Inter Milan still chasing Chivu

AS Roma´s defender Christian Chivu (L) vies with Atalanta´s midfielder Morris Corrazieri during their Italian series A football match in Bergamo, April 2007. Inter Milan´s general manager Ernesto Paolillo has confirmed the club´s interest in signing Chivu from Roma, but said no agreement had yet been struck with their Serie A rivals.

      ROME (AFP) - Inter Milan's general manager Ernesto Paolillo on Wednesday confirmed the club's interest in signing Christian Chivu from Roma, but said no agreement had yet been struck with their Serie A rivals.

      Wednesday's edition of Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Chivu's girlfriend Adelina Elisei had told Romanian television that the clubs had agreed a fee of 15 million euros for the 26-year-old defender.

      But when asked if all that was left for the transfer to go through were minor details, Paolillo replied: "No, what's missing is an agreement. What is certain is that in one way or another a definitive decision will be made by Thursday.

      "However our offer remains the same, and the relationship between the two clubs has always been very good."

      Real Madrid made a formal offer of 18 million euros for Chivu at the beginning of July, but the player was apparently reluctant to leave Italy.

      When Real made their offer, Inter withdrew their interest only to revive it once Chivu had turned down the chance to join the Spanish champions.

      Chivu, who can play at centre-back, full-back or in midfield, started his professional career with Romanian clubs CSM Resita and FC Universitatea Craiova before joining Dutch side Ajax in 1999.

      He spent four years in Holland, during which time he helped Ajax reach the quarter-finals of the Champions league in the 2002-03 season.

      A dead-ball specialist, Chivu joined Roma in the summer of 2003.

      The versatile Romanian helped Roma finish second in Serie A last season, as well as reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League.