviously Maicon would have been interested in reuniting with Mourinho, but if you ask me everything that's been said recently and continues to be said regarding the transfer isn't news - I know how unlikely it is now,” Bronzetti concluded.

Maicon's agent, Antonio Caliendo, is also of the opinion that the saga could be over soon, but refused to comment directly on which way the summer-long tale would end. "I cannot make any major declarations. For the moment I will not say anything," he told Ansa. "We shall see what happens tomorrow [Monday]."

Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho remains coy about the entire affair, merely stating that he still needs a player for his defensive line that reflects the same talent that the side has in both midfield and attack.