Benzema wants Pogba to join Madrid

The striker wants his France international team-mate to leave Juventus for the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, amidst rumours the midfielder could be sold

Karim Benzema wants Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba to jump ship for Real Madrid this summer as transfer rumours continue to swirl regarding the young midfielder's future.

The Blancos have been linked with a mega-money move for the 21-year-old France international for months now, with Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea also fellow admirers of the former Manchester United youth prospect.

Benzema, who will line up alongside Pogba at the World Cup this summer, would love his international team-mate to come to the Santiago Bernabeu should he decide to leave Turin in the upcoming transfer window.

"He’s a young player playing at a big European club. He gets better with each game and he’s at a high level and will continue to work hard," the Madrid striker told reporters.

"I would love him to leave for Madrid, because he’s French and can become a great player."

Benzema says his recovery from a minor muscle injury is going positively and dismissed concerns he is an injury doubt for the World Cup as Didier Deschamps' men prepare for a friendly against Paraguay.

"My adductor is healing, it's much better, there's nothing to worry about," the forward added.

"I started to run again and I work with the physios, it's evolving in the right way. Now I have to keep working but don't be worried, it's much better than when I played in the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid."

Benzema and Pogba are expected to be prominent players in France's attempt to win the World Cup, starting with group stage games against Switzerland, Ecuador and Honduras.

Suarez would find it difficult to reject Real Madrid, says lawyer

The Uruguayan has been linked with a switch to this season's Champions League winners and his representative claims that he has a "predisposition for Spain"

Luis Suarez's lawyer admits that the Liverpool striker would find it difficult to turn down a move to Real Madrid.

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The 27-year-old has long been linked with a move to Carlo Ancelotti's side but insisted earlier in May that he is happy to stay at Anfield.

Suarez, who finished as the Premier League's top scorer with 31 goals this season, signed a new contract with Liverpool in December but the Uruguayan's representative says that the forward would favour a switch to Spain if the opportunity arose.

"A year ago he was very likely to leave Liverpool," Alejandro Balbi told Cadena SER of a summer that saw Arsenal push hard for his signature.

"Now I think it is very difficult because he is an idol, although clubs can offer a lot of money.

"If there is such a big offer from Real Madrid, it would be very difficult to say no. Luis Suarez has always had a predisposition for Spain."

Courtois leaves door open to Chelsea return

The Belgium goalkeeper has spent the past three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid and says he loves living in the city, but suggested a move back to London could be best

Thibaut Courtois has hinted that he could return to Chelsea after this summer's World Cup in Brazil.

The Belgium goalkeeper has spent the past three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid and played a pivotal role in the club's success in 2013-14, with Diego Simeone's men winning La Liga and reaching the Champions League final.

Courtois played against his parent club in the semi-final of Europe's elite club competition and later said that he does not have an “emotional connection” with the Londoners, though he has now hinted that a move back to Stamford Bridge could be better for him in sporting terms.

“We will talk after the World Cup, we’ll talk with Chelsea," he told Cuatro. "I’m very comfortable here, I love living here, but at times you have to think about the sporting aspect.

“We’ll see what happens, I can’t say right now. First the World Cup.”

It had been suggested that Courtois went to see his team-mates to bid farewell after the Champions League final, but the 22-year-old ruled that out: “I’ve not said any goodbyes, I went to the bench to do some things."

Courtois is expected to start for Belgium in Brazil, ahead of Liverpool's Simon Mignolet, with the Red Devils set to face Algeria, Russia and South Korea in Group H.

De Gea urges Van Gaal not to sell Mata

The 62-year-old has already outlined his summer transfer targets, with midfielders among them, but the goalkeeper feels the fellow Spaniard gives his side another dimension

David De Gea has urged Louis van Gaal not to sell Juan Mata as the new Manchester United manager looks to make his mark on the squad.

The Netherlands coach, who will take over at Old Trafford after the World Cup, has already outlined his desired transfer targets ahead of the summer window - including the likes of Kevin Strootman and Toni Kroos.

Juan Mata broke the club's transfer record when he joined from Chelsea in January for £37.1 million - going on to score six goals in 15 appearances - but some reports have suggested he could be sold as part of Van Gaal's summer upheaval.

De Gea, however, feels the fellow Spaniard gives his side another dimension and is determined to see him stay.

"I would not sell Juan Mata. He is very important player for us," he told Movistar.

"We have taken a qualitative leap with him and he has adapted very well".

De Gea has been vocal in recent days, admitting he has been trying to lure Barcelona star Cesc Fabregas to United before revealing he would love to see Andres Iniesta join the club.

The goalkeeper will hope to make his Spain debut, potentially alongside Mata, Iniesta and Fabregas, against Bolivia on Friday.

What does the summer hold for Romelu Lukaku?

A proven Premier League goalscorer at just 21, the Belgian will lead the line for his country in Brazil, but is not guaranteed a starting berth when he returns to Chelsea

COMMENT
By Jamie Dunn

Romelu Lukaku has every reason to go into Belgium’s World Cup opener against Algeria on June 17 full of confidence.

Still only 21, the striker followed up a successful loan spell at West Brom in 2012-13 with a stint at Everton in which he scored 15 Premier League goals.

And, with that Group D clash days away, Lukaku bagged a hat-trick in a 5-1 friendly win against Luxembourg on May 26, completing his scoring exploits for the night with a sublime goal, using a step-over to beat one defender, before chopping past another and finishing at the near post.

The Belgian is primed to make a big impact at his first senior international tournament in Brazil, alongside Eden Hazard and a host of other Premier League-based stars.

At club level, however, Lukaku’s future remains uncertain heading into the summer.

Chelsea battled with Tottenham and Arsenal to sign a teenage Lukaku for around €21 million in 2011, but the striker has rarely been involved at Stamford Bridge following a series of managerial changes.

The second coming of Jose Mourinho has done little for the former Anderlecht prodigy by way of first-team opportunities. Lukaku made three appearances off the bench at the start of the season, but after missing a penalty in the Uefa Super Cup defeat to Bayern Munich at the end of August, he was promptly dispatched to Goodison Park.

Mourinho signed the more experienced Samuel Eto’o, with whom he enjoyed a fruitful relationship at Inter, but the Portuguese repeatedly voiced his frustrations over the lack of production from his front line last season. Between them, the trio managed a combined total of 19 league goals – just four more than Lukaku on his own - as the Blues fell short in the race for the title.

Romelu Lukaku Seasonal Stats

• General 
• Defence 
• Distribution 
• Attack 
• Discipline 

• 33 Games Played

  2602 Minutes Played

  29 Starts

  9 Sub Off

Eto’o, who scored nine times in the Premier League, has not been offered a contract extension, while Mourinho has described Fernando Torres as “not the kind of guy who’s going to score goal after goal”.

The Portuguese has suggested Chelsea could keep both Torres, who is a target for former club Atletico Madrid, and Demba Ba, though the Senegal international is anything but indispensable, while Diego Costa looks set for Stamford Bridge.

The Atletico Madrid striker is understood to have already agreed to a €43m move to Chelsea, after playing a huge part in Diego Simeone’s side’s league title triumph and run to the Champions League final with a combined 35 goals over both competitions.

So where does that leave Lukaku? It might seem baffling to some that a strong and powerful, but also mobile striker who scored all of his goals inside the penalty area with a mixture of both feet and his head might not have a place in the Chelsea squad next season.



But as Juan Mata would attest, if you do not fit in Mourinho’s system, you can find yourself surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, regardless of potential ability.

And while Chelsea enter the transfer market for a front man once again, Lukaku just wants to play.

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"As a youngster, you normally have to play,” he said towards the end of last season. “How will you be one of the best not playing?

“Look at (Wayne) Rooney, (Cristiano) Ronaldo, (Didier) Drogba - every top striker. They always played.

"They played constantly, always, all the time. Games, games, games. I just want to be one of them - that is my ambition, I just want to be one of those guys.”

As such, plenty of Premier League clubs will likely monitor Lukaku’s situation with interest over the summer. Former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood indicated Spurs would weigh up a move prior to his departure, though much will depend on new head coach Mauricio Pochettino and the plans he draws up with director of football Franco Baldini.

Everton, meanwhile, will doubtless keep tabs on their former loan star. Roberto Martinez has suggested as much.

"We'll see what the best thing [is] for everyone,” Martinez said. “But everything will be in stages: how Chelsea are doing in their own squad and how that frees some players.

"It's going to take a bit of time and I don't think Romelu's situation is going to be resolved before the World Cup, in truth. I think it will be after the World Cup."

Borussia Dortmund, too, have emerged as contenders for the striker and, unfortunately for Everton, a big performance in Brazil could attract more interest in Lukaku and price the Toffees out of the running.

And if Chelsea are willing to listen to offers for Lukaku this summer, there is sure to be a scramble for his signature.

Di Maria: My future lies in Real Madrid's hands

The Argentina international has revealed that a summer transfer could be an option, admitting that he will not have the final say on whether he stays in the Spanish capital

Angel Di Maria has claimed that several clubs are interested in signing him this summer, but has stressed that his future lies in Real Madrid's hands.

The Argentina international has been in sublime form this term - playing a major role in the Spanish side's successful Champions League and Copa del Rey campaigns, and his good performances haven't gone unnoticed elsewhere.

The 26-year-old has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs, but he has made it clear that he is happy to stay at his current club so long as he's wanted at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"I am not going to lie, I know that there are clubs that want to sign me and can match Real Madrid's demands. But that's up to my representatives and the club. I will stay if the club wants me to stay," Di Maria told Marca.

"I am not thinking about my future now. We will see what Madrid have in mind, whether they want me to stay or leave. 

"I am happy at Madrid. I had a great season and always had everybody's support. But sometimes you don't have a choice, even when you want to stay put yourself."

Di Maria was allegedly close to leaving Madrid last summer, but coach Carlo Ancelotti eventually convinced him to stay put as he still had a role to play at the Bernabeu.

"Many things have been said about me. Sometimes it hurts when you see all the rumours that you are leaving. These are difficult moments for a player. I remained calm, though.

"I spoke with Ancelotti last summer. I wanted to stay put and he wanted me to stay as well. He told me that he counted on me and it was up to me from there on. 

"I have grown a lot under Ancelotti. He got the best out of me. Things have gone well and I made the right decision to stay."

Di Maria is under contract with Madrid until June 2018.

Everybody would like to have Koke, admits Barcelona president

The young midfielder has caught the attention of Barca with his fine form this term and the president ruled out the possibility of Xavi and Javier Mascherano leaving

Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu has revealed that the Catalans are keen to sign Atletico Madridmidfielder Koke, but has acknowledged that they might face a tough task to lure the Spain international away from his current club.

The 22-year-old was one of the revelations of the 2013-14 season and played a key role in their La Liga title and their successful Champions League campaign, thus attracting the interest of a number of bigger clubs, including Barcelona.

Nevertheless, Koke has a contract with Atletico until the summer of 2018 and the Spanish champions will not let go of the midfielder on the cheap.

"Koke is an absolutely spectacular player," Bartomeu was quoted as saying by El Mundo Deportivo.

"He has had a great season and every club would love to have him. 

"But I am sure that Atletico will want to hold on to him after such a great season."

Bartomeu also had his say on the future of Javier Mascherano and Xavi at Barcelona and insisted that the duo will not be going anywhere.

"Mascherano is a key player for Barcelona and will continue his career at Camp Nou. 

"Xavi has a contract until 2016 and has two more years to go here. The coach counts on him for the future. He has been with the team for 16 years."