Collet : Kiko Casilla is not leaving for Madrid

Espanyol president Joan Collet has dismissed the speculation surrounding goalkeeper Kiko Casilla, stating that the rumours about his move to Real Madrid were nothing but a “lie”.

According to recent reports in Spain, Real Madrid were all set to sign Casilla, who is a product of the Blancos youth academy, from the Catalan side. The claims were fuelled after reports also claimed that club captain Iker Casillas will leave Madrid for Porto.

However, Collet has rubbished all these reports, and clearly told that Casilla is not moving to the Spanish capital, which was considered to be a done deal.

“Everything is a lie, there’s nothing,” Collet told AS. “I’m not sure if I should say I’m gobsmacked but I am surprised. I have spoken a lot in the last few days with Jose Angel Sanchez (Real Madrid general director) and yes, he asked a question (about Casilla), but we did not sit down no negotiate.”

“I don’t know what will happen tomorrow but right now, there is nothing and there will be nothing for those figures that are being reported. First we have to receive an offer, find out if the player wants to leave and finally we must speak to the coaching staff. But to speak of those figures (€5 million) for Casilla is insulting. I don’t know where they have come from.”

Collet has also pointed out that Real Madrid might be using Casilla in order to increase their chances of signing their main transfer target, Manchester United’s goalkeeper David de Gea.

“I feel bad because they are playing with a lot of feelings and with the player,” Collet added. “It annoys me that they are using his name.”

Casilla, who still has three years left on his contract, left Madrid for Espanyol in 2007, after he was unable to make it into the first team at Madrid.