Zidane sticks with Juventus

Zinedine Zidane has told 'L'Equipe' that he will definitely stay with Juventus for the coming season - ending any slim hope Real Madrid maintained of bringing the world player of the year to the Spanish capital.

Zidane moved to dismiss reports that the Turin club were ready to discuss a cash and player swap with Real. Juventus were interested in Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf and Roberto Carlos and one player would have been used by the Spanish club to tempt Juve into selling Zidane.

The French star said last week that he intended to play at least one more season in Turin after increasing speculation that his Spanish wife Veronique wanted to move back to her homeland with Zidane playing for a Spanish club.

Seedorf is still on the way out of Real though with both Juventus and Newcastle expected to know next week if the player is willing to follow through on thoughts of a move to England. The Dutchman is a source of near constant disruption at the Spanish club and has been fined for his behaviour three times this season and is still willing to clash with coach John Toshack. His team mate Raul has issued a public statement this morning asking for the club to pull together behind Toshack and the coaching staff but the peace move is too late to save certain careers in the Real squad.