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Mario Gomez turned down a move to Real Madrid this summer, he has revealed.

The 28-year-old former Bayern Munich forward joined Fiorentina last month in a 15.5 million euro deal, but told German magazine Kicker that he had other offers.

One of those was from Los Blancos, but he turned down the move to the Santiago Bernabeu due to concerns over how much first team football he would be playing.

Gomez, who scored 75 goals in 115 games for Bayern, said:  “That’s why I didn’t join any other club. If I had joined Real, I would have just been used off the bench with Benzema.

“Ancelotti was interested, that was a honour for me as my whole family are Real fans. I appreciated their interest and told my agent that I wanted to join Fiorentina.”

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A Dutch politician has called for answers to be given about how the deal to take Gareth Bale to Real Madrid was financed amid concerns the EU taxpayer was subsidising the transfer.

The 24-year-old Welshman completed a 91 million euro switch, or 100 million euros depending on whether you believe the Spanish or British press, on Monday.

Geert Wilders, a right-wing politician in the Netherlands, wants the Dutch finance minister Joroen Dijsselbloem, who is also chairman of the Eurogroup of finance ministers to provide answers.

Politicians in Holland are currently looking a ways of slashing public funding by around six billion euros a year – something that has sparked calls for mass anti-austerity protests across the country.

And Mr Wilders wants assurances the Dutch taxpayers, and others across Europe, didn’t help finance the Bale deal while being asked to take a hit to their salaries and pay more taxes.

He argues the multi-million euro deal was only possible due to a bank loan from Spanish bank, Bankia – the very same financial institution that was bailed out by the EU to the tune of 19 billion euros.

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Juventus are keeping an eye on Xabi Alonso’s contract situation with Real Madrid as he might be available to negotiate with another club in January if he still hasn’t reached a renewal agreement with Los Blancos.

The Spanish international has been linked with a move to Chelsea, Liverpool and Juventus this summer.

His contract expires on June 30th 2014 and many clubs, such as Fiorentina, are interested on signing him. According to Italian website Tuttosport, Juventus is expressing the strongest interest.

Xabi Alonso has been in talks with the club about his renewal, but the Basque is reported to be reluctant to extend his contract, especially since the arrival of two young players -Asier Illarramendi and Casemiro- who will also fight for a place in the midfield.

Alonso has expressed his love for the Premier League several times, but the strong interest shown by Juventus might facilitate his arrival to Turin.

The Italian club has been working on signing a player of his characteristics for a long time, and the fact that Andrea Pirlo will very likely leave next summer means that Juve will be even more determined to bring Alonso, Tuttosport claims.

Italian press are speculating with the fact that Alonso could even try to force a switch in January if he loses his spot in Los Blancos starting eleven.

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Brazilian forward Neymar could have been terrorising La Liga defences for years already – and for Real Madrid – had the club taken up the option to sign him a few years ago.

AS newspaper has a cover story on the 21-year-old, who moved to Barcelona this summer for 50 million euros from Santos. But in 2005-06 a 14-year-old teenager by the name of Neymar was invited over to Madrid to play and train with the Los Blancos youth team for two weeks.

Indeed, according to AS, the coaches were impressed with what they saw. The youngster didn’t look out of place playing with the likes of Daniel Carvajal and Alex Fernanadez. But with a clause of 60 thousand euros to make the deal happen, Madrid decided against it.

Elsewhere, Gareth Bale has spoken about his relief at getting the transfer from Tottenham Hotspur completed finally. He said he is looking forward to getting onto the pitch and showing the fans what he can do. Despite not having a pre-season, Bale assured fans he will be fit and ready to play after the internationals this weekend.

Marca goes with the great keeper debate on its front page. The paper claims Carlo Ancelotti will use Iker Casillas as the Champions League goalkeeper as the sets out on its quest for La Decima. Meanwhile, Diego Lopez will retain his place in La Liga.

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Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has expressed his surprise at Real Madrid’s decision to sell Mesut Ozil to Arsenal on deadline day.

The German international joined the Gunners for 50 million euros, drawing time on his three-year stay in the Spanish capital.

The 24-year-old said it became clear he did not have the support of Carlo Ancelotti and would not be getting much playing time this season so made the decision to move elsewhere.

Fabregas, a former Arsenal man himself, joined the ranks of players to speak about the transfer. Real Madrid players Sergio Ramos, Alvaro Arbeloa and Cristiano Ronaldo have all spoken of their surprise at the deal and how they are sad to see Ozil leave.

Speaking to Cadena Copa, Fabregas said: “Ozil was the second-best player at Real Madrid behind Cristiano Ronaldo. I could identify with him really well as we have a similar style of play. He’s an amazing signing for Arsenal.”

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Former Real Madrid midfielder Kaka has said his time in Spain were some of the best years of his life, despite not getting the playing time he would have liked.

The 31-year-old called time on his four-year stay in the Spanish capital on Monday when he returned to former club AC Milan.

But during his time with Los Blancos, Kaka won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa – something he says he will always remember fondly.

The Brazilian, who cost Madrid 65 million euros back in 2009, failed to fully establish himself In the team, and with the World Cup taking place in his home country in less than a year’s time, wanted to return to Milan to play more football and force his way back into the national side.

In an open letter to Madrid fans, Kaka thanked them for their support. He wrote: “Four seasons of work and dedication. In these four years wearing the Real’s white, I won three championships [trophies] and could enjoy the love and respect of a great club.

“Going back to Milan is a new page of my life, but I’ll keep in my heart all the great moments in Spain being sure that I did all my best for the success of the team. Being part of the history of such a great club like Real Madrid is one of the best parts of my life, even though I passed through some difficult moments.

“Let me thank you all, my colleagues, coaches, all the employees of Real Madrid, the management, the president Florentino Perez, all Real Madrid’s fans and all the others around the world that supported me through these years.”

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After losing the Real Madrid starting spot to Diego Lopez, Iker Casillas is likely to sit on the bench in Spain national team’s next game against Finland.

In Spain’s first training session before the match, Victor Valdes performed in the starting line-up, completed by Koke, Albiol, Ramos and Alba in defense; Silva, Iniesta and Xavi in midfield; and Navas, Soldado and Negredo up front.

Casillas alternated with Napoli’s Pepe Reina as the substitute goalkeeper, while the other three Real Madrid players -Arbeloa, Nacho and Isco- also played with the substitutes.

The 31-year-old goalie is the player with most appearances in the history of Spain, having played 147 matches for La Roja.

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The frenzy over Gareth Bale’s transfer to Real Madrid is still in full flow, as is the departure of Mesut Ozil to Arsenal. The Madrid press reflects the joy felt by the fans over the former, and the sadness over the latter.

A poll carried out by Marca revealed 60% of the readers believe Bale is a better signing for Los Blancos than Neymar is for Barcelona. The Brazilian joined the Catalan club for 50 million euros earlier this summer.

Ramon Calderon, the former president of Real Madrid, also had his say on the transfer, claiming the 24-year-old Welshman is the final piece in the jigsaw. He said Bale has unique abilities including a bullet-like shot, and that the PFA Player of the Year will fire the team to their 10th Champions League crown and success in La Liga.

The is also plenty of coverage of Mesut Ozil’s departure, with players and fans expressing their disappointment that the German international has left for Arsenal.

AS has footage of Florentino Perez urging the fans at the Santiago Bernabeu not to sing Ozil’s name during the presentation of Gareth Bale on Monday.

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Mesut Ozil surprise signing for Arsenal has left some of his team mates devasted.

Sergio Ramos confessed “he is a team mate and a friend; he’s different. Mesut is a different kind of player. If it were up to me, he would be one of the last ones to go. But Özil and the club have made the decision and I can only wish him the best.”

Ozil gave Ramos the shirt he wore in his last game for Los Blancos and the Spanish international thanked him via Twitter: “I will keep it in a safe place, my friend”. “I will miss you, brother. I wish you the best”, Ozil replied.

“He is a unique player and it makes me sad”, Ramos told the press.

Sami Khedira revealed he knew about Ozil’s departure “two or three days before it happened”. “He is a good friend and we are going to miss him”, he told Bild.

Cristiano Ronaldo has said he is “angry about Ozil leaving”. “Ozil’s departure is very bad news for me. He was the player who knew my moves in front of goal the best”, he declared.

Meanwhile, Alvaro Arbeloa admitted he was “a little surprised” about the move. “It’s a shame because he’s a different type of player, one of a kind, someone who makes a difference”, he said.

Mourinho: There is no other like him

Former Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho told the press “Ozil is unique”. “There is no copy of him. Not even a bad copy. He is the best number 10 in the world”, he added.

“He made things easier for me and for his teammates with the decisions he made on the field”, Mourinho admitted.

Chelsea’s boss confessed it is bad for his team Ozil’s move to Arsenal, because “they become candidates to win the Premier League”.

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Former Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Ozil has revealed that in the last few days he realised he “couldn’t count on the coach’s trust” and that is why he decided to sign for Arsenal.

After sitting on the bench in Los Blancos last game against Athletic Bilbao and seeing Gareth Bale arrive on a world-record transfer, the 24-year-old and the club decided the best for him was to accept the Gunners offer.

Ozil is expected to become an integral part of North London team. “Arsene Wenger has told me he has faith on me”, he told the German Football Association’s website.

At the weekend, I was certain that I would stay at Real Madrid, but afterwards I realised that I did not have the faith from the coach or the bosses. I am a player who needs this faith and that is what I have felt from Arsenal, which is why I have joined.

“I am really looking forward to it. I had spoken to him at length on the telephone, he explained his plans and that he has faith in me – that is what I need as a player.

“Wenger gives me the faith and I can develop further. I know what I can do and I know that I could make the grade with any club in the world because I am so convinced in myself, but if I don’t feel people have faith in me, then that is why I had to leave and at Arsenal, I feel I have this fully.

“I am sure the new coach is going to develop me further and I am also really looking forward to playing in the Premier League.”

Arsenal will pay Real Madrid 45 million euros for the German international, plus other 5 million depending on future results. Ozil will make 7.5 million a year.

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