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Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport claims Real Madrid and Napoli have closed a deal to bring defender Raul Albiol to Italy for 12 million euros.

According to La Gazzetta, the Spanish centre-back would sign a four-year deal with Napoli and join Jose Callejon, who has also recently moved from Madrid to the Italian club.

Albiol’s agent Manuel Garcia Quilon has recognised CalcioNapoli24 that “it is true we are negotiating with Napoli but there is nothing closed”.

“Raul is looking forward to this opportunity and it is possible that in the next hours or days we reach an agreement. We’ll have to wait”, Garcia Quilon said.

Napoli could also be after Gonzalo Higuain according to Italian website TuttoSport. With the recent signing of Edison Cavani for Paris Saint Germain, the Azzurri would be seeking to spend part of that money in a quality striker. The other candidate is Porto Alegre’s Leandro Damiao.

Milan after Karim Benzema

Italian television show Speciale Calciomercato revealed that Milan could be trying to sign Karin Benzema. According to Sportitalia’s program, Real Madrid would be seeking to bring Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and that would leave the door open for the Frenchman to arrive to Milan. The Rossoneri would be willing to offer him a four-million a year deal.

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New Real Madrid manager Carlos Ancelotti has named compatriot William Vecchi as the club’s goalkeeping coach.

The 64-year-old will be in charge of preparing and analysing the performances of Real’s shotstoppers.

With World Cup winner Iker Casillas and Diego Lopez vying for a spot in the first team under in the new regime, Vechhi’s advice will be vital for Ancelotti.

The goalkeeping coach has worked with Ancelotti before at both Parma and AC Milan, and oversaw the progress of Brazilian keeper Dida and Gianluigi Buffon – turning both of them into among the best keepers in the world.

As a player, he spent most of his career at Calcio Como, but also had spells at Milan and Cagliari.

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Real Madrid have terminated the contract of Aitor Karanka, the club’s assistant manager under former boss Jose Mourinho, according to reports.

The 39-year-old former Los Blanco midfielder , who had three years left on his deal, had been in a state of limbo at the Santiago Bernabeu after new manager Carlo Ancelotti decided to bring in his own coaching team.

The Basque opted against joining Mourinho at Chelsea last month, preferring either to stay in the Spanish capital or take his first steps into management.

Many reports linked Karanka with the managerial post at Abu Dhabi-based club Al Ahli, but his missed out on that role.

According to AS, Karanka and his representatives met with Jose Angel Sanchez, the club’s executive director  and agreed the best course of action was to part ways.

Karanka also previously spent five years as a player at the club.

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Madrid sports newspapers put their focus in the good mood during Real Madrid’s first training of the summer under Carlo Ancelotti’s orders.

“Ancelotti declares the state of optimism”, titles As. The Spanish daily highlights that Ancelotti told the players he trusts their “talent and professionalism”.

“We all start from zero” is Marca’s headline. That was Ancelotti’s message during the first session. “Ancelotti attracts the players in the first speech”, the Madrid daily says.

Marca brings to its front page some of Ancelotti’s sentences during the training: “I trust all of you”, he told the players. “I want you to play at first touch”, he added.

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Borussia Dortmund midfielder Nuri Sahin believes his former team Real Madrid will be one of the main teams to watch out for in the Champions League this season due to the pain they still have following last season’s semi-final defeat.

The 24-year-old, who endured a difficult period at Los Blancos – failing to settle in Madrid before having an unsuccessful loan spell at Liverpool –said the Santiago Bernabeu club and La Liga champions Barcelona would both be out for revenge.

The two La Liga sides were beaten at the semi-final stage last season by German sides – Dortmund and Bayern Munich.

The Turkey international told Kicker: “The Spaniards were really hurt by last season. That will trigger a reaction, I’m sure.

“They have dominated European football in the last six to eight years, and Real Madrid and Barcelona will be very strong in the coming year.

“However, the Bundesliga is on the right track and will continue to play a role.”

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Real Madrid scarves

Real Madrid have knocked Manchester United off top spot of the list of most valuable sports team according to Forbes.

The La Liga giants headed the list of more than 40 sports teams worldwide, with Barcelona named as the third most valuable team.

Forbes said Los Blancos were worth $3.3 billion, a huge increase from the $1.88 billion 12 months ago. A renewed kit deal with sports manufacturer Adidas along with shirt sponsorship deal worth $33 million a year with Fly Emirates were considered to be the two most important factors behind the leap.

With plans to renovate the Santiago Berabeu the club still has plenty of room to increase its’ worth even more.

Premier League champions Manchester United, the most valuable club last year, found themselves in second position this time round – worth $3.17 billion, while Barcelona were listed third at $2.6 billion.

Among the other European giants in the list were Arsenal ($1.32 billion) and Champions League winners Bayern Munich ($1.30 billion).

The top 10 list of sports clubs around the world was:

1. Real Madrid, $3.3 billion
2. Manchester United, $3.165 billion
3. Barcelona, $2.6 billion
4. New York Yankees, $2.3 billion
5. Dallas Cowboys, $2.1 billion
6. New England Patriots, $1.635 billion
7. Los Angeles Dodgers, $1.615 billion
8. Washington Redskins, $1.6 billion
9. New York Giants, $1.468 billion
10. Arsenal, $1.326 billion

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Iker Casillas and Sara Carbonero

Sara Carbonero and Iker Casillas became one of football’s most popular couples when the goalkeeper spontaneously kissed his girlfriend while she was interviewing him live on TV after winning the World Cup. In the past few months, a lot of rumours have been going on about a possible wedding. However, they’ve taken a step further and have surprised many with Sara’s pregnancy.

The Real Madrid player and Telecinco anchor are expecting their first child, who will be born in December. Rumour was confirmed last week and for the moment it has been reported that Carbonero is perfectly healthy, although she is suffering the usual nausea of the first weeks.

To celebrate the good news, the couple has visited the Seychelles to enjoy a few days of rest. Casillas has confessed his happiness as he had been wishing to be a father for a while. Sources from his closest friends have revealed that they had been planning being parents despite not being married.

The couple learned about their baby at the beginning of May but decided to keep it secret for a few weeks. They wanted to make sure that Sara’s pregnancy was going well and that the news would not affect their daily lives.

So Iker fulfilled his professional obligations: he finished the season with Real Madrid and was part of the Spain squad for the Confederations Cup in Brazil. Meanwhile, Carbonero also had to travel to Brazil to provide updates about the Spanish national team.

They decided to communicate the good news to their closest friends a few hours after coming back from Brazil and starting their holidays. They both believe that when they returned from their holidays the media attention would have diminished.

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New Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi has said that playing alongside star attraction Cristiano Ronaldo was one of the biggest factors in signing for Los Blancos.

Speaking at his presentation to the fans following his 39 million switch from Real Sociedad, the Spain Under-21 star said Cristiano was the biggest star in a dressing room full of international players.

In an interview with the club’s official website, Illarrmendi said: “Madrid have amazing footballers, but I think Ronaldo is the star attraction. He’s incredible, the best in the world and we need to go all out with him. Let’s hope we have a great year, full of successes.”

After putting pen-to-paper on a six year deal, the 23-year-old promised Los Blancos fans he would give 100 per cent in his time at the club.

“I think I’m someone who gives my all every day and who tries to get better every day. On the pitch I also try my heart out,” he stated.

He added: “How things turn out well depends on many factors, but it won’t ever be for lack of effort. When I go out to play I try to do my best, with the best possible attitude.”

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Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil will sit down with new manager Carlo Ancelotti and the club’s directors to discuss a contract extension, it has been claimed.

The 24-year-old’s current deal runs until 2016, but following a successful 2012-13 campaign in which he scored nine goals and provided 16 assists, Los Blancos are keen to keep him at the club for a longer period.

Spanish daily AS said the German international will discuss a new deal that will keep Ozil at the Santiago Bernabeu until 2019.

Ahead of his return to pre-season training, Ozil said he only has one thing on his mind – maintaining his form to ensure his future at Real Madrid is a happy one.

He stated: “Whoever plays here cannot think of other things. I don’t have a single reason for wanting to leave Madrid.”

Ozil has scored 14 goals in 46 appearances for Germany since making his international bow in 2009.

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The new Real Madrid project lead by Carlo Ancelotti kicks off today with the first training at the sports complex of Valdebebas and both Madrid sports newspapers put their focus on that.

“The Madrid of illusion kicks off”, says Marca, who emphasize the renewal of the squad with youngsters Isco, Carvajal, Illarramendi and Casemiro.

“Ancelotti has been already working with Zidane at Valdebebas but leads his first training today without the Spanish internationals and Marcelo”, they report.

As titles “Kaka is Ancelotti’s main challenge”. “The Italian starts the season with one priority: Recovering the Brazilian”, the sports daily claims.

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