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Even Barcelona sports newspapers, possibly Real Madrid’s worst enemies among the press, are reporting these days that the deal to bring Ilkay Gundogan to Santiago Bernabeu is already closed.

Although no official confirmation has been published by any of the clubs, reports from Germany, from Madrid press and now from Barcelona clarify Borussia Dortmund have settled to include Gundogan’s signing as part of Nuri Sahin’s permanent move to Germany.

Barcelona’s sports daily Mundo Deportivo states Los Blancos will pay 20 million euros plus Nuri Sahin to bring the promising midfielder to Madrid.

Sahin, who has a running contract with Los Merengues until 2017, is on loan in Dortmund at the moment. His permanent move to Borussia will cheapen Gundogan’s deal.

Barcelona’s press regret the Azulgranas haven’t been able to sign the German international, who was seen by many as Xavi Hernandez substitute for the future.

Mundo Deportivo claims the definitive prove is that Dortmund are not paying the seven million that Sahin’s pertmanent move costs, since it will be deducted from Gundogan’s price.

The 23-year-old’s arrival to Santiago Bernabeu would probably mean that Xabi Alonso won’t sign a contract renewal with Real Madrid, and he would then leave for free next summer.

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Bayern Munich and France winger Franck Ribery has said Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane tried to lure him to the club in the summer.

The Los Blancos legend was appointed as one of Carlo Ancelotti’s assistants when the Italian took over in July, and in an interview with BeIN Sport, Ribery said Zidane contacted him about a transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu.

He stated:  “Yes, Zizou [Zidane] absolutely wanted me to go to Real Madrid. I thank him because he tried everything to make me go. But I stayed [with Bayern].”

The winger, who previously played for Marseille, also revealed in the interview that he has been subject of interest from Los Merengues and La Liga rivals Barcelona in the past.

“I love both Real Madrid and Barcelona. It is true that one time I was more attracted to Real than Barca. But anyway, [Bayern CEO] Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and [Bayern president] Uli Hoeness told me I’m staying put.”

Ribery helped Bayern to a historic treble last season, with the Bavarian giants lifting the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup. They are now managed by former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola.

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Real Madrid forward Jese Rodriguez has decided to pull out of Spain’s Under-21 squad for the European Championship qualifiers against Bosnia and Albania this week after suffering from problems with his back.

Marca say youngster Jese has been struggling with the pains for a few weeks and will now stay in Valdebebas to have tests on the problem in order to try and be available for selection after the international break.

The starlet had shown promise since Spain Under-21 coach Lopetegui handed Jese his debut against Austria on the fifth of September, where he made an instant impact by scoring his first goal.

He did not score in his second appearance, a 3-2 victory over Bosnia where he only played the last 15 minutes, although Real teammate Alvaro Morata did manage to get on the scoresheet twice.

20 year-old Jese is thought of as an extremely hot prospect and is the second recent player to come through the Real Madrid youth system after the recent success of now backup striker Morata.

Jese currently has more than 90 minutes of game time for Los Blancos so far this season, as well as a goal at the Camp Nou in El Clasico, and will be eager to build on that as soon as possible.

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Fiorentina has joined the fight to sign Real Madrid’s defender Fabio Coentrao, according to Portuguese sports newspaper A Bola.

The Italian club would be willing to offer Los Blancos 15 million euros in the next winter transfer market, Portugal’s most sold sports daily has reported.

Fiorentina would be looking for a left-back to reinforce their defence. However, a 15-million bid would be far from what Los Merengues are expecting to get from Fabio Coentrao.

If Real were to sell the Portuguese in January, they wouldn’t accept less than 20 or even 25 million. A part of that money would very likely be used to bring another left-back who could become Marcelo’s substitute.

Up to the date, many clubs have shown their interest in signing Coentrao, who is not happy with his role at Santiago Bernabeu and could try to force his exit as soon as the winter transfer window opens.

The 25-year-old has been linked with Manchester United, Juventus, Monaco and Chelsea. More recently, there have been rumours of a possible loan to Tottenham Hotspur.

Some our Europe’s biggest clubs could still bid for Coentrao in January as the left-back hasn’t played a single minute of this season’s Champions League campaign so would be eligible to appear with another club.

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It might seem like a joke, but that is what the German press has reported. Schalke 04 is interested in signing Real Madrid’s captain Iker Casillas on loan in the next winter transfer market, according to German newspaper Bild.

Timo Hildebrand’s poor performances have made the Gelsenkirchen side think about signing a goalkeeper in January, and reports have told they will ask Los Blancos for Casillas loan in case the Spaniard keeps on warming the bench at Santiago Bernabeu.

Casillas himself admitted a few weeks ago that he might consider a move if things didn’t change, and Schalke are determined to take advantage of that situation to bring him for a few months, until the end of the season.

It seems very unlikely that Casillas would agree a move out of the Santiago Bernabeu before the end of the season. And if he were to leave, he would surely have more attractive destinies than the Ruhr-area city. Arsenal and Manchester United have already shown their interest.

The rumours of a possible exit of Casillas at the end of the season are growing, and the 32-year-old goalkeeper could leave his life-club after a 23-year stay. However, a Schalke 04 move should be no more than a dream for the Germans.

Iker Casillas arrived to Real Madrid youth teams in 1990 and made his debut with the first squad in 1999. He has made 476 appearances for Los Blancos and 151 for Spanish national team.

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Real Madrid press report 11-11-13

Spain’s most sold sports newspaper praises today Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in their front page, claiming they are La Liga’s best forward pair.

The Madrid daily publishes a statistical report and highlights that the Portuguese and the Frenchman “have scored 32 goals and provided 14 assists” so far in the league.

Meanwhile, the other Madrid sports paper, As, puts its focus on Cristiano Ronaldo’s words yesterday. “I want to become Real Madrid’s all-time top scorer,” he told the press.

Both newspapers highlight that Los Blancos have shortened the deficit with Atletico Madrid in the table to three points, after their city rivals drew at Villarreal on Sunday.

However, Barcelona maintains their six point lead over Los Merengues after beating Betis 1-4. “Cesc leads Barca’s goal fest,” Marca titles. “Leo Messi came off injured in the first half,” As points out.

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Real Madrid defender Daniel Carvajal was full of credit for his teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, after Los Blancos 5-1 win against Real Sociedad at home on Saturday.

Ronaldo scored yet another hat-trick in the win for Real, which means he has now scored nine goals in four matches and takes his season tally to 16, and Carvajal was very complimentary about the forward’s professionalism.

The Spanish international said: “Ronaldo improves every day for himself and for Real Madrid. He gives his all in every match; I see it in every training session. He’s proving that he’s the best player in the world for me and for a lot of people. I’m thrilled to have Cristiano every Sunday with everything that he brings to the team.”

Carvajal also explained Karim Benzema’s importance to the team, after he scored for the third league match in a row, saying: “He contributes many things. His shots didn’t go in before and now they do, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that he takes the shots.”

He added: “The team played a great game and it’s reflected in the result. With this win we’re going into the break relaxed. We keep getting better, and we’re improving every day.”

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Real Madrid shot stopper Diego Lopez insist’s he is in the best form of his career following another start in Madrid’s 5-1 thrashing of Real Sociedad.

The Spaniard has impressed massively this season, a number of eye-catching performances have helped cement his position as Los Blancos number 1 goal keeper.

Lopez said: “It’s the best moment of my career and I had never before brought out the potential that I have now. I was playing very well at Villarreal, but in this team I’m improving every day. I’ve found it really difficult at times but now I’m showing self-possession.”

When asked about his working relationship with Iker Casillas, the 32-year-old spoke clearly on the two’s situation.

“I’ve known Iker since I was 18, for about 14 years, and I’ve always had a good relationship with him.” claimed Lopez.

“It’s wonderful to compete in this team with a keeper like Iker. We’re both after the spot and we both give everything we have to play.”

He has now started all 13 League games for the whites, but feel’s the competition he faces will only make it tougher for him in the future.

“I’m going to struggle to continue being the opening goalkeeper in La Liga, I’ll support my teammate when the manager decides that he’s going to play. I dedicate myself to my work and to fighting for a position in the line-up. It’s only logical that I’m not going to make it easier.”

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Portuguese international Cristiano Ronaldo claims he let’s his feet do the talking after Real Madrid cruised to a 5-1 win over Real Sociedad last night.

The 28-year-old was instrumental in his side’s victory scoring three goals to the leave the fellow Champions League contenders in the dust.

“We played a really good game,” Ronaldo told the press. “We worked up the field well, especially in the first half. It was a great match and we’re all celebrating.”

Things are going well and our aim is to win all the matches. I’m satisfied because things are working well. The team is finding its stride. We’ve met our objective and it was a good win”.

Los Blancos had a great first half, scoring four goals. On his team’s performance, the forward acknowledged: “The truth is that after reaching 4-0 we became more relaxed. We started playing more slowly after the goals, but I’m very happy with today’s match.”

The team is finding its stride. We’ve met our objective and it was a good win. We’re very happy. The season is going well thanks to the work we’re doing”.

On the subject of the Ballon d’Or and the statements from FIFA President Sepp Blatter, the former Manchester United star answered: “I don’t want to talk about that. As I’ve said before, I prove my worth out on the pitch. It doesn’t come down to me and I’m not worried. That’s why I’m only interested in winning and helping the team”.

He concluded by commenting on the qualifying match Portugal will play to make it to the next World Cup: “They’re two very important matches for us and we want to be in the World Cup. We’re going to give it our best”.

Follow Louis Gibberd-Thomas on Twitter: @mercutio156

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French sports minister Valerie Fourneyron embarrassed herself at a reception at the Brazilian Embassy in Paris when she confused former Real Madrid striker Ronaldo Nazario with Cristiano Ronaldo.

“I would like to wish you, for this World Cup 2016 with this formidable ambassador Cristiano Ronaldo,” she said before noticing her mistake.

“That is the Portuguese,” Ronaldo replied with a forced smile while everybody around was laughing.

Fourneyron soon apologised and added: “Yes, that’s the Portuguese, sorry.”

That was not her only mistake, as she referred to the 2014 World Cup to be held in Brazil next year as the “2016 World Cup”.

The French minister later posted her twitter feed: “Not very good with first names! I was a little bit tired at the Brazilian embassy tonight. Ronaldo was the first to laugh.”

Ronaldo Nazario played for Real Madrid from 2002 to 2007, scoring 83 goals in 127 appearances. He was a world champion with Brazil in 1994 and 2002. He is now a member of the Local Organising Committee of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil.

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