Kondogbia 'delighted' to hear Real Madrid rumours

The Sevilla midfielder is thrilled to hear reports linking him with a move to the Spanish capital, but insists his current focus is firmly on developing in Andalusia

Sevilla star Geoffrey Kondogbia says he is delighted that Real Madrid are reportedly following his progress.

The France Under-20 international has been linked to a number of European sides since moving from Lens to Sevilla in 2012, and admitted earlier this year that to play for los Blancos would be to realise a childhood dream as rumours of Madrid’s interest began to surface.

However, Kondogbia maintains his current focus is on continuing his development in Andalusia despite interest from the capital club.

“I’m delighted [over Madrid reports] but my feet are firmly on the ground and I know I need to improve a lot,” the 20-year-old told a press conference.

“They’re a great team, like others, but I am very happy at Sevilla. We’ll see [what happens] after the World Cup [in 2014].”

The holding midfielder also denied that friend Raphael Varane, who established himself in the Blancos first team last season, has been trying to persuade him to join the Liga giants.

“I talk to Varane a lot, but not about that,” he continued. “We’re friends. He hasn’t tried to convince me.”

Both Arsenal and Inter have also been linked with a move for Kondogbia in the past year.

Cavani decision to be made soon, says Napoli president De Laurentiis

The Partenopei owner believes the future of their star striker will be decided when the 26-year-old comes back from the Confederations Cup for pre-season on July 20th

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis says Edinson Cavani will decide where he will be playing next season at the end of July, when the Uruguayan returns for pre-season.

Cavani has been heavily linked to Chelsea, Real Madrid, and previously Manchester City, before their initial proposed player-plus-cash deal involving Edin Dzeko stalled, as Goal revealed.

The Uruguay international has scored over 100 goals for Napoli in his three seasons at the club, and De Laurentiis is confident Cavani will not leave after the clause in his contract runs out.

“I don’t think Cavani will leave on 10th August, when his buyout clause expires,” De Laurentiis told Radio Rai.

“I’m confident in him, because I consider him a real man. He won’t make me a joke of me.

“Should Cavani want to leave, he will decide it after a long period of reflection. But by 20th July we will probably know everything about his future.”

Cavani joined Napoli from Palermo in 2010 for €12 million, and has played 52 games for his country, scoring 14 goals.

Jese Rodriguez: Mourinho never gave me a chance

The Real Madrid youngster believes that he was unfairly overlooked by the Portuguese and hopes he can thrive by learning from the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo

Jese Rodriguez has slammed Jose Mourinho for not giving him enough opportunities to shine at Real Madrid, claiming that he deserves a more prominent role.

The 20-year-old winger is considered one of los Blancos’ brightest prospects but, despite making 38 appearances and scoring 22 times for the reserves last season, did not turn out once for the senior team.

And Rodriguez believes that the Chelsea manager overlooked the club’s youngsters during his three-year reign at the Bernabeu.

“Maybe last year club thought that they don’t need to have more youth players and Mourinho thought he needed to sign players from outside the club,” he told AS.

“I think maybe I deserved more opportunities. Anyway this was what Mourinho thought and he isn’t here now, so let’s what will happen in the future and what the new coach thinks.”

Rodriguez went on to say that he thoroughly enjoys the atmosphere at the Santiago Beranbeu and that he hopes to learn from the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo.

“[Alberto] Toril, as with [Aitor] Karanka, has been instrumental in my career thanks to his work this season and has taught me a lot training with me every day.

“I have a very good relationship with all the first team players – Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas, Alvaro Morata, Xabi Alonso. I’ve spent the most time with Ramos.

“I look up to Cristiano Ronaldo in the dressing room. It’s impossible not to. He’s one of best players in the world and I have a lot to learn from him.”

The Sweeper: Real Madrid keen to improve relations with Manchester City to avoid Isco & Cavani bidding wars

Los Blancos are keen to develop an understanding with the Premier League side in order to avoid a transfer battle for mutual targets, following their understanding with Tottenham

MADRID & MAN CITY IMPROVE RELATIONS

Real Madrid seem to be increasing their sphere of influence in the Premier League.

The Sweeper understands the Spanish giants are keen to develop a decent working relationship with fellow rich boys Manchester City.

Both clubs have been in pursuit of Malaga wonderkid Isco and Napoli’s Edinson Cavani during the current transfer window but the two superpowers are keen not to spark a bidding war on mutual targets going forward.

Madrid president Florentino Perez is a business associate of City’s owner Sheikh Mansour, and regularly spends time in Abu Dhabi.

Sources have indicated that a ‘degree of understanding’ now exists between the two clubs, with Madrid already having a strategic alliance with Tottenham in terms of sharing important information.

– Paul Clennam

LIVERPOOL AND TOTTENHAM DROP INCE INTEREST

Liverpool and Tottenham had been in pole position to capture highly-promising Blackpool winger Tom Ince.

But the Sweeper has learned that the two Premier League big hitters have now dropped their interest in the England Under-21 international.

Liverpool came close to signing Ince in January but could not agree a fee with Blackpool during what were understood to be ‘heated’ negotiations with the Championship club, which were complicated by the 35 per cent sell-on clause in the deal that took Ince from Anfield to the Seasiders in August 2011.

Liverpool have turned their attention to other targets as they close in on four new signings to add to early summer captures Kolo Toure and Iago Aspas.

Spurs had registered their interest in Ince, who is rated in the £8 million bracket by Blackpool, but have now set their sights on other attacking midfield targets.

The chase for the 20-year-old’s signature is now being led by Swansea City and Premier League newcomers Cardiff City and Crystal Palace. Everton are also understood to be monitoring the situation.

Ince is still expected to leave Blackpool this summer but the player’s father, Paul, the former England and Manchester United midfielder who is his manager at Bloomfield Road, will have the main say on his final destination.

“It all depends on the move being right for his son,” a source close to the situation told the Sweeper.

The Liverpool academy graduate has blossomed at Bloomfield Road, scoring 18 league goals for the 15th-placed second tier club last season.

Liverpool in complete control of Suarez's future, insists Rodgers

The Anfield boss claims there is “no change” in the Uruguayan’s situation and says the club are still in contact with the striker who is currently at the Confederations Cup

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is adamant that the club are in complete control of Luis Suarez’s future.

The 26-year-old is currently at the Confederations Cup with Uruguay and has publicly voiced his desire to quit the Premier League this summer due to his negative portrayal in the British media.

Suarez, who has also claimed he is disturbed by Liverpool’s failure to secure Champions League football, has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, but Rodgers says he is relaxed over the Uruguayan’s demands.

“It’s quite simple. The club is in complete control of the situation,” Rodgers told talkSPORT.

“For me there is no real change in it. He’s away with the Uruguay squad at the moment and we’re messaging and what not.

“I will always listen to players. I always work closely with players and listen to their point of view but the biggest word is with the club.

“Sometimes interviews get put out there and highlighted, but parts of Luis’ interviews have been about how much he loves Liverpool, but of course that doesn’t get highlighted.

“It’s something that happens. I’m quite relaxed about it.”

Rodgers reiterated that Suarez is a vital part of Liverpool’s progression and believes the Uruguayan appreciates the backing from the club’s supporters.

“What I know is that the support Luis has had from the people here in Liverpool, the city and the football club, has been phenomenal and I know he feels that and respects that,” Rodgers said.

“We’re in a situation where we’ve got a player who we don’t want to lose.

“We’re trying to build something here and he’s a very important part of that and because of the type of player he is he will always give his best.”