Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has confirmed they're chasing Roma defender Cristian Chivu and Getafe youngster Alexis.
Calderon revealed their plans on Tuesday after being asked about their interest in Marseille sensation Franck Ribery.
"I've listened to [sporting director] Predrag Mijatovic speak highly of Ribery, but at the moment we're also thinking of signing a defender like Alexis or Chivu," Calderon told the Marca newspaper.
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2007!!!
Happy New Year to all of my blog readers and Real Madrid players, officials and fans.
Wishing you all a very happy and enjoyable new year.
Liverpool's prospective owners Dubai International Capital (DIC) are keen on signing up Real Madrid's David Beckham, according to a newspaper report.
The Sunday People claims that the new owners feel a move for ex-Manchester United midfielder Beckham would reassure supporters that their bid is more than a short-term, money making exercise.
Beckham is out of contract at the end of the season and looks certain to leave the Bernabeu after failing to win over new boss Fabio Capello.
Los Angeles Galaxy and New York Red Bulls, and some Serie A clubs have already made contact with his agent, according to the News of the World.
Madrid president Ramon Calderon insists that he wants to keep the former England skipper: "After the conversations we have had in recent months, David Beckham already has our offer for a new contract on the table. Now he has to decide.
"All of us would like to see him continue at our club and extend his contract."
Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has assured fans they will secure defender Sergio Ramos to a new contract.Ramos is waiting to open talks over a new deal, with his situation alerting the interest of Italian giants AC Milan.
Aware of Milan's move for the defender last week, Calderon said: "I have not made any promise to Sergio Ramos. It seems, according to what has been confirmed to me by Pedja Mijatovic, that this promise came from the previous management, when they assured him a revision of his contract.
"But we cannot do that halfway through the season because it would create conflicts, as many players in the group are in a similar situation.
"Anyway, if the club had made him a promise, it will be necessary to fulfill it when the case arrives."
To strengthen their midfield the Nerazzurri have put their eyes on Real Madrid player Mahamadou Diarra.
For the moment it's only an interesting idea, but the coming summer Mahamadou Diarra may become one of the most recurrent names in the Nerazzurri offices. The transfer gurus of Inter are monitoring the Mali midfielder's situation, whose feeling with Real is becoming feeble although last summer Fabio Capello pushed for his purchase from Lyon. Will the fracture be recomposed or is it the beginning of a separation in June, after only one season? We will see. As they expect news, however, technical director Branca and market consultant Oriali have already put the African player's name on their shopping list.
The reason for the great cold between the player and Real occurred last 17 December, a few minutes before the start of the match against Espanyol. Diarra was recorded by Canal Plus while he was talking with Cassano and Ronaldo about Capello. Cassano blatantly imitated the Italian coach and criticised his rotation system, with Diarra, a good friend of Cassano, agreeing while Ronaldo did not say anything negative. The consequence was that Cassano and Diarra were left out of the squad for the home game against Recreativo Huelva, which was lost 3-0. At today's training session Diarra was present as normal, but the decisive moment will come on 7 January in the game against Deportivo. Will he be on the pitch again or will Capello continue punishing him?
Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon says it's up to David Beckham to decide if he wants to play on at Santiago Bernabeu.
Real sports chief Pedja Mijatovic, having not heard from Becks nor his agents in the last week, contacted the England ace yesterday to organise a meeting for December 31 to discuss his contract. Real have offered Beckham a new two-year deal on the same salary - �4 million - plus a 50:50 split of his image rights.
For his part, Calderon said last night: "After the conversations that we have maintained in the last months, David Beckham already has our offer on the table. Now it is he who has to decide.
"We are very happy with David and we all would like that he continued with the club and that he renews his contract."
Robinho is convinced the current Real Madrid team can deliver a trophy to it's fans this season.
The Brazilian wing ace told AS: "I feel that this year something can be won. The defeat against Recre has left the fans with a very bitter taste in their mouths, but the certain thing is that we are alive and with possibilities in the three competitions.
"People are very nervous and I hope that this Christmas has helped us to recall what happened to us in the Bernabeu.
"I am anxious to win something and I have the feeling this year we will at least win one title. The Liga or the Champions League or both."
Asked about a personal ambition for 2007, Robinho replied: "I am not going to lie to you: I would like to be able to be the best player in the world."
Spanish first division club Real Madrid are considering signing France international Franck Ribery if David Beckham leaves at the end of the season, Marca newspaper reported on Friday.
If unsettled Beckham leaves, Real is thinking about signing the 23-year-old Marseille midfielder, the paper said.
Ribery shot to the top clubs' eyes in France's run to last summer's World Cup final.
Source: Xinhua
AC Milan are reportedly trying to seal a deal to sign Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.
The 20-year-old stopper has become a key figure at the Santiago Bernabeu since a £19million move from Sevilla in the summer of 2005.
But now the Rossoneri are hoping to prise him away from the Spanish capital and take him to Serie A.
According to Spanish daily Marca, the Italian giants have met with Rene Ramos, Sergio's brother and agent.
The paper says Milan offered a five-year deal for the player, but the answer was negative with Ramos happy to stay with Los Galacticos for now.
Real Madrid's Brazilian striker, Ronaldo Luiz Nazario de Lima, said in Rio de janeiro that he will continue playing while he still has a passion for it. The World Cup's greatest scorer said that he doesn't think too much about the future when setting his own personal goals. This has made his possible future participation in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa -during which he would be 34 years old- a mistery.
I don't think ahead too much. I don't think about 2010. I only want to keep playing while I still have a passion for it," said Ronaldo on Brazilian television programme Globo Esporte.
Ronaldo played a friendly match today with other Brazilian footballers such as Emerson and Gabriel.
Despite making great efforts and showcasing speed, Real Madrid's striker didn't score any goals.
UNSETTLED Inter-Milan star Luis Figo has joined Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad for US$8 million ($12m).
The former Barcelona and Real Madrid winger signed a six-month deal to play for the two-time Asian champions.
The 34-year-old will move to Saudi Arabia next week.
Al Ittihad won the Asian Champions League in 2004 and 2005, but were knocked out in the quarter-finals this year.Real Madrid's Brazilian striker Robinho has brought together a team of Brazilian soccer greats to play a charity match, and asked fans to contribute food before seeing the game.
'It is a great joy to return to the Santo stadium, my second home, and to help Brazil's charities,' said Robinho.
His team includes Diego, Elano, Renato, Leo and Deivid, who were former Santos players but now play for various European clubs.
Corinthians player Carlos Alberto will lead the opponent team. The team will feature players like Deco, who plays for Spanish league team Barcelona, as well as Vagner Love, Romario and Falcao, who plays five-a-side football.
Robinho asked fans to donate at least one kilogram of non-perishable food at the entry to the stadium.
'We will play in white, the colour of peace, friendship and union between people,' Robinho added.
Italian international striker Antonio Cassano is set to end his nightmare year at Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon said the signing of Argentine midfielder Fernando Gago was like winning the lottery.
The 20-year-old passed a medical and completed his US$27mil move from Boca Juniors to Real, putting pen to paper on a six-and-a-half year contract.
“Today is the draw for the (Spain’s famous Christmas) lottery, yet we have already won. Our prize is right here,” Calderon said on Friday as Gago was presented to the media.
“It hasn’t been easy to bring him here. But I would like to thank him for giving up a large amount of money to choose us, when so many others wanted his services.”
Gago joins teenage Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain, and Brazilian fullback Marcelo as the club’s recent new signings, as the nine-times European champions look to rejuvenate their squad.
“This trio of aces, along with the players emerging from the youth teams, allow us to take a step towards a new generation of players who will bring freshness and new hope to the fans,” Calderon added. “By combining veterans with youth we will put this club back on the road to success.”
Gago has been likened to Argentine midfielder Fernando Redondo who played with Real between 1994 and 2000, but the youngster wanted to distance himself from these comparisons.
“I don’t feel under any pressure being likened to Redondo. He is my idol and has been since I was young, but we are very different players,” said a softly-spoken Gago.
“I know I will have to adapt to a different style of play here but I will do it calmly and patiently like I did at Boca.
“This is the club of my dreams and I want to achieve great things here and to be a success in European football.”
Boca Juniors' rejection of a Barcelona bid for Rodrigo Palacio may be linked to the Argentine club's new relationship with Real Madrid.
After turning down a �13 million bid from Barca for the striker, Boca president Mauricio Macri revealed Real had negotiated first option on three of their players - defenders Matias Cahais and Jonatan Maidana plus midfielder Ever Banega.
"Before we sell, Real Madrid have the opportunity to match any offer for them," confirmed Macri.
Macri is close friends with Real director Franco Baldini and worked with the Madrid club's powerbrokers over the sale of Fernando Gago last week.
MATCH REPORT:
0 (4) - ATLETICO MADRID: Cuéllar; Molinero, Pablo, Azcárate, Antonio López; Galletti, Jurado, Gabi, Mista; Torres and Agüero. Zahínos, Ballesteros, Víctor Bravo, Marcos Martín, Miguel Ramos, Batres, Pollo, Vara, Falcón (reserve keeper), Jacobo and Raúl Llorente also played
0 (3) - REAL MADRID: Diego López; Michel Salgado, Pavón, Cannavaro, Raúl Bravo; Guti, De la Red; Nieto, Raúl, Reyes; Alvaro Negredo. Mejía, Miñambres, Iván Helguera, Adrián González, Bueno, Borja Valero and Sergio also played.
PENALTIES: 1-0: Jacobo, goal. 1-1: Borja Valero, goal. 1-1: Víctor Bravo, Diego López save. 1-2: Adrián, goal. 2-2, Batres, goal. 2-2: Bueno, miss. 3-2: Zahínos, goal. 3-3: Negredo, goal. 4-3: Pollo, goal. 4-3: Nieto, Falcón save.
REFEREE: Carlos Megía Dávila (Madrid Referee Association).
NOTES: Second edition of the Jesús Gil y Gil Memorial Trophy organised in honour of the former Atletico Madrid President who passed away in May 2004. Match played at the Vicente Calderón Stadium in front of 25,000 fans. A minute of silence was held before kickoff in honour of those season ticket holders from both sides who passed away in 2006, as well as the four Recreativo Huelva supporters who died last Wednesday in a coach accident. The proceeds of tonight's match will go to the Brain Injury Association of Spain and the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Madrid. The match was also played under the slogan 'A touch against gender discrimination'.
Neither the Brazilians, Ramos nor Van Nistelrooy to play Tomorrow's Jésus Gil Trophy II friendly will also be a good chance for Helguera. The centre back was unable to play against Recreativo Huelva, so this match could be the first stepping stone in making his return from the medical report. SQUAD LIST:
Twenty-two men have been called up by Fabio Capello for Friday's friendy against Atletico Madrid. Marcelo finds his name on this list for the first time as a Madridista, while Ramos and Van Nistelrooy will not play. Diarra and Cassano are still recovering from injury and the Brazilians were granted one extra day of vacation.
Sergio, Negredo, De la Red, Adrián González, Nieto, Borja Valero, Bueno and Granero are the eight Castilla players Fabio Capello has included on the squad list for Friday's match against Atletico Madrid. They join everyone from the First Team, with the exception of the Brazilians (Roberto Carlos, Emerson, Robinho and Ronaldo) who were granted on extra day of vacation by the Club, Ramos and Van Nistelrooy, and Cassano and Diarra, who are recovering from adductor problems.
Meanwhile, Marcelo will defend the Real Madrid shirt for the first time. He has yet to be given the opportunity to show what he is truly capable of on the pitch, and Madridistas will get their first chance to see the left back in action on Friday night. Also making the list for the first time this season is Miñambres, who has recovered from his knee injury.
Redondo's heir apparent lands at the Santiago Bernabéu. His next stop was the youth categories of Boca Juniors, where his entire professional career was developed. Like many Argentinian players, Gago has a nickname. They have called him “Pintita”, or “Drawer”, since he was a young boy, as his coach would scold him by shouting “stop drawing and run!” He made his First Division debut with Boca on 5 December 2004, which was a 1-0 win over Quilmes. But it was during the 2005 season that his career took off and made him the star he is today. Fernando Gago was an Under-21 international and is on course to play for Argentina's national team. His greatest triumph so far was winning the World Youth Championship in Holland in 2005 with Argentina. Other members of the team included Oscar Ustari, Lionel Messí, and Sergio Agüero. They say…
Fernando Gago, the best number ‘5’ Argentina has to offer and one of the most complete footballers of the world will sign for Real Madrid with the goal of becoming the best player of his age throughout the football world. This signing, along with that of Marcelo and Higuaín, is part of the promised project to build a team with a promising future.
Fernando Rubén Gago was born on 10 April 1986 in Ciudadela, Buenos Aires. He began his career at Parque, a modest Club where former Madridistas like Fernando Redondo and Esteban Cambiasso, two players with similar styles to Gago, got their start. Villarreal's Juan Román Riquelme was also a product of Parque CF.
Maradona: “He's one of the best wingers in the world and should never be left off the national team.”
Fernando Redondo: “Gago is the type of player I would always want on my team. He has all the characterstics of my type of midfielder. He goes all out, keeps his head held high, and is great at reading the game.”
Jorge Valdano: “He's a footballer taylormade to the Club. He thinks fast and well, and will always make sure the ball gets to where it's supposed to. Gago is exactly what Real Madrid need at the moment.”
Vicente Del Bosque: “Signing Gago is the right call. He's a good player.”
Track record
Apertura 2005 champion with Boca Juniors
Clausura 2006 champion with Boca Juniors
South American Cup 2005 champion with Boca Juniors
South American Cup Winner's Cup 2004 and 2005 with Boca Juniors
FIFA's World Youth Championship 2005 with Argentina
| First Division - Day 16 | |
| Real Madrid 0 - Recreativo Huelva 3 Madrid: Casillas; Michel Salgado (Mejía 65'), Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Roberto Carlos; Beckham, Guti, Emerson (Robinho 46'), Raúl; Van Nistelrooy, Ronaldo (Reyes 65'). 4-4-2. Recreativo: López Vallejo; Merino, Beto (César Arzo 54'), Mario , Poli; Cazorla, Viqueira, Jesús Vázquez, Aitor; Uche (Javi Guerrero 80'), Sinama-Pongolle (Juanma 65'). 4-4-2. Team changes: Madrid: Beckham, Ronaldo for Robinho, Reyes / Recreativo: Poli for Dani Bautista. Goals: |
| Real Madrid | Recreativo Huelva | |||||||||
| 0 | 3 | |||||||||
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Florent Sinama Pongolle 
David Beckham 
