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Xavi: Barcelona will welcome Fabregas Barcelona midfielder Xavi has described Cesc Fabregas as an extraordinary player. Barca failed with two bids for their former youth team midfielder last year and have reportedly had an initial offer turned down this summer as well. But the Catalan club are likely to return with a new bid for the 24 year-old in the coming days and Xavi says his arrival would be positive for Barca. "Competition is always good and Cesc is an extraordinary footballer," he said. "If he comes, it will be to help out." However, the midfielder hopes comparisons will not be drawn between Cesc and himself, as happened when Xavi broke through in the late 1990s and was dubbed as a successor to then captain and now coach Pep Guardiola. "They put that label on me of being a replacement for Pep Guardiola and it wasn't fun at all," the 31-year-old said. Xavi also celebrated the renewal of 20 year-old midfielder Thiago Alcantara, who has signed a new contract to remain at the Nou Camp until 2015. "Thiago has renewed and that's great news," he said. "He is a fantastic player with a lot of talent - the competitiveness of the group is great." Xavi began last season with a niggling injury, but says he is feeling good ahead of the next campaign. "I feel good physically, I'm very motivated and content," he said. "Last year I suffered some tendonitis in the Achilles tendon but I'm over that. "I'll try to start off as best I can and at the highest level."

Gago aware of Aguero influence Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago acknowledges that compatriot Sergio Aguero has to quality to make a difference for any club. Aguero stunned his club side Atletico Madrid at the end of last season by declaring he wanted to leave the club, believing he had achieved all he could at the Vicente Calderon. While Atletico initially remained defiant in allowing their prized asset to leave, reports have since suggested they could be tempted by the right price. What the club hierarchy would not allow however is a move to bitter rivals Real, who have showed interest in Aguero, although club officials have since come out saying they will refrain from making a move on Aguero. However, Gago believes Aguero has the ability to contribute at Real. "Aguero is a player who could contribute a lot to any team in my opinion," Gago said, according to AS. Nonetheless, Gago was quick to assert that the only thing on their minds now was performing well for Argentina at the Copa America. "It's not the right time to talk about it [a move to Real] though. "We're focused on the Copa America now." Gago also defended his recent comments regarding Real's fans being unwilling to accept that Barcelona were a better team to them, and insisted he had been misquoted. "My words were misinterpreted." Gago had a season to forget as he struggled to get a game at the Santiago Bernabeu, making only seven appearances in all competition.

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Adebayor rules out Zenit switch Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor says there is "no chance" that he will join Russian side Zenit St Petersburg this summer. Adebayor's future at City remains uncertain after he spent the second half of last season on loan with Spanish giants Real Madrid. The Togo forward has previously stated he would be happy to join Real on a permanent basis amid reports he is not wanted as part of Roberto Mancini's plans at City next season. Marseille have been linked with a move for the former Arsenal and Monaco man, while Zenit were also rumoured to have made an offer. However, Adebayor has no plans to move to Russia and is waiting to see what his future holds ahead of the coming campaign. "If I have to go to Man City, I will do that with pleasure and if I have to stay in Madrid, I will stay with pleasure," Adebayor told Boss FM. "What is important is I want to play. "But I want to make it clear there is no chance of me going to Zenit. "I love the country but I don't think I can see myself playing in Russia. "I don't have anything to prove to anybody in football. I have done a lot of things in the sport. "I have scored important goals and played in big games so for me, in my head, I don't have any pressure at all."

AC Milan target Drogba, Adebayor AC Milan are plotting a double swoop for Chelsea's Didier Drogba and Manchester City outcast Emmanuel Adebayor. Just last week, reports claimed that Chelsea are ready to hand Drogba a new deal at Stamford Bridge despite speculation linking the Ivory Coast striker away from the club. Now according to the Daily Mirror newspaper, Milan will test the Blues' resolve by launching a £10million bid to prise the 33-year-old to the San Siro. And should their bid to land Drogba fail, the newly crowned Italian champions will turn their attention to Adebayor. The Togolese striker is poised to return to Eastlands following the conclusion of his season loan spell with Real Madrid, where he impressed. However, Adebayor's relationship with City has been strained following his outburst of unhappiness last year and is unlikely to be given a starting role at Eastlands. And Milan are more than happy to have the 27-year-old boost their attack although Adebayor would much prefer a move to Madrid.

Zenit eye swoop for Adebayor Russian giants Zenit St Petersburg could be the unlikely destination for Manchester City misfit Emmanuel Adebayor. The Togolese striker spent the second-half of last season on loan with Real Madrid. But despite impressing at the Santiago Bernabeu with eight goals from 22 appearances, he has been told a permanent deal at Madrid is out of the question. Now back at Eastlands where Roberto Mancini has no room for him in his plans, Adebayor is desperately advertising his services in the transfer market. Now according to The Daily Mirror, Zenit St Petersburg have emerged as the unlikely party interested in the 27-year-old. However, it remains unlikely that the former Arsenal striker, who is earning £130,000-a-week at City, will be amenable to a move to Russia.

Adebayor rules out Blackburn move Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor has ruled out a move to Blackburn or Paris St Germain this summer. The 27-year-old, who dismissed a move to Zenit St Petersburg at the weekend, spent the second half of last season on loan at Real Madrid, where he helped Jose Mourinho's club to win the Copa del Rey. Adebayor has made it clear that he wants to stay at the Bernabeu, but it is not certain whether the Spanish side will be prepared to meet a probable asking price designed to recoup as much as possible of the £25million City paid Arsenal in 2009. Amid the uncertainty, City's Premier League rivals, Blackburn, and French side PSG, who are now funded by the takeover of Qatar Investment Authority, are reportedly attempting to sign the forward. But Adebayor told Ivorian newspaper The Patriot: "I say thank you to PSG for thinking of me but for all the respect I owe them, I will not go there. "At Real, I got a taste for what it's like winning a trophy. I can only go where we play to win a trophy or win the championship and not to play mid-table. "It is clear that I will not (win trophies) at Zenit or Blackburn. " Adebayor has also reiterated his wish to remain at Real, however, his priority is first-team football after falling out of favour under Roberto Mancini at City. "I'd like to stay with the merengue. But you know I am a footballer and what is important is to play football whether it's Manchester City or elsewhere," he said. "For now, I take my holidays with my family and after, when I go back to my club, we'll see." DISQUS...

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Adebayor begs for Real return Emmanuel Adebayor is desperate to stay at Real Madrid, despite offers from Blackburn and Zenit St Petersburg. The Togo striker's registration is still held by Manchester City, who loaned him to Real Madrid last season. However, Real manager Jose Mourinho is not keen to meet City's £14 million valuation, and the La Liga side have not shown any inclination in keeping Adebayor. Most recently, Blackburn have shown their willingness to splash out on the striker, but the 27-year-old rejected a move to the Premier League mid-table side, as well as a move to Zenit St Petersburg. Adebayor said: "I'd love to stay with Madrid. "It's clear in my mind that I'll neither go to Blackburn nor to Zenit. I got the taste for winning trophies at Real. "I don't want to fight for survival or a place in mid-table." However, with a strike rate of five goals in 14 appearances for Real Madrid during his time there, it is expected that Real will not splash out to keep Adebayor, despite his desperate attempts to stay at the club.

Adebayor begs for Real return Emmanuel Adebayor is desperate to stay at Real Madrid, despite offers from Blackburn and Zenit St Petersburg. The Togo striker's registration is still held by Manchester City, who loaned him to Real Madrid last season. However, Real manager Jose Mourinho is not keen to meet City's £14 million valuation, and the La Liga side have not shown any inclination in keeping Adebayor. Most recently, Blackburn have shown their willingness to splash out on the striker, but the 27-year-old rejected a move to the Premier League mid-table side, as well as a move to Zenit St Petersburg. Adebayor said: "I'd love to stay with Madrid. "It's clear in my mind that I'll neither go to Blackburn nor to Zenit. I got the taste for winning trophies at Real. "I don't want to fight for survival or a place in mid-table." However, with a strike rate of five goals in 14 appearances for Real Madrid during his time there, it is expected that Real will not splash out to keep Adebayor, despite his desperate attempts to stay at the club.

Adebayor to wait all summer for Real Emmanuel Adebayor is prepared to wait all summer if necessary for Real Madrid to take him back. The Togolese striker took in a productive loan spell at Santiago Bernabeu last season after slipping down the pecking order at Manchester City. He thoroughly enjoyed his time in the Spanish capital and has made it clear that his preference would be to secure a permanent switch to Los Blancos. Such a move has failed to materialise, with the likes of Blackburn and Zenit St Petersburg the only sides to express an interest so far. Adebayor, though, claims Real boss Jose Mourinho has promised that he will do all he can to bring him on board. Taking that into account, the experienced frontman claims he is willing to sit tight and let the transfer window tick down. "I am prepared to wait until the last minute of the window on 31st August," Adebayor told Marca. "Mourinho told me he will do everything to bring me back and I am optimistic that a deal can be done. "For me, Real are everything. I love the club. "On my last day working with the club, my team-mates demanded that I be brought back for next season. That was incredible. "I don't believe that Manchester City will create any problems and will be happy to sell. I don't think I am of interest to coach Roberto Mancini. "During my loan last season I scored eight goals and that is not a bad return. "I think I completed my mission, but people in Madrid have not seen the true Adebayor. I can still do much better."

Ronaldo: I would have joined Man City Cristiano Ronaldo was willing to consider a move to Manchester City, but will not leave Real Madrid while Jose Mourinho remains in charge. The Portuguese winger was the subject of reported interest from free-spending City earlier this summer, with record-breaking transfer fees and bumper pay packets discussed. Ronaldo responded to the rumours by hinting that he could be tempted back to England if the price was right. He has, however, sought to play down any chance of that happening this year by insisting that he will not leave the Santiago Bernabeu while countryman Mourinho is overseeing events in the Spanish capital. Ronaldo said in the Sunday Mirror: "It's flattering to be offered £20million a year - it's very good, but I spoke to my agent and I think it's better to stay in Madrid because this year we're going to be the best. This season we are going to be a big force. "Jose Mourinho is staying at Madrid so I stay. "If he went to Chelsea then I would have left. I would have gone to Manchester City. But now he's staying, I'm staying." While his immediate future remains in Madrid, Ronaldo has revealed that he does intend to take in a second spell in the Premier League. Having enjoyed a successful six-year stint with Manchester United between 2003 and 2009, he admits he would welcome the opportunity to return at some stage in his career. "I think if I went from Spain it would be to the Premier League - but not now," he said. "First we have to win the Champions League. "If I went back to the Premier League it would be with a club in the North West. I don't like London." Ronaldo himself publicly announced on his Twitter and Facebook personal pages that the interview was entirely false.

Mourinho ready to name new captain Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is prepared to strip Iker Casillas off his captain's armband for the new season. According to Spanish publication Marca, the Portuguese would prefer his captain to be an outfield player instead of a goalkeeper, with communication on the pitch being the main factor. Thus Madrid could have a new captain come the start of the new season, with defender Sergio Ramos and midfielder Xabi Alonso favourites to take over the armband. It would be a daring and ambitious move for Mourinho as Casillas is considered a cult hero at the Santiago Bernabeu. However, the 'Special One' is not one to be affected by off the field sentiments and is known to make unpopular decisions for the good of the team.

Mourinho ready to name new captain Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is prepared to strip Iker Casillas off his captain's armband for the new season. According to Spanish publication Marca, the Portuguese would prefer his captain to be an outfield player instead of a goalkeeper, with communication on the pitch being the main factor. Thus Madrid could have a new captain come the start of the new season, with defender Sergio Ramos and midfielder Xabi Alonso favourites to take over the armband. It would be a daring and ambitious move for Mourinho as Casillas is considered a cult hero at the Santiago Bernabeu. However, the 'Special One' is not one to be affected by off the field sentiments and is known to make unpopular decisions for the good of the team.

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Sahin excited by Madrid challenge Real Madrid new boy Nuri Sahin cannot wait to get started for his new club and is confident he will be a regular in Jose Mourinho's line-up. The 22-year-old Turkey midfielder agreed a six-year deal with the Spanish giants in May after helping Borussia Dortmund land last season's Bundesliga title. He missed the last six weeks of the 2010/11 campaign with a knee injury, but will be raring to go when pre-season gets under way next Monday. "I'll be there the first day," he said in Spanish newspaper AS. "I am as good as before the injury. There is no sign of those aches and my intention is to train as fast as my new colleagues. "I really want to start this new chapter. It's rare to want to finish your holiday as soon as possible to start working!" He continued: "I have great faith in myself that I will be in the starting line-up. I have no doubt and I will work hard for it. [Zinedine] Zidane is one of my idols and I want to look at what he did in Madrid." Sahin is still coming to terms with having joined one of the biggest clubs in the world. "My signing for Madrid is a dream," he said. "From the time I heard of their interest to the moment I picked up the pen to sign the contract. Recent weeks have flown by and I still cannot digest how big this is. "It was a very special moment. Someone suddenly told me that Real Madrid were going to call. Five minutes later, stunned, answered the phone. I said, 'Yes?' and I heard, 'Hi, it's Jose Mourinho'. "I thought someone was playing a joke, but even so the conversation flowed. He said he had been following me throughout the season at Dortmund and wanted me for his team. "The coach wants me to take care of the organisation in midfield." Sahin and his new team-mates will be looking to wrest the Primera Division title off Pep Guardiola's Barcelona, who have been league champions for the last three seasons. Despite Barca's recent dominance, the youngster believes his new employers can still lay claim to being the world's best. "Barca are a team in excellent shape, but Real Madrid have been chosen as the best club of the century by the football authorities," he added. "Therefore, Madrid remains the best club in the world."

Real Madrid confirm Sarabia sale Real Madrid have confirmed the sale of Pablo Sarabia to Getafe. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder, a Spain youth international, has agreed a five-year contract with Getafe. However, Real Madrid have confirmed the deal includes a buy-back option for the highly regarded youngster who found his progress blocked at the Bernabeu.

Karim Benzema at AS by unamadridista Karim Benzema took time out from his vacation to speak “exclusively” with AS. He talked about his vacation, the hopes he has for next season, and the role of Zidane on the team. I also loved that Karim is ready to take on the role of big brother to Raphael Varane – our Karim has grown up! Most of the interview is below, I just skipped a couple of questions on last season, since I’m more than ready to move on to the new season. * Home * A Stalker’s Guide to Real Madrid * Iker & his jerseys Karim Benzema at AS June 27, 2011 tags: benzema by unamadridista Karim Benzema took time out from his vacation to speak “exclusively” with AS. He talked about his vacation, the hopes he has for next season, and the role of Zidane on the team. I also loved that Karim is ready to take on the role of big brother to Raphael Varane – our Karim has grown up! Most of the interview is below, I just skipped a couple of questions on last season, since I’m more than ready to move on to the new season. How is your vacation going? Phenomenally. I’m having a great time. I was in Ibiza and now I’m going to Mauritius. I’m recharging my batteries. You said you were in Ibiza for several days. Did you like it? It was great. I hadn’t been there before and I have to say I loved it. I coincided with Carles Puyol, with my friend Mesut and some other footballers. Did you manage to forget about football during this vacation? I try to disconnect a bit, but I always have football in mind. In addition, I’m with people that never stop talking about it. The sport is part of my life. The ball is always by my side. Did Mourinho give you all any suggestions for the summer? The míster wished us a happy vacation and he asked us to return in good shape. We’re professionals and we know what we have to do. I personally take care of myself and I know that on July 11, I’ll return to Madrid in great shape. I work every day. I swim a lot because it’s good for the back and I also do a lot of bike riding. How would you sum up your second season in Madrid? I think I had a great season. It was difficult in the beginning because I had some pains and I was a bit overweight. But these setbacks forced me to work and things changed for the better. That’s why I can affirm that I’m very happy with the second half of the season. I believe I responded to the hope that people placed in me. What was your worst moment? Not playing in the Champions League semifinals. Without a doubt. Although I completely respect the decision of the coach, it was very frustrating for me not to be able to participate in those games against Barcelona, because I was in a good moment and I was convinced that I could help my team. It hurt me, but I didn’t give up and I continued scoring goals afterward. And the best? The Copa del Rey victory. I didn’t play in the final, but it was a great source of joy to win my first title with Real Madrid. I also participated a lot in this tournament, scoring, for example, the goal in the semifinal against Sevilla. My goal in Lyon in the round of 16 was also a great moment. There were many positive things this season. I came to Madrid to win titles and I’ve gotten one. But I’m not going to stop now. Mourinho usually says the second season is always the best. How do you see it? I think like him, that we’re going to be very strong this year. The group is fantastic. We all get along well. We have a great coach. I’m very optimistic about next season. Did you ever see yourself leaving Madrid? Never! I repeat, never! I never back down in difficult moments. That’s my philosophy. I know that when one is lucky enough to be part of a club as important as Real Madrid, one should be prepared to suffer. It’s part of the game. How do you see the upcoming season? What are your objectives? The first thing that I want is to be in good physical shape so that I can give the best of myself during the entire season. And I’m doing everything possible for that. On July 11, I will be ready to fight. I don’t have the custom of setting an objective in terms of the number of goals I’m going to score. What I want is to have a tremendous season. I know that I’m going to improve and I’m going to score many goals. You also like assisting goals… Yes, it’s true that I assisted in many goals last season. It’s also something that I like. A good pass can be beautiful. I’m a goal-scorer, but, from the time I was small, if I saw a teammate in a better position to score, I’d give him the ball. I believe a forward should be capable of doing two things: scoring and assisting. I’m not an egotist. Your compatriot Raphael Varane will have his medical today and sign his contract. He was recommended by Zidane. Thoughts? The fact that he was recommended by Zidane says everything. I believe Varane made the right choice because Madrid is a once in a lifetime opportunity. You have to take advantage of the opportunity. I welcome him. He can count on me to speak with him and help him with his new life in Madrid. You were only 21 when you came here and you know how tough it is to leave your country and family. Of course I know. That’s why I’ll be there for Raphael for whatever he needs. What kind of influence has Zidane had on you this season? In the beginning, when I arrived in Madrid, Zidane and I weren’t so close, but naturally, with the passing of time, we developed a friendship. We speak on the phone, we see each other, he helps me and gives me advice. This past season, we saw him a lot in Valdebebas. Zidane knows a lot about football and his presence with us helps us a lot. What message would you like to send to the fans? I want to tell them that we’re going to experience great moments together this upcoming season, and that we’re going to fight for all the titles that are in play. On a personal level, I’m going to do everything possible to be worthy of this club and this shirt.

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