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Gareth Bale is not worth the 91 million euros Real Madrid paid for him, according to former Tottenham Hotspur team mate Rafael van der Vaart.

The 24-year-old Welshman completed a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu on deadline day after once of the most protracted transfer sagas over the summer.

The English media suggest the fee was a world record, while the Spanish press maintain the amount Los Blancos paid for Cristiano Ronaldo was higher.

But whatever the exact amount, van der Vaart, who also played for Real Madrid, said the club has paid too much for Bale.

Speaking to NOS, van der Vaart stated:  “You should ask yourself if a player is worth that amount at all.  I’ve played with him, but I couldn’t see that he was worth 100 million back then. He did develop quite good, but still he has to prove his worth at Real.

“I know Bale as a very nice and sweet guy so I think he would fit best in England. A club like Real Madrid is different and there is a lot of pressure over there. But maybe he can surprise everybody at Real.”

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Madrid sports newspapers put their focus today on Gareth Bale’s unveiling as Real Madrid player.

“30,000 fans hailed the Welshman at Santiago Bernabeu”, As reports. “Galactic unveiling”, they title.

“Real dream”, titles Marca, who claim that “Bale completes an astonishing squad ready to win the 10th Champions League”.

As highlights that the 30,000 Real Madrid fans who attended the event chanted “Ozil is not for sale” in several occasions.

However, the German international ended up signing for Arsenal for 45 million euros. “It’s the highest sale in Real Madrid’s history”, Marca points out.

The most sold Spanish newspaper also covers Kaka’s return to Milan. “There are loves you never forget”, the Brazilian said during his unveiling.

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Fabio Coentrao missed out on a deadline day move to Manchester United after the Red Devils ran out of time to complete the deal.

New United boss David Moyes was keen to take the Portuguese international on a season long loan to provide competition to Patrice Evra for the left-back spot.

But with all their efforts focused on closing the deal for Marouane Fellaini, the Old Trafford outfit were left short of time.

Coentrao had been keen on a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu all summer after losing his place in the team to Marcelo.

The 25-year-old, who joined the club from Benfica in 2011, was linked with his previous team in Portugal as well as Premier League side Chelsea, now managed my Jose Mourinho.

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Mesut Ozil has completed a 50 million euro switch from Real Madrid to Arsenal, it has been confirmed.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger moved for the German star as soon as Los Blancos confirmed their deal to sign Gareth Bale on Sunday night.

The 24-year-old, who is currently with his international side ahead of this weekend’s World Cup qualifiers, underwent a medical in Munich this morning, and agreed personal terms.

It is believed Ozil has signed a five-year contract at the Emirates Stadium, worth around 140,000 euros a week – smashing the Arsenal transfer record and pay structure.

Ozil signed for Los Blancos from Werder Bremen following the World Cup in 2010. He has made 158 appearances, scoring 27 goals in that time.

But the German has cut an increasingly frustrated figure in recent weeks having seen his first team opportunities at the Santiago Bernabeu limited by the arrival of Isco and Bale. He stormed off down the tunnel having been substituted against Granada, and was left out of the squad altogether for Real’s win over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

Speaking to the Arsenal club website, Ozil said: “I am thrilled to be joining a club of the stature of Arsenal and am looking forward to playing in the Premier League. It will be great for my own personal development as a player and I am particularly looking forward to working with Arsène Wenger.

“From our negotiations it is clear the Club has huge ambition and I look forward to being part of an exciting future.”

 

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Real Madrid have turned down a Manchester United 40 million euros bid for German midfielder Sami Khedira, according to reports.

The Red Devils are desperately seeking for a centre-half in the last day of the transfer market, and have targetted Khedira.

However, Carlo Ancelotti is not willing to let go a crucial piece of his squad.

The 26-year-old has been linked with a move to both United and Chelsea this summer, but Real has closed the door to the German international’s exit.

Reports told David Moyes could return with a higher offer. But with a little more than one hour remaining until the transfer window shuts, the deal will not happen.

Khedira earned a spot in the starting eleven in last La Liga game against Athletic Bilbao despite returning from a knee injury. He seems to be Ancelotti’s main choice for the defending central midfielder role.

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Real Madrid goalkeeper Antonio Adan has left the club after agreeing to end his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu, the club has confirmed.

The shot-stopper has spent his entire career with Los Blancos, but only made a handful of appearances, and he has now made the decision to move elsewhere in search of more regular football.

The 26-year-old played for Los Blancos last season under Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese manager, now at Chelsea, controversially dropped club captain Iker Casillas in favour of Adan.

The decision was the start of a huge rift that split the squad and created a negative atmosphere around the club in the final months of the campaign.

A club statement wished Adan well for the future. It read: “Real Madrid and Antonio Adan have rescinded the contract which tied the player to the club. Real Madrid are grateful for his professionalism and his affection for the club, and wish him all the best in his next step.”

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New Real Madrid signing Gareth Bale has said the chance to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo was a major factor in his decision to make the switch from Tottenham Hotspur.

The 24-year-old Welshman was presented to Los Blancos fans at the Santiago Bernabeu after completing his medical and putting pen-to-paper on a six-year deal that will see him earn around 190,000 euros a week.

Speaking to the media after his introduction, Bale revealed he will leave free-kick taking and penalty taking decision for Ronaldo.

“For me Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world. His presence played a big part in my decision to join Madrid. It will be an honour to play alongside him,” he told gathered reporters.

“What about penalties and free-kicks? Ronaldo is the boss here at Madrid. Let’s see what he says. I don’t need to help Ronaldo to be the best in the world – he has already shown it,” he added.

The PFA Player of the Year also said he is not worried about the price tag. The UK media suggested Los Blancos have paid 100 million euros – making him the most expensive player in the world – while the Spanish press say the figure was more like 91 million euros, meaning Ronaldo still has the record.

Bale stated: “The transfer fee is not something that affects me. It’s something between Madrid and Spurs. It only brings extra pressure if I want it to.

“The biggest pressure here is to help Madrid win trophies. I want to win silverware here and help the club win the Champions League.”

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Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has hailed the impact of summer signing Isco after his impressive displays so far this season.

The 21-year-old scored a brace on Sunday afternoon as Los Blancos secured a 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao as they made it three wins out of three so far in La Liga.

Isco, who starred for Spain in the Under-21 European Championships this summer, also scored on his debut against Real Betis.

Speaking after the match, Italian boss Ancelotti had special praise for the attacking midfielder.

“Isco is doing very well, he looks like he has been playing here a long time. He has shown his personality, quality and ability.

“He has just as much quality on the wing as in the centre, but the defensive work he is doing on the wing is very important. When we are attacking he can go where he wants and he is very good at choosing the right place on the pitch.”

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Brazilian playmaker Kaka has ended his four-year stay in Madrid by returning to former club AC Milan, it has been confirmed.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Milan CEO Adriano Galliani travelled to Madrid to thrash out the terms of the deal – a two-year contract, with Kaka earning a salary of around four million euros a year.

It is thought no transfer fee will be involved and the Los Blancos have agreed to release Kaka from his contract.

Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri told the media news of the deal he was happy to have Kaka back at the San Siro.”Kaka would strengthen us. He’s versatile, and his technical attributes would be a big plus to the team,” said Milan coach.

In his first words to reporters following the announcement of the deal, Kaka  said: “I’m going home. I’m happy and we have a great team. Last night I watched my Milan again. The San Siro? I just can’t wait.”

 

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Real Madrid have agreed a deal with Tottenham for the transfer of Gareth Bale, it has been reported.

The Santiago Bernabeu club will pay an total of 91 million euros, making the deal fall just short of the amount paid for Ronaldo four years ago.

According to AS, the club will pay an initial 84 million euros with a further 7 million euros depending on appearance fees and other add-ons.

The 24-year-old will sign a six-year deal at the Bernabeu, and will earn a salary of around 10 million euros a year, comfortably making him one of the highest-paid footballers in the world.

Real wanted the deal finalised so Bale could make his debut today but it was held up by Spurs as they looked for a replacement. He is now expected to arrive in Madrid this evening and undergo a medical examination at 9am on Monday morning before being presented to the press and fans at 1pm.

Bale’s arrival in the Spanish capital signals the end of one of the longest running transfer sagas, with reports the deal was done for weeks, before conflicting information saying Spurs chairman was threatening to pull the plug on the deal, and that a second unnamed club was in for the forward.

Bale, the PFA Player of the Year, signed for Spurs from Southampton in 2007. He netted 26 goals in all competitions for the club last season, firing them to fifth place in the league and just missing out on the Champions League.

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