Corinthians and Felipe recommence talks

BRASILIA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The soap opera between the goalie Felipe and the soccer team of Corinthians looks to be coming to an end.

On Thursday afternoon, the president of the club, Andres Sanchez, met with the player's representatives to try to come to a salary agreement.

The meeting lasted for nearly an hour. According to the Sanchez, the encounter went good. Felipe's representatives will head to Bahia to meet with the player to discuss the team's latest offer.

The previous talks between the player and the team have resulted well. Sanchez and the Corinthians offered an 80 percent increase in the player's salary; however, the goalkeeper denied the offer, claiming it was not enough.

Felipe's representatives are holding out for a better offer that would numerically recognize his great performance in the 2007Brasileiro Championship. Notwithstanding, the player's lawyers were optimistic about the negotiations until Antonio Carlos told the player to "get your head together," which caused a bad atmosphere.

Felipe has a contract that keeps him with Corinthians until 2011.However, the team from Rio de Janeiro, Fluminense, has shown their interest in the player, offering him a salary that satisfies the goalie's demands. Yet, Corinthians reiterated their desire that Felipe stay with the team and reentered into negotiations.

Now, with Sanchez at the head of negotiations for the team, Corinthians hopes to resolve the problem and secure the future of Felipe with the team. The administration believes it is vital to keep the goalkeeper to honor the fans and to better their chances in next year's Brazilian Championship.