Baptista and Saviola pledge to stay at Real and disappoint Newcastle

Baptista had been rumoured to be in contact with a host of clubs, including the Magpies and Roma, but the striker's first choice is to stay with La Liga giants Real.

'My aim is playing for Real Madrid more often than in the last season, showing my value as a footballer to the fans,' said Baptista.

'I’m going to fight and we’ll see how this ends. I’m thinking of playing, showing what I can do. It’s difficult to show my real level throughout the season without playing continuously, but I know for sure what my future is.'

Argentina international Saviola is also deternined to prove himself to manager Bernd Schuster during pre-season.

He only appeared nine times in La Liga last term and scored three goals.

'At this moment in time I’m staying at Madrid, even if you have to live day by day in today’s football because everything can change in a minute,' he said.

“My present is the pre-season and when it comes to an end, we’ll see if I’m staying or leaving. The most important is making the coach feel he can count on my football this year.

“I’m hopeful I’ll be able to play more games for Real Madrid this season than during the last one.”