Real Madrid - Transfer Talk

[Podolski]

Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster has opened the door to Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack, providing the Germany captain drops his wage demands.

Schuster claimed talks took place in the summer between Real and Chelsea, but collapsed on the question of wages.

The Real coach told Kicker magazine: "The door is not closed, but it's essentially a question of money.

"His Chelsea contract is extraordinary, no Real player is paid like him and we don't want to set a precedent."

Ballack, 30, was omitted from Chelsea's Champions League squad for the group stages, although the Blues insist it was on injury grounds.

Since fellow German Schuster took over at Real from Fabio Capello, Ballack has been linked with a move to the Bernabeu.

Ballack joined Chelsea in the summer of 2006 from Bayern Munich, but his first season at Stamford Bridge was curtailed by an ankle injury.

The German captain has not played since April, but Schuster said: "His footballing qualities are always there, and they will still exist in six months."

[Pennywise]

Schuster and Madrid have done so much right when it comes to players in. They've bought in young and talented players who are hungry to win, and they've not only went after the big names like Ballack.

First, Michael Ballack isn't good enough for a place in the starting lineup. Sneijder, Guti, Gago and Diarra over Ballack anyday. He is at the end of his career, he has much injures and a bit satisfied.

Bringing in Ballack will be a big blame, but I can't see him end up in Madrid in January...maybe if Guti leaves or something.

[Robinho4Ever]

Inter Reject €90m Madrid & Chelsea Bids For Ibra & Maicon

Inter President Massimo Moratti has rejected €90m mega-offers from Real Madrid and Chelsea for Maicon and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, according to the Corriere dello Sport.

Real Madrid have long been admirers of Ibrahimovic, who has been in sensational form so far this season, scoring 15 goals in all competitions.



The Spanish-giants attempted to sign the Swede on a number of occasions while he was still at Juventus.



Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is also a huge admirer and would love to partner the 26-year-old alongside the equally impressive Didier Drogba up-front.



As for Maicon, the Brazilian has firmly established himself as one of, if not the best right wing-back in world football.



English newspaper ‘The Independent’ yesterday revealed that Chelsea wanted to sign Maicon in order to solve their right-back problem at the club.



Real Madrid, who currently have Sergio Ramos, are impressed by Maicon’s abilities both offensively and defensively.



However oil tycoon Moratti has made it perfectly clear that Ibrahimovic and Maicon are both ‘untouchable’ players and are not for sale at any price.

First of all, we don't need Maicon. Sergio Ramos is #1. And Maicon isn't a sub player + we have Miguel Torres (I rate him really high) ...

About Ibra. He won't replace RvN, and surely not Raul, the king. So will he be a sub ?? nah. + as I said about C. Ronaldo, bringing Ibra will only add more ego to our team, and we don't wanna be "Galacticos" ...

[Dellas]

I'll take Maicon and if we could get Ibra that would be brilliant...but I doubt this is true...rumours and nothing more I guess

[Pennywise]

Rumours. Why shall Madrid spend €90 mill on players they actually not need for the moment?

I know that Madrid were interested in Zlatan under Capello, but this is over a year ago. Its nothing about this in Spanish press or around the Madrid sites either.

[Robinho4Ever]

Boca Reveal Madrid Have First Option On Banega


Boca Juniors have asked for more time to consider Valencia's offer for Éver Banega as Real Madrid have first refusal on the highly-rated young midfielder.


Los Ché were reported to be front-runners in the race to sign the 19-year-old after making an €18m offer, but they did not bank on Madrid's involvement.

According to AS, Los Merengues' president Ramón Calderón bought the first refusal rights to three Boca players for €1m as part of the deal that saw Fernando Gago move to the club.

Banega was one of that trio and now Madrid must consider whether or not they want to snatch the player from under the nose of Ronald Koeman.

In order to take up their option, the Bernabéu outfit must match Valencia's offer or pass up the chance to sign him and give the green light for him to go elsewhere.

While Banega is currently on holiday, the situation remains difficult as Boca have also received several offers that are said to be around €15m.

The report suggests that along with Juventus' bid, Chelsea and Atlético de Madrid have also made their interest known.

Valencia were hoping that the player would fly to Spain and be shown around their facilities on January 3, but have now been told that he will not be available until four days later.

I didn't know the we do have first option on this promising player !!! Wow ...

[Podolski]

smart move calderon

[Robinho4Ever]

Originally Posted by Podolski

smart move calderon

Yeah, very smart !! ...

[Pat Murphy]

Not smart if you don't use the first option

[Podolski]

1m tbh isn't that much to us, to have first option on a talented player + 2 others

[Pennywise]

Much rumours about this "wonderkid" Daniel Opare. He is 17 years old and already playing for Ghanas nationalside. The fee is around €3 mill according to AS.

[Trim]

Alberto Aquilani’s agent has confirmed that both Roma and Real Madrid have been in contact over a possible move to the Bernabeu for the player.

Reports in Italy on Thursday morning quoted Franco Zavaglia (Aquilani’s agent) as saying that the midfielder was perfectly happy in Rome and that he wants to stay with the Giallorossi.

“I can safely say that the player wants to stay at Roma, just because Marca say something it doesn’t mean that it’s true,” Zavaglia told Italian journalists.

However Marca have quoted the agent as being keen on a potential move. It seems as if Zavaglia has changed his attitude towards the whole affair and he now seems positive about the idea.

“I know that both clubs have spoken about the player, however Real’s sporting director, Pedrag Mijatovic has not contacted me,” Zavaglia told Marca.

“Alberto would be delighted to play for Real Madrid.”

Real are allegedly hoping they can sign the promising midfielder during the summer. Los Blancos have been impressed with Aquilani recently - especially after his excellent performances against them in the Champions League - but it seems as if this will be another one of those unpredictable and never-ending transfer sagas.

Goal.com - Transfer Zone - Agent: Aquilani Would Love To Play For Real Madrid

[Trim]

Real Madrid sporting director Predrag 'Pedja' Mijatovic admitted that FC Barcelona's Andrés Iniesta had caught his eye on more than one occasion...

Mijatovic was asked which Barcelona player he most admired, and it seems that the 23-year-old topped the bill.

Iniesta, who made his first team debut in 2002, broke through to the first team in earnest in 2004-05, and has scarcely looked back since. He's also established himself as a Spanish international.

Pedja remarked, "I'm happy with the squad that we have here, but if I had to pick one Barça player to sign, then as a football fan, I'd say that I like Iniesta."

There has previously been talk of Real Madrid seeking to meet the player's €60m release clause, but Mijatovic quickly shot that idea down.

He stated in no uncertain terms that this was not a prelude to a transfer battle for the Albacete-born midfielder.

"I appreciate Andrés as a player, but he's not on our shortlist," said Pedja.

"He's very happy at Barcelona and he's just extended his contract, too."

Iniesta, capped 22 times for Spain, is under contract at the Camp Nou until 2014.

Goal.com - Spain - Mijatovic Admits Iniesta Admiration

[Pat Murphy]

Goal.com - Spain - Madrid To Buy Back De La Red

Madrid will apparently buy-back Ruben de la Red from Getafe at the end of the season for the €5m agreed. He's worth more than that after his season this year, but I think Madrid will be using him as a makeweight in deals.

[Pat Murphy]

Madrid have apparently almost agreed a deal with Huntelaar for next season after Luis Fabiano's agent blew their cover. They're also looking to bring David Villa in as Villa may force an exit from Valencia considering their season.

Madrid look like they've decided on Hunterlaar as their new striker as Ruud is getting on in age and Raul you can't depend upon to guarantee you another season like this one. Also as they have Soldado, Higuain and Saviola on the bench who they don't really depend upon.