MADRID, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Atletico Madrid say Jose Antonio
Reyes owes the Primera Liga club two million euros ($2.56
million) in compensation after the forward spurned their
approach to join city rivals Real on loan from Arsenal.
'The agents and the player signed a pre-contract agreement
which included a two million euro penalty clause if the player
did not play for Atletico this season,' sports director Jesus
Garcia Pitarch told a news conference on Friday.
'Our legal services will intervene to claim this money on
behalf of the club.'
Spanish international Reyes has denied signing a
pre-contract agreement with Atletico, saying it would have been
illegal.
After Real's initial approach appeared to be rebuffed last
month, Atletico stepped in and made an offer for Reyes.
Arsenal eventually rejected Atletico's bid and completed a
loan swap with Real late on Thursday night in which Brazilian
forward Julio Baptista moved to London in exchange for Reyes.
