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Iker Casillas

Real Madrid and Iker Casillas have reached an agreement to end the goalkeeper’s contract with Los Blancos and allow him to sign for Porto.

The 34-year-old’s departure will be announced by the club in the next few hours. Casillas has accepted Los Merengues compensation offer for the two years he had left on his contract.

Casillas has been a one-club player throughout his life up until now. The Los Blancos captain leaves Madrid after 25 years at the club, having been a member of the first squad for the last 16 seasons.

He has played 725 official games for Los Merengues, conquering 19 titles, including three Champions Leagues, five leagues, two Copa del Rey and two European Supercups.

Real Madrid will organize a send-off event for Los Blancos legend this Friday at 13.00, so the fans can give him a proper goodbye. The official ceremony will be held at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Casilllas will sign a two-year deal with Porto, worth five million euros per season. He has rejected a few other offers due to Porto’s proximity to Madrid and the fact that the Portuguese side will play the Champions League.

Plus, Casillas needed to be the undisputed starting goalkeeper in order to arrive in good shape for next season’s European Championship, and that is guaranteed at Porto.

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Real Madrid midfielder Lucas Silva admits he may leave on loan this summer in order to improve his chances of getting regular first team football.

Los Blancos are well stocked in midfield with the likes of James Rodriguez, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Asier Illarramendi ahead of Silva in the pecking order, while new boss Rafa Benitez is also counting on Casemiro this season, who has returned from Porto on loan.

And the Portuguese runners up are one of the options for Silva, who joined the 10-time Champions League winners in January but found his opportunities limited. Deportivo La Coruna and Fiorentina are also thought to be monitoring the Brazilian’s situation.

Speaking to Sport TV, the 22-year-old revealed no decision has been made yet but a temporary move away from the Santiago Bernabeu may help his development and allow him to settle quicker into the pace of European football.

“Leaving on loan to play more is a possibility. There are also too many non-EU players at Real Madrid. When I get back from holiday I’ll have a meeting with the coach and find out how it’s all going to work,” he said.

“A lot of stuff has been published but it’s all speculation. When I get to Madrid, I’ll start the pre-season and I’ll find out more about my future. What I have in mind at the moment is to carry on at Madrid.”

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Real Madrid blog

The transfer market has been pretty quiet for Real Madrid so far this summer. Los Blancos have only bought Brazilian right-back Danilo and have exercised their buy-back contract rights over midfielders Casemiro and Alvaro Vazquez, who spent one year gaining experience at Porto and Espanyol respectively.

There have not been any major signings. In fact, there is more talk on the possible exits, with Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas being the main source of news these days.

Once these two delicate situations are solved, or even before, Real Madrid will surely make at least a couple of signings to reinforce the squad. Which should be Los Merengues priorities?

  • Goalkeeper. Keylor Navas is a superb keeper, although he has lacked the necessary confidence to become the undisputed number 1. Given the little trust Navas has been given, it will be crucial to sign a world-class goalkeeper. David de Gea is Florentino Perez’s favourite and it seems like there is no other option but to bring the Manchester United man. Should negotiations fail, Real would need to wait one more year to bring De Gea, so they would have to bring a low-profile temporary keeper. Petr Cech would have been a perfect fit, but he has signed for Arsenal. Bernd Leno is another option.
  • Holding midfielder. Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are the guaranteed starters as the midfield couple. However, in many occasions last season it was clear that Madrid needed a player with better defensive skills to replace or accompany Modric and Kroos in certain games. A player with better physical condition, like Marco Verratti or Arturo Vidal, would surely help Los Blancos gain balance. The Chilean seems like the worst option, given his discipline problems. So Verratti could be the best fit. Paul Pogba is another candidate, but his price seems just too high at the moment.
  • Back-up striker. With Chicharito Hernandez gone, it seems clear that Real will have to sign another striker. However, if Rafa Benitez finally decides to display his usual 4-2-3-1 formation, there might not be such a need, as Cristiano Ronaldo could move from the wing to the number 9 position and Karim Benzema would become the substitute. Still, Benitez will surely want to have at least one more striker to foresee any injury problems. It will have to be a lower-profile forward that can guarantee a good goal-per-minute-played ratio. Any chance Benitez could bring Gonzalo Higuain back?

Those three signings are the most necessary for Rafa Benitez to build a stronger team. But of course, should any other players leave, it could be necessary to replace them.

Sergio Ramos’ exit would force Florentino to bring a center-back. And not just any center-back. Ramos is arguably the world’s best in his position and his departure would leave Los Blancos in need of a world-class defender. Yet, that is very unlikely to happen, as Perez is not willing to let the Andalusian go anywhere, at least this summer.

A back-up left-back would also be needed if Fabio Coentrao leaves. Marcelo will play almost all minutes, but he needs someone who can give him some rest and perform at a decent level. Mattia de Sciglio, Baba Rahman and Ricardo Rodríguez are some of the players who could fit in that role.

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Juventus chief Giuseppe Marotta has denied reports midfielder Arturo Vidal is set to sign for Real Madrid saying the La LIga giants haven’t made an offer.

Reports this week in Chile suggested the defensive midfielder only had to put pen-to-paper on his contract to formalise the switch from the Seria A champions.

But the Juventus CEO told reporters a move for the 28-year-old doesn’t appear to be close at the moment at the 10-time Champions League winners are yet to put in an offer for Vidal, who is valued at around 40 million euros.

“Vidal? It’s just rumours, Real Madrid have not come forward. We have a great relationship with them,” Marotta stated.

Los Blancos have long been linked with the Chilean, who played a key role in his club’s title success and run to the Champions League final last season. He was also part of the Chile side that won their first ever Copa America at the weekend by defeating Argentina on penalties.

New Los Blancos boss Rafa Benitez is on the lookout for a midfielder after losing the services of Sami Khedira, who made a free transfer to Juventus. The future of Asier Illarramendi is also unclear meaning Madrid must reinforce in that area over the summer.

 

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Real Madrid right back Daniel Carvajal has spoken about the futures of team mates Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas, saying he can’t see the former playing in another shirt while seemingly backing the latter’s move to Porto.

Ramos has been linked with Manchester United for the past month with various stories suggested he is angry with Los Blancos president Florentino Perez for not recognising his contribution to the team and refusing to put him in the top pay bracket at the club in talks over a new deal.

He was also further angered over the club’s refusal to deny claims he had been offered to one of the Barcelona candidates in the Catalan club’s presidential elections this summer – something that made it look like he would hold Real to ransom.

United have made a 40-million-euro offer which was rejected and Real are adamant they want to hold onto the World Cup winner.

Speaking to AS, Carvajal said it would be difficult to imagine the Real vice-captain in another shirt.

“I don’t know. All I do know is that he is a teammate of ours and a cornerstone of Real Madrid, and no one can imagine him in the shirt of another club,” he stated.

However, about Casillas, the right back said that a move away could be in his best interests. The club captain is reportedly close to a switch to Porto, ending his 25-year association with Real. It comes as Los Blancos ramp up their efforts to sign David de Gea from Manchester United – the man identified as the long-term successor to Casillas for both club and country.

Carvajal stated: “This is a question for Iker to answer. I have an exceptional relationship with Casillas and if this is his decision, then I feel it’s in his best interest.”

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The agent of Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has confirmed his client has received an offer from Porto and is excited about the possibility of a move.

Reports emerged on Monday that the Portuguese side had sent a written offer to Los Blancos for their captain, who has been part of the first team set up for 16 years and on the books at the Santiago Bernabeu for 25 years.

With it looking increasingly likely the 10-time Champions League winners will sign David de Gea from Manchester United, Casillas’ future at the club looks to be over. Although he has said in the past he wants to stay, he is unlikely to want to play second fiddle to de Gea having had to experience that already when Diego Lopez was at the club and he was ostracized for 18 months.

Speaking to Madrid-based daily, Marca, Carlo Cutropia stated: “An offer from FC Porto exists and Casillas is enthusiastic with that possibility. Now we have to wait to see what Real Madrid say.”

Should Casillas make the switch to Porto, he would have familiar faces around him. The Portuguese runners up last season have six Spanish players in their squad and are coached by former Spain and Real goalkeeper Julen Lopetegui.

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New Getafe signing Alvaro Medran has said he owes Real Madrid everything as he looks to build his future in the top flight.

The 21-year-old made the switch from Real Madrid Castilla to their city neighbours this week and in his first interview with Getafe, told reporters how he appreciated everything the coaches at his old club had done for him.

With his path to first team football blocked, Medran decided it was for the best to move away from the 10-time Champions League winners.

“I appreciate the confidence they had in me and to Real Madrid for the skills they’ve given me in order to play here, in the Primera Division.  It’s a great opportunity for me,” he commented.

Medran went on to say he was inspired both other players who have left Real Madrid to establish themselves elsewhere in the Spanish top flight and is hoping to emulate them.

“I was influenced by the other Real Madrid players who have grown here as footballers and my talk with the manager gave me confidence.  He played a great game in Elche and he’s coming here with the same idea.

“I haven’t stopped working out during my holiday and I’m progressing very well.  I think that I’ll be able to train alongside the team in one to two weeks,” he added.

 

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Former Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic could make a controversial switch to Real Madrid this summer, according to former Los Blancos president Ramon Calderon.

The 33-year-old is reportedly a target for the 10-time Champions League winners who are looking for a replacement for Javier Hernandez and have identified the Swede as the man to fill the void.

He would unlikely be a regular starter, but instead provide much needed back up to French forward Karim Benzema, the only recognised out and out striker Los Blancos currently have on their books in the first team.

Juventus striker Fernando Llorente has also been linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu, but taking to social media, Calderon said he thought a deal for Ibrahimovic is the most likely.

“Ibrahimovic finishes his contract next year and is a great player with a huge pull at the Bernabeu. [There are] many chances of it happening,” Calderon wrote on Twitter.

Ibrahimovic lasted only one season at the Camp Nou and have numerous fallings out with then manager Pep Guardiola. But he has flourished at current club PSG where he has netted 75 goals in 88 appearances, helping the Parisian side to three consecutive league titles.

Ibrahimovic also counts Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Ajax and Malmo as his former clubs.

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Madrid based sports daily Marca says Premier League side West Ham are interested in signing Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa.

The Hammers are looking to make reinforcements this summer as they seek to end the tenure at Upton Park on a high before their much anticipated move to the Olympic Stadium next summer.

And Arbeloa fits the bill of having star quality and experience to help the Premier League side push on up the table and compete for the Europa League places on a consistent basis.

The 32-year-old is down the pecking order at the Santiago Bernabeu. Last season he had to settle for a place behind Daniel Carvajal for the right back spot, and his chances will be even further limited following the arrival of Danilo from Porto.

The former Liverpool man, who signed for Los Blancos in 2009, can also play at left back or in the centre of defence. Despite his versatility, his best option may be to seek pastures new as Madrid are well stocked in defence.

Arbeloa has made 150 appearances for the side. He is vastly experienced having won La Liga, the Champions League and Copa del Rey. At international level, he has represented Spain 50 times, winning the World Cup and European Championships.

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Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas has said he wants to prove his worth to new boss Rafa Benitez and show he can be a starter in the first team.

The Costa Rican joined the club from Levante last summer but had to settle for a place on the bench as Iker Casillas resumed his duties between the sticks after 18 months out of the side.

And Navas could find himself further down the pecking order if Los Blancos sign David de Gea, as expected, from Manchester United.

Speaking to the La Nacion newspaper in his home country, the shot stopper, who picked up a tendon injury while on international duty that will rule him out of the Gold Cup, said he wants to win his place in the team.

“I have already spoken to Benítez. I am willing to get back to work, to fully recover from my injury and do what I like to do, which is training hard. I want to prove that I can be a starter. I don’t care about the debates. I am just focused on working hard and make things right,” he said.

He added: “I can’t tell if I will be ready by July 10th. As soon as I get to Madrid, the doctors will take a look at me to determine how my tendon is and to decide whether I am ready to get back to training or not. Thank God I am almost in no pain right now, although I have not worked at all in the recent days, so we will have to wait and see.”

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