Benitez continues push for Heinze deal
Heinze has been away on Copa America duty for much of the summer
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Tuesday, 24, Jul 2007 10:38
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is refusing to back down in his pursuit of Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze despite rapidly-escalating tensions between the two rivals over his approach.
The Merseysiders believe that their recent bid of around £7 million should have freed the Argentine international to leave Old Trafford as Heinze had a written agreement with the club allowing him to move on should any suitors meet that valuation.
"I don't know what the problem is. I know what they said to the press but everyone knows they signed a document," Benitez said.
"A lot of clubs, in many different countries, knew what the situation was."
The former Valencia coach's comments come just a day after Sir Alex Ferguson had apparently ruled out Heinze leaving for any of United's domestic rivals.
The Scot also suggested that Liverpool's well-publicised interest in the left-back could be viewed as an attempt to "tap-up" the 29-year-old.
"Heinze is not going to Liverpool as far as I am concerned. We are examining some of the statements coming from his agent and when the contact was first made, but at the moment we have nothing more to say," he said.
Heinze may now test the strength of his informal understanding with United by launching a legal challenge over their refusal to sanction a move.