Transfer Talk: Real Madrid could reunite Suarez & Cavani but do Barcelona want Torres?

We run through the latest talking points in world football and which stars could be on the move this summer as James Richardson is joined by Gaizka Mendieta and Peter Staunton

The giants of the Clasico are in the market for strikers and we ask who might be drawn to La Liga’s biggest sides.

Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani are both making encouraging noises about Real Madrid while Barcelona have been linked with Chelsea misfit Fernando Torres. Tottenham, meanwhile, are closing in on Brazil international Paulinho while Spain Under-21s star Isco could be heading to the Premier League…

To discuss these and all the other rumours and whispers, James Richardson is joined by Goal‘s Peter Staunton and former Barca midfielder Gaizka Mendieta as we go through the latest talk from the transfer market.

Pique: Barca must strive to keep Thiago

The Blaugrana defender has urged his side to do everything in their power to retain the starlet, following months of speculation linking the U21 champion to the Premier League

Gerard Pique has called on Barcelona to “convince” wantaway midfielder Thiago that his future lies at Camp Nou.

The 22-year-old had been linked with a move away from the Spanish champions in recent months, and his fine performances at the European Under-21 Championship – including a hat-trick in Friday’s 4-2 final victory over Italy – has prompted a sudden surge in speculation.

Yet his Barca team-mate has urged the club to do everything they possibly can to keep Thiago in Catalunya, although he appeared to remind the Italy-born ace that his predecessors also had to wait their turn before establishing themselves in the first team.

“There is a possibility that he can go, but we have to convince him that the best place for him is the club [Barcelona],” Pique told reporters.

“The players currently in starting positions were patient [for their turn] and have since marked an era.”

Pique then paid tribute to Blaugrana colleague Carles Puyol, following the centre-back’s return to the operating table to solve a long-standing knee problem, and Spain compatriot Iker Casillas, for his “surprising” performance against Uruguay in the Confederations Cup.

“When he is fit, he remains one of the top five centre-backs in the world,” noted the former Manchester United man.

“I was also surprised with how good he was [against Uruguay] after not playing for months at Real Madrid.”

Who is your top defender of the season?

Ahead of this year’s Goal 50, we want to know who you think was the best stopper during the season 2012-13

POLL

The latest Goal 50 for 2012-13 is fast approaching as we review the best players from all regions of the world over the previous season.

This is the sixth edition of the prize, which has previously been won by current holder Cristiano Ronaldo (twice), Barcelona star Lionel Messi (twice) and Wesley Sneijder in 2010.

As part of the build-up to this year’s gong, we are running a series of polls asking readers to vote for their own best players in each position for what should be an intriguing debate.

After kicking off with the goalkeepers, we now put forward a number of high-profile candidates who can lay claim to having been the best defender in the world game over the last 12 months.

Bayern Munich were undoubtedly the team of the season and they have three representatives in our list. Right-back Philipp Lahm, central defender Dante and left-back David Alaba all impressed throughout 2012-13.

In Spain, Raphael Varane’s emergence in defence was one of the highlights of Real Madrid’s season, while Gerard Pique was again important for Barcelona as they notched up 100 points on their way to winning La Liga. At left-back, Jordi Alba’s performances have been outstanding for club and country.

Over in Italy, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci ensured Juventus secured a successful defence of their Serie A title, while Thiago Silva cemented his reputation as one of the game’s best stoppers with his performances for Paris Saint-Germain in France.

It was not a vintage season for defending in the Premier League but Rio Ferdinand reminded everyone of his quality as Manchester United secured league glory and Jan Vertonghen enjoyed an impressive first campaign at Tottenham.

HAVE YOUR SAY

In total we have 15 goalkeepers up for your vote to decide on the best goalkeeper for the 2012-13 season.
Let us know your thoughts by voting in our poll and leaving your comments below. You can also get in touch via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Morata confirms Real Madrid stay

There had been doubts over the striker’s long-term future with los Blancos, but his performances in Israel have earned him the opportunity to establish himself

Alvaro Morata has confirmed that he will stay at Real Madrid following a phone call with president Florentino Perez in the aftermath of Spain’s triumph over Italy in the European U21 Championship final on Friday.

The 20-year-old accumulated just 581 minutes under Jose Mourinho last season – equalling to a total of 15 matches – and there had been concerns that the striker would seek a move away with a view to gaining more first-team football.

But after helping la Rojita defend their European crown in Israel by finishing as the competition’s top scorer, Morata says he will fight for his place at the Santiago Bernabeu next season as his employees are “very happy” with him.

“I called the president and he told me that I will stay at Real Madrid next season. He is very happy with me,” he told Cadena SER.

“[Spain] came here [Israel] as a group, and that’s why we have been crowned champions. I am happy, yes, but this is a success of the group and everyone in it.”

Morata also revealed that he spoke to Isco about the possibilty of the Malaga attacker joining him at Madrid before the start of the 2013-14 campaign and suggested Thiago Alcantara was considering his future with Barcelona.

“I am trying to convince Isco to to come,” he added. “It seems Thiago has received bids, and they are enough to make him consider leaving [Barca].

The Blancos youth product scored four times, two ahead of his nearest rivals.

Milan must meet us halfway for Robinho, says Santos official

The Peixe official believes the Italian giants must meet them halfway if they are to successfully negotiate the sale of the former Real Madrid attacker

Santos vice-president Odilio Rodrigues says AC Milan must lower their asking-price if they are to complete a deal for Robinho this summer.

The 29-year-old, who spent three years with Peixe prior to joining Real Madrid in 2005, is said to be keen on a move away from San Siro in the coming months after having found himself on the fringes of Massimiliano Allegri’s plans for much of last season, and his former club have long been desperate to have him back.

However, the Rossoneri are understood to be holding out for at least €9 million for the forward, while Santos are believed to be reluctant to table an offer of mor than €6 million, and Rodrigues has appealed for a compromise.

“We have spoken to people who represent Robinho and Milan, and the quoted figures are very high,” he told Globoesporte.com.

“We spoke on the phone and we are still waiting to hear confirmation on those figures.”

Robinho previously retutned to Santos in 2010, spending six months on loan from Manchester City, during which time he helped the club to Copa do Brasil and Campeonato Paulista titles.

Currently without a coach since dismissing Muricy Ramalho at the end of May, earlier on Tuesday Santos announced that the deal to bring Marcelo Bielsa to Estadio Vila Belmiro had fallen through.