Real Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo is unconcerned over Juventus future
Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo insists his sole focus is on Euro 2020 and reports of interest from rival clubs are causing him no “sleepless nights”. Ronaldo left Real Madrid for Juve in 2019, but the move has not worked out quite as planned. Although the Bianconeri won the Serie A title for a ninth successive season in the forward’s first campaign, they lost their crown to Inter this term and scraped Champions League qualification. Success in Europe’s premier club competition, which Ronaldo won five times with Manchester United and Madrid, continues to evade the Turin giants. A frustrating season ended with Massimiliano Allegri returning to replace Andrea Pirlo, and there has been speculation Ronaldo could follow his coach out of the door. Madrid, United and Paris Saint-Germain have...
Manchester United suffer blow with €60m defensive target keen on Paris Saint-Germain move – report
Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane could snub interest from Manchester United to return to France with Paris Saint-Germain. The centre-back has spent the past decade with Los Blancos, but he could be on the move with his contract expiring in June next year. United have been heavily linked with his services, but El Confidencial claims that the Frenchman is keen on returning to his homeland this summer. The Red Devils have monitored him closely over the years, but Varane is reportedly leaning towards moving to Ligue 1 with PSG. Los Blancos are holding out for around €60 million to sanction the defender’s sale but could be willing to lower their price tag up to €50m. Sportslens view: United are searching for a new centre-back partner for Harry Maguire, and Varane would be a world-c...
James Rodriguez on his Everton future, Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid
James Rodriguez has said that he could stay for another season with Everton despite the recent departure of manager Carlo Ancelotti. Ancelotti played a pivotal role in signing him for the Toffees last summer, but the Italian is no longer at the helm, having returned to Real Madrid. Rodriguez had previously worked with Ancelotti at Madrid and Bayern Munich, but he has ruled out the prospect of another reunion. The Colombia international is looking forward to next season with the Toffees, and admitted his cycle with Real Madrid is now closed. He told Habla Deportes (via MSN): “I don’t know. I think not…. If I stay another year [at Everton] that’s fine.” “I don’t think Ancelotti is going to take me. The cycle for me with Real Madrid is closed.” Sportslens view: Rodriguez had an injury-pl...
Agents of four-time UCL winner reportedly sound out Leeds & Everton over move
Real Madrid left-back Marcelo is set to leave Santiago Bernabeu this summer as he is not in the plans of new manager Carlo Ancelotti. According to the Daily Mirror, his agents are searching for a new club for him and have sounded out both Everton and Leeds United, with the Toffees early favourites to land him. Marcelo wants a two-year deal and could be available for as little as £5 million with just a year left on his current deal. Madrid are ready to sell the 33-year-old defender, and his preference is to move to England or Italy. Sportslens View With five La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues to his name since joining the Spanish giants in 2007, the 58-cap Brazil international knows how to win. Despite playing just 19 games across all competitions last term, Marcelo would fancy his c...
Real Madrid offered chance to sign £40.5m-rated Manchester United star on initial loan – report
Real Madrid have been offered the chance to sign Manchester United forward Anthony Martial through his representative, reputed journalist Duncan Castles claims. The Frenchman had a disappointing 2020/21 campaign with the Red Devils, registering just seven goals from 36 appearances in all competitions. It is now reported that manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is willing to part ways with the attacker to make room for the arrival of an elite forward. The club are willing to offload him on loan with the option to buy. Martial’s agent has made contact with Los Blancos to find out whether they are interested. Sportslens view: Martial has his best-ever return for United in 2019/2020, registering 23 goals from 38 appearances in all competitions. However, he struggled to find consistency last term and ...
Euro 2020: We’re prepared to face Switzerland, Italy, Turkey – Gareth Bale
Wales captain Gareth Bale says he’s optimistic the team will qualify to the knockout stages of Euro 2020 despite been pitted alongside Italy, Turkey and Switzerland. Wales are expected to kick-off their campaign against Switzerland on Saturday and Bale in a pre-match press conference stated that they are well-prepared for the tournament. Bale is one of eight survivors from the Wales squad that reached the last four in France when Chris Coleman was in charge, and the Real Madrid star is looking no further than the crunch first game against the Swiss. “I think it’s similar,” said Bale when asked at his pre-match press conference about Wales’ expectations heading into Euro 2020 compared to last time out. “Coming on the back of 2016 people will argue that maybe we should be doing things, but w...
Manchester United open contract talks with Paul Pogba
Manchester United have contacted Paul Pogba’s representatives over a new contract, reports Sky Sports. Pogba returned to Man Utd in 2016 for a then-world record fee from Juventus. Since then, he has played 199 times in all competitions, scoring 38 goals. Pogba’s time at Man Utd has been mixed The Frenchman has been a divisive figure since his reunion with the Red Devils. Inconsistent performances, coupled with ambiguous hints surrounding his future, have seen him become unpopular among some sections of the Old Trafford crowd. Nonetheless, there is no denying his incredible talent. And, with just a year left on his current contract, it would be a nightmare for the club to lose a player like him on a free transfer. Sky Sports state that Man Utd have now opened negotiations with Pogba over a ...
Real Madrid star ready to sign a new contract after lengthy stand-off – report
Sergio Ramos is prepared to sign a one-year contract with Real Madrid rather than pursuing a fresh challenge elsewhere, Spanish outlet Marca reports. The Spaniard has been in a contract stand-off for several months, with the club reluctant to meet his demands for a two-year deal beyond June. It is now reported that the 35-year-old is planning to compromise, and is willing to accept the club’s one-year proposal with a 10 percent pay-cut. Ramos has yet to contact president Florentino Perez, but it is claimed that a deal would be a formality with the defender’s acceptance. Sportslens view: Ramos has had an illustrious 16-year career with Los Blancos, winning 22 major trophies. It was recently claimed that the club were planning a special farewell for him, where he could be pictured alongside ...
Update on the future of ex Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane will not rush back into management and is interested in managing the French team once the job becomes available, according to Libertad Digital. The Frenchman’s second spell in charge of Real Madrid ended at the end of last season and he has since been replaced by Carlo Ancelotti. In his first stint as Madrid manager, Zidane guided the team to three Champions League titles and one La Liga crown. His second stint was not as successful as he just won one La Liga crown in the 2019/20 season and ended the last campaign empty-handed. None of the European heavyweight clubs are currently looking to hire a manager, and Zidane will wait until the French national team job becomes available. Zidane’s 1998 World Cup-winning teammate Didier Deschamps has been in charge of Les Bleus since...
Real Madrid have beaten Arsenal to the signing of Portuguese transfer supremo – report
Real Madrid have appointed Luis Campos as their sporting director despite the recent interest from Premier League club Arsenal. It was recently reported that Campos was in talks with both European clubs, but it appears that Los Blancos have landed his signature. According to Turkish outlet T24, the Portuguese was signed by the club shortly after the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti as the manager. Campos, who was recently contracted with French champions Lille, will also act as the advisor to Los Blancos president Florentino Perez. Sportslens view: Campos has done a fantastic job previously at Monaco and Lille, helping them pursue quality young signings for the first-team squad as well as the academy. He brought in the likes of Bruno, Boubakary Soumare, Renato Sanches and Jonathan David, who...
Real Madrid and Inter Milan stars on a mission to restore their reputations at Euro 2020
Group B kicks off at Euro 2020 next week, and it’s shaping up to be an exciting set. Belgium head into the tournament as favourites, boasting several world-class players. However, they cannot afford to underestimate their opposition. Denmark have been tipped by many as possible dark horses for the tournament, while Belgians remember what Wales did to them five years ago. And then there’s Finland, who enter their first-ever major tournament this summer. Here’s one player from each Group B side to look out for this tournament. Belgium – Eden Hazard Can Hazard get back to his best with Belgium? Belgium enter the tournament with some of the world’s most in-form players. Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois – all among some of the best in the world in their positions. And, up until ...
Erling Haaland hints at Bernabeu move, calling Real Madrid players his ‘brothers’
With the transfer market well underway, Erling Haaland has once again raised questions about his future after posting a friendly comment on Reinier’s Instagram post, in which he features alongside Rodrygo. Real Madrid have both Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe on their agenda. The club would love to have one of Europe’s hottest talents in Haaland in their side, with the Norwegian once again sparking up rumours about a possible move. Haaland said goodbye to his teammate Reinier – whose loan deal at Dortmund from Real Madrid terminated at the end of the seaoson – via a comment on the player’s Instagram post. Reinier appeared in the photo alongside fellow Madrid player Rodrygo, as both stars head to Belgrade for friendlies with the Brazilian national team, before joining up again for the Olym...