Real Madrid News

The 26-year-old has been linked with a move to the Burnabeu, but insists there is nothing more to the rumours and he is happy with Napoli

Napoli star Edinson Cavani says there is no concrete link with Real Madrid, despite reports suggesting that he is on his way to the Spanish capital.

The Uruguayan has long been linked with a move to the Bernabeu, with Chelsea and Manchester City also said to be vying for his signature.

And while he admits that los Blancos would be an attractive destination, he insists that he is happy to remain at the San Paolo.

“Real Madrid are one of the strongest clubs in the world, but there is nothing concrete,” the striker told the Corriere dello Sport.

“At the moment I do not know what my future will hold.”

While his future remains uncertain, the Uruguayan is enjoying his time with his current club.

“In Napoli, they trust me.

“I want to play in a club that gives me confidence. I know this is true in Naples, I’m happy to be there.”

The Gunners legend believes his former side can be a threat next year with the right additions as the club look to close in on London rivals Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs

EXCLUSIVE
By Tom Marshall-BaileyRay Parlour has encouraged Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger to splash the cash this summer in order to ensure his former club challenge for major honours next season.

Goal revealed earlier this month how the Gunners are finally ready to flex their financial muscle by activating the release clause in Marouane Fellaini’s Everton contract.

Arsenal are also exploring the possibility of moves for Gonzalo Higuain and Wayne Rooney as Wenger looks to bridge the gap between the north London outfit and the Manchester powerhouses.

Parlour feels such stellar names would get pulses racing around the Emirates, but stressed it may take significant spending to address the flaws in the squad.

Parlour, who was speaking at the launch of the 2013-2014 Barclays Premier League fixtures, told Goal: “They need to go out and spend money now, reports are saying there’s €82m available at the moment. If I was Arsene Wenger, I’d say go out and spend €116m and get the right players to have a real go of it next season.

“The whole point in moving stadium was to try to compete with the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona but now they are trying to compete with the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea, who will probably get stronger next season.

“That’s the most important thing for the fans, but now the club are in such a good state of mind with the stadium – they paid off a lot of money on that – and financially, they are in a very good situation.

“The players that work for him on a regular basis would be very excited to have the likes of Rooney in the side, Higuain, who is a very good player at Real Madrid, and Fellaini, who has had a great few seasons at Everton.

“That’s the big question now, whether they can attract this sort of players to the club.”

Parlour does not believe the Gunners’ squad is in need of major surgery but concedes his former club need to add world-class reinforcements in key positions during the close season.

He added: “When you look at the side they’ve got, they’ve got very good players but they have to strengthen down the spine of the team.

“Striker-wise I know Higuain has been mentioned and Rooney would be a fantastic signing for Arsenal.

“They maybe need another midfielder who can win the ball back as well. I think [Mikel] Arteta was fantastic last year but another player who can slot into that role just in front of the back four, which is so important in today’s football, would be ideal.

“I definitely think they need another central defender too. [Thomas] Vermaelen was obviously in and out of the team last year and didn’t really play a lot of football and we don’t know what’s going to happen to him this summer.

“And maybe a goalkeeper, when you look at the lack of competition at the moment for [Wojciech] Szczesny. [Lukasz] Fabianski did really well when he came back into the side, but I don’t know if that’s the answer or not.

“If they can get the right players, they will definitely be a force next season.”

Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea have all had to replace outgoing managers this summer, and with Wenger now the longest-serving boss in the league, Parlour feels the club can use that stability to their advantage in the upcoming campaign.

“I think it will be the most exciting Barclays Premier League season next year, with new managers coming in and out,” he continued.

“You don’t know how [Manuel] Pellegrini will settle in but I’m sure he will do a great job at Manchester City, David Moyes has got his chance at Manchester United, and obviously with Jose Mourinho coming back to Chelsea it is going to be interesting.

“So it may be an opportunity for Arsenal to say: ‘Okay we’ve got the stability in the manager at the moment, can we get the right players now?’

“Top quality players want to play in the Champions League and that’s why it was so important that we pipped Spurs to fourth place.”

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Ray Parlour was speaking at the launch of the 2013-14 Barclays Premier League fixtures. To hear Phil Neville, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Ray Parlour and John Hartson preview the new fixtures, download the exclusive podcast by clicking here.

The young playmaker has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid and Manchester City but the Andalusians say his exit is far from guaranteed

Malaga executive vice-president Moayad Shatat says that Isco will stay at the club for another season unless a satisfactory offer comes in.

Both Manchester City and Real Madrid have been heavily linked with the 21-year-old this summer but the Andalusians are determined to hold on to their star for another year, at least on loan.

“We’re in negotiations with Isco. It’s true that offers have come in for him, but we’re always going to look for the best price for his exit,” he told Marca.

“We don’t need to let Isco go cheaply. If it’s not enough, we’re not going to sell him. We haven’t received any transfer offers which include the option for him to continue with Malaga on loan for a season.

“Isco is a very important player, everyone thinks it would be great if he stayed and if the correct offer doesn’t come in, we’re not going to sell.”

Isco scored 12 goals in 47 appearances for the club over the course of 2012-13.

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.

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.”