Neymar: Santos and Real Madrid negotiated in Paris

Real Madrid and Santos are still negotiating for Neymar. Florentino Perez and Luis Alvaro de Oliveira, presidents of both team, met in Paris on Wednesday to discuss the future of the Brazilian international.

Neymar: Copa America 2011

Neymar is now the major objective of white team and Florentino Perez has decided to accelerate the arrival of striker to the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. The meeting served to bring positions closer, but at no time they reached an agreement for the transfer. Santos insists that wants the 45 million euros buyout clause and Madrid aims to reduce this amount.

Real Madrid president plans not to speed up the stages to reduce the price, but is willing to pay 45 million if this is the only way to sign the great Brazilian star. The arrival of the player would also be in the air. Santos wants that Neymar stays until January (FIFA Club World Cup), while Jose Mourinho accepts this condition... in return for Real Madrid signs Emmanuel Adebayor.

On the other hand, in the Spanish media it is said that Real Madrid and Neymar have reached an agreement on the contract that the player has to sign when the white team pays the buyout clause. It will last six years, the player will be paid with five million euros per season and will hold 50% of the publicity generated.

Meanwhile, Santos is doing all the force to convince him to stay at least until the Club World Cup. They want to renew him by offering more money, but with a new clause of 60 million euros. Santos knows that Neymar has no benefit from the payment of the buyout clause and therefore he is in no hurry to decide.

Sergio Ramos and Pepe: Happy with their renewal

Sergio Ramos and Pepe were very satisfied with their contract extensions until 2017 and until 2016 respectively. Pepe valued his contract extension: "Mourinho has been important, but I was here before coach. I arrived, showed my football when everyone had doubts and I've finally been able to renew. I was sure that was on track and now I am overjoyed because I will be where I always wanted to be, Real Madrid".

Meanwhile, Sergio Ramos said: "It has cost and has been delayed, but my idea has always been spend many years here, to renew and enjoy the Real Madrid and that my name can live here for many years. I have always felt renewed, least important is when. This was delayed because I had no concern. I was just focused on playing football and when the work was done, I could sign the contract extension and for a long period of years".

Pepe and Ramos very happy in Los Angeles

Both, as major players in the template, rated the signings of Coentrao and Varane, who will accompany them on defense. The Portuguese spoke of his compatriot: "He's a great player but still has a lot to learn. We will try to integrate him. He will give us a lot of work and creativity. He will help a lot".

Sergio Ramos analyzed Varane, whom he calls Rafa: "He's a young boy with a lot of future. Everything that is to sign youth and future, and if he comes recommended by Zizou, is good for us. Now we must help him to be integrated into the template. He's fast, strong and with good ball pass".

Chelsea is still interested in Kaka

While Jose Mourinho has decided to give a second chance to Kaka, Real Madrid's Brazilian footballer is still one of the Chelsea's options to strengthen its midfield, especially if English team misses its attempt to sign Tottenham's Croatian player Luka Modric.

The British media link the future of both players, and the continued interest from Chelsea for Kaka has been reactivated after Tottenham has rejected his latest bid for Modric. Roman Abramovich's club could have offered 30 million euros, five million more than the initial offering of 25, made ​​only a month ago and also rejected by the Spurs.

At the moment, Tottenham remains firm in its stance and has said publicly that the player is not transferable, although Modric has shown his willingness to change of scenery. Thus, while Chelsea will not raise its offer, it seems that nothing will change, what has meant that the new coach of the 'Blues', Andre Villas-Boas, is weighing the possibility of changing the target and try the signing of Kaka, whose play has always enjoyed an extraordinary fame in Stamford Brigde, especially since the stage of Carlo Ancelotti.

Ancelotti and Kaka

Wagner Ribeiro: "I am totally in favor of Real Madrid"

Neymar's agent, Wagner Ribeiro, has expressed anger at the modus operandi of the Barcelona president, Sandro Rosell, in the last hours. Ribeiro was blunt with what happened in the last days: "I do not like the way as Rosell has behaved. They went to speak directly with the player and his father to the Brazilian training center. From the moment in which Santos authorized both Barcelona and Real Madrid to talk to the player, should have spoken to me first, I'm his agent, and not to the player directly...".

Wagner Ribeiro

Sandro Rosell was in Buenos Aires visiting the school that FC Barcelona has opened in the town of Lujan, near the capital of Argentina. Barcelona leader attended the Brazil-Venezuela match as an "honored guest" of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and moved in a vehicle to La Plata Stadium, where witnessed the match. Subsequently, Rosell attended the hotel concentration of Brazilians, located in Campana, 60 km from Buenos Aires, and slept there. And that's where he spoke with Neymar and the father (by telephone). The next morning he went to Brazil with Ricardo Teixeira, president of the CBF, with whom he maintains a close relationship. Then he convened a summit with key men in Neymar's transfer: his father, the sports director of Santos and his agent, Wagner Ribeiro.

In the last hours, Ribeiro has made clear his position regarding the interest of both clubs: "I am totally in favor of negotiating with Real Madrid. I know well Florentino Perez since Robinho signed for the white team. And when Neymar was 13, he trained 15 days with Real Madrid and the club showed interest in signing him, but his father advised him to stay at Santos. So, if I had to choose one of the two, I would choose to Real Madrid", confirmed the player's agent.

Wenger will offer 30 million euro for Benzema

Arsenal wants to gain the services of Karim Benzema. The English side is willing to pay 30 million euros for the Real Madrid striker, if Nasri and Cesc leave Arsenal. Arsene Wenger is trying to convince the Arsenal directors to make an economic effort by the French player.

Karim Benzema

It would be the most expensive signing in the history of the club, but the template would be seriously devalued with the probable transfer of Cesc to Barcelona, and Nasri to Manchester City. The French coach is convinced that the arrival of Benzema would be a dramatic effect on both the locker room and for the fans, who already have six years without celebrating a title. Besides, Karim's arrival would help Wenger to overcome the criticism he has received in recent months.

Real Madrid '9' is an old aspiration of Arsenal coach, who already tried to sign when he played for the Olympique Lyon. At that time, Florentino Perez was ahead of all clubs and went to the player's home to close his engagement. Also, Arsenal needs a striker because his reference striker, the Dutchman Van Persie, could only play 25 games of the Premiership (18 goals) due to injury.

Benzema has been reaffirmed this year as a reliable option in the Madrid attack. In his first season in white (He cost 35 million euros) only managed nine goals, but has been with the arrival of Mourinho when he has shown his potential. The Frenchman has played a great second round, getting to finish the season with 26 goals.

Zidane: Director of football of the Real Madrid first squad

Zinedine Zidane, who until now held the position of adviser to the Real Madrid president said that he is "Director of football of the first team". In his decision says that "Mourinho has influenced but Florentino more". These statements were made ​​in the charity game organized by the fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Mourinho and Zidane

On the tasks that he will assume has not been very specific: "We will see. Everyone asks me the same thing, but I will be there from next Monday until the end of season", he said.

Also, the former player talked about the signing of Varane: "He has a tremendous future, it is good to go so young to Real Madrid. The coach thinks he is good for the team so he is signed. He has the ability to play on this team. Although there are very good defenses as Ramos, Carvalho... Raphael can help and be a starter in the future".

As for the name of the summer, Neymar, Zidane said: "He looks a lot like Robinho but is better because he has a little more instinct to the goal". "He's a player who may be interesting to Real Madrid", he added. Also, understand that Barcelona was interested in taking the services of Brazilian: "It is natural because all teams want him. The season begins Monday and will see what the club decides. The decision will be quietly. We have to go step by step" .

Note: Garay transferred to Benfica

Ezequiel Garay has been transferred this morning to Benfica by 5.5 million euro. Real Madrid keeps 50% of any subsequent transfer made ​​by the Portuguese side. Garay, who is playing the Copa America, will not join his new teammates until the end of the tournament.

Real Madrid have made ​​clear that this transfer is not part of the 'Coentrao operation', but all negotiations began at the same time, what can be understood that the proceeds from the sale of Garay has been used to pay the signing of Portuguese defender.

Coentrao is the most expensive transfer in the summer

"A left side for 30 million euros... It is an excellent deal for Benfica", in this way Rui Costa, the Portuguese club's sporting director, defines the sale of Coentrao. He is right, the side has become the most expensive transfer in the summer market. It has exceeded the 25 million that Manchester United paid to Atletico for De Gea.

The 30 million euro that has cost Coentrao clash with the amount of money that has been spent in the transfer market during the summer by Real Madrid. He alone has cost more than other contracts made ​​by the club. So far the Madrid had invested 25 million to sign four players: Sahin (10), Varane (10), Callejon (5), Altintop (free).

With this amount Coentrao equals the transfer of Pepe and, along with central defender, becomes more expensive defender in the history of Real Madrid. As in the case of his countryman, Coentrao aims to make forget the cost of his signing on the field.

Other hand, Garay will become new Benfica player today. The Portuguese club will pay 5.5 million euro for half pass of the player. At first, the player was reluctant to leave Spain, but the good conditions at Benfica would have made him change his mind at the last hours. If Benfica wants the whole pass of Garay, should pay another 5.5 million so the transfer would be 11 million euro, one more than Real Madrid paid to Racing Santander in the summer of 2009.

Fabio Coentrao: New Real Madrid Player

Coentrao dreamed since he was 13, when he worked as a painter for a living, with yesterday day. He will play at the Bernabeu Stadium the next six seasons. The Portuguese became the fifth signing by Mourinho for 2011-2012 season (Sahin, Callejon, Altintop and Varane) after the white club agreed to pay the 30 million euro demanded by Benfica. Real Madrid has spent until now 55 million euros in reinforcements.

Fabio Coentrao and Florentino Perez

Fabio has lived an odyssey since last June 7 when confessed his desire to join Real Madrid. Luis Filipe Vieira, president of the Lisbon club, did not consent to negotiate the transfer of Coentrao including white players to lower the transfer. And until yesterday morning when Real Madrid did not confirm the disbursement of 30 million, Benfica did not want to accept the transfer of the player, who had been declared in default the day before because his club claimed transfer him to Chelsea.

Early in the afternoon, the Lisbon club informed the National Stock Exchange of Portugal the transfer of the player, which is required by its going public. From that moment, Coentrao recovered the smile. He arrived at the Bernabeu, he signed his contract until 2017, saw the nine European Cups, spoke with Florentino and had lunch at a popular restaurant in Madrid.

The other side is Garay. The Argentine woke up yesterday with several messages on his cellphone. Madrid and Benfica had agreed to his transfer, but the player does not want to leave Spain. The white club would sell 50% of the defender's pass to Benfica by six million euros. The following season (2012-2013), the Portuguese club could acquire the other 50% by another six million. If Garay does not agree to sign for Benfica, Real Madrid will offer Drenthe, a very valued player in Lisbon.

Coentrao: Agreement between Benfica and Real Madrid

The signing of Coentrao that seemed stalled a week ago, was revived yesterday after the trip of the left side and Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira to Madrid, and seems imminent. Real Madrid and Benfica have approached positions this morning in the negotiation and the signing can be confirmed in the coming hours. In fact, Portugal take for granted the transfer of the player to the white team. Daily 'A Bola' has titled: "Coentrao already a player of Real Madrid", although there is no official confirmation from both clubs.

According to the Portuguese newspaper, Coentrao would have already signed the contract for the next five seasons with the white club. Does not disclose the economic quantities of the transfer but the operation would include the Argentine central defender Ezequiel Garay. In the negotiation are present: Florentino Perez, Real Madrid president, Luis Filipe Vieira, president of Benfica, Jose Angel Sanchez, general manager of Real Madrid, Jorge Mendes, Fabio Coentrao's agent and the player himself.

The incorporation of Coentrao ends one of the first 'soap operas' of the football summer. Following the great interest of Chelsea and problems with coach Jorge Jesus, it seems that the player can make his dream of playing for Real Madrid, with his friends Carvalho, Cristiano, Pepe and his favorite coach, Jose Mourinho.

Fabio Coentrao in Madrid

Coentrao does not travel to Switzerland with Benfica

Fabio Coentrao has not traveled to the preseason stage of Benfica in Nyon (Switzerland), according to the daily 'Record'. Benfica's workforce traveled at 11.30 to Switzerland, where they will make ​​a training stage for 13 days, without the Portuguese international. Coentrao will continue training in Lisbon, after finished last season he made ​​public his desire to leave Benfica and sign for Real Madrid and working with his compatriot Jose Mourinho.

Fabio Coentrao

Coentrao and his agents believe that this week will be crucial to a deal that takes around since May. All hopes are set on Mourinho, to unclog the operation of his coming to Real Madrid and can be incorporated to the white team as soon as possible. Coentrao is optimistic and does not rule to arrive on July 11 in Valdebebas and travel to Los Angeles.

Coentrao is uncomfortable training with Benfica when it looks that soon will be with Mourinho. Even on Sunday, a Portuguese newspaper reported a clash between Coentrao and Benfica coach, which related to the player's desire to force his departure from Benfica. According to 'Correio da Manha', the left side was involved in a dialectical clash with his coach, Jorge Jesus, in the last training and the player was ejected.

In addition, Chelsea would have improved its offer for Coentrao, adding the Serb Slobodan Rajkovic to the offer of 30 million euro that had already made. Rajkovic is a central defender whose market valuation is about 2.5 million euro, and has been loaned successively at OFK Belgrade, PSV, Twente and Vitesse.

Chelsea wants to sign Pepe

Andre Villas-Boas wants to repeat at Chelsea his spectacular first year at Porto, with which he won three titles. He is designing his template and has more than enough millions euros to do it. Wants the best from each team, and has set his sights on the Real Madrid defender. He wants to sign Pepe right now, for playing in the defense and as midfielder. He wants Pepe becomes the strong man of the English team and is willing to pay the high salary that Real Madrid has been denying to the player for months.

When last season ended, Pepe left with practically closed renewal (four years and four million net per season) but in the absence of signature, as himself confirmed in an interview. Abrahamovich is willing to offer 5 million euro annually that the player requested at the beggining of negotiations to renew with Real Madrid, with a five seasons contract period.

Pepe

Note: Pablo Sarabia signs for Getafe

Real Madrid has officially announced the departure of Pablo Sarabia. In a brief statement the white club reports that has reached an agreement for the transfer with Getafe, and reserves the right to buy back the player.

Pablo Sarabia

It was an open secret for some days that Getafe would be the new destination of one of the most promising jewels of the 'Factory' in recent years. Last Friday Spanish media reported a preliminary agreement by which the player would be 'Blue' in exchange for three million euros, although the white club, as is the practice with the most promising youth players, saves the option of buy back.

This sale has already been under the direct supervision of Mourinho, as manager of the youth squads, and though the Portuguese at first wanted that Sarabia plays for a team that allows him to play many minutes and play European competition this season, has finally agreed to the desire of the player; to stay in the capital of Spain.

'Sales Operation' stops the signing of Fabio Coentrao

Fabio Coentrao is uncomfortable and nervous. The left side thinks is time to close his transfer to Real Madrid and is living days of maximum tension. He does not want to leave escape the white trains and each passing day his concern increases about a situation that fails to resolve.

At this point of summer, the player expected to have resolved his future as Real Madrid player. But the thing is complicated, to the extent that he has had to return to work with Benfica. The problem is that neither the Portuguese club nor the Real Madrid have managed to reach an agreement with the white players who would be involved in the 'Coentrao Operation'.

Fabio Coentrao

In short, Real Madrid 'Sales Operation' has paralyzed Coentrao's signing. And there is another problem. Despite having agreed the amount to pay to Benfica, Real Madrid needs to raise cash by selling players to address the signing of the side. The white club wants to join money by selling the players it has in the showcase, before undertaking the purchase of Coentrao. Finally, there is the issue of 'space'. Real needs to open the door before they get a new tenant more for the white dress. Because with the Portuguese, would be 30 players who would be available to Mourinho. This is a too high figure considering the difficulties that white team is facing to accommodate the transferable players in other teams.

While Madrid does not solve the problem, 'Coentrao Opera Soap' will not end. The player must continue his life in Benfica and on Monday will travel to the Swiss town of Colovray, close to Nyon, where Benfica will make ​​the preseason stage for 13 days. Nevertheless, the agents of the player expect that the return to work of Real Madrid, July 11, will accelerate the sale of players at the offices of the Bernabeu Stadium and thus the signing of Coentrao will be close.

And there is something clear. The player would only leave Benfica to go to Real Madrid. Despite reports that speak of the intention of Chelsea to bet very hard to secure the services of the player, Coentrao is clear that his priority is the white team and he will wait whatever it takes to get on the Mourinho's project. White coach believes his compatriot is a priority for his second project at Real Madrid and next couple of weeks could prove decisive.

Note: Galatasaray dreams of signing Kaka

Galatasaray is one of the most active teams in European football market, a market with little movement so far. The club seeks to recover lost positions in Turkey first and later in Europe, and is attentive to the movements around the main figures that change of 'air'. Turkish team has 'touched' at various big names and tried to take from Atletico Forlan, Reyes and Ujfalusi, but only had luck with the Czech defense. Now the coach, Fatih Terim, has said he wants a powerful template because is impossible to fight for titles with a group too young. His dream, to restore prominence to Galatasaray, is Kaka, whose status is not still being fully defined at Real Madrid.

The Brazilian, who has failed to show his best since joining Real Madrid has sounded for several teams in Italy and England. Napoli has been one of the last interested although the operation was impossible because the squad in southern Italy wanted a loan in which the Real Madrid will have to take too much of the salary of the player. Real Madrid would only accept a financial offer high enough to recover the investment made two seasons ago to get Kaka.

Kaka with Real Madrid shirt

Real Madrid: Signings Summary

Jose Callejon: Back home for 5 million euros.

Returns to Real Madrid after winning experience in Espanyol, where has played 97 games in the Liga. The buyback has cost five million. Will play the next five seasons at the Bernabeu Stadium.

Nuri Sahin: Revelation of the Bundesliga

Sahin was the best player in the Bundesliga according to Kicker magazine. Borussia's masterminded, Bundesliga's champion. Real Madrid paid 10 million for the Turkish-German. Signed for six seasons.

Hamit Altintop: Free and also injured

Altintop joined Madrid from Bayern and will be linked to the white club four seasons. This Monday was back surgery. Will be sidelined three to four months.

Raphael Varane: Central defender for six years

Raphael Varane signed Monday for the Real Madrid under the baton of Zidane. Is 18 years old and has only played 23 games in Ligue 1 with Lens. Real Madrid paid 10 million and the player signed for six years.

Nuri Sahin: First Real Madrid signing of the year

Raphael Varane: New Real Madrid player

Yesterday, Raphael Varane became officially in the fourth signing of Real Madrid for the 2011-12 season. The French central defender landed at 2:50 pm in Terminal 4 at Barajas Airport, with great expectations and around twenty media that were waiting him at the exit. He was met by Javier Garcia Coll, director of athlete services of Real Madrid, who accompanied the player throughout the day.

Varane then addressed the Clinic 'Sanitas-La Moraleja' to pass the medical check. When was asked how he felt to become new Real player, he said in a terse: "I am very happy. It is a great joy. I am very happy". After passing medical tests without problems, in the afternoon, Varane moved to the Bernabeu Stadium to stamp the signature on his contract with Real Madrid until 2017.

Raphael Varane wearing the Real Madrid shirt

In the Stadium awaited Florentino Perez, who greeted him in French. As usual in recent times, the Madrid president was also the person who accompanied the player to know the club's museum and trophy room. Mourinho also not forgot that yesterday was the first day of Varane as Real player. Despite being on holiday with his family, wanted to welcome the former Lens player sending him a message to the mobile phone.

Six hours after landing in the capital of Spain, Real Madrid made ​​official the signing on the website: "Real Madrid C.F. and RC Lens have reached an agreement regarding the transfer of Raphael Varane to the former club, where he will remain for the next six seasons".

After a day filled with commitments and emotions, and at night, new Real Madrid signing returned to France to continue his vacation. It was 9 pm.

Note: Coentrao returns to Benfica

Fabio Coentrao appeared on time this Monday in the first practice of the season at Benfica, but he counts the hours until he becomes new player of Real Madrid. It had been speculated that he was not presented with the 'Eagles', but the Portuguese was professional and went to train, knowing that his days at Benfica coming to an end.

Coentrao used the training to say "Hello" after the holidays and "Goodbye" because of his impending sign for Real Madrid. The player admitted his companions that he goes to leave the team and that the agreement will be announced in the coming days. Apparently everything is perfectly in line with Madrid, Benfica and the player, but the white club have asked to wait until next July 1 and the signing takes part of the budget for next season. It is just a financial issue that has caused that Coentrao is taking time to say goodbye to those who have been his teammates for the past three years.

Coentrao: Benfica training

Real Madrid: A central defender each year since 2003

Since Fernando Hierro left Real Madrid, the input of central defenders has been one of the busiest in the white club. From 2003 to summer 2011, ten players playing in this position have landed at the Bernabeu Stadium. Some of them, with stories that feed a legend of a curse. A wall that will also measure the value of Raphael Varane.

Albiol, Garay, Carvalho and Varane

On June 24, 2003, Jorge Valdano announced non-renewal of contracts with Vicente del Bosque and Fernando Hierro. Only 24 hours had passed since the conquest of the 29th League of the white team. The player of Velez-Malaga added to the Real Madrid's honours three European Cups, two Intercontinental and four National Championships, among other minutiae.

After the leaving of Hierro, team's defensive mainstay for nearly a decade, began the crawling looking for a substitute. An operation in which Real Madrid has invested tens of millions of euros; Pepe costed 30 and Sergio Ramos 27, who came to Madrid to play in the central position and has finished playing at the right side.

At least Ramos (who joined the club in 2005) and Pepe (2007) continue at the club, both pending for renewal, what can not be said of other expensive projects. With little glory left the team; Walter Samuel, Fabio Cannavaro and Christoph Metzelder. Although the worst case was undoubtedly that of Jonathan Woodgate. Signed in 2004 by 25 million euros, just got to play, haunted by all sorts of muscular aches.

Varane is the fourth central defender of the second mandate of Florentino Perez. In 2009 came to Madrid Garay and Albiol, and last year did Carvalho. Eight million costed the veteran Portuguese defender, two fewer than Varane, commitment to the future for a defense, despite everything, more and more solid. Time will tell if the Zidane's 'Blanc' ends up having an impact comparable to that of Fernando Hierro, a player whose absence is still felt in the Bernabeu.

Raphael Varane in Madrid

Raphael Varane, the last signing of Real Madrid, is now in the capital of Spain. The French central defender landed at 2:50 pm in Terminal 4 at Barajas Airport, with great expectations and various media that were waiting him at the exit.

The Lens player arrived from Brussels with his father, and did not made ​​statements to the media, except for a "Yes, yes" when was asked if he was happy to be on the verge of becoming a new player of Real Madrid. Varane then addressed the Clinic 'Sanitas La Moraleja', to pass medical examination and this afternoon will go to the Santiago Bernbeu Stadium where will affix the signature on his contract to join Real Madrid until 2016.

Raphael Varane at the clinic