Figo's wages holding back move from Real

Luis Figo's representative, Miguel Macedo, said yesterday that he hopes his client's future will be resolved in the next few days.

Luis Figo's representative, Miguel Macedo, said yesterday that he hopes his client's future will be resolved in the next few days.

He said that Figo - a reported target for West Ham United - would only see out the remaining year of his contract at Real Madrid "if there was nothing better on offer". He added that a return to the player's native Portugal "was not being considered" and also ruled out accepting a lucrative contract in Japan or Qatar.

Macedo admitted Figo's salary was proving to be a stumbling block to his departure from Real, where he is paid £4m a year.

The president of Real, Florentino Perez, hailed the promotion of the club's B team to the Spanish Second Division as evidence of the strength of the club's youth system. Real Madrid B lost 1-0 to Conquense on Sunday, but won 2-1 on aggregate.

Elsewhere in Spain, Patrick Kluivert has promised to behave himself at his new team, Valencia. The 28-year-old has a clause written into his contract saying the club reserves the right to rescind the agreement if he does not maintain an orderly private life.