SPANISH TRANSFER WAR TO RAGE ON?

The Catalan club are furious that Luis Figo could be set for a shock move to the capital, if Florentino Perez wins the presidential election at Real.

Perez has promised the capture of the Portuguese international, providing he is voted in ahead of Lorenzo Sanz, as he has reportedly agreed terms with the player and will meet the buy-out clause in his contract.

However, Figo has again re-iterated his desire to stay at Camp Nou and insisted that he has not signed a pre-contract deal with their deadly rivals.

The latest developments are set to provoke a transfer war involving the two Spanish super-powers, which could have major repercussions throughout La Liga.

Basically, the situation in Spain is that every player has a price, literally. If this buy-out clause is met then the club are virtually powerless to prevent the sale going ahead, as long as the transfer window is open.

19-year-old Casillas, called into Spain`s Euro 2000 squad and rated as the best young keeper in Europe, would cost 5,000 million pesetas (almost £20 million) and Barca could be ready to fork out the massive sum in order to strike a major blow to their bitter rivals.

Joan Gaspart, a strong candidate to become new president at Camp Nou, has added weight to the rumours by stating: "I also have some liking for players at Real Madrid, like Casillas and Roberto Carlos."

Real could hit back with attempts to sign a couple of Barca`s others stars, such as Patrick Kluivert, and a major war looks certain to develop if Figo seals his move to Madrid, although the player has gone on record as saying he is happy to stay in Catalunya.

"I have been very happy during the past five years," said the Euro 2000 star. "I want to stay here as there is not a city like Barcelona.

"There isn`t a doubt in the world, that I will be back for pre-season training on 24th July."