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There is much excitement in the Spanish press about the return of La Liga. Real Madrid host Real Betis on Sunday night in Carlo Ancelotti’s first competitive match in charge following a highly successful pre-season in which Los Blancos remained unbeaten.

Marca’s headline says ‘Oh, how we’ve missed you’, hailing the return of La Liga. The Madrid press is hopeful of a big season from Los Merengues. After the disappointment of last year and the in-fighting that occurred during Jose Mourinho’s final season in charge, there is a positive vibe about the place this time round.

In transfer news, there is still coverage of the Gareth Bale soap opera. Today’s update is that the number 11 shirt has been left free for the Welshman after the announcement of the squad numbers yesterday.

AS claims that the Welshman has now been forced to train alone at Tottenham Hotspur due to the fact he is no longer talking to anyone at the club as he seeks to complete a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Elsewhere, Marca says both Manchester United and PSG are interesting in a move for Argentinean winger Angel di Maria and both teams look to bolster their attacking options for the campaign ahead.

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Days after rumours surfaced suggesting Sami Khedira’s agent had offered the midfielder’s services to French side Paris Saint-Germain, he has spoken to the press to say the talk of a Real Madrid exit are false.

Speaking to German newspaper Bild, Jorg Neubauer said the talk of Khedira leaving Real Madrid was rubbish and that the central midfielder would wear the famous white jersey beyond the closure of the transfer window.

There had been some doubt about the German’s future with Los Blancos after the arrival of Asier Illarramendi and Casemiro, but the latest developments seem to suggest he will play an important part in Carlo Ancelotti’s team.

Neubauer said: “Sami will again play at Real this season. I don’t know who amuses themselves by coming up with these rumours and it’s all a bit annoying and no help to Sami.”

Khedira signed for Real Madrid after the World Cup in 2010. He has been capped 40 times by his national side.

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Tottenham Hotspur boss Andre Villas Boas has claimed he is being given the silent treatment by Gareth Bale as the Welshman awaits the outcome of Real Madrid’s attempts to take him to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.

The 24-year-old has been linked with Los Blancos all summer long with reports that Madrid will break their own world-record transfer fee to secure him.

Daniel Levy, the Spurs chairman, has maintained all along that the player is not for sale at any price, but Bale is now believed to be not talking to people at the club until he gets his wish and moves to the Spanish capital.

When questioned about Bale’s state of mind ahead of Spurs’ season opener against Crystal Palace, Villas Boas said: “The player is our player – our idea is to count on Gareth.

“We are aware Real Madrid are interested in the player. It doesn’t mean that we are willing to negotiate. His mental state? Nobody knows because he is refusing to speak.”

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The countdown is almost over for the return of La Liga this weekend. But today’s top story dominating the pages is Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract.

The Portuguese star has two years remaining on his current deal and at various points this summer has been reportedly close to signing a new long-term contract to stay at the Bernabeu and disappoint Manchester United – who had hoped to lure him back to Old Trafford.

But AS plasters the 28-year-old on its front page with quotes from the attacker saying he is ‘not worried’ about the situation and that ‘sooner or later’ something will get sorted out.

Marca carries on with the Gareth Bale transfer saga, saying the Welshman will not play for Tottenham Hotspur against Crystal Palace this weekend, and that Daniel Levy, the club’s chairman, will seek to draw out the deal until the final moments of the transfer window.

Away from that, 50% of people questioned in a poll by Marca say Los Blancos will win the league this season, making them the title favourites. Four in 10 of those polled said Barcelona would retain the title, while 5% said Atletico would win, and the remaining 5% put Valencia as the title favourites.

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Former Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is ‘not worth it,’ according to compatriot and current Los Blancos star Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 28-year-old is refusing to answer questions about his relationship with his ex-manager after Mourinho made some disparaging comments in the media earlier this month.

The now Chelsea boss, who spent three years in charge of Los Merengues, said Cristiano Ronaldo was not the ‘real Ronaldo’.

Although Mourinho insists his comments were blown out of proportion by the press, Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 201 goals in 199 games for Real Madrid, does not want to become engaged in a public spat.

Speaking after Portugal’s 1-1 draw with Holland on Wednesday night, the attacker said: “I will not mention the name of that person (Mourinho). He’s not worth it.”

He did has some positive words about his new manager Carlo Ancelotti though, calling him ‘a great coach’ and adding he is delighted to have the chance to work with him.

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Manchester United are considering a move for Real Madrid playmaker Kaka, after failing their attempts to sign Thiago Alcantara, Kevin Strootman, Cesc Fabregas and Luka Modric.

David Moyes is desperately in search of a creative midfielder and, according to Sport Direct News, the Brazilian could be his next target.

The former Everton manager has prioritised the signing of a player for that position, due to the retirement of Paul Scholes and the poor form of Anderson.

Moyes has reportedly tried to convince his former pupil Marouane Fellaini to join him at United, but may also see Kaka as a decent alternative.

The 31-year-old emerged as one of the best players in the world during his days at AC Milan, winning one Ballon D’Or, but has flopped somewhat since his signing for Los Blancos in 2009.

Although Carlo Ancelotti has stated he can still get something good out of Kaka, the Brazilian will have more competition to earn a spot in the starting eleven this season, due to the arrival of Isco, Jese and Cheryshev.

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Real Madrid’s assistant manager Paul Clement has spoken of his delight at joining the Spanish giants, and of how well life has gone in his first month at the club.

The Englishman was Carlo Ancelotti’s right hand man at Paris Saint-Germain and also worked under the Italian at Chelsea.

Speaking to the Chelsea website, Clement said he enjoyed experiencing new cultures and learning new languages and is happy for his wife and children to see the world too.

Despite never playing at the highest level, he has enjoyed a hugely successful career, picking up league winners’ medals with Chelsea and Paris St Germain amongst others.

He will be looking to add to that with Los Blancos as they look to take back the La Liga crown off Barcelona this year and attempt to win the club’s Decima European Cup.

Clement said: “I’m enjoying my time. It’s been a month in Madrid and things seem to have gone very quickly since I left Chelsea, having worked at Blackburn, then PSG and now Madrid.”

“PSG was a nice experience on the field, working with some really good players, and winning the championship in another country was very rewarding, and great for my family, my kids learned a new language and we experienced a new culture, which we will do again now at one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“Real Madrid is a fantastic club with great players, everything is in place and there are fantastic training facilities. The people are passionate and there is incredible support around the world so it’s a really exciting time,” he added.

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The never-ending saga of Gareth Bale’s transfer to Real Madrid is still n the front pages this morning, despite the fact the national team was in action overnight, beating Ecuador 2-0.

Marca uses it front page to give more coverage to the match itself, although there is room still to mention the fact that Madrid need to put the accelerator on if the want to sign Bale.

The paper says such a complicated and drawn-out negotiation takes time, and the transfer window slams shut in just over two weeks.

AS, another of Madrid’s sensationalist papers, claims the final offer Los Blancos will make is 110 million euros. Tottenham Hotspur were keen on taking Alvaro Morata or Jese Rodriguez as part of the deal but the Madrid hierarchy rejected that idea.

Instead, the deal will include Fabio Coentrao moving to White Hart Lane, with the rest of the transfer paid in cash instalments.

Elsewhere, Marca gives an update on the injured players. While Raphael Varane and Asier Illarramendi continued to train alone, working on their fitness, they are both not far off returning to training with the rest of the group.

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Reports in Spain have suggested Manchester United are considering making a 47 million euro offer for Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Ozil.

Punto Pelota claimed the Red Devils have given up any hope of competing with Los Blancos in trying to sign Gareth Bale, while they have been spurned by their other top targets this summer – such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Cesc Fabregas.

New United boss David Moyes is keen to add a quality addition to his midfield, and could now make a move for Ozil.

According to Punto Pelota, Real Madrid are not willing to sell, although if a deal could be reached between the two clubs, the player himself is thought to be open to facing a new challenge.

The 24-year-old midfielder signed for the Santiago Bernabeu club in 2010 and has made 156 appearances, scoring 27 goals.

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Premier League side Manchester City are set to make a final attempt to sign Real Madrid defender Pepe, according to reports in the English media.

The Daily Mail claimed former Los Blancos manager Manuel Pellegrini, now in charge at the Etihad Stadium side, will offer 23 million euros for the Portuguese international in the wake of a defensive crisis at the club.

Matija Nastasic picked up an injury in pre-season that will keep him on the sidelines for the first six weeks of the campaign, leaving Pellegrini short of defensive personnel.

The Citizens have been linked with a move for 30-year-old Pepe on numerous occasions this summer, but Madrid appeared to be reluctant to part with their man.

Some reports in both England and Spain have claimed City director Txiki Begiristain has flown to Madrid to make a final offer before Pellegrini’s side get their season underway against Newcastle at the weekend.

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