Alberto Contador appears to be moving closer to remaining with the Astana team but, if he does, it will only be for one more season.
His brother and agent Fran Contador clarified the situation in the Spanish media today, saying that rumours he was offered eight million euros per year if he remained until the end of 2013 were untrue.
"It's totally false, I do not know where it came from or who was interested in spreading this," he told the newspaper AS.
"We are talking half that amount and, not under any circumstances do we want to continue for more than the year left of the contract.”
Meanwhile the Quick Step team has dismissed reports that it is prepared to offer five million euros per year in a last-ditch attempt to win the double Tour winner’s signature.
"It is true that we have made a contract proposal and Specialized would make an extra effort to get to Contador," said Patrick Lefevere to Sporza. “However I deny the amounts mentioned.”
The final resolution to the matter is likely to come after November 20th, when the UCI announces whether or not the team will keep its ProTour licence. However the agent indicated that Contador will make a decision this week.
“We have been progressing with all negotiating options,” he said. “Alberto will come on Thursday and that will be the moment to decide.”