Real Madrid join race for Valencia star Villa:

Real Madrid are joining the race for Valencia striker David Villa.

Madrid president Ramon Calderon knows he needs to make a significant summer signing to win over fans and is turning to Villa, who is also wanted by Chelsea and Juventus.

While Villa again declared last week that he was happy at the Mestalla, his agent, Jose Luis Tamargo, admitted a big contract offer could tempt the diminutive forward.

"Now isn't the time to talk about this because Valencia are involved in the Liga," Tamargo told Spanish radio. "But in a short while, with teams bidding for him, they could convince David Villa with an offer of £4-5 million annually."

Calderon assures Real Madrid veterans: We'll get Kaka:

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has assured the club's former stars that they will bring AC Milan ace Kaka to the club.

At a presentation marking more club involvement for Real's past players, Calderon discussed Kaka's performance against Manchester United last week with the likes of Alfredo di Stefano.

"He did very well," said ex-Real star Ignacio Zoco. "Did you see that goal he created with his head?"

Everyone, including Di Stefano nodded their approval, before Calderon said significantly: "There is nothing else we can do but sign him."

The comment was met with a round of applause from the veterans - all self-confessed fans of the Brazilian midfielder.

Frustrated Guti unsettled at Real Madrid:

Guti's future at Real Madrid is up-in-the-air.

DiarioSport says Guti feels under-appreciated by Real management and is weighing up his future. For their part, Real are prepared to listen to offers for midfielder, a development Guti is well aware of.

Guti came close to joining Atletico Madrid last summer and they're sure to try again should Real indicate they're prepared to sell at the end of this season.

Real Madrid are hoping to get David Beckham's yellow card from the weekend against Athletic Bilbao rescinded:

Beckham was booked 16 minutes from time for apparent time wasting - which was his tenth caution of the season.

The former England captain is now due to miss the weekend's crucial meeting with second placed Sevilla at the Bernabeu.

Madrid are now hoping they can get Beckham's booking overturned.

"If it is possible to appeal against it, we will do it," Madrid sporting director Predrag Mijatovic told the club's website.

Coach Fabio Capello admits losing Beckham would be a blow.

"I don't want to talk about Beckham's card, nor anything to do with the referees," he said after the match.

"He would be a very big loss. Now he is in very good form and against Athletic he had a great game."

Cicinho - "Real Madrid players playing for Capello":

Cicinho says Real Madrid's players have been inspired by the barrage of criticism levelled at coach Fabio Capello.

Asked what the reason was for Real's sudden turnaround in form, the Brazilian fullback said: "Look, we have a lot of confidence in our work although there were people who insisted the squad was split and fighting eachother.

"We are fighting against many people who did not believe in the work of Capello, who in fact has made this team very competitive.

"Fabio has demonstrated that he is a great person and a great trainer. I do not believe that a change of trainer is needed at the end of the season."

Norwegian youngster Jo Sondre Aas has been invited for a trial by Real Madrid:

Aas caught the attention of Real's scouting network after impressing in a youth-team tournament in Spain.

The Rosenborg striker is excited at the prospect of possibly winning a move to El Santiago Bernabeu.

"This is just a bonus for me," Aas told Oppdalingen.

"The most important thing with this visit is the opportunity to learn how a big club like that works."

Aas is expected to travel to Spain next month to undergo his trial period at Real.

Real Madrid trials for 'new Solskjaer':

Real Madrid have handed trials to Norwegian youngster Jo Sondre Aas.

A Norway U17 international striker, Aas is tied to Rosenborg and has been likened to Manchester United star Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Real Madrid's Norway scout, Jack Karades, has set up the trial, which will see Aas travel to Madrid this week to train with Michel's Castilla team and also be a guest in the director's box for Real's clash with Sevilla on Sunday.

Real Madrid make contact with Espanyol's De la Pena:

Real Madrid have made contact with Espanyol midfielder Ivan de la Pena.

The former Barcelona and Lazio star is off contract at Espanyol in June and has been contacted by Real Madrid about a Bosman deal in the summer.

Schuster Before Mourinho For Calderon:

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon admitted that he prefers Getafe's Bernd Schuster to Chelsea's Jose Mourinho.  

However, he was still unwilling to rule out Capello staying on beyond the end of the season.

"I would like that he [Capello] continues, but that we will have to analyze once we sit down at the end of the season," he said.

He was immediately asked whom he would prefer between Schuster and Mourinho, and let slip: "As a matter of style, I would prefer Schuster over Mourinho."

As he seemed happy to oblige, he was asked about Barcelona's two upcoming games, at home to Real Betis, and away against Atletico Madrid.

Calderon went as far as giving his prediction, suggesting that Betis would get "a scoreless draw" and that Atleti would win "through goals from Torres and Aguero."

On possible summer signings, he was unwilling to commit to anything, having learnt his lessons well from last summer, but let the two famous names pop out.

"I am enchanted by Kaká and that I like Cristiano [Ronaldo] a lot, but I cannot make any promises," he said. "Their signing is very difficult, because they belong to clubs that will not want to sell them. If they will, they will ask for a lot of money.

"It is difficult to start speaking of numbers. If they want them to sell, we will be ready to speak, but it does not mean that we will buy them at any cost."

On Raul's future, he assure that the Merengue skipper would "stay for certain, unless he himself does not want to." Asked about his comments on Guti earlier in the season, he admitted that the midfielder was now "a promise being fulfilled more and more every day."

As for Beckham's departure, he said: "I wish the very best for him, he has been a great role model, and shows that every day. I was a little sad when he left and did not wait, but he has made his decision and I am sure it will be a great one."

Higuain: Real Madrid happy to see Barcelona struggle:

Real Madrid matchwinner Gonzalo Higuain admits he is delighted that Barcelona stumbled against Real Betis last night.

Higuain's winner against Espanyol, coupled with Barca's 1-1 draw, leaves Real at the top of the Primera Liga table and the young Argentine says: "Yes, it is impressive. We are very happy to now be leaders.

"I suppose that all the Madridismo will be very happy about being first.

"I didn't expect Barcelona to slip up, but it has happened and we're all very happy. Now we only depend on ourselves. It is only right to think that we are in good shape to be champions."

He added: "Saturday was the best day I've had at Real Madrid. I hope to have many more, though this one will be unforgettable."

Capello Continues To Turn Fans Away:

Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello is refusing to go back on his decision to keep fans from witnessing training sessions.

The decision was taken on the 9th of January, when Real Madrid were not doing well, and the Merengue faithful were letting the players and the coach know what they thought during the training sessions.

Any small problems during the sessions, particularly altercations between players, or even disagreements with Capello, were put under the microscope by the media, something that was creating further unrest.

As a result, Don Fabio had also banned the media from the training sessions, giving them just 15 minutes (when players warmed up) for a few photographs.

Things have since improved, and the atmosphere all around the club is much more jovial. However, Capello has refused to let up, and is sticking to his guns.

Even today, as many as 200 excited fans turned up to share their enthusiasm with the players, but were turned away at the gates after having waited for over two hours for just a glimpse of their heroes. The media ban also continues.

While his decision is being accepted, the public relations department is understood to be slightly worried. Global following remains unaffected by this, but the impact of such decisions on local fans and attendance, not to mention Capello's own image, could be significant.

Robinho has revealed that Kaka could be tempted by a move to Real Madrid as he would love to play for the Spanish giants:

Reports throughout the season have linked the Milan star with a move to the Bernabeu and now his close friend has added more fuel to the fire.

Despite the rumours, Robinho believes the Rossoneri would be reluctant to let one of their most important players leave this summer.

Robinho, who is tipping Kaka to win the European Footballer of the Year award, would welcome his Brazilian team-mate with open arms.

"Kaka likes Real Madrid very much," he told Radio Marca. "He told me he would like to play here, but I don't think Milan will easily let go of such a good player.

"Real Madrid would benefit from him. I'm sure he'll win the Ballon d'Or this year. He's also an excellent guy on and off the pitch. He is a fantastic player."

An inconsistent run of form earlier in the season saw Robinho left on the bench by Fabio Capello and he was quoted as saying that he may have to leave Madrid in order to play regularly.

The upturn in both his personal performances and the results of the team, however, has seen the 23-year-old have a change of heart.

"I said I would reconsider my future if I was kept on the bench, but everything's changed now," Robinho said. "I'm happy. My hard work and drive have made the coach realise I can play on this team.

"I hope to keep showing the joy I feel when I play. I'm scoring and fighting hard on the pitch and I think Capello finally has faith in me. He sees I'm doing my best for this team."

Stories in the Spanish and Italian media have claimed that Ronaldo has been trying to tempt Robinho to join him at Milan, but the Real player will not be swayed.

"Ronaldo is a good friend, but he has no power over me," Robinho added. "I want to see my contract through because I'm happy at Real Madrid."

Juventus Interested In Real Madrid & Barcelona-Target Gabriel Heinze Of Manchester United

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Raul: Only title will silence Real Madrid critics

Real Madrid captain Raul says they'll only silence their critics by winning the championship this season.

Ahead of their clash with Real Zaragoza, Raul said: "To silence people we need to win the Liga. I am convinced that if we win the title, people will stop criticising us. What was once black is now white.

"The difference is that Real Madrid has rediscovered it's winning values. There is now once again power, pride and unity. We all realise that we can do something important this season.

"I've improved also.

"Before, my form wasn't so good because I was being played out of position. Now I am better because I am playing where I am at my best. There's been weeks, months, even years where things have been very difficult for me."

Asked about the future, Raul added: "I don't believe in revolutions. The base of this squad should be the same next season."

La Liga - Agent in Saviola Madrid claim

The claim was made by Jose Maria Minguella, an occasional pundit on Radio RAC1 in Spain and is the latest speculative statement on the future of "El Conejo," whose career at Barca seemed over some time ago but has been offered a new deal by the club, albeit on reduced terms.

"It seems that he has already signed for Real Madrid," Minguella - who is not Saviola's representative - said. "Saviola was not on the bench in such an important game, the [2-2 draw] with Espanyol.

"I spent four days in Madrid last week and they told me that he has completed the signing for Real."

Minguella went on to claim that the transfer was conducted solely by club president Ramon Calderon - without the input of sporting director Predrag Mijatovic.

"Mijatovic wasn't involved," he continued.

"It was something done directly with Real Madrid's president and director general, through an English company that holds the rights of attorney for Saviola."

Saviola joined Barcelona in 2001 but was deemed surplus to requirements when Frank Rijkaard took over in 2004, farmed him out on loan to Monaco and then Sevilla before returning to the club this season.

Despite seeming to be frozen out of the first-team, the diminutive 25-year-old Argentina striker hit an impressive run of form after serious injury to Samuel Eto'o but, with his contract set to expire in the summer, was only offered a half-price contract and admitted he would probably leave Barca. He has been linked to Manchester United, Juventus, Internazionale and Lyon and described a Marca report in April claiming he was to sign for Real as "a ploy to sell newspapers."

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