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The Collins Column

Spurs winger Gareth Bale has been linked with a move to Real Madrid in recent weeks following an outstanding season with the North London club.

The Welsh Wizard scored 26 goals in 44 appearances for Spurs, and his sensational form throughout the campaign saw him pick up the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year awards.

Now the close season is upon us, Real Madrid have upped the ante in their attempts to sign him, with a number of players and club officials making loud noises in the press about why the 23-year-old should sign for Los Blancos.

And that’s a question I’m going to look at now – as Madrid prepare a reported 85 million euro offer for the star – what would he bring to this Madrid side? And why would the Spanish capital be best for him.

Why Gareth Bale should move to Real Madrid:

It’s a well-known fact that the Welshman wants to test himself at the highest level – and at Real Madrid this is arguably no bigger stage on which to play.

He made a breakthrough at Southampton, and over the last few years has gradually moved through the gears at Spurs to become one of the biggest names in the Premier League. Without the chance of playing Champions League football, and not being at a club that can realistically compete for the league, maybe it’s time to move to the next level.

Should he complete a transfer to the Bernabeu, Bale will be guaranteed Champions League football. Not only that, but with the club desperate to land La Decima, he will have the pressure that goes alongside that – and be able to prove himself amongst the footballing elite. He’ll also be in with a real shout of winning regular titles and competing with Catalan giants Barcelona.

As well as being in with a shout of winning silverware, Bale could also see a move to Madrid as a challenge to prove that British players can succeed abroad. Laurie Cunningham, Steve McManaman, and David Beckham proved themselves in Madrid, while Michael Owen and Jonathan Woodgate were other Brits who had a largely indifferent experience in Spain.

The examples of successful Brits abroad are relatively few and far between. In wearing possibly the most famous shirt in world football, Bale could go down as one of the greats if he succeeds.

Why Real Madrid need Gareth Bale:

Having lost out to Barcelona in La Liga this year and falling at the semi-final stage of the Champions League, Los Blancos need to do some strengthening to do this summer.

Pairing Cristiano Ronaldo with Gareth Bale would create possible the most feared wingers in European football. Signing a top quality centre forward to go alongside them, and Real Madrid would be close to unstoppable when attacking.

At times this season, Real Madrid have struggled to turn on the magic. In the big games, if Ronaldo fails to perform, then the side struggles as a whole.

Bale has the ability to score out of nothing – he notched nine goals from outside the box this campaign – the highest in Europe. Having him in the team would perhaps relieve some of the pressure on Ronaldo and allow him and the team to play a more expansive and relaxed game.

Bale needs Madrid, and Madrid needs Bale. And with the wheels in motion, it won’t be long until the two are together.

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Real Madrid are one of four clubs interested in signing Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio, according to Italian sports paper La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Italian daily claims that Los Blancos have joined Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Monaco in the battle for signing Marchisio. The Juve player had previously been linked with a move to Chelsea.

Juventus are not willing to sell their midfielder, but they would consider any offer above 30 million euros, La Gazzetta claims, in order to invest that money in signing Gonzalo Higuain and Stevan Jovetic.

According to La Gazzetta, Marchisio is one of Carlo Ancelotti’s favourites, and his chances of signing for Los Merengues would increase if the Paris Saint Germain manager takes over the hotseat at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Yesterday Marchisio told Italian website Tuttosport that he is not interested in leaving Juventus this summer. “I want to stay at Juventus. I want to keep fighting for silverware and win things with the club where I grew up”, he said.

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Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuian has fueled speculation linking him with a move to Premier League side Arsenal by admitted the Gunners would be a perfect fit for him.

The Argentinean forward revealed after the final game of the season that he wanted to leave Los Blancos after seven years in the Spanish capital in search of a new challenge.

While Italian champions Juventus have been heavlly linked with the star, he is believed to prefer a move to England.

Reports suggest Liverpool and Tottenham are also interested in securing the 25-year-old’s signature – although neither of those clubs can offer Champions League football next season.

When asked about a potential move to the Emirates stadium, Higuain said: “There have already been offers and I hope that Madrid do the best for me and themselves. Arsenal? They would suit me, I’m still young and I have goals.”

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Real Madrid’s offer of 20 million euros for Roma defender Marquinhos has been turned down, according to reports.

The Brazilian centre-back enjoyed a hugely successful season in the Italian capital and has attracted the interest of some of the bigger clubs in Europe.

La Gazetta dello Sport said Real Madrid had seen their formal offer turned down, while La Liga rivals Barcelona are believed to be interested in signing the 19-year-old.

Roma officials believe Marquinhos could attract an even higher price, particularly if the likes of Machester City and PSG get involved in a bidding war to secure his signature.

The defender made 27 appearances for his side in Seria A this season and is contracted to Roma for another four years.

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Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo will stay at the club for the rest of his playing days, according to Florentino Perez.

The club president, newly elected for a four-year term, said the Portuguese attacker’s future lies in the Spanish capital.

The former Manchester United player prompted much speculation about his future with Los Blancos back in the autumn of 2012 when he revealed he was unhappy with life in Madrid.

In recent weeks reports have surfaced he may be on his way back to Manchester United, while other big clubs across Europe including PSG have shown an interest in signing him.

Speaking at a press conference, Perez said Ronaldo is a key figure in the Real Madrid team and will play a central role in trying to secure a 10th Champions League.

He stated: “I think that Cristiano will end his professional career at Real Madrid. And that’s not all, I can tell all Madridistas that we will soon win la Decima with Cristiano.”

Perez also added to the speculation surrounding Gonzalo Higuain who said he goodbye to the club at the weekend and admitted he is seeking a new challenge. Juventus and Arsenal have been linked with the Argentinean but Perez stated he was confused by all the reports.

“Nobody has told me yet that Higuain is leaving. The club have never put him up for sale. We have always told him that we do not want to sell,” he said.

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract renewal has come to an impasse, as the Portuguese has ignored the first attempts by Florentino Perez to sign a new deal, according to As.

Both Madrid sports dailies highlight in their fron pages the latest declarations by Iker Casillas, who said he doesn’t “bear any grudge against Mourinho”.

The Spanish international goalkeeper admitted he was fit for playing the last La Liga game, but it was Jose Mourinho who left him out, after the Portuguese had claimed Casillas had back problems.

As also brings to its front page the signing of Daniel Carvajal, who has rejoined Real Madrid after a year in Leverkusen. “The best right back of the Bundesliga arrives to Madrid”, says the paper.

Marca puts the focus on the declarations made by a few Paris Saint Germain players about Carlo Ancelotti, who could be close to reaching a deal with Real.

“An A+++ manager”, they title. Marca emphasises Lucas Moura’s and Thiago Silva’s words. “As a manager and as a person, he makes players feel happy”, the forward said. “He is ready for any challenge”, the defender stated.

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Spanish national team manager Vicente del Bosque has said he has been surprised by the treatment of goalkeeper Iker Casillas at Real Madrid this season.

The 32-year-old stopper made only 19 appearances in La Liga after being unceremoniously dropped by former manager Jose Mourinho in January in favour of Diego Lopez.

Reports of a rift between the two emerged, and the World Cup winner was left out of the squad altogether for the final game of the season as Mourinho made one final stand before leaving to complete his move back to Chelsea.

Speaking to reporters, del Bosque said he found it difficult to believe Casillas had been dropped for such a long period.

He added: “It’s hard to believe because I’ve known him for many years and his career has always been impeccable.”

La Roja’s boss also said he hadn’t had the chance to speak to Casillas about the situation at Los Blancos, but that he had every confidence in the keeper for the friendlies against Haiti and Ireland as well as the Confederations Cup.

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French newspaper Le Parisien claims that Carlo Ancelotti has travelled to Spain and is already negotiating his signing as the new manager of Real Madrid.

After Florentino Perez has been confirmed as president, he has started working to find a new coach soon to start planning the next season. Thus, the negotiations for Ancelotti’s arrival have been accelerated.

According to Le Parisien, Paris Saint Germain owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi could have reached an agreement to allow the Italian’s departure, and the agreement with Real could be announced soon.

Perez would offer the manager a two or three-years contract. The coach that he already tried to bring in 2005 and 2009 could finally arrive to Santiago Bernabeu.

 

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Jose Mourinho signing for Chelsea

After many weeks of speculation, Chelsea have officially announced in their website that Jose Mourinho will be their next manager.

Just two days after his last match with Real Madrid, the Portuguese has signed a four-year deal with the Blues.

Chelsea’s official website published the declarations of their chief executive, Ron Gourlay, confirming the signing:

I am delighted to welcome Jose back to Chelsea. His continued success, drive and ambition made him the outstanding candidate.

It is our aim to keep the club moving forward to achieve greater success in the future and Jose is our number one choice as we believe he is the right manager to do just that.

He was and remains a hugely popular figure at the club and everyone here looks forward to working with him again.

Mourinho managed the Londoners from 2004 to 2007. In an interview to Chelsea’s official website, the Portuguese admitted that this period of separation has been good for both:

I am very happy. I have to prepare myself to not to be very emotional at my arrival. It was an easy decision. I met the owner, and in five minutes we decided straight away. I ask him ‘You want me back?’ and he asked ‘Do you want to come back?’, and in a couple of minutes the decision was made.

For me and for the club it was not easy my departure, but if you analise it in a cool way it was fantastic, because I had in my career what I was aiming and Chelsea got important trophies for the history of the club. And now we are back together in a great moment for both. We are ready to marry again and be happy again.

Mourinho left Chelsea in 2007 to join Inter Milan and win the Champions League and the Italian league and cup in just one season.

After that he spent three seasons at Real Madrid, winning one La Liga title, one Copa del Rey, one Supercopa and reaching the semifinals of the Champions League three times.

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Bayer Leverkusen have announced in their official website that right back Daniel Carvajal will rejoin Real Madrid, following Los Blancos payment of a 6.5 million euros buy-back clause.

Real Madrid’s homegrown defender moved from Castilla to Leverkusen last summer, signing a five-year deal with the German club.

His great performance this season, when he has been included among the best 11 of the Bundesliga, had placed him as Real’s first choice to reinforce the right back position.

After Florentino Perez has been confirmed as president, his first decision has been buying Carvajal back. “It was not a surprise for us”, Bayer general director Wolfgang Holzhäuser said.

“We knew Real Madrid would soon detect Carvajal’s great conditions and would want him back. It’s sad for us.”

“Carvajal has left a mark here since his first day, as a player and as a person. We are sad to see him leave, but he is going to fulfil his childhood dream, because he is a Madridista”, Holzhäuser added.

“This is one of the happiest days of my life. I’m going back home to defend the white colour that runs through my veins. Thanks to Bayer and to all madridistas”, Carvajal said in his Twitter profile.

Carvajal will have to compete for the starting right back position with Alvaro Arbeloa next season, although Madrid could also sign one more player for that role.

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