FOOTBALL
Alisson to Real Madrid? I was joking, says Roma chief Pallotta
Goalkeeper Alisson is not leaving Roma, according to club president James Pallotta, who said he was joking about a move to Real Madrid.
Roma president James Pallotta said he was joking when he suggested goalkeeper Alisson could be set to join Real Madrid.
The 25-year-old Brazil international said he was "very happy" to stay at the club as he prepared for the World Cup, but rumours about his future persist.
When asked whether Alisson might be joining Napoli, Pallotta was quoted as telling AreaNapoli: "No, [Napoli president Aurelio] De Laurentiis doesn't want to spend all his money. €78million is needed and he's close to joining Real Madrid."
The Roma chief has moved to clarify his comments, which he said were made in jest.
"I have read with much amusement the quotes attributed to me about the transfer market," he said in a statement on the club's official Twitter account.
"In fact I was joking around with a group of guys and responded sarcastically with a reference to the popular rumours on Twitter and in the papers since I've been in Italy.
"There was nothing serious about anything I said whilst making pizza. Just stupid American humour that some don't get."