Page 364

By -
1

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has sold his images rights to Singaporean businessman Peter Lim in an attempt to increase his brand in Asia.

The Ballon d’Or holder was paid around 70 million euros last season salary, bonus and endorsements, making him the highest paid team sportsman in the world, according to Forbes magazine.

The Portuguese endorses a number of products and companies including Coca-Cola, Castrol, Konami, Banco Espirito Santo, Motorola, Jacob & Co, KFC, Tag Heuer, Emirates and Samsung. He also has his own clothing range – CR7.

And in a statement on his website, Ronaldo said his agreement with Lim, who owns La Liga side Valencia, would increase his brand in Asia.

It read: “I am very excited to announce my latest deal with Mint Media, owned by my good friend, businessman Peter Lim from Singapore, to acquire my image rights. This is a very strategic move for me and my management team to take the Cristiano Ronaldo brand to the next level, especially in Asia.”

Since joining Real for a 93 million euro fee in 2009, Ronaldo has scored 311 goals in 300 games. He has helped the side to a number of trophies including the Champions League, La Liga, the Copa del Rey, European Super Cup and World Club Cup.

By -
4

Sergio Ramos wants to leave Real Madrid this summer and is keen on a move to Manchester United, according to Sky Sports correspondent Graham Hunter.

The Spain-based journalist told the broadcaster that Ramos has told Los Blancos that he wants out after becoming tired of the club’s attempts to put off a new deal and pay him what he feels he deserves after giving 10 years service to the Santiago Bernabeu side.

United have already had a bid turned down for the World Cup winner, and are expected to make a new 40 million euro offer for the 29-year-old.

Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, Hunter said: Ramos has told Madrid directly that he is absolutely and completely committed to leaving the club this summer, that he specifically wants them to begin negotiations with Manchester United and that he doesn’t want them to negotiate with anybody except Manchester United.”

He continued: “People have been questioning Sergio Ramos’ intentions, whether Manchester United being used as was the case a couple of summers ago when Cesc Fabregas looked like he might be available to David Moyes.

“But it is a very firm display of intention from Manchester United. In Ramos they want someone who will form part of a firm spine of the team, who knows how to win, who has experience of winning, adding character and talent to what we saw was a regeneration under Louis van Gaal last season.

“Ramos is the focal point of that development and that’s why they have made the bid. Real Madrid can be under no illusions that Ramos wants to go to Manchester United and he expects them to comply.”

By -
0

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has said the Catalan outfit must strengthen if they are to keep ahead of rivals Real Madrid.

The Nou Camp side enjoyed a superb season winning the treble – La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey. But with Real expected to invest significantly this summer, the current president told a supporter’s group that Barca must also dip into the transfer market.

Real have already signed right-back Danilo, and are known to be keen on taking David de Gea from Manchester United to the Santiago Bernabeu. With Sami Khedira having left the club, Los Blancos are in the lookout for a midfielder, while they also look short up front after deciding against keeping Javier Hernandez, sou could dip into the transfer kitty for another striker too.

Barcelona announced the signing of Aleix Vidal, the Sevilla defender, last month. He can’t feature until January though, when the club’s transfer ban is lifted.

And Bartomeu, who is facing an election contest this summer, said Barcelona must keep investing in the side.

“We can’t let up and by so doing hand our rivals, such as Real Madrid, the advantage. They are actively buying and selling players in the transfer market. The executive board should carry out functions that benefit the club. Barça must strive to make the team more competitive for the coming season,” he said.

By -
0

Manchester City have entered the race to sign Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, according to reports.

The central defender has been subject of interest from City’s rivals Manchester United in recent days with media stories suggesting they have had two bids turned down for the World Cup winner.

And the Mirror says an already complicated situation have been made more so with the Etihad Stadium side planning to launch a bid for the 29-year-old.

Ramos has two years left on his deal at the Santiago Bernabeu but is reportedly upset with the club and president Florentino Perez to not budge on his requests to be placed among the top earners at the 10-time Champions League winners. The Spain international, who scored Real’s all-important equaliser in the momentous Decima Champions League final is behind Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Iker Casillas in he payscale and feels he deserves a better contract.

Some pundits have suggested Ramos is using United’s interest to increase his negotiating power at Real and secure the contract he wants.

But City are in need of a new defender too, and would be willing to pay a high price to outbid their city rivals. They signed Eliaquim Mangala for 40 million euros last summer but he has failed to settle, while Martin Demichelis is 34 years of age now and has seen better days.

By -
0

Real Madrid have made a 22-million-euro bid for Lucas Biglia, according to Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Argentina international is one of Rafa Benitez’s favourites to reinforce Los Blancos midfield, although he’s not Florentino Perez’s first option.

Los Merengues want to sign a player to replace Sami Khedira and their first choice seems to be Paris Saint-Germain’s Marco Verratti.

However, La Gazzetta has claimed Los Blancos have taken a step forward in bringing Biglia by offering Lazio 22 million euros.

Lazio’s president Claudio Lotito has reportedly rejected that bid, as he is hoping to get at least 30 million for the 29-year-old.

FIFA agent Alessio Scalera has also stated “one week ago a 22-million-euro offer arrived to Lazio offices from Real Madrid, plus a bonus that will increase this amount should Madrid win the league or the Champions League.”

According to Scalera, Los Blancos would offer Biglia a four-year deal worth four million euros per season.

Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly interest in Biglia, so all this could be just a part of a strategy to increase the player’s market value.

Biglia arrived at Lazio from Anderlecht in 2013 in a eight-million-euro deal. He has played 27 matches this season for the Italian side, scoring four goals and providing three assists.

By -
3

Cristiano Ronaldo has broken his silence over his future at Real Madrid, saying he is happy at the best club in the world.

The 30-year-old has hardly spoken to the media in recent months and reports have suggested it was because he was unhappy at the Santiago Bernabeu and was seeking to leave the 10-time Champions League winners.

The Portugal international scored 61 goals for his club last season in another astonishing campaign on a personal level for him. But Los Blancos missed out to Barcelona for the big prizes with the Nou Camp side winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.

With talk still suggesting his is unhappy, Ronaldo spoke to Portuguese newspaper A Bola to put an end to the stories and reveal his is happy in Madrid and wants to stay for many more years.

“I would sincerely like the false reports to stop and to be left a little in peace,” he stated.

And he added: “Reports that I have sought to create conflicts between myself and Real Madrid are absolutely false. I am very happy at the best club in the world and very focused and confident of a new season full of successes.”

 

 

By -
0
Alvaro Morata

The lawyer who helped take Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid to Juventus last summer has said the Seria A champions should act quickly if and renegotiate with Los Blancos if they are to keep their striker for the long-term.

As is fairly common with young players leaving the Santiago Bernabeu, Real like to include a buy back clause with the other club should they wish to take the player back to the Spanish capital.

In Morata’s case, Real have the right to buy the 22-year-old back for 30 million euros in 2016 or 35 million euros in 2017. But with the Spaniard happy at the club, and Juventus keen to keep him for the long-term, lawyer Giuseppe Bozzo says they need to take out the buy back clause.

Speaking to Tuttosport, he said: “It was my job to bring him to Turin, while his father worked out the details of the contract. Having become Alvaro’s friend, I can say his desire could well be to stay at Juventus long-term, as he is convinced that they can win the Champions League.”

He added: “It’s a complex situation. In my view the next step should be renegotiating the clause with Real Madrid. It is written and can be exercised. What the player wants will also have an influence, along with what Madrid want to do with him, but if Juventus want to focus on Alvaro for the next eight to 10 years they must get out of this clause cul de sac.

“It’s also important to note that obviously his transfer value has already gone far above the €35m in the clause.”

By -
9

Real Madrid right back Danilo has given an update on his knee injury and reassured fans he will be fit and ready for pre-season training.

The Brazilian, a 32-million-euro signing from Porto, was ruled out of the Copa America after picking up the problem the game against Mexico three weeks ago. It meant the two Real Madrid defenders in the Brazil squad – Danilo and Marcelo – both missed the tournament in Chile through injury.

On Saturday, the new arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu updated fans on social media site Instagram with a video of him doing a number of exercises in the pool. He commented: “Continuing with me recovery. Thanks to God, I’m almost there!”

Since picking up his injury, Danilo has remained in Brazil and has been receiving treatment at the training facilities of Atlético Mineiro. Explaining his reasoning to stay in Brazil, Danilo said: “I know the club set up well as well as the medical facilities. It’s one of the best rehabilitation centres in Brazil and I’m thankful they have allowed me to work here.”

Danilo will arrive in Madrid around the 6th or 7th July when he will be assessed by club doctors and officially presented as a Los Blancos player. He will then link up for pre-season on July 10th.

By -
2
Iker Casillas

Former Valencia and Spain goalkeeper Santiago Canizares has said football is going mad when a club like Real Madrid considers selling Iker Casillas.

The Los Blancos captain is subject of much speculation as Real seek to ramp up their efforts to sign David de Gea from Manchester United. And should that happen, Casillas could depart the Santiago Bernabeu after 16 years as a key member of the side.

The 34-year-old has come in for much criticism in recent seasons from Madrid supporters, who have blamed him for the goals conceded in important fixtures.

But speaking to an audience at the Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo de Santander, Canizares backed his fellow custodian and said Madrid fans don’t know what they’ve got until its gone.

“I think it’s a crazy situation to be talking about. We aren’t the best country at holding up our idols. Half of the supporters want Iker sold while the other half think any save he makes is incredible. And both sets of views are in a a tug-of-war.

“The only thing Iker can be accused of is playing so well that people actually miss the amazing saves they have become accustomed to. It’s something you have to accept as it happens to all players,” he said.

And he added: “When Iker retires, he’ll be appreciated more. At Valencia, they love me more than they did when I was playing. When he walks around Madrid, everyone will bow down. He’ll be Don Iker, because he’s earned it.”

By -
1

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has said he wants Mexican forward Javier Hernandez to stay at the club.

The 27-year-old forward spent last season on loan at Real Madrid where he established himself as a popular figure among players and fans, not least because of his last minute winner over Atletico de Madrid in the Champions League quarter finals.

In total, Chicharito featured 33 times and scored 9 goals for Los Blancos. He was told by the club that they would not be taking up the option to sign him permanently, although Chicharito said in an interview last month that he would like to stay in the Spanish capital.

His future at Old Trafford is also unclear with reports the Red Devils are ready to sell him. But speaking to reporters in Mexico, where is is taking part in events as part of his UNICET ambassadorial role, Mata, a former Real Madrid youth player himself, said he wants to see Hernandez remain at Old Trafford.

“Chicharito still belongs to Manchester United and selfishly I’d like him to be with us. He has scored goals in every team he has played in and is a very smart striker. Chicharito is a great friend. When I arrived to Manchester he behaved great with me. He is a great person and a great professional. I’ve been lucky enough to share a dressing room with Chicharito, whom I admire,” he stated.

 

1...363364365...733Page 364 of 733

www.gambleaware.co.uk or www.gamcare.org.uk
Please gamble responsibly