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Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has said Sergio Ramos has his heart set on a move to Manchester United.

Much speculation surrounds the defender at the moment, who is said to be unhappy at Real after the club refused to put him in the same pay bracket as the highest earners such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Iker Casillas in discussions over a new contract.

Some commentators have said the whole issues is intended to drive up his bargaining power with Florentino Perez, and even his own mother says he wants to stay in Spain. But United believe they can take advantage of the situation and get their man, having bid 40 million euros.

And speaking to the BBC, Calderon revealed Ramos is unhappy with the lack of affection held by the Real Madrid hierarchy towards him after all he has done and he now wants out.

“I know Sergio has told the general manager to listen to offers they get from Manchester United. He only wants to go to United. Things are in a very bad situation. As time has gone on, things have not only not improved, they have got worse. Now it is not a question of money. It is a lack of affection the player is feeling from Real Madrid,” he stated.

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Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale has said it’s his ambition to play in the Champions League final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff after the ground was announced as the host of the showpiece event in 2017.

The 25-year-old told the Football Association of Wales that it was a proud moment for the country to be chosen. The final will be played on June 3, 2017.

The forward, who scored in the 2014 Champions League final as Real ended their 12-year wait to win La Decima, said: “I know how passionate the Welsh football fans are so it’s great the Uefa Champions League final is coming to my home city of Cardiff.”

He added: “These are exciting times for Welsh football. It feels like the whole country is behind us as we attempt to reach next year’s Uefa Euro 2016 finals in France. I loved playing in the Uefa Super Cup last year and it would be fantastic to be involved in front of a packed crowd at such an iconic stadium in 2017.”

Bale is a regular goalscorer at the stadium and netted Wales’ only goal in their vital win over Belgium last month as they seek to qualify for the European Championships next summer.

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They say mothers are always right, so Manchester United fans could be set for disappointment after Sergio Ramos’ mum said she thinks he son wants to stay at Real Madrid.

The central defender has been the subject of intense speculation for the past couple of weeks, with the Old Trafford side reportedly having an opening bid turned down and then returning with a 40 million euro offer.

Reports in both the UK and Spain have said the 29-year-old is upset with the 10-time Champions League winners for failing to meet his salary expectations over a new contract that would put him in the same bracket as the club’s top earners such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Iker Casillas.

When asked by Antena 3 whether her son would fancy a move to the Premier League, Paqui Ramos stated: “Of course, his first choice is to stay at Madrid. Manchester United? I don’t think so, he wants to stay in Spain.”

Ramos has played for Los Blancos for 10 years and been a key member of the side during that time, making 445 appearances. He has helped the club to a number of trophies including La Liga, the Champions League, Copa del Rey, European Super Cup and World Club Cup.

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Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo features 10th in the latest list of the world’s highest paid celebrities, published by Forbes.

The business magazine said the Portuguese striker earned 71.5 million euros in the past 12 months. According to Forbes, 47.5 million euros was thanks to his annual at Real Madrid along with other winnings. That figure was topped up with being topped up by a number of endorsements deals. He topped up that figure with another 24 million euros through his various endorsement deals.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Ronaldo move up the list next year after he announced earlier this week that he has agreed a deal with Singaporean businessman Peter Lim to manage his image rights and increase his brand in Asia.

Los Blancos has other players in their squad to feature in the list, including Gareth Bale, who despite his apparent woes on the field at the Santiago Bernabeu, will no doubt be pleased to have earned 31.5 million euros. Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez earned 26.1 million euros.

Topping the list of highest earners last year were boxing’s Floyd Mayweather (270m euros) and Manny Pacquiao (144m euros) after the pair contested a bout in Las Vegas. Barcelona’s Leo Messi earned 66.6 million euros and was placed 13th on the list overall.

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Real Madrid have decided to act on their buy-back clause and bring midfielder Lucas Vasquez back from Espanyol, according to the Catalan outfit’s president.

The 23-year-old grew up in the Los Blancos youth teams but left to join Espanyol in order to gain regular first team football. Initially leaving on loan, Espanyol decided to buy the right winger, but Real insisted on having the buy-back clause.

Vasquez enjoyed a good season at Espanyol, scoring three times in 33 appearances, prompting new boss Rafa Benitez to bring him back to the Santiago Bernabeu. It is the third arrival at the club following Danilo’s signng from Porto as well as the return of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro from the same club.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Juan Collet said: “We have reached an agreement with Real Madrid for Lucas Vazquez. Real told us that they were counting on him (Vazquez) for the first team. Two or three weeks ago, we told Real Madrid that we would exercise the right of purchase, but Real Madrid have made us an offer.

“We believe the amount is good for our club considering that we could have lost him next year, too. We have spoken to our sporting director and we will seek other options.”

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Sergio Ramos

Manchester United would be buying a world class defender if they clinch a deal for Real Madrid man Sergio Ramos, according to ex-Liverpool centre back Jamie Carragher.

The Spanish defender is though to be subject of a 40 million euro bid from the Old Trafford side as Louis van Gaal looks to improve on his side’s fourth place finished last season. Ramos is said to be unhappy with Real’s unwillingness to match his wage demands over a new contract and favours a move to the Premier League.

The 112-cap defender has somewhat of a mixed reputation in the UK, with some saying he is top draw and others pointing to his 19 red cards in his career as evidence of a player with disciplinary issues.

But writing on Kicca, Caragher said that if United get their man, they will be signing a world class centre back.

“In Ramos Man Utd will be signing one of the top defenders in Europe and a leader if they can pull the deal off. There is still a feeling that he’s overrated in England which I disagree with. His trophy haul and playing for Real Madrid for so long shows his quality as the pressure to perform for club and country for so long is huge,” he wrote.

He added: “At 29 he should be at his best and physically I think he’ll be fine in the Premier League, but he will have to be careful with the referees who I’m sure will be aware of his disciplinary record if he arrives!”

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Reports in the Spanish media suggest La Liga outfit Deportivo La Coruna are eyeing a loan move for Real Madrid midfielder Lucas Silva.

Madrid-based daily AS says the Galician side, who finished 16th in the table last season on their return to the top flight, want to take the Brazilian on loan for the season. However, they face competition from fellow La Liga side Sevilla and Portuguese outfit, Porto, who took Casemiro on loan last season.

Silva only joined the 10-time Champions League winners in January but made just nine appearances in all competitions as he was kept out of the side by more experienced players such as Toni Kroos, James Rodriguez and Isco.

And new boss Rafa Benitez feels a loan spell away from the Santiago Bernabeu will do the 21-year-old old good as he gets accustomed to European football. The former Cruziero man is expected to be part of the touring party that will visit Australia and China but is then expected to leave Real on a temporary basis.

If, as expected, Silva does depart, it would increase speculation Real are in the market for a midfielder this summer with Sami Khedira having left the club and the future of Asier Illarramendi unclear.

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Former England manager Kevin Keegan believes the best of Gareth Bale is still yet to come and he will one came emerge from Cristiano Ronaldo’s shadow to become the best player in the world.

Bale has been criticised by the Spanish media and fans alike for some below-par performances in his second season in La Liga and there have been reports that the Welshman has been attracting interest from the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea looking to tempt him back to the Premier League.

The 25-year-old insists he is happy in Spain and wants to show the fans he take take his game to a new level. And Keegan told the BBC he is in agreement with Bale.

He stated: “People think he’s got to be better than Ronaldo. He could be one day. He’s also going to be in the shadow of someone like Ronaldo at least until Ronaldo retires.”

Keegan, who managed England at Euro 2000, then went on to discuss Wales’ chances of qualifying for next summer’s European Championship in France, where Bale will hope to lead his team.

“Wales on paper have got a team, you would honestly say, is as good as any. Beating Belgium for example. Belgium is probably everyone’s strongest squad all round. Wales have still got some work to do but it would be a great thing for Wales as well because it’s been a long long time since they qualified for a major finals,” he commented.

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Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo could be named in the Portugal’s squad for the Olympic Games in Rio next summer, according to the head of Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).

The 30-year-old would be eligible to play for the side as one of three over-23 player permitted under Olympic rules.

And while the striker, who has scored 311 goals in 300 games since signing for Real in 2009, is almost certain to feature in the European Championships in France, Fernando Gomes told Globoesporte that he could also play in Brazil.

“It is a possibility. We can bring three players aged over 23. Cristiano is one of those being considered, but we have not yet sat down to discuss it,” he stated.

Euro 2016 takes place in June and July with the Olympics taking place a month later. Should Ronaldo be involved in both tournaments, it would obviously impact on his pre-season preparations with his club and almost certainly mean he would miss the start of the 2016-17 campaign.

Concerns would also be raised over the handling of the player, who has suffered with tendonitis problems in his knee in recent seasons and needs to be managed on the injury front to ensure he is at his best for club and country.

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The agent of Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas has said the goalkeeper is flattered by interest from Roma.

The World Cup winner, who has been a key part of the Madrid side for 16 years, looks to be heading towards the exit door at the Santiago Bernabeu as the 10-time Champions League winners ramp up their efforts to sign Manchester United’s David de Gea.

Should that deal go through, Casillas would be on the lookout for a new club as he is no prepared to play second fiddle at Real.

A host of clubs have been linked with the star, including Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, but Roma could lead the chase, with Carlo Cutropia revealing Casillas loves Rome as a city.

He told LaRoma24.it that no contact had been made between Casillas and Roma, but stories linking him with a move to the Seria A side were flattering.

“Roma are a top team and Casillas is flattered by their interest. Roma are one of the greatest clubs in Europe. We really love the city and the passion of their fans,” he said.

Casillas has been criticised by fans and the Spanish media alike for some perceived below par performances in recent years, mainly off the back of a poor showing by Spain in last summer’s World Cup.

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