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All the latest LaLiga news in one place!
Barcelona not worried about Copa del Rey
Barcelona fielded Juan Brandáriz (better known as Chumi) in their 3-0 win over Levante in the Copa Del Rey match and it has come to light that he was not eligible to play. He was serving his suspension after he was banned while playing for Barcelona 'B'.
Ernesto Valverde, however, is not concerned. He said, “We knew at the time of Chumi’s suspension. There are no doubts from our side over the player, neither before the game, during the game nor after it – we are totally confident.”
“We should be in the draw for the quarter-finals and we are convinced that we have done nothing wrong because we were in full control of this decision. We knew that he could not feature in the league clash with Eibar due to his suspension but in the Copa, this did not apply.”
Continuing to talk about to the press, he was asked about the links with Carlos Vela. He said, “Links to Carlos Vela? He does not play for us, he is at another club. The market is open and I understand these question, but we must respect this.”
Real Madrid need Benzema, claims Solari
Karim Benzema might not be a fan favourite anymore and most Real Madrid fans want him sold. But he has something in him that gets all managers to play him and Santiago Solari is no different.
The manager claims that Madrid need the striker back and said, “We suffered tonight because we did not have a reference point in attack. We missed that and our squad does not have an alternative, so we are relying on Benzema to be back for our game with Sevilla and give us that with his presence, it is very important.”
“This was not a good match for us at all, but we are through to the quarter-finals and all the players who needed first-team football got that. I never believed the tie was in any danger for us,” added the manager.
Real Madrid to sign Eder Militao
Getting a long-term replacement for Sergio Ramos is one of Real Madrid's toughest tasks at the moment but it looks like they have found an ideal player. Reports in Don Balon claim that Madrid are set to sign Eder Militao from FC Porto.
The centre-back has a €50 million release clause and Florentino Perez has paid it as per the report. The Brazilian was just signed in the summer for €4 million but has cost Madrid 12.5x the amount as the Portuguese side were reluctant to negotiate a deal for him.
Real Madrid were not the only club interested in signing the defender and thus they had to hurry in paying the release clause. Manchester United and Everton were also looking to get him and Perez did not want to lose out on another player.
Barcelona hold secret talks with Eden Hazard
Another swoop by Don Balon today claims that Barcelona are looking to hijack Eden Hazard's move to Real Madrid. The Catalan side are keen on signing a left winger and have set sights on the Belgian.
Chelsea are looking for more than £100 million for their star player who will be entering the final 12-months of his contract in the summer. Hazard has not refused to sign a new deal all together but has also made it clear that he wants to move to Spain if he has a chance of doing it.
Real Madrid are his dream club but if Los Blancos do not make a move for him, Hazard might just end up at Camp Nou. Barcelona were also linked with Willian, Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud, while Chelsea were linked with Denis Suarez, Sergio Roberto, and Ousmane Dembele.
