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Spanish radio station COPE has claimed that Manchester United are ready to pay Neymar’s buy-out clause and beat Real Madrid’s offer to sign the Brazilian.

Spanish press have recently reported that Florentino Perez is willing to pay Neymar‘s 190-million-euros release clause next summer to bring the 24-year-old to the Santiago Bernabeu.

If the Red Devils are also prepared to pay those 190 million, Neymar would have to choose between both offers. In that situation, United would have to offer the Brazilian a consederably high salary to beat Los Blancos. At least if reports suggesting that Perez will offer Neymar 35 million per season are true.

Neymar’s father has recently told the press that his son is willing to stay at Barcelona. “Fans must remain quiet because Neymar wants to extend his contract with Barca as he is happy here,” he admitted.

Many believe that these rumours are just a strategy from the player’s agent to get a better deal with Barcelona. However, after COPE also revealed that Real have tried to sign Leo Messi in three occasions, anything seems possible.

Neymar arrived at Barcelona in the summer of 2013 and has scored 75 goals in 120 appearances for the Azulgranas.

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Denis Cheryshev says he was unfazed by the taunts by the Barcelona fans during Los Cule’s 7-0 win over Valencia in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night for his part in Real Madrid’s elimination from the tournament.

The Russian winger joined Los Che on transfer deadline day and made his debut for the club in the humiliation at the Camp Nou.

The home supporters gave Cheryshev a standing ovation when he came on in the second half and sang ‘We love you’. It was his inclusion in Real’s match against Cadiz earlier this campaign that resulted in Los Blancos being thrown out.

The 24-year-old had picked up three yellow cards in the competition while on loan at Villarreal last season and was supposed to have been serving a one-game ban. Instead, he played and scored in the win in the first leg. The 10-time Champions League winners were then thrown out.

Speaking to the media about the reception he received at the Camp Nou, Cheryshev stated: “I don’t listen to any of that. I tried to do my job as best I could, concentrating on that. I just want to do my job, the rest doesn’t affect me.”

Check out the video to see how he was mocked by the Barcelona fans:

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Former Real Madrid manager Fabio Capello believes the change from Carlo Ancelotti to Rafa Benitez was too radical and was destined to fail from the start.

Benitez lasted just seven months in the hotseat at the Santiago Bernabeu after taking over from Ancelotti last summer. Concerns over the defensive style of play, poor performances in big games and reports of fallings out with many of the players resulted with him being replaced by Zinedine Zidane last month.

In an interview with Madrid-based daily AS, Capello, who won the league in his two brief stints in charge at the club, said the change from the popular Ancelotti to Benitez was too much.

“I don’t know why it didn’t work out. You have to be in the dressing room to understand. If there isn’t feeling for the manager, then it’s difficult for him to succeed. Benitez is experienced enough to know that. Perhaps the change from Ancelotti to Benitez was too much,” he stated.

Asked what the problem is at the club and why they get through so many managers – they have had 11 in 12 years now – Capello said it comes down to the president.

“It’s a lot! It’s a lot! Madrid is a tough place to be a manager. If the president goes behind the manager to talk directly to the players, he’s a dead man walking. The players know it and talk about it between them. ‘The president came and asked me yesterday what’s happening…’ And then they think the manager isn’t worth it,” he commented.

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Real Madrid keeper Kiko Casilla says he couldn’t turn down the chance of playing for the ‘best club in the world’ when they came calling in the summer – despite hindering his chances of being part of Spain’s Euro 2016 squad.

The former Los Blancos youth player returned to the Santiago Bernabeu from Espanyol and has largely had an understudy role this season, filling in during games when Keylor Navas is rested.

The shot stopper was on the verge of breaking into Vicente del Bosque’s squad, and could well do so as the third choice keeper this summer, but his chances may have been reduced by the lack of regular first team football this season.

Speaking in an interview with AS, Casilla says he has no regrets over his decision because he knew he was joining the best club in the world, in his opinion.

He stated: “It’s true that you have to make sacrifices but that’s always going to be the case when the best club in the world comes calling. I grew up in the youth categories here and I wanted to return. My personal assessment is that there’s no price on being at the best club in the world.”

Asked whether his role has changed compared to what he had experienced at Espanyol, where he made a name for himself as one of La Liga’s best keepers, Casillas added that he knew moving back to Los Blancos would present various challenges.

“I knew it would be difficult. When you’re at the biggest club in the world you know that not everything will be a bed of roses. I knew it would be tough – we have one of the best squads and the manager is the one who decides. But I can honestly say that even not playing you still learn so much being here,” he added.

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Real Madrid have made Robert Lewandowski’s signing one of the priorities for next summer. However, Bayern Munich will not be easy to convince.

Spanish football website Fichajes.net has claimed the Germans are going to request Los Blancos to pay 100 million euros in order to let the Poland international leave.

Bayern are trying to secure the signing of Gonzalo Higuain for next season. If they succeed in bringing the former Los Merengues man, they would be willing to let Lewandowski leave. Yet, they are going to exert a big pressure on Florentino Perez to try to obtain the highest ammount possible.

Lewandowski has recently confessed he is open to a move, especially since manager Pep Guardiola will also leave Munich next summer as he has reached an agreement with Manchester City.

Despite the transfer ban threat, Los Blancos are convinced they will be able to sign next summer. According to the latest transfer rumours, it seems like they are going to concentrate their efforts on the Polish star.

The 27-year-old has played at Bayern Munich for the last two seasons, scoring 52 goals in 77 appearances. Previously, he had spent four years at Borussia Dortmund, where he scored 103 goals in 187 games.

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Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann heads the ball during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Levante GERARD JULIEN/AFP/Getty Images

Atletico Madrid superstar Antoine Griezmann has claimed he sees himself staying at his current club next season despite rumours that he could receive a call from Zinedine Zidane to join Real Madrid.

Spanish press has claimed that the French forward is one of Zidane’s favourite candidates to reinforce the Los Blancos squad next summer.

Asked at a press conference, the France international commented on the possible transfer: “What would I do if Zidane called me? I don’t think that would happen, he doesn’t need me, but I belong to Atletico Madrid. My objective is not to leave Atletico. I see myself in this same place next season.”

“When our manager told the press that I am an important player, it made want to stay even more. Not that I was looking for a move, but now even less,” he added.

Griezmann is also one of Florentino Perez favourites, and the Los Merengues president could be ready to make an effort in order to convince the striker to join Real.

The 24-year-old’s buy-out clause is 80 million euros, and Perez believes that is a reasonable price for such a world-class star.

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Karim Benzema

PSG defender Thiago Silva has jumped to the defence of Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema saying his is indispensable for France and should be included in the squad for the European Championships.

Benzema has been banned from the national team by the French FA while he is involved in a extortion case against fellow international team mate Matieu Valbuena.

In the autumn of last year, it emerged that Benzema was involved in an attempt to get money from Lyon playmaker Valbuena in exchange for getting rid of a sex tape he appeared in. If found guilty, Benzema could be facing a penalty of up to five years in jail.

The Los Blancos striker was not considered for selection for the November friendlies against Germany or England and has since been told he will not be considered while the case is ongoing.

Speaking to reporters, Silva said France were damaging their own hopes of winning the tournament this summer and even a nation like Brazil would need somebody of Benzema’s class up front.

“We know very well the quality of Benzema. I think a player like that is indispensable for every national team. I think even with Brazil we need a striker like Benzema, who’s technically good and who positions himself well on the pitch. I think Benzema’s an extraordinary player for every team. Beyond that, I don’t know what Deschamps thinks of the situation,” he commented.

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Real Madrid youngster Borja Mayoral has signed a new long-term deal with the club, according to reports.

The 18-year-old forward was linked with a move to the Premier League last month with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea believed to be keen on taking him to England.

But Los Blancos have moved to end any speculation surrounding one of their star youth players by tying him down to a deal that lasts until 2021, according to Madrid-based daily AS.

The Madrid-born striker has been with Los Blancos’ youth setup since 2007 and worked his way up through the ranks. Until now he has been playing largely with the Real Madrid Castilla side but made his first team debut in October last year when he replaced Toni Kroos in the 3-1 win over Las Palmas.

Mayoral has featured for the Spain Under 17, Under 19 and Under 21 sides and with Los Blancos boss regarding his protege in high regard it seems likely the striker is destined for good things at club and international level.

Having coached him for the last two years, Zidane has seen Mayoral at close quarters. Speaking about the striker and his the number of goals he has scored, the Frenchman said: “Mayoral’s a striker who scores every time he has a shot.”

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Real Madrid have announced central defender Pepe is being treated for a foot injury.

The Portugal international did not feature in the team’s 6-0 over Espanyol at the weekend and has seen been seen by the club’s medical staff to assess the extent of the problem.

A statement on the club’s official website confirmed the centre back’s injury although no timescale was put on how long Pepe would be missing for.

The statement read: “After new tests carried out today on the player Pepe at the Sanitas La Moraleja University Hospital, the Real Madrid medical services have decide to continue the recovery work on the plantar fascia discomfort in his right foot over the coming days. His recovery will continue to be assessed.”

Los Blancos take on Granada at the weekend and it remains to be seen whether the defender will be fit in time to take his place in the team. Pepe has made 17 appearances for Madrid this season.

With Raphael Varane now showing signs that he is best placed to play alongside Sergio Ramos at the heart of the defence on a more regular basis, Pepe may need to get used to a more unfamiliar role as back up to the first team once he regains his fitness.

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Spain boss Vicente del Bosque says he would have won more trophies with Real Madrid had the club renewed his contract.

Del Bosque spent four seasons in charge of the Santiago Bernabeu side – between 1999 and 2003 – but the club decided not to renew his deal at the end of the 2002-03 campaign.

During his period in charge, he led Los Blancos to two Champions League trophies and two La Liga successes. He also guided the team to victory in the UEFA Super Cup and Spanish Supercopa.

Blessed with a hugely talented squad that included the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Raul, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo and Luis Figo, del Bosque told Telediario that he is sure he could have had more success in Europe if he’d been allowed to stay on.

“It is very difficult to win the Champions League. We had a lot of luck and some very good players in a favourable period for the club. Without being vain or arrogant, if I had continued I believe we would have won more European cups,” he commented.

Del Bosque has since gone on to become one of Spain’s most successful national team bosses having masterminded the World Cup success in 2010 – La Roja’s first ever world cup win – and the European Championship in 2012.

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