Inter deny Figo will move to Saudi Arabia

ROME, Jan 4 (Reuters) Inter Milan have dismissed reports former FIFA World Player of the Year Luis Figo is set to sign for Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad.

Italian and Saudi newspapers have for the past week reported that the midfielder, whose contract with Inter expires at the end of the season, was on the brink of moving to the Jedda-based club.

''There is no negotiation underway for the sale of Luis Figo, and news in the last few days of a possible transfer is without any foundation,'' a statement on the club's official Web site read on Thursday.

Portuguese Figo, who began his career at Sporting Lisbon, played for Barcelona and Real Madrid before joining Inter at the start of the 2005-06 season.

Inter coach Roberto Mancini also denied reports of the player's departure.

Mancini, who is in the Bahraini capital with his team for a training camp and a friendly match against the Bahrain national team, told the Gulf Daily News that Figo was staying put, the Asian Football Confederation said on its Web site today.

''I have no intention of giving Figo away to any club,'' Mancini was quoted as saying.

''We still need his services and, as we speak, he is certainly staying with us until his contract expires at the end of this year.'' REUTERS SAM VV1718