Crespo move on hold

Milan, Aug 22: Inter Milan have insisted no agreement has been reached with Chelsea over the transfer of Argentina striker Hernan Crespo to Stamford Bridge. Inter's sporting director Marco Branca and technical director Gabriele Oriali have been in London negotiating with the Premiership side, but were due to return to Milan on Friday with the transfer unlikely to be resolved until next week. "We will have to wait a couple of days to see if it's either everything, or nothing," said Branca.
Earlier on Friday Inter's general director Massimo Moretti claimed the deal would be completed by Friday.
But Branca contradicted Moretti: "There is absolutely no agreement with Chelsea over the transfer of Hernan Crespo."
The Italian giants rebuffed the Blues' approach for Christian Vieri earlier this summer, but have said they are willing to listen to offers for Crespo.

And Chelsea are reported to have increased their original £13 m bid to £18 m.
A futher £2m could be payable based on Crespo's success at Stamford Bridge.

The South American has only been at the San Siro for one season following spells at Parma and Lazio, and scored nine goals in the Champions League as Inter reached the semi-finals.

Crespo's agent Fernando Hidalgo said he was still waiting to hear from Chelsea over their approach.

News of Crespo's possible departure provoked a furious response from his Inter striker partner Christian Vieri, who accused the club of lacking ambition.
Bureau Report