Lazio extend Mendieta contract after Barcelona snub ( 2003-07-18 10:40) (Agencies)
Spanish international Gaizka Mendieta has extended his contract with Italian
club Lazio by two years, just weeks after Barcelona decided against buying the
midfielder following his season-long loan.
A Lazio spokesman said on Thursday that Mendieta's contract would now run
until June 30, 2008.
Mendieta moved to Lazio from Valencia two seasons ago for $41 million,
setting a record transfer fee for a Spanish player.
However, he failed to find the form that made him one of the most respected
playmakers in Europe and spent most of the time on the sidelines at his new
club.
Mendieta then joined Barcelona on a loan deal and although he played in 33
league games, he did not impress enough to merit a permanent move.
Also on Thursday, Lazio confirmed they were in talks to sell striker Claudio
Lopez to Spanish club Valencia, and that a decision was expected in the next few
days.
The Argentine began legal proceedings against Rome-based Lazio in May to
recover five months of unpaid wages and his former club Valencia are thought to
want him back.
Lazio have been working to stave off financial collapse since their parent
company, food group Cirio, defaulted on the payment of one billion euros worth
of bonds last November.
