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Premier League sides Manchester United and Chelsea are considering a move for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, according to reports in the UK and Spanish press.

The French defender, who signed for the 10-time Champions League winners from Lens in 2011, has struggled to hold down a place in the first-team at the Santiago Bernabeu, with boss Carlo Ancleotti preferring Sergio Ramos and Pepe instead.

It was thought that Varane was considering his options in the summer but stayed at the club to fight for his place. The 21-year-old missed a large part of last season with a serious knee injury and his career at the club so far has been stop-start because of various niggles.

However, when he has played – 34 times in the last two seasons – he has always impressed and is considered one of the finest young centre-backs in the world.

The Red Devils are in need of a commanding centre back having lost Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in the summer. They are short in that department, and although they possess some fearsome forwards, have looked vulnerable in defence this season.

Chelsea, managed by former Los Blancos boss Jose Mourinho, the man who signed Varane for Real, are looking for a long-term successor to club captain John Terry and feel the Frenchman fits the bill perfectly.

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Europe’s most talented 15-year-old has received an offer from Real Madrid to join the Santiago Bernabeu club, sources from Madrid have reported.

Norwegian playmaker Martin Ødegaard wrote his name on history books last month, when he became the youngest player to play in European Championship qualifying.

Spanish press revealed at that moment that Real Madrid and Barcelona were eyeing Odegaard, and now it has been confirmed that Los Merengues have made an official offer to sign the talented teenager. Los Blancos have offered him an interesting contract and all ease and comfort for his family to move to Madrid.

Odegaard, who plays for Norwegian side Stromsgodset, travelled to Madrid a few days ago and visited Los Blancos training facilities at Valdebebas.

The young midfielder has received many offers from big European clubs in the last few weeks, including Liverpool, his childhood club which he’s visiting at the moment.

In an interview with German newspaper Sport Bild, Odegaard confessed he hasn’t made a decision yet: “Liverpool has always been my dream club, but that will not affect my decision. I’ll try to find a club that is good for me and for my development as a player. I’ll finish the season at Norway and visit a few more clubs,” he stated.

Madrid would like him to join Real Madrid Castilla, so he could develop his game under Zinedine Zidane’s management. However, other teams might offer him a faster path to get first-team action. Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United and Chelsea are also interested.

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Former Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata has confessed he’s got two idols in football: Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas. The Juventus man was interviewed by Spanish radio station Cadena SER and spoke about his past at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“When I did anything I shouldn’t have done, Casillas and Ramos were the first to correct me and counsel me. They are my idols since I first arrived to Real Madrid youth teams and I try to speak to them often to hear their advice,” Morata revealed.

The 22-year-old also explained the reasons why he decided to leave his childhood club: “I had made my decision before, because there were situations I didn’t understand and nobody explained, so when Juventus arrived I left. I had started against Malaga, but after that I wasn’t picked for the squad for four or five games. I respected the coach, but I understood they didn’t trust in me.”

Morata praised former team-mate Jese Rodriguez, who has recently returned to regular training after eight months sidelined due to injury: “I’m eager to see him play again. We made a great couple at Real Madrid Castilla.”

The former Los Blancos man is having a brilliant season at Juventus, where he has been picked by the fans as the player of the month in October. He has scored four goals in seven appearances in the Serie A, and his good performances have earned him a call from Spain national team manager Vicente del Bosque to take part in the next European Cup qualifier against Belarus.

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Sami Khedira has said in an interview that he is not looking to leave Real Madrid despite the fact he has just seven months to go on his current deal at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The World Cup winner was strongly linked with a move away from the club in the summer as he entered the final year of his deal. FA Cup holders Arsenal were strongly linked with the star and reports suggest they remain interested in taking him to the Emirates Stadium.

A host of other clubs in including Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and AC Milan have all been linked with a move for Khedira to.

But in an interview with German sports magazine Kicker, the 27-year-old said he is not worried about his future and knows he wants to stay at the 10-time European Cup winners as it is the best place for him.

“Right now I can’t see any reason to leave the club this winter. Real Madrid is the place to be, I have the club in my heart. There is no reason at all for thinking that I want to or should leave,” he said.
He went on to add that although no agreement was in place yet, his agent is currently in talks with Los Blancos about a contract extension.

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Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has revealed he initially struggled to adjust to life in the Spanish capital and felt overwhelmed by playing for a club the size of Los Blancos.

The France international was signed by former Los Blancos boss Jose Mourinho from Lens as a teenager. He impressed many in his first season at the Santiago Bernabeu but then struggled for 18 months with injury after suffering a serious knee injury.

Since establishing himself in the first team squad under Carlo Ancelotti, Varane has become one of the most highly-rated young defenders in the world.

Speaking to France Football magazine, the 21-year-old said life wasn’t always easy and he felt overwhelmed at first.

“Strangely enough I didn’t know what it would be like until I arrived at [Madrid airport] Barajas and saw 60 journalists waiting for me. I quickly realised the change was going to be severe,” Varane said.

“Nothing was going to be like it was before and I wasn’t expecting it. When you are 18 it’s not obvious and I wasn’t ready to live that way.

“To be honest it took me time to accept it and get used to the consequences of my decision [to sign]. At that time I was getting ready to enter a dressing room full of all these stars and the media pressure scared me a little.”

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Sergio Ramos has said he is only starting to appreciate now what a special moment in the club’s history it was when he scored the equalising goal in the Champions League final for Real Madrid.

Los Blancos were trailing 1-0 to city rivals Atletico de Madrid heading into the 93rd minute in Lisbon when Ramos popped up from the back and headed in from a corner to break Atletico hearts and send Madridistas wild.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men then ran away with it in extra-time, with Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo all adding to the scoresheet as Diego Simeone’s men had nothing left in the tank.

The celebrations after the final whistle went long into the night in Lisbon and back in Madrid as Los Blancos finally ended their 12-year wait to win La Decima, their 10th European crown.

Speaking to Marca this week, Ramos said he didn’t realise the importance of the goal at the time but looking back, it was written in the stars. He also revealed he watches the goal every day now.

“It was written in the stars that it had to happen, from a corner or a free kick, or something. That Champions League was coming to Madrid, to the Bernabéu. Scoring that goal was one of the most important moments in my life,” he stated.

“Maybe I didn’t enjoy it that much at the time, but nowadays I often wake up, put on the video and watch it over and over again. I still remember it and not a day goes by without me getting goose bumps.”

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Italian newspaper Il Corriere del Mezzogiorno has claimed Real Madrid have shown an interest in signing Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly.

Los Blancos are reportedly interested in bringing a centre-back next summer to gain some bench depth, and Koulibaly’s name has been the last added to the list.

The 23-year-old has become a guaranteed starter for Rafael Benitez, pairing at centre-back with former Los Merengues defender Raul Albiol.

In 16 games for Napoli this season, he has proved to be a solid and athletic defender. His good performances have caught the attention of many European giants, including Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Chelsea.

That has made his price increase very fast since he arrived at Italy from Genk last summer. Napoli bought him for eight million euro, but now they would ask at least 15 million to let him leave.

The Frenchman grew up at Metz, where he made his professional debut in 2010. In 2012 he moved to Genk on a four-year deal, but he would only spend two seasons there before signing for Napoli.

Real Madrid are eyeing a number of young centre-backs, including River Plate’s Eder Balanta, and Koulibaly is without a doubt an interesting option.

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Spain manager Vicente del Bosque has heaped praise on Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, saying is is doing an extraordinary job at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Italian boss enjoyed a memorable first year in charge of Los Blancos, guiding them to success in the Champions League final with a famous victory over city rivals Atletico de Madrid. It ended a 12-year wait for the Decima – the 10th Champions League trophy for the club.
Los Blancos also lifted the Copa del Rey with a thrilling win over Barcelona in April, and also picked up the European Super Cup at the start of this campaign.
Some of Madrid’s key men from last season were replaced in the summer – notably Angel di Maria and Xabi Alonso, with the likes of Toni Kroos, James Rodriguez and Javier Hernandez all brought in.
And after a difficult start to the campaign in which they lost two of their first three league games, Real have gone on to win their last 13 games, moving them to the top of the table and into the last 16 of the Champions League.
Taking time out from training to speak to Marca, del Bosque spoke in glowing terms about the Italian.
He stated: “He is a gentleman, a sportsman. Everyone likes him. He is doing something extraordinary at Real Madrid. Hierro’s contribution is also great. Ancelotti’s work also needs people around him to help out. They’re a great team and this must surely be one of the best Real teams of all time.”

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Former Real Madrid manager Jupp Heynckes has said he is not surprised by how well Toni Kroos has settled into the side.

The 24-year-old signed for the 10-time Champions League winners from Bayern Munich in the summer, straight after winning the World Cup with Germany. And he has won plaudits in the press in Spain for some outstanding performances that have quietened early season talk suggesting the sale of Xabi Alonso to the Bavarian outfit was a mistake.

Speaking to Perform, Champions League-winning boss Heynckes said Kroos was destined to play for Los Blancos as he has everything in his game to perform at the highest level.

“Kroos is playing magnificent football,” Heynckes stated. “It’s his destiny to play there. He has a leading role as a playmaker in the midfield of Real Madrid and that’s a huge achievement because only world-class footballers are playing there.

“The team accepts him, he’s wonderfully integrated. You cannot play the position Kroos plays in defensive midfield besides Luka Modric better than he does.”

The 69-year-old former boss added that he has spoken to Kroos to make sure he is ok and dealing with the pressure of playing for the world’s biggest club.

“I called him, I sent him messages to congratulate him. It’s really fantastic, particularly if you consider the pressure there is in Madrid.”

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Carlo Ancelotti has revealed in an interview with Spanish radio station Onda Cero that Jese Rodriguez could make his return to action in one month, after nine months on the sidelines due to a ligament injury.

When asked about the winter transfer market, the Italian manager said: “Our winter signing will be Jese. He could be able to play in one month.”

Los Blancos boss also analyzed some of the summer signings. Asked about Toni Kroos, Ancelotti confessed the German surprises him “because he’s never worried.” “Whether he’s got pressure on him or not, his game is the same. He plays fast, with accurate passes, without losing a ball,” he added.

The Italian also spoke about James Rodriguez: “I knew him well because we had played against him. I was more surprised by his resistance than by his quality. I’ve always thought he is a tough player and that’s why we chose him to replace Di Maria. James has more self-control, more quality and puts things together. Di Maria was more energetic, but sometimes he would lose control or miss important passes.”

Speaking about Xabi Alonso’s exit, Ancelotti revealed “he asked to leave and we respected his decision.” “It wasn’t a stab in the back, he just wanted a chance somewhere else. He’s a very clever person, and he wanted to play in another country,” the Italian added.

Ancelotti confessed he’s very happy with his current squad: “There’s a very high level of professionalism. I’ve never had to confront a player to motivate him. The player that isn’t getting minutes and could be angry, instead of showing less intensity, trains harder to please me.”

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