Sunday, 19th August, 2012


Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has told interested parties Arsenal and Liverpool that they may loan midfielder Nuri Sahin, but can forget about a permanent deal for the Turkey star.

Mourinho is sensitive to Sahin’s situation at the Bernabeu and appreciates that he would likely clock up precious little playing time if he remained for the 2012/13 campaign, and is thus willing to facilitate his exit.

Two of England’s biggest clubs are vying to snap up the former Borussia Dortmund man, in the shape of Arsenal and Liverpool, and it is still unclear just where the 23-year-old will end up.

Mourinho is believed to favour Sahin spending a year at Anfield, working under his friend and former colleague at Chelsea, Brendan Rodgers, but the midfielder himself is thought to want to join Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, with the Champions League football on offer at the Emirates Stadium a definite positive.

The midfielder’s future is set to be decided next week, but whatever happens, Mourinho has warned that Sahin will not, under any circumstances, be sold.

"The important thing is that players are happy and confident", said the Real Madrid boss.

"He had a difficult season because of injuries and then there was a team that played well and won, and the players in his position did great.

"For his happiness and confidence he may temporarily leave, if that is to the advantage of the player and the club.

"But Real Madrid will not sell."

Sahin remains under contract with Real Madrid until 2017, having only signed for the club last summer.

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