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Asier Illarramendi could be set for a loan move to Athletic Bilbao is reports in Spain are to be believed.

The central midfielder, who played for Bilbao’s bitter rivals Real Sociedad prior to his switch to the Santiago Bernabeu last summer, is set for a temporary exit to get more first team minutes under his belt.

And having sold Ander Herrera to Manchester United last month, Bilbao are looking to add to their midfield as they try to make an impression on the Champions League.

Illarramendi is still seen as the long-term replacement to Xabi Alonso at Los Blancos and the club is not willing to sell the 22-year-old. But having struggled to make his mark in his first season, Carlo Ancelotti is keen to allow the player to build up his confidence and first team minutes away from the pressure-cooker of the Santiago Bernabeu.

Last season he played only 1388 minutes of La Liga football compared to the 2712 he played with Real Sociedad in his last season at Anoeta prior to his 32 million euro move last July.

Although signing for Bilbao would see him become a hate figure at his former club, playing regular football in La Liga and in the Champions League would help him progress.

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The funeral of Alfredo di Stefano takes place today after Madridista fans honoured him yesterday at the Santiago Bernabeu. Throughout the day, thousands of people queued in the summer’s heat to file past his coffin at the stadium and pay their last respects to the man who did so much to make the club what it is today.

Current Real Madrid players Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos greeted fans, while others who paid a visit included Madrid mayor Ana Botella and Barcelona president Joan Bartomeu.

Elsewhere, Marcelo had a horror show for Brazil in he World Cup semi-final against Germany. The hosts capitulated in the absence of Neymar and Thiago Silva, and put in an awful performance in defence. As bad as Brazil were, Germany were superb, and Sami Khedira got his name on the scoresheet, along with possible Los Blancos midfielder Toni Kroos.

German sports paper Bild is the latest media outlet to confirm Kroos’ transfer from Bayern Munich to Real Madrid. The paper says the two clubs need to settle on the final fee, but that shouldn’t be too complicated, and the player will sign a deal at the Santiago Bernabeu until the end of the 2018-19 season.

And finally, Juventus looks to be the final destination for Alvaro Morata. Marca says after weeks of speculation that the forward is set to sign for the Old Lady for around 18 million euros.

 

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The Collins Column

The greatest player of all time. The man who made Real Madrid. An inspiration. A legend.

Those are just some of the ways in which figures from the football world have described Alfredo di Stefano, the former Los Blancos striker and honorary president of the club, who died yesterday, aged 88.

And I want to join the likes of Florentino Perez, Sir Alex Ferguson, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale in paying tribute to the great man. I was lucky enough to meet him briefly at a football awards ceremony last winter organised by sports newspaper Marca.

During my career and my time in Madrid, I’ve been privileged to meet some famous faces from a number of different sports. But talking to Don Alfredo was an experience like nothing else. Despite only spending 10 minutes in his company, and him being frail and wheelchair bound at that point,  I was well aware I was in the presence of a man who made Real Madrid what it is today and had a huge impact on the game in general.

paul collins with alfredo di stefano

Prior to his arrival in the Spanish capital in 1953, Los Blancos had only won two league titles. By the time he left 11 years later, Los Merengues had won another eight La Liga titles. More significantly, they had also won five European Cups, with di Stefano scoring in five consecutive cup finals – a feat that will never be repeated.

Although I am too young to have ever seen di Stefano play, I have seen plenty of video clips of his goals. And what numbers he achieved. 418 in 510 games for Real Madrid.

My dad has been following football and supporting Arsenal for more than 50 years yet always tells the most memorable game he has ever watched was on black and white television in 1960. The European Cup final between Real Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt. Di Stefano ran riot and netted a hat-trick, with his fellow forward Ferenc Puskas grabbing four. It was a game that won the hearts of millions around the world and helped make the club the global institution it is today.

Real Madrid players past and present have spoken about how knowledgeable di Stefano was about the game, and how his powers of persuasion were the reason why they ended up at the Santiago Bernabeu. Gareth Bale called him an inspiration. Gonzalo Higuain said he looked after him from the moment he arrived off the plane as an 18-year-old kid from Argentina.  Alfredo even taught current president Florentino Perez a lot about football with Perez coming from a business background rather than sporting one.

Di Stefano had time for everyone and followed everything going on at his beloved Real Madrid. He didn’t know who I was but was happy to give his thoughts on Los Blancos’ season up until that point in early December. The form of Cristiano Ronaldo would be key, he told me. And after a tricky period autumn in which Madrid had lost to Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid, di Stefano was impressed with how Carlo Ancelotti had got the team playing great counter attacking football and defending well as a unit.

He was warm and friendly with everyone that day. He was willing to talk to other guests, journalists, friends and footballers alike. He smiled at the camera and he shook hands with everyone who went over to him.

It was an honour to meet you Don Alfredo. Thanks for the chat. Thanks for the memories. And thanks for dedicating your life to making your club the greatest in the world.

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Former Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro has said he would welcome a return to the Santiago Bernabeu to work as assistant manager to Carlo Ancelotti.

There is a vacant position to be the right-hand man alongside fellow assistant Paul Clement after Los Blancos legend Zinedine Zidane left to take over as Real Madrid Castilla boss last month.

And Cannavaro, who captained Italy to World Cup glory in 2006, said he would jump at the chance to return to the Spanish capital.

Speaking from Brazil, where he is working as a television pundit for the BBC, he said: “I read in the press that my name is being considered, but I really don’t know anything else. Everyone knows I have a really good relationship with Carlo Ancelotti, and I spent three fantastic years in Madrid. Beyond that, I don’t know any more. I have my coaching qualification, I want to be coach and we’ll see what happens.”

He went on to add that he has been working as a coach in Dubai but would like a bigger challenge to test himself now.

“I’ve been working as an assistant coach for a team in Dubai. There wasn’t any pressure, but it has been very useful. Now I watch matches more as a coach than as a former player. It’s a small step in my career. Then if I got the call from Ancelotti, I would have to make the most of the opportunity and of course I would go,” he stated.

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Real Madrid players lead by Cristiano Ronaldo have paid tribute to Alfredo di Stefano after the Los Blancos legend died at the age of 88.

The news broke yesterday afternoon that the former striker, and honorary president of the club, has passed away two days after suffering a heart attack in the Spanish capital.

Immediately, tributes came pouring in from across the football world, and many of the current squad expressed their sadness at the news of di Stefano’s death.

On social networking site, Twitter, Cristiano Ronaldo said: “It’s a very sad day. For me, for all the madridistas, for the world of football.  Don Alfredo leaves us, but his memory will last forever in our hearts. Legends never die. Thanks for everything Maestro.”

Gareth Bale, who signed for the club last summer in a 91-million-euro deal, said the di Stefano was one of his main inspirations and reasons for joining the illustrious club.

“Sadly another great leaves us. Don Alfredo was an inspiration to me, his spirit and memory will always be with us. Rest in peace,” he stated.

Defender Sergio Ramos also paid tribute to the man who won five European Cups and eight La Liga title in his time at the club. “RIP Sir Alfredo Di Stefano. I will never forget each of the shared moments with such a football legend,” the Spain international said.

And in Brazil, where he is preparing for the World Cup semi-final, left back Marcelo said Real Madrid’s legendary status in world football started with  di Stefano and his memory would always live long.

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There is one story dominating the news here in Madrid this morning – the death of Alfredo di Stefano.

The 88-year-old died yesterday afternoon in Gregorio Maranon hospital in the Spanish capital where he was being cared for by doctors after suffering a heart attack on Saturday lunchtime, the day after his birthday.

Every leading paper in Spain leads with the story and pays tribute to the man who won five European Cups with Los Blancos in the 1950’s as well as eight La Liga titles. Marca uses its front cover as a tribute to the great man, with the white background symbolising what a pure football talent he was, as well as how much he meant to the club.

Many of the biggest names in the football world have paid tribute to di Stefano, including current Real players, as well as the likes of Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Alex Ferguson. All spoke in glowing terms about the player he was and the impact he had on the game worldwide.

Fans will be able to see di Stefano for the final time as his body will lie in repose at the Santiago Bernabeu this morning. His funeral will take place tomorrow in a private ceremony.

Elsewhere, Sami Khedira and Marcelo go up against each other tonight in the first of the World Cup semi-finals and Germany take on hosts Brazil – who are without the injured Neymar and suspended captain Thiago Silva.

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Florentino Perez, Real Madrid president

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has paid a moving tribute to Alfredo di Stefano after the former Los Blancos striker died aged 88.

Di Stefano, who scored in five consecutive European Cup finals, suffered cardiac arrest on Saturday afternoon and had been in a coma in Gregorio Maranon hospital in Madrid.

On Monday evening, Perez held a press conference in which he described the former forward ‘the best player of all time.’

“Today is a day of absolute sadness for Real Madrid and dare I say it the entire football world,” Perez told journalists at the Santiago Bernabeu.

He continued: “Di Stefano was the most important player in the history of Real Madrid and the best footballer of all time. Alfredo Di Stefano is Real Madrid. He was decisive, determinant and changed the destiny of this institution.

“He was able to extend the passion for Real Madrid to all corners of the world. We have the obligation to tell people that didn’t see it about a footballer who was capable of everything. It’s thanks to Di Stefano that Fifa named Real Madrid the best team of the 20th century. Alfredo Di Stefano, president of honour, Real Madrid will never forget you.”

At the end of the conference, the usually calm and reserved president broke down in tears as a video was played of di Stefano’s best moments as a Real Madrid player.

His funeral will take place on Tuesday and fans can pay tribute to the legend from 10.30am at the Santiago Bernabeu.

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Alfredo di Stefano, former Real Madrid player and one of the all-time greats of the game, has died aged 88.

The ex-Los Blancos forward, who played a key role in the side that won five consecutive European Cups in the 1950s, suffered cardiac arrest on Saturday afternoon in Madrid – the day after his birthday.

Medics spent more than 15 minutes giving him CPR shortly after lunchtime and he was transferred to Gregorio Marañon hospital in Madrid where he was in an induced coma.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez had visited him in hospital and said he had been hopeful di Stefano would make a recovery. Messages of support from around the world had been pouring in wishing him well, while both Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini were in constant contact with the club to get updates on di Stefano’s health.

Perez had said the whole Madridista family had been moved by all the messages received. “We have seen an interest on his condition from all sectors of society, especially from the football world, where Di Stefano has a universal relevance,” a statement from Perez.

As well as firing Real Madrid to success in Europe, di Stefano also won eight La Liga titles, and scored more than 300 goals for the club. At international level he represented both his native Argentina, and his adopted country, Spain.

Everyone at realmadridnews.com sends the family and friends of Alfredo di Stefano our condolences at this sad time.

* Get all Real Madrid news on our Twitter account @realmadridnewsw.

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Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has paid one more visit to Gregorio Maranon Hospital in Madrid, where Alfredo di Stefano remains hospitalized since Saturday after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Perez spoke to journalists at the hospital, and sent an optimistic message to all Madridistas: “It’s a good sign the fact that he’s stable. The family is quiet and we are all awaiting his recovery and hoping this stability is something positive. That’s our wish, and the best for the doctors. We are worried, but also hopeful.”

Real Madrid’s Honorary President is still in a coma, but his condition hasn’t got worse since he was induced in the coma. According to the latest medical report, Di Stefano suffered from a “severe cardiopathy.”

The Santiago Bernabeu club has issued an statement thanking everyone “all the messages of love and support” for Di Stefano.

“We have seen an interest on his condition from all sectors of society, especially from the football world, where Di Stefano has a universal relevance,” the statement read.

Los Blancos also thanked Joseph Blatter and Michel Platini “who have been constantly in direct contact with Real Madrid’s president since Di Stefano was hospitalized.”

* Get all Real Madrid news on our Twitter account @realmadridnewsw.

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Espanyol president Joan Collet has said Real Madrid risk losing any sell-on fee they would receive for Kiko Casilla if they do not act this summer.

The goalkeeper had an outstanding season for the Catalan side and has been linked with a move away to a bigger club, including back to Real Madrid, where he grew up in the youth team.

Los Blancos retain 50% of the player’s rights, meaning they would share any transfer fee received by Espanyol should the keeper leave for another club. But with just 12 months remaining on his current deal, there is a danger Casilla could leave for free next summer, and Los Blancos miss out on any money.

Collet warned Madrid that they should act this summer if they want to take him back to the Santiago Bernabeu. There is much talk of change between the sticks at the 10-time European Cup winners, with the futures of Iker Casillas and Diego Lopez in doubt. After his World Cup heroics with Costa Rica, Keylor Navas has also been touted as potential arrival.

“We’ve talked to them at different times and in one of them they had no clear position, and since then we’re still waiting,” Collet stated.

“The [50%] clause was imposed by Madrid and we understand it because we would do the same if it was Espanyol. “But we all run the risk that next year the sale is lost and in this case, Madrid run the risk of losing their share.”

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