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Seria A side Roma are set to launch a bid for Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas having missed out on Iker Casillas, according to reports.

Rome-based newspaper Il Messaggero claims Stadio Olimpico side want to secure the services of the Costa Rican international, who faces an uncertain future in Madrid with talk of two arrivals this summer in goal – David de Gea and Kiko Casilla.

Roma had been interested in Casillas, with the Los Blancos legend even going so far as to think about property hunting in the city. But it was confirmed on Saturday that the World Cup winner has joined Porto on a two-year deal.

Coach Rudi Garcia hasn’t given up hope that he can return to the Santiago Bernabeu to take Navas instead. Should Roma make a concrete offer, they could face competition from Manchester United. Sources in England say the Red Devils will only let de Gea leave if Navas can go the other way.

Navas joined Madrid from Levante last summer after a superb season for the club and then a great World Cup with his country. But he had to settle for a place on the bench behind Casillas and should he be offered the chance of first team football elsewhere, could be keen to explore that opportunity.

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Espanyol president Joan Collet has confirmed he has rejected Real Madrid’s four-million-euro offer for former Los Blancos goalkeeper Kiko Casilla.

Collet said in a press conference that “the offer is ridiculous and I haven’t taken it into consideration.”

“If Real Madrid do not increase their offer, I will not even sit to speak with them. Offering four million shows they are valuing Casilla and Espanyol very little. Casilla has a price that we consider fair and we will not negotiate for less. He has earned a great prestige in the last few seasons putting in great performances for this club,” the Espanyol president claimed.

Asked about whether they are demanding Real Madrid the payment of the player’s ten-million-euro buy-out clause, Collet explained “those clauses are rarely paid.” “We would like it to be that way, but we are open to negotiating. I am going to speak with the footballer and we will keep negotiating, but I’ve already explained if Madrid don’t increase the bid, there’s no possible negotiation,” he added.

Spanish media informed that Casilla has already reached an agreement with Los Blancos, but now the world champions have to agree terms with Espanyol.

Casilla will arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu to become the back-up goalkeeper, as David de Gea is expected to get the number 1 role should he finally complete his move from Manchester United.

That will leave Keylor Navas in a difficult position. The Costa Rica international might seek for a move out of the Bernabeu, following Iker Casillas, who is about to sign for Porto.

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Iker Casillas

The parents of Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas have attacked club president Florentino Perez over this treatment of their son in recent years.

Casillas has left the 10-time Champions League winners to join Porto on a two-year deal, paving the way for Los Blancos to sign David de Gea from Manchester United.

The 34-year-old has spent 16 years in the first team set up at the Santiago Bernabeu, and 25 years in total since joining as a youngster. In recent seasons, Casillas has had to face plenty of criticism from fans and media alike in the Spanish capital.

And speaking to El Mundo, the goalkeepers’ parents said he was under massive pressure thanks to Perez.

“Lorenzo Sanz and Calderón treated Iker fairly, but Florentino Pérez did not. This president never wanted him just because he’s short. He was obsessed about signing Buffon. Iker handled the situation as good as he could, other players were protected way better. Everybody’s been unfair to him during these last five years and it affected him mentally.” said his mother, María del Carmen Fernández.

His father, José Luis Casillas, added: “Florentino Perez may be a good president of ACS (the construction company he head’s up) but of Real Madrid…”

Casillas’ mother then went on to say that her son deserves to be as a top club – like Barcelona.

“Porto is a Segunda B team and my son deserves to be at a top club, like Barcelona. When it emerged that he was house hunting in Rome, I called him and said “What are you thinking? Don’t go there. Imagine at Porto. A World Cup winner can’t end up at Porto.”

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Iker Casillas said goodbye to Real Madrid in a press conference at the Santiago Bernabeu completely alone, without a single member of the board or the stuff accompanying him.

It was a tough moment for the Los Blancos legend, who struggled to hold back the tears from the first word he spoke.

The 34-year-old finally managed to read the following statement thanking the Real Madrid family:

“Thanks for being here accompanying me in such a special moment. I have come here today to say goodbye to all Madridistas.
I’ve decided to move to Porto for two reasons. First of all, the illusion Porto’s president, sports director and manager have transmitted me. And secondly, for the public display of affection from Porto people since they knew I could be heading to Portugal. They’ve got me and I’m very happy. I will fight to win the maximum number of titles with them.
After 25 years wearing this badge, a difficult moment has come, the moment to say goodbye to this institution that has given me everything.
It feels like yesterday when I first wore Real Madrid shirt at nine years old and I saw my dream fulfilled. During these years, we have suffered, laughed and enjoyed together. I’ve felt loved in both the good and bad moments. This club has educated me as a footballer and as a person, it has helped me grow, filling me with personal values such as commitment and humility.
I want to specially remember all my team-mates with whom I’ve shared so many happy and sad moments. I leave great friends behind. Also the coaches -from Mezquita, who brought me to Real Madrid, to Carlo Ancelotti- because all of them have taught me things.
To all Real Madrid stuff, those who are not seen, because they have supported me every day when there has been any problem. To my family and friends, who helped me embark on this difficult but beautiful journey. And to my wife and son, who will be with me always. Thank you.
I also want to thank this Madridismo that knows no boundaries. Thank you for your unconditional support, for being next to me in the good and bad moments.
I’ve always said that rather than being remembered as a good goalkeeper, I only expect people to remember me as a good person, with all my imperfections. Thousands of thanks. I will never forget you and be sure that wherever I go I will keep shouting ‘Hala Madrid!’

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Real Madrid defender Marcelo has said he is delighted to extend his stay at the club because he is living his dream.

The 27-year-old signed a contract extension on Friday that will keep him at the Santiago Bernabeu until 2020. He was the second player in a week to sign a new deal at the 10-time Champions League winners following on from Daniel Carvajal.

Marcelo arrived in Spain in the middle of the 2006-07 season and has since gone on to establish himself as one of the key men in the team, making more than 320 appearance for Los Blancos.

Shortly after the contract extension was announced, Marcelo sat down with the club’s official website to talk about why his signed.

“I’m delighted because I’ve fulfilled one of my objectives, which was to stay with Real Madrid for as long as possible. I’m living the dream. People all over the world know how great this team is. Putting on this jersey is incredible,” he said.

And he added: “It’s a dream come true because in order to play for Real Madrid you have to reach a very high level. I fought very hard to join Real Madrid and achieve everything I’ve achieved. When you have to fight in order to get something that’s difficult to attain and you then manage to succeed, that’s especially satisfying.”

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Iker Casillas

Real Madrid have confirmed the departure of club captain Iker Casillas to Porto, ending his 25-year association with the club.

Speculation has surrounding Casillas all summer long as Los Blancos look to ramp up their efforts to sign David de Gea from Manchester United. The 34-year-old was not prepared to play second fiddle to de Gea should he sign, and despite saying he wanted to stay, realised he would have to leave for first team football.

A number of clubs were linked with the multiple trophy winner, but in the end it its Porto who get their man.

A statement on Real’s official statement read: “Real Madrid and FC Porto have reached an agreement for the transfer of Iker Casillas to the Portuguese club.

“For Real Madrid today is a day gratitude and acknowledgement. Today the best goalkeeper in the history of Real Madrid and of our country leaves the club to begin a new stage in his career.”

Casillas will hold a news conference at the Santiago Bernabeu a midday on Sunday to say farewell to the fans.

The goalkeper is without a doubt the greatest keeper to play for Real and Spain. At club level, he played 725 times of Los Blancos, winning five La Liga titles, three Champions League trophies, two Copas del Rey, the European Super Cup, Spanish Supercopa and World Club Cup.

As well as being the most capped played for his country, he as also lifted the World Cup and two European Championships.

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Fabio Coentrao

Fabio Coentro looks very likely to miss Real Madrid’s tour to Australia and China through injury, it has been reported.

Madrid-based daily AS said the Portuguese defender returned to the club’s training ground on Friday where he met new boss Rafa Benitez and underwent medical check ups with Real’s doctors and physios.

And it was found that the player has a muscle injury that will likely keep him out for a month, meaning he will miss a large chunk of pre-season. No official comment has been made by Los Blancos although it is expected to come later when the touring squad is announced.

The news will be a bitter blow for Coentrao, who was plagued with injury last season. The left back made just 17 appearances and played a total of 998 minutes. Among his injury problems were a knee injury picked up last August and a thigh muscle pain in February.

Over the past couple of seasons, Coentrao’s future at the Santiago Bernabeu has been subject to plenty of speculation. Two years ago he was close to leaving on loan for Manchester United before the deal collapsed at the last moment. Former club Benfica are known to want to take him back to Portugual should he decide to call it a day in Spain.

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Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal says his goalkeeper David de Gea will be focused for the Red Devils should he go on tour despite the continued interest from Real Madrid.

Los Blancos have made the shot stopper their number one target this summer and are expected to sell club legend Iker Casillas to make way for de Gea’s arrival. The 24-year-old is seen as the long term successor to Casillas for both club and country.

So far, the two sides have failed to reach an agreement, although de Gea, a former Atletico de Madrid man, is believed to be keen on a move back to the Spanish capital.

United head off on their tour of the US on Monday, and speaking to the media prior to departure, Dutchman van Gaal said de Gea would be committed to his current club.

“He is a very professional player and he showed fantastic attitude until now and I think that for all my players – not only De Gea but others who have to behave themselves very professionally,” he said.

And he added: “That is the difficulty now for every manager. This period when players have to go or not have to go is the most difficult time. I cannot complain about the professional attitude of my players.”

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Iker Casillas has turned down the offer of a send-off at the Santiago Bernabeu before he leaves Real Madrid to sign his new contract with Porto.

The Spanish international has finally reached an agreement with Los Blancos regarding the compensation he will receive for the two years he had remaining in his contract. In the last few hours, negotiations had become tense due to disagreements over the payment of the taxes. However, everything has finally come to a good end.

Casillas has told the club he simply wants to give a press conference and will not accept any homage. The goalkeeper left Los Merengues training ground this morning when the deal was sealed and he is expected to head to Porto to sign his new contract. Thus, he would have to come back, possibly on Monday, for the press conference.

Los Blancos will offer Porto to play the Santiago Bernabeu trophy, because they believe a legend like Casillas has to receive a proper tribute from the fans, and that will be the perfect occasion.

This match would be played in August before the beginning of La Liga season and after Los Blancos last friendly on the 9th against Valerenga.

Casillas will sign a two-year contract with Porto, the first team he will play for after spending 25 years at Real Madrid. He will earn 2.5 million euros per season.

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Florentino Perez, Real Madrid president

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has said new right back Danilo had plenty of other offers from clubs around Europe but chose to fulfill his dream of signing for the Santiago Bernabeu side.

The 22-year-old right back put pen-to-paper on a six year deal with the 10-time Champions League winners on Thursday before being presented to the fans and media in the Spanish capital.

He signed from Porto in a 32-million-euro fee and will compete with Daniel Carvajal for the right back slot in Rafa Benitez’ new regime.

Speaking at the player’s presentation, Perez expressed his delight at being able to capture his man, adding the competition for his signature was immense.

“To wear this shirt should be a dream and a desire for our players. To form part of this club is a privilege. We want the best players, those that aspire to make history. A man that the best [teams] in Europe wanted to count on arrives [here]. He had, of course, wanted to form part of this team and that’s why he’s here,” he said.

Danilo will take is place in the Real Madrid squad that will head to Australia and China as part of their pre-season preparations.

 

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