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Both Madrid sports newspapers put their focus in the official confirmation of Carlo Ancelotti’s signing as new Real Madrid manager.

“Ancelotti, finally…”, titles As. “Florentino Perez got Paris Saint Germain sheikh’s permission to present the manager today”, they say.

“He signs for the next three years”, Marca reports, and “his first task will be shaping the new squad with signings and exits”.

Marca also publishes an exclusive interview with Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa, who claims “Spain is doing something huge, but we know there is some people waiting for us to do wrong”.

The right-back words come after Brazilian media accused certain Spanish players threw a strip poker party after Uruguay’s game, with five women that ended up robbing them. A few Spanish players have dennounced they were actually robbed, and that the story of the party is “just an excuse made up by Brazilian press”.

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Spanish sports newspaper Marca has claimed Liverpool forward Luis Suarez has had a deal in place with Real Madrid for weeks.

The Uruguayan, who scored 23 league goals in 33 Premiership appearances last season, has made no secret of his desire to make the switch from Anfield to the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 26-year-old has blamed the British press for making his life difficult in the UK following a number of high-profile incidents during his time at the north west of England club – including being found guilty of making racist comments towards Patrice Evra, the Manchester United player, and biting Chelsea defender Branoslav Ivanovic.

Marca claimed personal terms have been agreed for some time between club and player, but Suarez will switch his attention to securing a move to another European club if Los Blancos do not come up with a package to satisfy the Liverpool hierarchy.

Meanwhile, the paper said the Real Madrid top brass were focussing all their efforts on securing deals for Isco and Gareth Bale, putting any move for Suarez in doubt.

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Arsenal and Spain playmaker Santi Cazorla has played down reports linking him with a move to Real Madrid this summer.

The former Malaga player, who is currently on international duty at the Confederations Cup in Brazil, said he is happy in North London and wants to win trophies with the Gunners.

Some media reports in the UK had suggested the 28-year-old could be subject to a big money offer from the Santiago Bernabeu side – something that would not have been a positive piece of Arsenal news for fans of the Emirates Stadium club.

But speaking of Spain’s semi-final clash with Italy, Cazorla said: “I have three years left on my contract and I have not thought of anything like leaving. My plan is to continue at the club.”

He added: “Arsenal are treating me very well and I want to win a title with them.”

He made 45 appearances for the Gunners in his debut season last year, scoring 12 goals and providing a further 12 assists.

 

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Carlo Ancelotti has been appointed as the new manager of Real Madrid, the club has confirmed.

After weeks of speculation linking the Italian with the Santiago Bernabeu club, he has now been officially named as the successor to Jose Mourinho.

Ancelotti was in charge at PSG in France, who he led to the Ligue 1 success last season. His previous clubs include AC Milan and Chelsea.

Among his roll of honour as a manager include the Champions League, Seria A title, Premier League title and FA Cup.

He has agreed a three-year deal at Real Madrid and will be presented to the fans and press on Wednesday afternoon.

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Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has described the club as being ‘the Ferrari of football’ and insisted previous manager Jose Mourinho did not damage the club’s brand.

Following the departure of the Portuguese boss, many pundits and players – including some current Barcelona stars – have spoken in the press about Mourinho’s time in charge in the Spanish capital and how he damaged the club and La Liga in general.

But in an interview with 20minutos, Perez dismissed those criticisms, saying Mourinho simply demanded high standards from everyone.

“Mourinho has helped us to make a qualitative leap which is very important. I never tire of repeating, he has not sullied the image of Madrid,” he said.

And in a thinly veiled swipe on the Barcelona players who have criticised Mourinho and Real Madrid, he added: “I always give the example of F1, Ferrari does not always win, but they are the team that everybody knows. In football, that brand is Real Madrid.”

Perez also discussed the relationship between Mourinho and goalkeeper Iker Casillas, and denied there were any deep-lying problems.

“There came a time when Mourinho gave a warning to Casillas, but he does so with all players. Mourinho has not cheated anyone. He is what he is: very demanding and he justifies those demands. The club always put their faith in him and the one who best explained it has always been Iker,” he stated.

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Spain’s most sold sports newspaper, Marca, highlights in its front page an interview with Edison Cavani in which the striker admits he is ready to leave Napoli and “join a big club”.

That statement comes just one day after Napoli’s president Aurelio de Laurentiis requested the Uruguayan to decide about his future, while confirming they have received a formal offer from Real Madrid.

Both Madrid main sports dailies emphasize Spain 1-0 victory in the Under-20 World Cup thanks to Real’s youngster Jese Rodriguez goal. “Jese’s goal and France draw against the USA qualifies Spain for the next round”, they highlight.

As also covers Isco’s possible transfer to Real Madrid, with a poll in which 90 per cent of the readers voted they would sign him. “Signed by acclamation”, they title.

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Roma playmaker Miralem Pjanic has admitted he would been keen on a move to Real Madrid or Barcelona when he eventually decides to leave the Italian club.

The Bosnian international has been linked with a move to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur this summer, while there has been reported interest from Champions League runners-up Borussia Dortmund as they look for someone to replace Bayern Munich-bound Mario Goetze.

But speaking in interview with Oslobodjenje, the 23-year-old admitted he has eyes on a move to La Liga.

“I have been a Real Madrid fan since I was a boy. Certainly, this is my favourite club,” he said.

When asked if he would consider a switch to Barcelona, he responded: “Barcelona? Who wouldn’t like to play for them? I feel good at Roma, though, and at this point I don’t know if I’ll leave this summer.”

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Florentino Perez, Real Madrid president

Florentino Perez has admitted in an interview to Spanish newspaper 20 Minutos that Carlo Ancelotti and Isco signings for Real Madrid are almost done.

Los Blancos president confirmed “presenting Ancelotti on Wednesday is a possibility, he still has not signed, but maybe tomorrow Paris Saint Germain will announce they allow him to come to Madrid”. “My manager is Ancelotti”, he confessed.

When asked about Isco’s transfer, Perez said it can happen soon: “He’s got many chances of playing for Real Madrid next season, because he wants to come and we want him too. He is one of Spain’s best players and the technical team has decided he is good enough for us”.

“I haven’t spoken to him directly, but I know he is excited to come, as well as I am to see him at Real. If everything goes as expected, we will announce his signing soon, after we have officially announced the new manager”, he said.

Isco’s transfer from Malaga to Bernabeu has been reported by a number of Spanish media to be closed between 24 and 30 million euros.

Perez also commented the possible arrival of Gareth Bale to Madrid for 90 million euros: “Players are not cheap or expensive. It all depends on their performance and what they give the team back. Figo, Zidane, Ronaldo and Beckham gave the club huge profits”.

Speaking about Barcelona’s player Thiago Alcantara, Perez admitted “it will be the new coach who will decide if Real will pursue his signing”.

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Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has hailed Spanish starlet Isco as a “great player” amidst speculation he will join Los Blancos shortly.

Reports emerged over the weekend that the La Liga runners-up had agreed a deal with Malaga to sign the 21-year-old playmaker – seeing off competition from Premier League side Manchester City, who are now managed y Isco’s former boss Manuel Pellegrini.

Speaking to Onda Cero, 27-year-old Ramos, who is currently representing his country in the Confederations Cup in Brazil, said Isco would strengthen the squad ahead of an assault at home and abroad for trophies next season.

He stated: “Isco is a great player and we always aspire to reinforce with the best.”

The experienced stopper also spoke of Spain’s quest to lift another international trophy following success in the World Cup and European Championship in recent years. And he warned the players should not be thinking of a final against Brazil at the iconic Maracana stadium until they overcome the hurdle of the semi-final against Italy.

Ramos said: “It’d be a dream to play a final with Brazil in Maracana but before you get to that stage you have to play the semi-final against Italy. Italy bring us good memories, they are a great team, it will hopefully be a nice game.”

“We want to be the champions but we will have to approach the match very humbly with a lot of respect for our opponents,” he continued.

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Former Valencia, Liverpool and Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez has said his early years as a coach at Real Madrid have played a huge role in his success as a manager.

The 53-year-old, who has won La Liga, the Champions League, and the Europa League among a host of other trophies, was a coach at Los Blancos under Vicente del Bosque.

In an interview with Madrid-based daily, AS, he said the formative years as a coach at the Bernabeu had taught him a great deal, and particularly how to always be respectful towards an opponent.

He stated: “I grew up at Real Madrid and the club taught me everything I know about football. I played there as a youngster and then returned to the club to learn the trade as a coach alongside Vicente del Bosque.

“I received my sporting education at Madrid. They taught me to always respect your opponent regardless of whether you won or lost.”

Benitez, currently in charge of Italian side Napoli, is likely to be in contact again with the Madrid hierarchy this summer as the two teams negotiate the possible transfer of striker Edison Cavani to the Spanish capital.

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