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All the latest LaLiga news in one place!
Sergio Ramos going nowhere
Florentino Perez dropped the bomb on Real Madrid fans earlier this week by revealing that Sergio Ramos is looking to leave for China. The club president said Ramos and his agent informed him about a ‘very good offer’ from an unnamed Chinese club but the club could not pay a fee.
“I told Ramos that it was impossible for Real Madrid to let their captain go for free!” said Perez. Reports immediately started that Los Blancos were open to selling him this summer and Manchester United were keen on signing him.
Ramos has now broken his silence and confirmed that he did talk to the president about the offer from China. However, he revealed that he was not keen on leaving the club and wanted to retire at the Bernabeu.
“It is true that I have an offer from China on the table, I will not lie about it. My dream is to retire here,” said Ramos
“At no moment did I consider going to China. Yesterday I went to see the president to make everything clear. I told the president that I would never go to a team that could compete with Real Madrid. If one day I go then it is because I think my body does not allow me to give a high level.”
“I am the captain of Real Madrid and I feel very loved and supported by my team-mates. I'm not looking to renew [my contract]. I am happy with what I have. People always think it's a strategy to earn more, but it's the opposite.”
Real Madrid have already signed Eder Militao as the ideal replacement for Ramos but are still lining up moves for other possible replacements as well.
Cillessen being priced out of a move away from Barcelona
Barcelona's 2nd choice keeper, Jasper Cillessen has all but confirmed that he is looking to leave the club this summer. The former Ajax man has not managed to get into the starting XI ahead of Ter Stegen as the German has been in top form for a long time now.
Reports this month suggested that Benfica were looking to sign Cillessen and were in talks with Barcelona already. The Catalan club are open to selling him as well but are looking for a huge fee as per the goalkeeper.
“Barcelona asking for €60m for me does not help my situation. I'm still calm, we have to wait and see what happens, I'll consider my options after the holidays,” he said.
The Spanish champions are looking to raise funds to make a move for Antoine Griezmann and De Ligt this summer.
Eden Hazard confirms Real Madrid move is close
Eden Hazard scored twice and assisted once as Chelsea beat Arsenal in the Europa League final. The Blues cruised in the 2nd half and outplayed the Gunners in all departments of the game.
After the game, Hazard confirmed that it might have been his last match for Chelsea and that he is close to joining Real Madrid. “I think it's a goodbye but in football you never know. I have made my decision and the clubs have to agree now,” the 28-year-old said in his interview after Wednesday's match.
Maurizio Sarri, meanwhile, said: “I know he wants to leave and I have to respect his decision. He is a wonderful player. It took two or three months for me to understand him as a man and now I do, he's a wonderful man. He's an extraordinary player. He is a strange boy but when he understands it is extraordinary.”
Lionel Messi picks Roberto Martinez as Barcelona's next manager
Barcelona are reportedly still undecided on the future of Ernesto Valverde and reports suggest that he could still be sacked. The manager failed to win the Copa Del Rey and also could not take the club into the Champions League final despite having a 3-0 advantage after the first leg.
Reports in Spain claim that Barcelona have a 5-man list ready if they decide to part ways with Valverde. Roberto Martinez, Massimiliano Allegri, Erik ten Hag, Ronald Koeman and Unai Emery are the top targets as per the report.
The same report claims that Lionel Messi was consulted by the Barcelona board as he is the club captain. The Argentine has reportedly picked former Wigan and Everton manager, Roberto Martinez as their next manager.
Martinez is still under contract with the Belgian FA and revealed yesterday that he had not agreed to join Barcelona just yet.
Real Madrid make move for De Ligt
Real Madrid have entered the race for Matthijs de Ligt according to Mundo Deportivo. The report claims that Los Blancos are keen on signing him as the long term replacement for Sergio Ramos despite having just signed Eder Militao.
De Ligt is set to leave Ajax this summer after guiding them to a league win and also taking them into the Champions League semi-final. The Dutchman is just 19 years old but has starred as the club captain.
Barcelona, Manchester United and PSG are also desperate to sign him and have all made their move. Los Blancos are late to the party but are now strong favourites as they are ready to offer him a deal better than any other club.
Ajax were reportedly looking for €65 million but with so much interest in him, the price might go up. Apart from the 4 aforementioned clubs, Bayern Munich are also said to be keeping tabs on him while Pep Guardiola is also interested in taking him to Manchester City.
