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Championship side Brighton and Hove Albion have confirmed the signing of Real Madrid youngster Jack Harper on a two-year deal.

The 19-year-old has been subject of plenty of interest in the UK press in recent years for being one of the few British players to ply their trade abroad. The forward, hailed as one of Scotland’s best young talents, has been labelled the ‘new Robin van Persie’ so good is he with his left foot.

Harper had been with the Los Blancos youth team for six years having signed for the club as a 13-year-old. Although his family hails from Scotland, Harper was actually born in Spain after his parents moved to Fuengirola more than two decades ago.

Speaking about the capture of the striker, Brighton manager Chris Hughton express his delight.

Speaking to the club’s official website, he stated: “Even at the age of 19, Jack is a well-known name and, having spent the past six years at Real Madrid, there is no doubting his pedigree. He has a lot of potential, is a skilful type, with a good eye for goal and can operate as a striker or playing just off a striker. We hope we can give him the platform to realise his undoubted potential.

“He has had an excellent grounding, having come through the youth system at Real Madrid – and also has international experience at youth level, having featured for Scotland’s under-17s and under-19s sides.”

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Premier League side Arsenal are ready flex their financial muscle by joining Chelsea and Manchester City for Real Madrid midfielder Isco, according to reports.

The Metro and other tabloid papers in the UK suggest Arsene Wenger wants the Spaniard to join his ranks at the Emirates as the Gunners look to push on and challenge for the title after winning the FA Cup for the past two seasons.

With Wenger planning on pushing Theo Walcott into a more central role this year, the Gunners could have a space in their midfield for a tricky winger – and Isco fits the bill.

The former Malaga man improved during his second season at Los Blancos but is still uncertain of a place in the side as he competes with the likes of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez. Although he is believed to be happy in the Spanish capital, the chance of regular first team football could tempt him, reports suggest.

Should Arsenal make a concrete offer for the 23-year-old, the would face competition from Chelsea and City, two clubs to whom money means no object as they have been bankrolled for years by oligarchs. Both clubs would have no problem paying out for the Real man if it means keeping them in the hunt for trophy success.

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Real Madrid will announce next week the signing of Chinese Pearl Lin Liangming, who will join Los Blancos reserve team Real Madrid Castilla.

Spanish sports newspaper As has revealed the 19-year-old midfielder will move to Madrid from Guangzhou R&F in a 300.000 euros move. Liangming will sign a five-year contract.

Los Merengues are excited with the player’s potential and they believe Zinedine Zidane will do a great job in guiding him through this important stage of his career. However, they are also considering sending the player back to China for a one-year loan.

Liangming is considered as the best Under-19 Chinese footballer at the moment. He had offers from several first division sides in China, including Guangzhou Evergrande and Shandong Luneng. However, he couldn’t turn down the chance to sign for the best club in football history.

Real Madrid’s international recruitment chief Juni Calafat has lead the negotiations. Los Blancos will travel to China for the second part of their pre-season and the club will take the chance to announce the deal and make a bigger impact.

Spanish clubs are opening to the Chinese market this summer. Rayo Vallecano was the first Spanish first division club to sign a Chinese player early this month, when they brought Zhang Chengdong from Beijing Guoan.

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Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez has said he is sure Sergio Ramos will be at the club next season.

The defender has been subject of much speculation throughout the summer so far with Manchester United keen on securing his services for 50 million euros. So far, Real have turned down any advances for the player.

Ramos is thought to be unhappy with Real president Florentino Perez for not putting him in the top pay bracket at the Santiago Bernabeu in talks over a new contract.

But speaking in Melbourne ahead of Real’s match with Manchester City, Benitez said Ramos would be at the club for the new season.

“Sergio Ramos is our player, he is a key player for us, he is the captain, I would like to see him at the beginning of the season because I think he will be crucial for us during the season,” he said.

“Yes, for me 100 per cent, I insist that it is both clear for me and the club that Sergio will be here. Football is a curious world, but he will be playing for us this season. I have a lot of respect for Louis van Gaal, but Sergio will stay with us,” he commented.

Asked about an update on Los Blancos’ move for David de Gea, Benitez played down any talk of a deal.

De Gea is not our player, so [I have] nothing to say about him,” he told reporters.

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Swiss left-back Ricardo Rodriguez could be set to replace Fabio Coentrao at Real Madrid, according to Spanish sports newspaper Marca.

The Wolfsburg man was first linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu in May 2014. His brilliant performances this season have increased Los Blancos interest.

Real Madrid are expecting Fabio Coentrao to leave the club this summer, as the Portuguese doesn’t seem to be happy with his role and he hasn’t performed at the required level when he’s been given the chance to play.

Thus, Rafa Benitez will need a new back-up for Marcelo, who is the undisputed starting left-back. Jose Luis Gaya was the first option, but he has extended his contract with Valencia. Mattia de Sciglio, Baba Rahman and Ricardo Rodrigues are the other candidates, and the Switzerland international seems to have taken the lead.

The 22-year-old has scored 17 goals and provided 15 assists in the last two seasons with Wolfsburg. He’s a strong defender, very fast and with great offensive skills. He has made 30 appearances for his team this season.

Wolfsburg will not let him go easily, since he’s one of the most important players of their squad. Should Florentino Perez finally decide to sign him, he will have to make an important bid.

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Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez wants to assess midfielder Marco Asensio in person before deciding what to do with him this season, according to reports.

The youngster signed for the club in January and was immediately loaned back to Real Mallorca for the rest of the campaign, and it looks likely he’ll be sent out on loan again this season to give him the chance to get more first team football.

Asensio isn’t on the tour to Australia or China having played his role in helping Spain Under-19s to the European Championship this summer.

But Madri-based daily AS says the player will be given the chance to impress Benitez at the Audi Cup in Munich and in the friendly against Valarenga before the league season starts again.

A number of clubs are vying for his signature including Espanyol, Villarreal, Real Betis and Malaga. Real’s midfield is already packed full of talent with the likes of Isco, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, James Rodriguez and Asier Illarramendi all ahead of Asensio in the pecking order.

The paper does go on to report that another youngster who took part in the European Championships, Borja Mayoral, will remain at Real Madrid Castilla rather than head out on loan. Should Madrid not sign another forward, he could even find himself as the third choice behind Karim Benzema and Jese Rodriguez.

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Real Madrid are keen to strengthen their scouting network with the capture of Francis Cagigao from Arsenal, according to reports.

The Daily Mirror and the Sun both claim the 45-year-old is wanted by Rafa Benitez as he looks to overhaul is scouting network and build on Real’s rich history of finding the best young talent in the world and turning them into first team stars.

And in Cagigao, they could find no better candidate. He is one of Arsenal’s head scouts and have a long history of unearthing real gems for Arsene Wenger to work with. He most famously brought then 15-year-old Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona’s youth team to Highbury. The Spaniard, of course, has gone to to have a successful career, spending eight years at Arsenal and captaining the side.

He then returned to his boyhood club but never really established himself in the team before moving back to the Premier League with Chelsea.

Cagigao was also close to bringing Leo Messi and Gerard Pique to the Emirates along with Fabregas.

The scout is highly valued by Wenger, who wants to renew his contract with the north London giants, but perhaps a call from the 10-time Champions League winners would be too hard to resist.

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Former Valencia and Spain goalkeeper Santiago Canizares has said David de Gea is the man who Real Madrid need to fill Iker Casillas’ boots at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Los Blancos signed Kiko Casilla from Espanyol at the weekend, while they handed Keylor Navas the number 1 shirt for the season ahead. But they have been linked with a move for de Gea all summer long, and the rumours are still going strong.

The former Atletico de Madrid man only has a year left on his deal at Old Trafford and Real could sign him on a free transfer next summer should their attempts fail this year.

Speaking to the International Business Times, Canizares was asked about his view on the situation.

And he said: “Casilla is a good goalkeeper in certain conditions , but obviously he’s not at De Gea’s level. De Gea is who Madrid need to win titles and games.”

He added: “De Gea is perfect for Madrid. [Manchester United] want to renew his contract but haven’t, and next year he’s free. He’s a goalkeeper of international standard, one of the best in the world.

“The goal at Santiago Bernabeu is the same size as other places but many people find it too big. That’s why you have to appreciate Iker Casillas’ career. De Gea has the personality for Madrid.”

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Karim Benzema

Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand says Arsenal will have a great chance to win the Premier League for the first time in more than a decade if they cal pull of the signing of Karim Benzema from Real Madrid.

The Gunners are reportedly on the lookout for a top class centre forward and boss Arsene Wenger has identified the Frenchman as the man to lead the attack at the Emirates.

Benzema was subject of interest from the FA Cup winners when he left Lyon for Madrid in 2009. And media reports in the UK suggest so determined is Wenger to finally land his target that he is willing to spend up to 50 million euros – more than the amount he spent on signing Mesut Ozil from Madrid two years ago.

Discussing the potential transfer on social media site Instagram, Ferdinand said Benzema would make Arsenal a real threat in the Premier League title race.

“I’ve played against him. I think he’s a really, really good player. He knows how to score the goals in the box. He makes things happen. Top top player in my opinion. If Arsenal get him they have got a chance,” he wrote.

Benzema scored 22 goals for Real last season, but isn’t assured of his place in the team under Rafa Benitez, who is considering giving Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo more central roles.

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The latest Real Madrid transfer rumours include Los Blancos making a bid for Juventus striker Fernando Llorente and Asier Illarramendi closing on a Liverpool move.

Italian sports website Tuttosport has claimed Llorente has become a priority signing for Rafa Benitez to reinforce Los Blancos forward line following Chicharito Hernandez’s departure.

The Spanish international is expected to leave Italy this summer and Madrid is one of his possible destinations. He has reportedly received formal offers from Monaco, Porto and a few Premier League clubs. However, should Florentino Perez finally decide to make a bid, Real would be Llorente’s first option.

Meanwhile, British media are reporting Liverpool have increased their bid for Asier Illarrendi to 20 million euros and hope Real Madrid will accept it.

The Reds have long pursued the signing of the Spanish midfielder. The money they have received from Raheem Sterling’s 80-million sale to Manchester City has given them a boost.

However, Rafa Benitez has not made a decision yet on whether he wants Illarramendi to stay. It seems clear that either Illarra or Lucas Silva will have to go, and Benitez will have to make that call.

In other news, negotiations with Manchester United to sign David de Gea have cooled following Kiko Casilla signing for Los Blancos. Florentino Perez is willing to wait until August and see if the Red Devils agree to sell at a reasonable price. Otherwise, De Gea will arrive on a free transfer next year.

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