Real Madrid and Barcelona Paper Talk: Modric, Arsenal and Afellay

By Liam Bambridge
Updated: 16 July, 2012

Real Madrid

The club remain favourites to sign Luka Modric, who apparently turned down a new contract offer from Tottenham last month worth over £100,000 a week. (various)

Pre-season training started today for 13 of the 25 man first team squad, with the eleven involved in Euro 2012 given permission to continue their holidays a little longer, and Marcelo away with the Brazil Olympic squad. (various)

Other notable absentees were Richardo Carvalho and Ferando Gago, both of whom are certain to leave the Spanish champions this summer. (various)

24-year old Fabio Coentrao has admitted that he would love to return to Portugal to play for Benfica before he turns 30. (various)

Reports in Italy suggest that Inter’s Brazilian full back Maicon has already agreed a deal to sign for ‘los merengue’, and that the two clubs are just waiting to make the news official. (Marca)

Barcelona

With just one new signing by the beginning of pre-season training, this summer represents the club’s lowest investment on new players so far since the summer of 2005. (Mundo Deportivo)

However the expectation is that there will be no more than two more signings, with a new central defender remaining the priority. (Mundo Deportivo)

According to Ajax sporting director and former ‘blaugrana’ winger Marc Overmars, young defender Marc Muniesa is keen to spend a year on loan to the Dutch champions. (various)

Meanwhile Arsenal have entered the race to sign midfielder Ibrahim Affelay. (Mundo Deportivo)

The B team kicked off their preseason fixture programme with a 2-0 win at Third Division side CF Palamós. (various)

Real Madrid and Barcelona Paper Talk: Modric, Arsenal and Afellay

Related Posts