Liverpool fend off Arsenal & Real Madrid with new Suarez deal

Luis Suarez is staying put for the time being after the striker signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool on Friday.

Brendan Rodgers was forced to fend off bids from Arsenal in the summer transfer window, while Real Madrid were preparing a move for the Uruguay international in January.

The Spanish club will now be inclined to rethink their approach for the striker, who has a buyout clause in his new deal which allows him to be sold to a non-British club for a set price.

Saturday, December 21, 2013 10:00

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Fat Chance! Bendtner won't get Barca or Madrid move

After missing out on a move to Crystal Palace because he was deemed overweight, it is fair to say that Spain's two biggest clubs won't be knocking on Nicklas Bendtner's door any time soon.

The striker said he would like to move to Barcelona or Real Madrid after he leaves Arsenal, and even though both clubs are in the market for a striker you would not bet on Sandro Rosell or Florentino Perez being seduced by the Great Dane.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013 08:00

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Real vultures close in on Suarez

Luis Suarez may be fully fit, suspension-free and free-scoring, but he will never shake speculation surrounding his future at Liverpool.

And so as the January transfer window approaches, what better time for Real Madrid to begin laying the foundations for a big money move?

The Liga giants may find it hard to muster the cash and convince the Reds to sell their star striker this winter, but he has certainly moved to the top of their wishlist with a series of impressive displays under Brendan Rodgers.

Expect numerous quotes from players, Florentino Perez and anyone with an affiliation to Madrid in the coming months, before a long and painful (but ultimately successful) pursuit in the summer.

The vultures are circling.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013 08:26

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Rosell reveals Barca's Neymar battle

After claims that Neymar had a trial at Real Madrid at the age of 16, only to not be signed because of a €60,000 fee, Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has revealed that los Blancos fought until the end to sign the Brazilian superstar.

The Barca president, who was responsible for signing Neymar for €57 million (£50m), claimed that the Brazilian had already completed a medical for Madrid, and that the capital club were still trying to buy him even when he was penning his Blaugrana contract!

Tuesday, September 10, 2013 12:00
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Big-money move Pharoah-way for Draxler

 

Schalke starlet Julian Draxler has revealed that he had sleepless nights while on holiday in Egypt as he was mulling over massive moves to Manchester City and Real Madrid.

The 19-year-old eventually elected to stay with the Bundesliga outfit, but was clearly tempted by the opportunity to play for some of the world's richest clubs.

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'Bale? 100 billion dollars!'

 

If anyone is capable of getting the highest fee possible for Gareth Bale, it'll be Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.

Real Madrid have been relentless in their pursuit of the 24-year-old, but the Spanish club will need to part with at least £100 million in order to get their man this summer. 
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Levy stands firm as Bale attempts to flee the Spurs nest

 

Gareth Bale has told Tottenham he wants to move to Real Madrid this summer but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is adamant that he will not sell the 24-year-old.

Will the Spanish club get their man before the transfer window shuts? 
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Ancelotti in the driving seat at Real Madrid

 

Carlo Ancelotti has been unveiled as Real Madrid head coach on Wednesday after a short and successful spell in charge of Paris Saint-Germain.

Ancelotti replaces Jose Mourinho, who 'damaged' La Liga, according to several figures in Spanish football, including Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta.

Club president Florentino Perez insists Mourinho did not sully the image of the Bernabeu side during his stint in Madrid.

"I always give the example of F1, Ferrari does not always win, but they are the team that everybody knows," Perez said. "In football, that brand is Real Madrid."

But it is now Ancelotti who takes the driving seat. 
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De Laurentiis warns Cavani over leaving Napoli 'cradle'

 

Edinson Cavani is a transfer target for some of Europe's biggest clubs this summer, but Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is not convinced the striker should leave the club.

Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City all want the Uruguay international, though none of the interested parties are yet to activate his £53.7 million release clause.

And De Laurentiis has warned the 26-year-old against leaving Napoli for a club where he may not take centre stage.

"Napoli is a true cradle for Cavani, allowing his inner child to express himself and fulfill his potential," De Laurentiis said at a press conference.

"He knows that he is the star of the show here at Napoli and you never know whether this will also be the case at Real Madrid or anywhere else.

"We have already seen how [Diego] Forlan and [Luis] Suarez have outshone him for Uruguay and how this has affected his goalscoring record.

"I have little doubt that he will take all of this into consideration before making a decision. He will make a decision on his future and we will follow his direction." 

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Paper talk: Ronaldo rubbishes contract renewal rumours

 

Cristiano Ronaldo has set tongues wagging all over the world by announcing via Twitter that "all the news about my renewal with Real Madrid are false".

President Florentino Perez has previously insisted the forward wanted to stay with Los Blancos for many more years despite reported interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.

Reports in Spain also suggested Ronaldo was close to signing a new deal that would keep him at the club, until 2018, but in the wake of the forward’s comments that seems to be just paper talk. 

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Suarez tempted by Real Madrid

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez appears ready to take the bait set by Real Madrid in their pursuit of the Urugay international.

Goal revealed on Wednesday that the striker had given no assurances over his future at the club in recent meetings with Anfield officials.

And a radio interview later given by Suarez seemed to indicate the Uruguayan has had his fill of certain aspects of living in England.

"Saying no to Real Madrid is very difficult. I talked to Brendan Rodgers. He knows what I want and understands my situation.

"I worked too hard to having to continue listening to the criticism I get from English journalists," he continued.

"I love Liverpool, but I'm not prepared to keep taking all this criticism." 
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Mourinho & Ronaldo sent packing as Atletico win Copa del Rey

 

A thrilling Copa del Rey final saw Atletico Madrid come from behind to beat their city rivals Real 2-1 at the Bernabeu.

Los Rojiblancos had famously failed to beat Real since 1999 but an extra-time header from Miranda ended their miserable run and ensured their 10th Copa crown.

It was a miserable evening for Jose Mourinho’s men who looked on course for yet another victory after Cristiano Ronaldo had put them ahead after just 14 minutes.

However, Diego Costa levelled the tie after the break, after some great play by Radamel Falcao, before Miranda’s late heroics.

There was further misery too for Real as they hit the woodwork three times and saw Mourinho sent from the dugout before Ronaldo was controversially sent off late on.
 

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AVB battles to fend off Barca & Real interest in Bale

 

Gareth Bale's superb Premier League form may be a dream for Andre Villas-Boas this season as Tottenham battle to earn a Champions League spot, but come the summer, the Welshman could be his biggest headache.

La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid have long been credited with interest in the 23-year-old, and his return of 10 goals since the start of 2013 will have only strengthened their resolve to sign the attacker.

Yet Villas-Boas has moved to persuade Bale not only to reject a switch to either of the Spanish sides, but also a move away from the Premier League, insisting the English top-flight is the best place for him to fulfill his potential...
 

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Young cub Varane proves he could be Madrid's new king

 

When Real Madrid and Barcelona meet, as they did in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg on Wednesday night, it is normally the two best players in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who grab the headlines.
So, for a 19-year-old centre-back to draw all the plaudits, he must be something special. Raphael Varane did not only demonstrate fantastic defensive ability and athletic prowess in a superb display, he also kept Madrid in the tie with a thundering header.

Pepe and Sergio Ramos may well now be worried about their positions, after a potential new king of the Bernabeu has been announced to the world.

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Perez's picture perfect Real Madrid masks the reality in Mourinho war

 

Life at Real Madrid is rarely dull and so it proved again this week as Jose Mourinho's men hogged the headlines once more.
Reports earlier in the week claimed that there were deep divisions within the squad, with players telling supremo Florentino Perez that he had to choose between them and Mourinho.

The president quickly called a press conference where he insisted all was well in the Spanish capital while Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas released a statement supporting their coach, for now at least.

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Mancini keeps Silva safe at fortress Manchester City

 

Real Madrid face Manchester City in a mouthwatering Champions League tie at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night.

The trip to Spain marks a return to his homeland for David Silva, who is coveted by Jose Mourinho's side.

But, having tied the playmaker to a five-year contract on Monday, Roberto Mancini and the Premier League champions have made it very clear one of their prized assets is going nowhere.

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Real Madrid bemused by Ronaldo tantrum

 

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has put the football world on alert by admitting he is upset with a "professional issue" at the club.

The Portuguese scored his 149th and 150th goals for Los Blancos in their weekend win over Granda, but refused to celebrate either strike, before revealing his reasons afterwards.

Ronaldo insisted his unhappiness has nothing to do with Andres Iniesta winning Uefa's best player award ahead of him, but who realy knows what's on Ronny's mind?
 

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Tottenham jump into bed with Real Madrid

 

The summer's longest transfer saga was concluded on Monday as Luka Modric finally joined La Liga champions Real Madrid for a fee of £33.2 million.

But it was Tottenham's announcement of a partnership agreement with the Spanish club that really raised eyebrows. In an opaque description typical of tie-ups like this, Spurs said: "The partnership agreement will see the two Clubs working together in respect of players, coaching, best practices and commercial relationships."

The cynics will suggest the deal provides the north London club with a venue for an annual friendly, an opposition for Ledley King's testimonial and a high-cost destination for Gareth Bale...

But for now, enjoy Goal.com's take on Tottenham's latest coup.

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From Galacticos to Jurassicos - Real Madrid Island awaits

 

On Thursday afternoon, Real Madrid announced the ambitious news that they are planning to spend around $1 billion on a luxury holiday resort and theme park in the United Arab Emirates. 

Real Madrid Resort Island, as the project is known, will have a host of state-of-the-art facilities including a five-star hotel, and a water park. Club president Florentino Perez looks to be creating his very own Jurassic Park ...

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yearn for a return of Mourinho

 

Jose Mourinho was the subject of boos from the Santiago Bernabeu faithful earlier this season, but for two of his former clubs, Chelsea and Inter, the Portuguese's reign is remembered fondly. Chants for the 49-year-old rang out at both San Siro and Stamford Bridge at the weekend, and with Real Madrid enjoying a 10-point cushion at the top of La Liga, Los Blancos president Florentino Perez must be anxious that Mourinho doesn't yearn for pastures old ...

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