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Marca says Neymar to Madrid

Spanish leading sports newspaper Marca claims that Real Madrid has taken the lead in the race to sign Brazilian young star Neymar da Silva.

The Madrid daily maintains that Florentino Perez has 100 million euros prepared for making an offer to Santos.

“They have been negotiating the transfer for two months. Barcelona tries to show calm but they know they will have complicated to close a deal they were sure to have closed”, Marca claims.

As highlights that Cristiano Ronaldo is saving himself for the Copa del Rey final and will not play today’s La Liga game against Espanyol.

The Portuguese is reported to have muscular problems in his left leg and doesn’t want to risk a serious injury that could make him miss the crucial match against Atletico de Madrid.

The basketball team to the final of the Euroleague

Both Madrid newspapers bring to their front pages the victory of Real Madrid basketball team against Barcelona in the Final Four of the Euroleague in London.

Los Blancos beat the Catalans in the semifinal and will fight for the title for the first time in 18 years, against Olympiakos. “The 9th [European Cup title] is closer”, titles As.
“Reyes brings Madrid to the final”, says Marca. “Sergio Rodriguez was immense in playmaking”, the add.

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Real Madrid and Juventus will meet next Monday 20th May to discuss the possible transfer of Gonzalo Higuain, according to Sky Sports.

The British television channel has reported that representatives of the Italian club will travel to Madrid after the Copa del Rey final.

Madrid are expecting to raise 30 million euros in the deal, but Juventus has been reported to offer no more than 25 million, according to Italian sports daily La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

Higuain is one of the main candidates to leave the club this summer, especially since he was booed by the Bernabeu fans for his poor performance in the Champions League semifinal against Borussia Dortmund.

Juventus, who have already signed Athletic de Bilbao’s forward Fernando Llorente, are reported to be considering signing either Higuain or Porto’s Jackson Martinez to complete their front line.

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Real Madrid have cancelled their Friday press conference in a bid to restore calm after another headline-making week at the club.

Neither Jose Mourinho nor Aitor Karanka will face the press ahead of the side’s La Liga clash with Espanyol on Saturday.

Following an explosive press conference during the week, in which Mourinho gave his views on the goalkeeping situation and responded to Pepe’s backing of Iker Casillas, officials at the club believe it is important to restore calm ahead of next week’s Copa Del Rey final.

Cancelling press briefings is permitted under La Liga rules, although it is a rare move to make.

Even though Mourinho has had a tense relationship with the Spanish press during his tenure, the club has only cancelled press conferences on two occasions in the last three years – when the Portuguese was engaged in a war of words with then-Sporting Gijon boss Manuel Preciado.

He had accused his opposition number of fielding a weakened side against title rivals Barcelona, who went on to win the championship.

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While Real Madrid may not win as much silverware they would have liked this year, and will have to surrender the title to Barcelona, the Spanish giants have continued to set La Liga records.

And when former Spurs player Luka Modric netted in Real’s 6-2 win over Malaga on Wednesday evening, it marked the Madrid’s 5,500th goal in La Liga since it was formed 82 years ago – the first side to reach that figure.

The only other ever-presents in La Liga, Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao have scored 5,452 and 4,406 goals respectively.

In addition to scoring the most goals in La Liga history, Los Blancos have also racked up the most wins, (1,532) and points (4,018).

This season’s tally of 95 goals, with three games still remaining, has only been bettered on three occasions – 1989/1990 (107 goals), 2009/2010 (102 goals) and 2010/11 (121 goals).

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Marca claims in its front page that the new Real Madrid that Florentino Perez is planning includes a crucial role for Zinedine Zidane.

The Madrid sports daily points out that Real’s president will give the French legend essential power in the club structure.

Zizou is reported to be in the process of obtaining the certificate of Sports Entities General Management and will be given a “relevant position” in the team.

Both Madrid main sports newspapers also emphasize yesterday’s Sergios Ramos words. “Enough of controversy”, says As. “Ramos orders silence”, titles Marca.

Real Madrid – Barcelona in the Euroleague

Madrid press point out that the basketball teams of Real Madrid and Barcelona will play today a Clasico in the semifinals of the Final Four of the Euroleague in London.

“Madrid is favourite to win”, claims As. Marca emphasise the fact that Barça will face the game with important loses due to injuries. The winner will play for the title against Olympiakos or CSKA Moscow.

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Sergio Ramos asked for his teammates and the manager to “stop squabbling” and remain united at this crucial moment of the season, when Real Madrid will face Atletico de Madrid in the final of the Copa del Rey.

The centre back attended Rafael Nadal’s match of the Madrid Masters Series and dedicated a few minutes to answer La Sexta reporter questions.

“It’s time to say enough of controversies, between the Mourinho, Pepe, Casillas… We just have to focus on the final and win it”, he said.

“We have to leave egos and squabbling apart, and focus on being united. That is crucial for us in order to make the victory in the Copa del Rey possible. After the final it will be the time to sort everything out”, he added.

Ramos also spoke about his condition, as he is still recovering from a muscular injury: “The idea is to get to the final in good condition, that is what I am working for, and I hope the treatment will help me play that match”.

The Spanish international saw Nadal winning at the Madrid tournament: “I am a fan and a friend of Nadal, and it is a pleasure to see him play. He is the number one”, he said.

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Young Brazilian full back Fabinho has said he was delighted to make his debut for Real Madrid in the 6-2 win over Malaga at the Bernabeu.

The 19-year-old came on as a second half substitute for Fabio Coentrao and grabbed an assist as he lay on the pass for Angel di Maria to score Madrid’s sixth goal of the evening.

Speaking to the official Real Madrid website, Fabinho revealed his was nervous before the game but that Jose Mourinho reassured him before coming on, while the more senior players in the side helped him when on the pitch.

He stated: “Making my debut and a pass that led to goal was very exciting. I was nervous just before hitting the pitch, but out on the field I was calm and the players around me helped.”

Fabinho also had special words of praise for Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored his 200th goal for the club in just his 197th appearance.

He said: “He’s incredible and I’m really pleased to have played by his side.”

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Xabi Alonso has ruled out a return to the Premier League next season and says he intends to stay at Real Madrid.

The 31-year-old midfielder had been linked with a move to either his former club Liverpool, with whom he won the Champions League in 2005, or Chelsea, should Real boss Jose Mourinho end up back in west London.

Since his €35 million move from Anfield in 2009, Alonso has made 190 for Los Blancos, scoring six goals along the way.

When asked my Marca where he intends to play his football next year, he responded: “I’ll be here next season of course.”

The World Cup and European Championship winner, who has 107 caps for his country, still has a year to run on his current deal, with Real believed to be keen to extend that.

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Mesüt Özil twisted his right ankle during last night’s game against Malaga. The Germany international suffered a sprain and could miss the Copa del Rey final against Atletico de Madrid.

Özil landed awkwardly in the 82nd minute of the game. Mourinho, who had not got off the bench throughout the match, rapidly jumped onto the field to check on his player’s condition.

The midfielder had to be carried off on a stretcher. “We hope that the evolution of his injury will be good”, assistant manager Aitor Karanka said after the match.

Real Madrid are waiting to find out the extent of the playmaker’s injury.  Mourinho could lose one of his key players for the Copa del Rey final against Atletico de Madrid to be played next Friday 17th of May.

Update on Özil’s condition

After the first medical checks, doctors are optimistic on Özil recovery and think he will be fit to face Atletico. The German midfielder suffered a minor ankle sprain that will heal, in theory, in around a week.

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Madrid sport newspapers emphasize in their front pages the convincing victory against Malaga 6-2 and the records achieved by both Ronaldo and the club with it.

The Portuguese reached 200 goals as Real Madrid player, while the victory was the 1000th for Los Blancos as a home team.

“Cristiano keeps his stunning scoring form”, says As.

MARCA focuses more on the Mourinho conflict than on the match. “The players do stand up for the club”, claims the paper.

The Madrid daily emphasizes the “overwhelming booing to Mourinho” by the fans, and points out that the victory delays Barcelona’s celebration of the title at least until the weekend.

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