Nery Castillo "free" to leave Olympiakos

U.K.’s Guardian reports that after contract re-negotiations fell apart today (Friday) Nery Castillo is free to leave Olympiakos if he can bring in a transfer offer of 15 Million Euros.
Castillo, under contract with Olympiakos until 2010, rejected a new four-year deal which would have netted him 1Million Euros ($1.37Million) per year. This would have doubled Castillo’s current yearly salary. It was reported by mediotiempo.com that Castillo was seeking to become Olympiakos highest paid player. Currently Olympiakos' highest paid player is Luciano Galletti at 1.3 Million Euros a year. Castillos was seeking 1.5 Millions Euros a year from Olympiakos.

After meeting with Olympiakos chive Petros Kokkalis, Castillo stated, “they (Olympiakos) told me that if I can bring in a 15 million Euros offer then I can leave the club."
"I was expecting something else. I came today with the dream to stay with Olympiakos. Unfortunately, that is not how it turned out to be."

"There is a huge difference between the two sides. I am trying to do whatever I can but Olympiakos must see that as well. It is my career and life that we are talking about here."

Media reports have liked Castillo to Premier Leagues' Manchester City, currently managed by former England boss Sven Eriksson.

Ilija Ivac, Olympiakos technical director, confirmed that Olympiakos has received an offer for 13 Million Euros but insisted that Castillo would not move unless they received the right offer.
"Castillo has a three-year contract with Olympiakos. If the contract does not expire the player cannot leave the club.
"There's no issue at hand since we want the player to stay with the club. If the player wants to leave then as long as Olympiakos is satisfied with the outcome everything will be ok."
"Castillo will leave if he wants to leave and only if the offer presented to Olympiakos is worthwhile," added Ivic.

Mediotiempo, Castillo numeros (in Spanish).
Guardian, Castillo for sale.

Nery Castillo, set to make BIG Jump

Milenio reports that 23 year old Mexican Striker has two offers to leave Greece’s Olympiakos and will settle on his future in the following days.

Nery Castillo Jr. is coming off a great showing in Copa America and is awaiting approval from his current club to seek out new horizons.

“This weekend the decision will be made, we are hopeful that Olympiakos understands this opportunity for Nery and we hope to have their support. I believe they will understand,” said Nery Castillo Sr. on a radio interview to Estadio W. Nery Castillo Sr. is also his son’s agent.
Castillo Jr. is currently under contract with Olympiakos but according to Castillo Sr. there are currently offers from Manchester City (Premier League) and Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine) for Nery. It has been speculated that Manchester City has offered 20 Million dollars for Nery’s services.

Castillo Sr. added “he (Castillo Jr.) is willing to play for any club in any country.”
Castillo Jr. owns 25% of his own federative soccer rights and has won 6 championships with Olympiakos. Castillo Sr. also hinted that Castillo Jr. could stay under certain conditions. “If Olympiakos can come near to what they (Manchester City and Dotesk) are offering, Nery might stay,” stated Castillo Sr.

Interestingly, as a 16 year old, Nery Castillo Jr. was set to join Manchester United, but he failed to gain the required work permit to play in England. After the bitter experience Castillo Sr. accepted an offer to move his son to Olympiakos.

Milenio, Nery Castillo con Ofertas (Article in Spanish).