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Luka Modric

The Italian teams try to make a step forward in Europe and they are being very important in this transfer market. The crisis is over for Serie A and the most important clubs are trying to improve the quality of their squad to fight again for European titles. This is the case of Inter Milan, who is going back to the Champions League and they want to compete with the best players, including Luka Modric, his dream to build a great squad.

According to Sky Sports Italy, Inter Milan are trying to convince Luka Modric to play with them the next season. Their idea is to build a team based on Croatian players, runners-up in the last World Cup in Russia. Perisic, Brozovic and Vrsaljko, recently signed from Atlético Madrid, are already in their squad and Luka Modric could be his star signing.

However, the Croatian midfielder has never said anything about leaving Real Madrid. Even during the World Cup he was asked about Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure and he was certain to stay in the Spanish capital. The Golden Ball of the last World Cup is very happy in the Spanish capital and he knows the love of Real Madrid supporters and his importance in the team, so it would be very strange to see him leaving Madrid.

It would be easier for Mateo Kovacic, who already said he wanted to leave Madrid looking for more minutes. Actually, he was signed from Inter Milan, but it’s quite unlikely that the Italian team try to sign him again. Besides, Inter Milan has bought Radja Nainggolan from Roma this summer for a good sum of money of €35M.

Luciano Spalletti wants to build a great squad after getting the ticket to the Champions League in the last minute of the last game against Lazio. Inter Milan is one of the biggest European teams but it has been many years without listening the Champions League music. Now they dream with signing Luka Modric, but it would be very difficult to get him out of Spain.

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Julen Lopetegui’s era started with a defeat (2-1) against Manchester United in the Hard Rock Arena at Miami (Florida). It wasn’t the best start for the new Real Madrid after Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure, but there are some aspects that could be positive for the future. The new manager needs to work a lot before the important game against Atletico Madrid in the European Supercup, on the 15th of August.

Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo are two big names in Real Madrid history and it will be hard to forget them. However, Real Madrid is bigger than the names and a new era has started and it needs to be successful. In Miami we saw many new faces in Los Blancos, but they couldn’t bring a victory in their first game in the club. Manchester United, with the old face of José Mourinho on the bench, was able to win the game in the middle of a humid and hot weather.

Actually, Manchester United were able to adapt themselves better to the circumstances and they scored two goals in the first minutes of the game thanks to Alexis Sánchez and Ander Herrera. The Red Devils didn’t start well the pre-season tour but they looked more confident against the European Champions. Karim Benzema was able to score the first goal of the season 2018/19 but it wasn’t enough to avoid the defeat.

Despite the bad result, we can highlight some positive things. Benzema and Gareth Bale have to improve a lot, but they will lead the attacking line this season. Therefore, the responsibility will be on their back and they have to forget Cristiano Ronaldo and focus on the goal. We could also see Vinicius, who shone for some moments as a winger.

Lopetegui is also very keen on giving opportunities to the Spanish youngsters. In Miami we saw Dani Ceballos with more responsibility in the midfield and the former Betis player should improve a lot this season. Besides, Odriozola showed a great level, in opposition of Theo Hernández, who was again very fragile in defense.

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Real Madrid players have travelled to Miami to face the first friendly games of the season. The first one will arrive on Tuesday evening against Manchester United in the capital of Florida. For this reason, Julen Lopetegui spoke for the very first time in front of the press and he was asked about the possible signings and the work done by the squad so far.

And the first feelings about this team and this squad are positive according to the manager because the players are working hard: “So far I’m pleased because we haven’t had any problem in terms of injuries and we have trained 20 sessions”.

The most important piece of news for Los Blancos were Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure, but now the new star is Gareth Bale: “Our acknowledgement to one of the best players in Real Madrid history, and the club valued his legacy by letting him go. We are convinced that Bale will do a great season and we expect a lot from him. We will work so he can be at his best”.

Perhaps, with Cristiano’s exit, Los Blancos need another striker: “We have six excellent signing pending: Ramos, Varane, Modric, Kovacic… We are pleased with the squad we have and convinced that we can fight for all the goals, as we have to do with Real Madrid. We want to be a team in the pitch.If no player comes or leaves, I will be a happy coach.”, Lopetegui said.

The manager also spoke about Keylor Navas, who should have more competition this year if Thibaut Courtois finally arrives: “I spoke with him and we are happy to have him on board. No more to comment. Keylor has been very important in the last season and we want to continue like this”.

Finally, the manager spoke about the possibility or the challenge to continue with the success: “We have to look for more, try to win always and this is what we do so the team continues improving and try to have the tools for this challenging season. Real Madrid history doesn’t allow anything else”, the manager finished.

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Real Madrid are trying to hunt a striker in the summer market but the goal is very complicated. With Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure, the club needs another striker to score, at least, 30 goals per season. This costs a lot of money in the current market and the options are not very appealing at the moment. One good option would be Edinson Cavani, but it won’t be easy to bring him to the Spanish capital.

Edinson Cavani is currently 31 years old, only two years younger than Cristiano Ronaldo and his contract with PSG expires in 2020. With Neymar Jr. and Kylian Mbappé in the squad, his role was less important in the last year and he could be willing to leave Paris. Besides, he had some problems with Neymar during the season while kicking the set pieces. In Madrid he would have the role of an star, now stolen by Neymar and Mbappé in Paris.

Besides, he has great numbers as a killer. ‘El Matador’ 28 goals in the French League last season, only 7 less than the previous season. Since his arrival to Napoli, in 2010, he has always scored at least 16 goals in the league competition. These are numbers of a great killer and Los Blancos could be thinking in his signing, according to the Spanish newspaper Diario As.

The problem would be negotiating with Al-Khelaifi, PSG owner. He wants to build a champion team and his idea of becoming European champion has been frustrated in the recent years. For this reason, he’s not willing to sell any key player to a competitor like Real Madrid. Despite his age, Cavani is still a great player and he would be a great signing for Los Blancos, but Florentino Pérez is not willing to invest the same money cashed by Cristiano’s sell to buy Edinson Cavani, who is objectively a worse player.

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MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 04: James Rodriguez of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring Real's 3rd goal during the Copa del Rey Round of 16 First Leg match between Real Madrid and Sevilla at Bernabeu on January 4, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Julen Lopetegui wants to have James Rodríguez back in Madrid. The summer transfer market is being very difficult for Los Blancos, who are unable to sign big players during this time and they got rid of Cristiano Ronaldo for only €100M. A very good option to reinforce the squad would be James Rodríguez and both the club and the coach will be happy to do it, but the contract with Bayern Munich make this idea very unlikely at the moment.

James Rodríguez was given on loan to Bayern Múnich last summer. The German club could buy the Colombian footballer next year for only €42M and, right now, they will be willing to do so. However, James wants to go back to the Spanish capital and he could have a say in Bayern’s decision. Nevertheless, James’ intention is going back to Madrid in 2019 and not right now.

Lopetegui even called James Rodríguez to tell him to return to Chamartín. James is willing to do so, but he thinks he owes another good season to Bayern Munich fans. The German team trusted him when he wasn’t an important player under Zidane’s management. In his only season at Bundesliga, he enjoyed some good games with Jupp Heynckes and he was a very important man in the squad. Now with Niko Kovac the idea is to continue being a key player in the Bavarian club.

Nevertheless, Munich is not a city for James. The Colombian player loves Madrid and he had always spoke good words about his former club: “It was sad and hard leaving, Madrid was always my dream. I always watch the games at home”, James said. The Colombian played a great game at Bernabéu this year with Bayern and Real Madrid fans gave him a big applause when he left the pitch. Real Madrid, Lopetegui, the fans and James want to be together again. It looks a matter of time that this happen.

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Real Madrid bosses don’t want to change a lot of players in the squad but this summer there are many updates in the squad. Zinedine Zidane’s departure after winning the Champions League opened a door to refurbish the dressing room and some players are on their way to leave the club. Cristiano Ronaldo was the first one to leave, but also Mateo Kovacic asked for an exit. Now Julen Lopetegui wants to get rid of Theo Hernández.

Los Blancos spent €30M last year to sign Theo Hernández from Atlético de Madrid after his successful season on loan at Alavés. He was supposed to be Marcelo’s replacement and an alternative for the left back position in the future. However, his performances were very poor and Zidane didn’t rely on him in important games, using Nacho Fernández as a left back when Marcelo was unavailable.

Theo Hernández played 13 games in La Liga, with a total of 962 minutes, so he had plenty of opportunities to shine and convince the managers. He failed on that and now he can leave the club on loan to another club. The idea of Real Madrid is letting him go on loan and see if he can improve to return in the future years. Something similar to the strategy followed with Achraf Hakimi, who joined Borussia Dortmund this July, or with Daniel Carvajal in the past.

The French defender has several offers. Juventus are interesting on getting him on loan because they are looking for a replacement for Alex Sandro, who might leave the club and sign for Manchester United or Chelsea. The other important option would be Real Sociedad. Los Blancos have a very good relationship with the Basque club and they made a deal this summer with Álvaro Odriozola.

The tricky thing for this operation would be convince the other clubs to take Hernández on loan. With 20 years old, Los Blancos don’t want to get rid of this player with great potential, but most of the clubs want a full sell. Besides, Real Madrid would ask for an elevated sum of money -they paid €30M just one year ago- in case another club shows up to get Theo on board.

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It’s time for unveilings at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and today was Andriy Lunin’s turn after seeing Odriozola and Vinicius in the recent days. The new Real Madrid goalkeeper comes from Zorya Luhansk, a Ukrainian club where he had the chance to shine and show his quality. Now he arrives to Madrid with the intention to learn and fight to obtain some minutes in one of the toughest role in football.

However, it looks very unlikely that Lunin could have the opportunity to play many minutes with Real Madrid this season. The goalkeeper would leave the club on loan to gain some experience in Europe because he is only 19 years old. With Keylor Navas and, presumably, Thibaut Courtois in front of him, there is not much space for him. Neither for Kiko Casilla, who will also leave the club.

Lunin spoke for the very first time as Real Madrid player at Santiago Bernabéu stadium with Florentino Pérez next to him. The footballer read the statement in Spanish: “Thanks everybody at Real Madrid and especially Florentino for giving me the chance to compete in the best club in the world. I´m happy to train with the best and I also want to thank my family because thanks to them I´m also here”.

Lunin continued explaining how he felt in his first days: “My compromise is to give everything from the hope to grow up and put my effort to continue being the best. I identify myself with this club values, like hard work, pace and I want to give back this feeling to the supporters and the club. Thanks and Hala Madrid”, the player finished.

Finally, the player went to the press room and spoke about the hard competition he has to face at Real Madrid: “They are two very strong goalkeepers and right now Keylor is in the team and I am happy to be able to train next to him”, Lunin said about Keylor Navas and Thibaut Courtois.

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Vinicius Junior was unveiled at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium almost two years after his signing. Real Madrid paid around €45M to Flamengo but Los Blancos had to wait until the Brazilian player turn 18. Now the winger is in the Spanish capital ready to land in the European football and be successful with his new club. Although we don’t know yet if he will play in the first team or at Castilla, in the Spanish Third Division.

Actually, Vinicius was unveiled without a number because we don’t yet his destination. He was accompanied by Ronaldo Nazario, who wanted to be at Bernabeu supporting his friend. Vinicius said his first words: “It’s the biggest opportunity a football player can have. I’m going to make many sacrifices to show I deserve this opportunity. I come from a very humble family and the taught me values. Now I arrived to the best club in the world, the top of the world, with only 18 years old. I’ll show the coach and the colleagues that I’m ready to play”, Vinicius commented.

The Brazilian player also spoke about the difficult transition between Brazil and Europe: “I know that the adaptation won’t be easy but I’m ready. I thank Florentino, Jose Angel [Sanchez] and [Juni] Calafat. I thank my family for what they did for me and for my dream, I won’t disappoint them. Luckily, I could choose among the best, but I chose the best club in the world. We are Real Madrid and we always want more Hala Madrid!”, Vinicius finished.

Florentino Perez also spoke about his new signing: “Real Madrid is putting an effort on finding young players that can become the stars for this sport in the future. I said some days ago that we will add some good players to the squad, and Odriozola and Vinicius are great. We expected him for some time because he conquered us with his dribblings and his plays and now he is here”, the president said during the unveiling.

After Alvaro Odriozola and Vinicius Junior unveiling, next week it will be time for the young goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who will leave the club on loan this summer looking for new opportunities. Meanwhile, the Real Madrid supporters still wait for a big signing this summer, especially after Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure.

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thibaut-courtois

Álvaro Odriozola was recently unveiled by Florentino Pérez at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and the president promised more top level footballers this summer. One of the next great signings in July or August can be Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who is close to join Real Madrid in the next weeks.

The Belgian goalkeeper was the best player in his position during the World Cup in Russia and now he is on holidays. However, he has an eye on his cell phone because he´s waiting for the final call to move to Madrid, his dream. Courtois has said several times that he wants to move again to the Spanish capital because his children and family live there, so Real Madrid is the best option for his future.

Finally, this signing can happen this summer. Thibaut Courtois is in his final year of contract, so Chelsea should let him go if they want to get some money for their transfer. Some reports say that Chelsea can get around €20M or €30M for the Belgian goalkeeper and Real Madrid are willing to pay this quantity.

The Blues are now looking into the market to find a replacement. Once they have achieved this, Courtois will leave the English capital to join Real Madrid. Abramovich wanted Alisson Becker, but the Brazilian has become the most expensive goalkeeper in history after joining Liverpool for €72M. Sarri´s new team wanted also Kasper Schmeichel but the Danish footballer is not willing to leave Leicester. The third option is Petr Cech, who might come back to Stamford Bridge after his experience with the gunners in North London.

Meanwhile, Julen Lopetegui would have two top goalkeepers like Keylor Navas and Thibaut Courtois. The Costa Rican is willing to stay in the Spanish capital and fight for his job position after winning three Champions League in a row and showing great quality in the last year. Besides, Andryi Lunin, recently signed from Ukraine, will leave the club on loan until he can improve and Kiko Casilla should find another club. It’s still a mystery who will become the third goalkeeper because it’s unlikely to see Luca Zidane in that position the next season.

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Julen Lopetegui

Holidays are over for Real Madrid players. The footballers who weren’t in the FIFA World Cup at Russia started to work on Monday 16th of July thinking in the challenging new season and especially in the European Supercup on the 15th of August against the city rivals Atletico Madrid. It was time to meet the new coach Julen Lopetegui.

The new coach directed his first training season with 19 players and many youngsters. The main news was seeing Vinicius Junior and Lunin, the Ukrainian goalkeeper. Fabio Coentrao and Lucas Silva, who are also part of the squad, weren’t present at Valdebebas because the club doesn’t count on them. The complete list is: Casilla, Luca, Lunin, Vallejo, Theo, Llorente, Ceballos, Benzema, Bale, Mayoral, Vinicius, Odegaard, Raúl de Tomás, Valverde, Óscar, Reguilón, Quezada, Sergio López, Javi Sánchez, León and Álex.

We could see Gareth Bale at Valdebebas in the first day of an important season for him. After Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure, the Welshman is the new star of the team and many eyes are set on him. Besides, it was his birthday so he arrived with a big smile to the physics tests. Besides, also Karim Benzema was in the Spanish capital after watching on TV his teammates from France winning the World Cup at Moscow.

Many other players have more days of holidays for being in the World Cup. Keylor Navas, Sergio Ramos, Isco, Carvajal, Nacho, Lucas Vazquez, Marco Asensio, Toni Kroos, Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric, Casemiro, Marcelo or Raphael Varane can still enjoy some more days off.

It will take time to see what Julen Lopetegui wants about the team. However, the Spanish coach is very happy in these first days: “Coming back to the club is very special”, the manager said to the club media. “I come to the best club in the world and the most exigent one. I’m convinced to meet the requirements and we have to start working for the first title, the 15th of August”, Lopetegui commented.

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