NESTA SIGNS NEW LAZIO DEAL
The 25-year-old defender has been linked with a move away from the Stadio Olimpico for the past few months but the club have tied down one of their most prized assets on a new improved long-term deal.
Internazionale and Spanish giants Real Madrid were keen to sign the highly-rated defender, but the player has decided to stay at his hometown club.
The news will be a major boost to the Biancoazzurri as they battle with fierce city rivals Roma for the title in the last few weeks of the season.
Nesta has spent the last eight seasons with Lazio, after breaking into the first-team squad for the 1992/93 campaign, and he was outstanding during Euro 2000 when helping Italy to reach the final of the competition.
The powerful defender admitted he was happy to sort his future out, but denied any problems in negotiating the deal.
"I have signed for five years, and I don't want to talk about contracts anymore," said Nesta. "I am happy, but it's not the best day of my life - there were others.
"We, the players, don't use a gun to talk with the chairman. If clubs give money to players, it's because they think they are doing the right thing."
"Alessandro Nesta has signed a new deal with us," said Cragnotti. "He will play at Stadio Olimpico until the summer of 2006."
The club are also confident of reaching an agreement with Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved over a new deal to keep him in the capital.
The club have made an offer to the player, but it is understood that he is holding out for a better deal.
The 28-year-old has been linked with moves to England, with Manchester United, and Spain, but Lazio president Sergio Cragnotti is determined to hang on to the skilful playmaker.
"We will do everything possible to keep Nedved at Lazio," said club official Guido Paglia. "I am convinced that at the end we will find an agreement because Pavel is a special player.
"His feelings to this club and the fans are really special. We should not forget he rejected Atletico Madrid a couple of years ago to stay at Lazio.
"If Nedved were to leave, it would be his own choice and not the club's."
Nesta for one is hopeful that Nedved will sign a new deal as he feels the club need to keep their best players.
"Players like Pavel cannot be sold and I am sure he'll renew soon," said Nesta.
