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Real Madrid has the advantage over other rivals in their attempts sign Benfica’s midfielder Nemanja Matic this summer, according to Portuguese sports daily A Bola.

The newspaper reports that Chelsea are interested in signing the Serbian, but Real would be in a better position as they can include in the deal the 50% of Benfica’s defender Ezequiel Garay rights, which Los Blancos own -around 10 million euros.

The Argentinian centre-back has been linked with a move to a big club and getting the other half of his rights could be a very profitable deal for Benfica.

Record, anther Portuguese sports newspaper, also claims Los Merengues are interested in Matic and revealed Carlo Ancelotti already wanted to sign him as Paris Saint Germain manager.

However, both Chelsea and Monaco would be serious rivals in the fight for the Serbian. Both are reported to be very interested and the 24-year-old’s price would be around 35 million euros.

Real Madrid are  searching for a young central midfielder as a future replacement for Xabi Alonso and Matic has been added to a list of promising stars, including Asier Illarramendi, Geoffrey Kondogbia and İlkay Gündoğan.

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Madrid sports newspaper Marca claims that Carlo Ancelotti has given the OK to Florentino Perez about Asier Illarramendi’s signing.

The 23-year old midfielder could be the piece for the centre-half Real Madrid is looking for. “His buy-out clause is 30 million Euros, but Real doesn’t forget about Kondogbia and Gundogan”, Marca states.

The most sold Spanish sports daily also brings to its front page an interview to Los Blancos left-back Marcelo, who says”Real will fight for winning all titles next season”.

Meanwhile, As states that Uruguayan striker Edison Cavani could be closer to signing for Chelsea and farther from Real Madrid. “Mourinho takes the advantage for Cavani’s transfer”, they title.

As also highlight that Spanish Under-20 national team, lead by Real Madrid youngster Jese Rodriguez, will have their first acid test today against Mexico in the World Cup, as the Mexicans are also among the favourites to win the tournament.

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Carlo Ancelotti is no pushover and will not be a puppet for the Real Madrid boardroom, his friend and fellow Italian Arrigo Sacchi has said.

Some media reports had suggested Ancelotti’s appointment was designed to ensure a period of calm and peacefulness following the turbulent three-year period under Jose Mourinho in which the Portuguese caused much controversy after falling out with referees, other managers, the media, and his own players.

But Sacchi said Ancelotti is a tough character and has always been able to make big calls during his management career.

“Once, before a Champions League game, Silvio Berlusconi said that Filippo Inzaghi ought to start, leading Ancelotti to quip at the press conference: ‘Here’s hoping the president has got the selection right and we win’,” the former Madrid sporting director told Spanish sports newspaper Marca.

“The next day he didn’t play Inzaghi and they won. He listens to everyone, but he doesn’t give in to pressure.”

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Aitor Karanka has turned down the opportunity to link up with former Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho at Chelsea and now find his career at a crossroads with three-years still remaining on his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu, according to reports.

ESPN said the former Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao defender, who worked as an assistant-manager under the Portuguese boss, was invited to take up a role at Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho and Karanka seemed to form a strong partnership in the time they worked together, with the latter often fulfilling press conference duties for the former when he had fallen out with journalists and didn’t want to talk.

Karanka has a contract with Los Blancos until 2016, although his chances of staying on in the Spanish capital look slim. New manager Carlo Ancelotti has announced Paul Clement and Zinedine Zidane as his assistants, while there is no vacancy at reserve team either with Real Madrid Castilla.

Speaking to ASTV, Karanka said he would sit down with Florentino Perez to discuss his options.

“Mourinho wanted me to go with him to Chelsea. But there was also the option of staying. I have a great relationship with Florentino Perez so we will sit down and talk and see what happens,” he said.

Al Ahli in Dubai are believed to be interested in talking to him about the vacant manager’s position following the resignation of Quique Sanchez Flores last month.

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Brazil left back Marcelo has become only the fourth Real Madrid player in history to win the Confederations Cup after Michael Laudrup, Roberto Carlos and Ze Roberto.

He was part of the successful side that overwhelmed World and European champions Spain 3-0 at the Maracana Stadium on Sunday night.

The Spanish team included four of his club team mates: Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Alvaro Arbeloa and Raul Albiol.

Laudrup led his Denmark side to victory over Argentina in Saudi Arabia in only the second ever Confederations Cup tournament in 1995.

Two years later, again in Saudi Arabia, Roberto Carlos started four of Brazil’s five matches, including in the final against Australia. Although part of the squad, Ze Roberto only played in the first match of the 1997 tournament against the host team.

After the match at the Maracana, Marcelo spoke of his delight at getting his hands on the trophy.

“We have a lot of respect for the Spanish squad and we succeeded in defeating them. They have an incredible team and to beat them 3-0 like this is to make history. What is more, it was a great thrill to play here with the support of these wonderful fans,” he stated.

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Real Madrid playmaker Kaka is closer to going back to Sao Paulo, the club where he grew up, according to Spanish news outlet Terra.

Florentino Perez would be willing to facilitate the Brazilian’s exit after a few summers trying to sell him, and he would accept 15 million euros for the transfer.

Terra claims the two clubs have reached an initial agreement for a price close to that figure. However, as in the previous chances Real could have sold Kaka, the player hasn’t accepted Sao Paulo’s offer yet.

Kaka would earn 3 million euros a year at Sao Paulo, a third of what he makes at Real Madrid. The Brazilian’s decision will be crucial for his move to happen.

Ricardo Izecson dos Santos, Kaka, arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu on June 2009 from Milan, for 65 million euros. He has never performed as expected in his four seasons at Real, but his high salary has always been an obstacle for his exit.

The arrival of Isco has definitely left him without a spot on the squad, and Carlo Ancelotti doesn’t count on him for his new project for Los Blancos.

Kaka’s sale could help Florentino Perez afford Gareth Bale’s transfer, since Real would lose the heavy weight of a two-year contract worth almost 10 million euros per season and get an extra 15 million euros for the deal.

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The Madrid press, like the rest of Spain, is in mourning today after the mauling in the Maracana. Spain’s 29-match unbeaten run in competitive fixtures was ended in thumping fashion as Brazil beat the World and European champions 3-0 to lift the Confederations Cup.

It wasn’t a good night for Real Madrid’s Spanish players – Iker Casillas was beaten three times, including by new Barcelona forward Neymar, while Sergio Ramos missed a penalty in the 55th minute to compound Spain’s misery.

Among the match analysis though, there is some Real Madrid news – and AS says Los Blancos have added Stevan Jovetic to the list of forwards to potentially bolster the attack next season.

Reports have linked the clubs with moves for Luis Suarez, Edison Cavani and Gareth Bale, but AS says Jovetic, who currently plays for Fiorentina, could be a cheaper option – at around 22 million euros.

As we reported earlier this week, new boss Carlo Ancelotti has been told he needs to get rid of around four players this summer to reduce the size of the playing squad. And Marca claims Gonzalo Higuain is inching ever closer to the exit door having agreed personal terms with Arsenal. The Argentinean forward is said to be waiting for the green light from Ancelotti to leave the club and head to the Emirates. A deal could be concluded by the end of this week, it is believed.

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Sergio Ramos has said his Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world and urged the club to do all they can to ensure he stays.

The Portuguese attacker, who scored 34 goals in La Liga last season, has been linked with a return to his previous club Manchester United after expressing his unhappiness with life In the Spanish capital.

But Ramos believes Los Blancos should pull out all the stops to keep the player.

Speaking to El Mundo newspaper, he said: “He is a player that you cannot blame anything on – he is an example of professionalism.

“Last season, for me, he was the best in the world. He deserves to win whatever he wants to win, really. I hope the club director is trying to renew his deal to keep him in Madrid.”

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Real Madrid target Edison Cavani has told reporters that talk of a possible transfer to the Spanish giants or to Premier League side Chelsea is unsettling him.

The Uruguayan is with his national side in Brazil as the South Americans take on Italy in the 3rd/4th place play-off in the Confederations Cup.

Speaking to members of the press before the game, he said his focus had been disrupted by talk of a big money move away from the Seria A.

Chelsea are believed to be ready to make a firm offer for the forward, and while Los Blancos are still interested, it is thought they are swaying more in favour of a move for Cavani’s international team-mate Luis Suarez.

Cavani said: “Your talking at the beginning didn’t disturb me but now I have to confess these rumours are bothering me. You’re talking too much about things you shouldn’t be talking about now. I’m still engaged in this competition and just thinking about the next game.”

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Real Madrid and Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas has said his club rival for the number 1 shirt, Diego Lopez, deserves to continue in the starting 11 when Carlo Ancelotti picks his team for the first time.

The 32-year-old stopper, who helped lead Spain to their first ever World Cup success in 2010, was consigned to the bench for much of last season.

Initially he picked up a hand injury, but when he was fully fit again, former manager Jose Mourinho decided to stick with Lopez. As the months wore on, stories emerged about a total breakdown in the relationship between Casillas and his manager.

Casillas has managed to maintain the number 1 shirt for his national side and should start in goal for Spain in the Confederations Cup final against Brazil.

Speaking to Radio Marca, he said Lopez deserved to continue in goal for Los Blancos because of his outstanding form.

He stated: “Diego Lopez is a fantastic person and a great goalkeeper.

“He was superb and he deserves to continue playing. He had a brilliant season. I never wanted problems. I have learned how to show patience ever since I was a child, I know that I have to wait and try to win my place in the side.”

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