Salary demands stall Chivu move to Real Madrid - agent

BUCHAREST, July 5 (Reuters) Real Madrid's proposed move for Roma defender Cristian Chivu has stalled after the Spanish champions' salary offer was less than what the Roma player is demanding.

Yestrday the Italian club agreed a deal in principal to sell the Romania captain to the Spanish giants for 18 million euros after previous offers from Inter Milan and Barcelona were rejected, but the move now appears to be in jeopardy.

''Real Madrid's wage offer was way below Inter's proposal,'' Chivu's agent Victor Becali told Reuters on Thursday, without going into details over the figures involved.

''Chivu will remain with Roma unless Real make a new offer.'' The defender has one year remaining on his contract with the Italian side and his agent made it clear that Chivu could demand a much higher salary should he leave on a free transfer at the end of next season.

''If Chivu leaves as free agent next year, his future club could pay him a 7-8 million euro salary as they would not need to pay a transfer fee,'' Becali added.

''The ball is in Real Madrid's court now,'' he added.

''If the Spaniards' offer is not satisfactory, Chivu will see out his contract at Roma.'' REUTERS HSB PM1548