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Madrid sports daily As claims today in its front page that Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract renewal won’t be signed until september, as Real Madrid main focus at the moment is bringing Gareth Bale to Santiago Bernabeu.

The Portuguese was reported to extend his relationship with Los Blancos until 2018, with a 17 million euros per season salary.

However, although there might be a verbal agreement between Florentino Perez and Ronaldo, the agreement won’t be signed until the transfer market is closed.

Marca brings to its front page today a preview of the 2013-14 season that will kick of this week, claiming that “Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid is ready to dethrone Barcelona”.

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France and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has said he is delighted to have the opportunity to work with Zinedine Zidane and called the former Los Blancos star his role model.

Zidane was appointed as Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant manager earlier on this summer and will work closely with the players this year – something that Benzema is happy about.

Speaking to the official club website, the 25-year-old forward said: “He’s been my role model since I was a child. He’s a great player.

“It’s good for the team to have someone like him on the bench. He’s friendly with the players and has a lot of experience.”

Now in his fifth year at the Santiago Bernabeu, Benzema revealed he is working hard to improve as a player and hopes to one day achieve his personal goal of winning the Ballon D’or.

“It’s on my mind. Everyday I work to win it. It’s the best club. I came to work and I’m really pleased to be here. The best thing is that I dreamed of it since I was little. Now I’m a footballer and I’m living my dream,” he stated.

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Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria has vowed to fight for his place at the Santiago Bernabeu and ruled out a move elsewhere.

The Argentinean has been linked with a move away from Los Blancos this summer with Tottenham Hotspur the latest club mentioned – with Gareth Bale moving in the opposite direction.

But the 25-year-old, who made just 22 starts in La Liga for Real last year, said he wanted to stay in the Spanish capital and win trophies on the biggest stage.

Speaking after his team’s easy win over Inter Milan to conclude the US tour, di Maria, who cost Madrid 36 million euro in 2010, said: “I have three years left on my contract. I am staying. I am very happy here.

“I just want to try and start the league campaign in the best way possible.”

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Real Madrid defender Pepe has said the squad is excited about the start of the new campaign and can’t wait to get started next weekend against Real Betis.

Los Blancos have a new look about them this season, with Carlo Ancelotti taking the reigns at the Santiago Bernabeu following the departure of Jose Mourinho.

And a number of youthful additions have been made to the team, such as Isco, Daniel Carvajal, Asier Illarramendi and Casemiro.

The side will be looking to put right the missed opportunities of last season, when Los Merengues lost too much ground in the title race early on, were dumped out of the Champions League at the semi final stage, and lost the final of the Copa del Rey on home turf against city rivals Atletico de Madrid.

Portuguese international Pepe stated: “The most important thing is to start the Liga off well with a win. We’re working very hard and we’re trying to prepare ourselves psychologically as fast as possible in order to adopt the boss’s philosophy.”

He also spoke in glowing terms about his new Italian manager, saying Ancelotti is very personable and like to spend time with the players.

“The boss knows a lot about tactics and we’re really pleased to be learning with him. He’s very approachable and friendly with the footballers and he’s always checking in on each of us. He likes it when his team plays football and things are turning out well,” he said.

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Madrid sports dailies report today that Gareth Bale didn’t show up for Tottenham Hotspur’s friendly against Espanyol, claiming the Welshman is pressuring Spurs to let him leave.

Marca states the fans have already forgotten about him and have a new idol: Spanish striker Roberto Soldado, who played his first match for Spurs and scored a goal.

Both Madrid papers put their focus on Real Madrid’s victory over Inter Milan. “The Madrid of illusion”, titles As. “Los Blancos end the pre-season unbeaten. Kaka and Casemiro make a big impression”, they add.

Marca also emphasizes Casemiro’s great performance, and states that “Real impressed with his beautiful game”.

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Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has said no more players will be allowed to leave before the transfer window.

The La Liga side have sold the likes Gonzalo Higuain, Raul Albiol and Jose Callejon this summer, and also lost Michael Essien, who returned to his parent club Chelsea following a season’s loan in the Spanish capital.

Other stars in the squad have been linked with moves away, with plenty of speculation surrounding the likes of Angel di Maria, Fabio Coentrao and Sami Khedira.

But speaking following his side’s 3-0 rout of Inter Milan in the final game of the US tour, Ancelotti said his squad was almost complete and that no more players would leave.

“Coentrao is thinking about leaving, but I’d be happy if he stayed because he’s a cracking player,” Ancelotti said.

He added: “Being at Madrid isn’t so bad. Khedira isn’t going to leave. No player is in a position to leave. Di Maria is also going to stay. The dressing room is great, the atmosphere is really good.”

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A classy Casemiro lead Real Madrid in a easy victory against Inter Milan at Saint Louis to keep Los Blancos unbeaten in pre-season.

With Casemiro, Kaka and Modric dominating the midfield, Los Merengues soon assumed control of the game and created a number of opportunities.

Morata and Di Maria had chances in the opening ten minutes, and Kaka scored in the 11th minute with a second-effort header after receiving an assist from Casemiro.

Another great pass of the Brazilian was caught by Cristiano Ronaldo to double Madrid’s lead in the 38th minute. The Portuguese could have scored earlier but he sent both efforts wide of the post.

Inter tested Los Blancos goalkeeper Diego Lopez several times in the second half, including two good chances from Alvarez and one rifled over the crossbar by Rodrigo Palacio.

However, Real made it three as an Inter defender sent to the back of the net Di Maria’s deep corner.

Youngsters Jese, Nacho and Carvajal had a good performance, while Casemiro showed that Khedira will have to fight hard to earn a spot in the starting eleven this season.

 

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Manchester United are considering a move to bring Real Madrid’s playmaker Luka Modric to Old Trafford after failing to sign Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas, The Guardian claims.

The Croatian is thought to have become coach David Moyes’ top target after also missing out on the likes of Thiago Alcantara, who chose to sign for Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich.

The British daily states that Los Blancos would want at least 29 million euros for Modric, and Moyes would be willing to make any necessary effort to bring a goal scoring midfielder like him to complete his squad.

The 27-year-old moved to Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur for 38 million euros one year ago and has become an important piece in Carlo Ancelotti’s team.

A few days ago, the Italian manager dismissed rumours that the Croatian could leave the club this summer, after Spurs also showed an interest in bringing him back to White Hart Lane.

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Spanish sports newspaper Marca claims today in its front page that Carlo Ancelotti has asked Real Madrid the signing of Milan’s defender Mattia de Sciglio.

The 20-year-old right-back has already played eight games for Italy national team. “He can also play as centre-back or left-back”, Marca explains.

Meanwhile, As puts its focus on Gareth Bale’s transfer, claiming the Welshman won’t play today in Tottenham’s friendly against Espanyol.

The Madrid daily also reports that Ancelotti will give the reserves a chance it today’s game against Inter Milan. “Diego Lopez, Casemiro, Jese and Morata will start”, they title.

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Tottenham Hotspur owner Daniel Levy is looking to include Real Madrid pearl Jese Rodriguez as part of Gareth Bale’s deal, Spanish sports newspaper As claims.

The 20-year-old was already linked to Spurs one month ago, when Sky Sports stated the London club had offered 11.5 million euros to Los Blancos.

Now, according to As, Levy has told Florentino Perez he wants 100 million euros and either Jese or Alvaro Morata for Gareth Bale.

Jese is one of the most promising Spanish young players. Often compared with Cristiano Ronaldo, he has earned a spot in this season’s squad.

Madrid would not consider a sale, but they could agree to a loan in case the youngster doesn’t get all the playing time he needs to improve.

That is why former Real Madrid manager Bernd Schuster has already asked Perez the forward’s loan to Malaga for one year, according to Andalucian newspaper La Opinion de Malaga.

However, Perez, Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane are yet to decide the destiny of Jese this season. Gareth Bale’s arrival could finally convince them to send him on loan.

 

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