Real Madrid News

The 28-year-old winger admits he still holds the Old Trafford club in his heart following a six-year stay but insists he is enjoying life in Spain and playing for Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo admits he misses Manchester United and English football but insists he is happy with life at Real Madrid.

The 28-year-old Portugal captain has been strenuously linked with a return to Old Trafford this summer where he spent six-years before moving to the Berbabeu for a world record £80 million in 2009.

Ronaldo won eight trophies and scored over 100 goals in his time with United and while conceding he is still emotionally attached to the club, and has no plans to leave Madrid in the near future.

“I miss English football,” said Ronaldo, speaking at a promotional event in Singapore.

“For me, it was one of the best years in my career when I was there in Manchester United. Everyone knows that it is a club that is still in my heart and I really, really miss.

“But now my life is in Spain. I am enjoying playing there too.

“Part of my life is there, but in the future we never know. I am really, really happy in the Spanish league.”

We run through the latest talking points in world football and which stars could be on the move this summer

This week’s episode of Transfer Talk examines the ins and outs at Old Trafford, but while David Moyes starts his reign at Manchester United, is a famililiar face returning to Arsenal?

Arsene Wenger looks to tie-up their deal for Gonzalo Higuain, after Juventus – rivals for his signature – completed a deal for Carlos Tevez. Meanwhile, there’s significant movement at Tottenham, with the club set to announce the signing of Paulinho – but will David Villa be wearing Spurs’ colours too next season?

To discuss these and all the other rumours and whispers, Matt Lorenzo is joined by Goal‘s Peter Staunton and former Manchester United defender David May as we go through the latest talk from the transfer market.

Remember, to pose a question to next week’s panel, leave your comment below, or Tweet us by using the hashtag, #askgoal

The Uruguay striker, who scored three goals at the Confederations Cup, has told his close friends that he wants to move to Stamford Bridge so he can play in the Premier League

EXCLUSIVE
By Roberto Pessoa

Edinson Cavani has set his heart on a dream move to the Premier League and wants to join Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, Goal understands.

Having fulfilled his Confederations Cup commitments with Uruguay the Napoli striker is now seeking urgent talks with the Serie A club’s owner Aurelio De Laurentiis, who is intent on receiving the player’s €63 million release clause in full. 

Manchester City, Real Madrid and Paris Saint Germain are all competing with Chelsea for the 26-year-old’s services, but the allure of spearheading Mourinho’s strike force at Stamford Bridge is understood to have swayed Cavani, who has spoken of his desire to play in the Premier League on a number of occasions.

“Although Edinson loves Real Madrid, he feels that his style would fit the Premier League much better, and Chelsea are the only chance he has of playing there,” a source close to the player revealed to Goal.

“Edinson has already instructed Napoli that he wants to leave and is hopeful that his situation can be resolved as soon as possible.”

Both Manchester City and Real Madrid, whom Cavani claimed it would be “a dream” to play for, have refused to be drawn into a bidding war for the player while, as reported by Goal last month, Chelsea’s €40m plus Fernando Torres offer was firmly rejected.

Chelsea have remained in negotiations with Napoli, however, and will be encouraged by Cavani’s desire to become an integral part of Mourinho’s second coming at Stamford Bridge where he would be an automatic first choice start ahead of the disaffected Torres, youngster Romelu Lukaku and Rafa Benitez’s only major signing Demba Ba.

According to De Laurentiis, Real Madrid have also made a formal offer for the player who has scored 29 league goals last season, while City have cooled their interest having refused to meet the buyout clause and are actively pursuing alternative targets, including Sevilla’s Alvaro Negredo.

Paris Saint Germain’s desire to make Cavani their headline summer signing remains strong after they met with his representatives in January and on Tuesday were reported to have submitted a €50m bid.

The Gunners remain locked in negotiations with los Blancos but are reluctant to pay more than £21 million for the Argentine striker and are now considering a fall-back option

EXCLUSIVE
By Wayne Veysey

Arsenal’s bid to sign Gonzalo Higuain has stalled as they struggle to agree a fee with Real Madrid, Goal understands.

The Londoners are reluctant to pay above €25 million for the striker, while the Spanish giants hold out for €25.5m.

The two clubs remain locked in negotiations but Arsene Wenger is now understood to be eyeing up an alternative proven striker at a cheaper price.

Goal reported in June that an Arsenal delegation flew out to Madrid to finalise the Higuain deal with their Madrid counterparts.

However, the talks did not result in an agreement and, despite Arsenal’s confidence that a deal can be secured, Wenger is now considering a fall-back option.

Arsenal have agreed the terms of a contract with Higuain that will start with a salary of £100,000-a-week, which will bring him in line with the club’s top earners Theo Walcott and skipper Thomas Vermaelen.

Higuain will pocket a bumper pay rise if he completes a move to the Gunners as he is believed to be earning a relatively modest £64,000-a-week at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Juventus have also made the prolific forward an offer but are unwilling to pay a €20m-plus fee after signing Carlos Tevez and unveiling fellow forward Fernando Llorente on Tuesday.

Arsenal remain in pole position to capture Higuain, who has his heart set on a move to Emirates Stadium but has to remain patient while negotiations continue.

Wenger has prioritised the signing of a top forward this summer and retains a concrete interest in Wayne Rooney, who is keen to sever his ties with Manchester United.

The Higuain deal is regarded as easier to secure even though it would break the £20m transfer barrier and comfortably smash the club’s transfer record.

Arsenal began their summer recruitment drive on Monday after completing the signing of Yaya Sanogo on a free transfer from Auxerre.

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The Brazil international was one of several players tipped to leave los Blancos following Jose Mourinho’s exit but he has confirmed he will not be leaving the Santiago Bernabeu

Kaka says he will stay at Real Madrid next season after holding crunch talks with new coach Carlo Ancelotti.

The 31-year-old joined the club from AC Milan back in 2009 with a reputation as one of the game’s greatest players, but his stock has fallen during a disappointing spell at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Brazil international was one of several players tipped to leave los Blancos following the departure of Jose Mourinho to Chelsea, but recent developments will see the former-Rossoneri star remain at the club beyond the summer transfer window.

The appointment of Ancelotti as coach, who masterminded Kaka’s rise to stardom at San Siro, has culminated in the pair having positive talks regarding his future, and he is now certain over where he play his football next term.

He told reporters: “I have a contract with Real Madrid, and we have got a new coach. I have had positive communication with Carlo Ancelotti and I will stay.”

The midfielder was left out of Brazil’s squad for their Confederations Cup campaign and watched the Selecao’s 3-0 dismantling of Spain in the final during a plane journey to Dubai.

However, national team boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has hinted at handing recalls to Kaka and fellow absentee Ronaldinho for future internationals and he admits World Cup 2014 remains one of his main objectives.

“I saw the game [Brazil 3-0 Spain] in Dubai during my flight. Brazil played very well and congratulations,” he added.

“There is one year until World Cup 2014, I really want to play in the World Cup and I have many memories about that.”

Kaka’s contract at Real Madrid runs until June 2015.