Robinho claims he turned down the opportunity to join Barcelona before signing for Santos on loan.

The Brazil international has returned to his homeland on a six-month deal after falling out of favour at Manchester City.http://static.lingospot.com/spot/ image/spacer.gif

The Samba star was a first-team regular under former Blues boss Mark Hugheshttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/ image/spacer.gif and enjoyed a productive debut season in England last term.

However, injuries hindered his early progress this year and Roberto Mancinihttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/ image/spacer.gif used him sparingly upon his appointment as Hughes' successor at Eastlands.

A return to his native Brazil has helped to reinvigorate Robinho, though, with the 26-year-old having hit the ground running with Santos.


No deal
He could, however, have been strutting his stuff back in the Primera Liga, with the ex-Real Madrid ace admitting he snubbed an offer from Barcelonahttp://static.lingospot.com/ spot/image/spacer.gif in order to head home.

"I had an offer from Barcelona," he told Radio Globohttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/ image/spacer.gif.

"But they wanted to bring me in on a transfer and Manchester City didn't want to sell me.

"Then they wanted me on a loan deal but it wouldn't have been good to take my whole family, look for a house and be there only six months."

Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho has shrugged off reports linking him with a move to Real Madrid.

The Portuguese boss is widely expected to leave the Nerazzurri at the end of the season and the Spanish press have speculated that a move to Los Merengues could be on the cards.

However, the former Chelsea boss, who is set to return to Stamford Bridge in the UEFA Champions League,http://static.lingospot.com/spot/ image/spacer.gif refused to take the bait regarding the speculation.

"I don't enter this game," he said. "There are two difficult things to accept in the world - one is that I speak mainly only in press conferences, I give few extra interviews.

"I understand in England I would talk about Chelsea but I decided that I will only speak in press conferences - and so dishonest papers invent.

"Another thing that is not accepted - I haven't and I don't want to have a social life.

"I don't like it and on this level I want respect."


Crazy
Meanwhile, Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero has hit out at reports suggesting the Real squad are unhappy under current manager Manuel Pellegrini.http://static.lingospot.com/ spot/image/spacer.gif

The Spanish giants lost 1-0 to Lyon in their Champions League first leg knockout tie in midweek, but Granero says the Mourinhohttp://static.lingospot.com/ spot/image/spacer.gif rumours are 'crazy'.

"The squad is isolated from the rumours but to me it all appears to be crazy," he said.

"We have faith in our coach and we do not want another.

"Pelligrini is our trainer this season and we hope he will be so for many more years to come. We are totally behind him."

Nadir Belhadj has admitted any player would be interested in joining Barcelona after being praised by Xavi.

Belhadj'shttp://static.lingospot. com/spot/image/spacer.gif future has been the subject of speculation for some time following a series of eye-catching performances for Portsmouth over the past couple of years.

Pompey have asked to sell players outside the transfer window due to their perilous financial position and Belhadj is one of those linked with a move away.

The Algerian full-back would be expected to attract interest and Barcelona midfielder Xavi has claimed that he would be a good signing for the European champions.

Xavi stated recently that he had been impressed by Belhadj and compatriot Madjid Bougherrahttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/ image/spacer.gif at the African Cup of Nations.

Belhadj is flattered by Xavi's praise and concedes that he would be open to a move to Camp Nou.

"Who would not want to play for them?" he said in the Daily Express.

"It is a real honour for a world-class player such as Xavi to say good things about me."

Gerard Pique is certain that Cesc Fabregas will join him at Barcelona but does not know whether he will make the move back from Arsenal this summer.

The Blaugrana defender was reacting to mounting speculation that the Gunners captain could return to Camp Nou as part of the Catalan club's election.

With current president Joan Laportahttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/ image/spacer.gif wanting to do a deal for Fabregashttp://static.lingospot.com/ spot/image/spacer.gif before he steps down in June, several of his potential successors also want to bolster their campaigns.

"I still do not know if he will come here next season, but one day he will wear the Barca shirt again because he is a fan and I know that he wants to come back in the future," Piquehttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/ image/spacer.gif explained.

"He is a player that should play here and he wants to come, but we will have to wait and see when that is."

Barca tasted defeat for the first time in the league at the weekend and Pique has laughed off talk that the team is panicking as Real Madrid move to within two points of them.

"There are rumours that there are doubts, but inside the dressing room there are absolutely none," he continued.

"There were many people that were waiting for us to lose our first game and now they are happy and they want us to doubt ourselves.

"But the squad is fine and now we will start to win again and continue in the same line as before."

Coach Pep Guardiola has had to reshuffle his team in recent weeks as the Barcelona injury list grows and Pique hopes that will not increase any further.

"Of course the alarm bells rang for some but at no time has it concerned us," he added.

"We have a good enough squad to cope on all fronts and if there are lots of injuries then of course that is not good. We do not need any more injuries and everyone is coming back now."

Sevilla star Luis Fabiano has refused to be drawn on his future after again being linked with a move to England.

The likes of Manchester United,http://static.lingospot.com/spot/ image/spacer.gif Manchester Cityhttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/ spacer.gif and Chelsea are all understood to be keen on the 29-year-old front-man.

The Brazilian international has been with Sevilla since 2005 and reports in Spain suggest he is now looking to try his luck in the Premier League.

But Fabianohttp://static.lingospot.com/ spot/image/spacer.gif refused to talk about reported interest from England.

"I have a year left on my contract and am happy at Seville," Fabiano is quoted by The Sun.

"But things can change very quickly.

"I do not want to speak about my future at the moment because we are just thinking about the Champions League and the Spanish league where we still have a lot to play for."

Shunsuke Nakamura's agent has admitted the midfielder's future lies elsewhere after failing to fit in at Espanyol.

The Japan international has only managed 12 appearances for the Parakeets this term, with most of those coming off the bench, since joining the La Liga outfit on a free transfer last summer.

The player's agent Roberto Tsukudahttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/ image/spacer.gif confirmed he has been talking to several J-League clubs about a short-term loan move, but he has yet to receive a formal offer.

"With the World Cuphttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/ spacer.gif approaching, the most important thing for Nakamura is to play regularly at Espanyol. Unfortunately, this is not happening," Tsukuda told the Japanese press.

"A number of clubs has shown interest including his former club Yokohama F Marinos, but at this stage, nothing is concrete.

"If he is not getting playing time, he will be moving on."

Espanyol manager Mauricio Pocchetinohttp://static.lingospot.com/ spot/image/spacer.gif recently stated that Nakamura will not be part of his future plans, citing the 31 year-old's lack of desire to fit in and to learn the local language.

According to sources in Spain, Espanyol have slapped a €2million loan fee on the player.

Barcelona have dismissed reports that they have reached an agreement with Cesc Fabregas to sign the Arsenal star.

Reports in Spain have suggested Fabregas,http://static.lingospot.com/ spot/image/spacer.gif who has always said he would love to play for Barca, has come to a verbal agreement with the Catalan giants and will sign a five-year contract in the summer.

However, Barca have moved quickly to deny the rumours and insist they would never approach a player without a club's consent.

A club statement read: "Given the exceptional repercussions created by the stories that have appeared in different media with respect to an agreement with Arsenal FChttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/ spacer.gif player Cesc Fabregas, Barca flatly deny that there have been any negotiations or agreements with the player.

"In accordance with Fifa regulations, FC Barcelona'shttp://static.lingospot. com/spot/image/spacer.gif contract policy has always made it a priority to negotiate with the club of origin before making any particular agreement with the player.

"FC Barcelona wishes to stress that it has always maintained excellent institutional relations with Arsenal FC."

Fabregas has long been linked with a move back to Barca, where he spent six years as a youth-team player before joining Arsenal in 2003, but Gunners boss Arsene Wenger revealed earlier this week he was not worried about the midfielder's commitment to the club.

Espanyol midfielder Ivan de la Pena has undergone successful surgery, although it will be 'difficult' for him to play again this season.

The 33-year-old has been dogged by a knee injury for almost a year and has only appeared six times this term as he tried to play on without an operation.

But he recently went under the knife of renowned surgeon Doctor Ramon Cugat, who said the operation had gone well.

While the surgeon is hopeful that the former Barca star will play again, he is unlikely to feature again this term.

Cugat said: "The operation took about an hour and we did not discover anything that we were not expecting.


Cleared up
"We have cleared up the affected area. We wanted to clean up that area and to decompress it so that the affected muscles could receive more oxygen.

"What we have done means that he should be able to recover completely.

"It will be difficult for him to play again this season, but we will have to wait and see how things evolve.

"It is important to see how his muscles react after such a long time out of action."

De la Pena has previously stated that if the operation did not solve the problem then he would hang up his boots after a career that has seen him play for Barcelona, Lazio, Marseille and Espanyol, as well as five appearances for Spain.

Malaga' s Norwegian starlet Morgan Kornmo claims he is being tracked by Spain's super powers.

The promising teenage midfielder insists La Liga title contenders Barcelona, as well as UEFA Champions League hopefuls Sevilla, Valencia and Villarreal are all interested in offering trials.

"I can confirm that I have been invited to try outs," said Kornmo to Fotbollsmagasinet.

"I am considering two-three clubs at the moment. There is nothing concrete yet, but Barcelona, Sevilla, Villarreal and Valencia are probably the ones I consider the most."

Kornmo's popularity amongst Spain's elite has stemmed from the 17-year-old's performances for Malaga's youth team this season after moving to the Primera Division outfit last summer.

Barcelona winger Jeffren has signed a two-year extension to his contract, tying him to the Catalan club until 2012 and making him the ninth Barca player to renew his deal this season



http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/ images/2009/1222/jeffrenbarca20091221_275x155. jpg





Jeffren's contract was set to expire at the end of the season, but the 22-year-old - who has progressed through the ranks at the Nou Camp since joining their youth team from Tenerife in 2004 - is now set to remain with the reigning European champions until the end of June 2012.

Jeffren was linked with a number of clubs in the summer including Premier League outfits Wigan, Everton, Blackburn, Arsenal and Tottenham, as well as Racing Santander and Celtic.

The former Spain Under-21 international has also seen his release clause increased to €10 million.

Yaya Toure, Victor Valdes, Pedro, Lionel Messi, Carles Puyol, Eric Abidal, Andres Iniesta and Rafael Marquez have all signed new contracts this season, while coach Pep Guardiola has also agreed a new deal.

Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery would jump at the chance to play alongside Lionel Messi at Barcelona, according to his agent.

Ribery'shttp://static.lingospot. com/spot/image/spacer.gif representative, Alain Migliaccio,http://static.lingospot.com/ spot/image/spacer.gif has said that the French forward has not closed the door on a move anywhere and would welcome renewed interest.

While reports suggest that Real Madrid remain favourites to land Ribery, the chance to play alongside 2009 World Player of the Year and Ballon d'Or winner Messihttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/ image/spacer.gif at Camp Nou could prove to be irresistible.

"He would like to play alongside Messi, that would be phenomenal," Migliaccio told RAC-1.

Barca ended interest last season when Bayern Munichhttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/ image/spacer.gif insisted that Ribery was not for sale, but with presidential elections at the Spanish giants in the summer, one or more candidates could look to make a move to influence voters.

Migliaccio admits that a number of clubs had let their interest be known and that Ribery was not ruling out joining anyone at this stage.

"There are no doors closed, not that of Real Madrid, or Barca, or Manchester United,http://static.lingospot.com/spot/ image/spacer.gif" he added.

"At the beginning of March we will make a decision and then see."

Real Madrid legend Raul will seek assurances regarding his status at the club before deciding on his future.

The experienced frontman is an icon for Los Blancos followers everywhere, having re-written the history books at Santiago Bernabeu over the years.

He has spent his entire career to date with his hometown club, despite numerous attempts from outside parties to lure him away from the Spanish capital.

Raul has been a first-team fixture at Real since he was 17 and has been a regular source of goals for the club during that time.

The former Spain international has, however, slipped down the pecking order of late and now often finds himself among the substitutes.


Spotlight
He insists that he is happy to remain at Real 'for now', but admits 'there will be time to talk' about 'what may happen' in the near future.

The 32-year-old frontman admits his current situation is far from ideal, for a man who has endured a glittering career at the highest level, but he accepts that there was always going to become a time when he was forced to step out of the spotlight.

"It's not an ideal situation for any player," he said.

"For 15 years I have won practically everything, and in the last three months I have played less.

"Sooner or later I had to come to his point."

Villarreal midfielder Santi Cazorla is set to be sidelined for six weeks after a double injury blow.

The 26-year-old Spain international has been hit with a muscle problem and a hernia injury which could jeopardise the remainder of his season.

Cazorla has already missed six games for the Yellow Submarinehttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/ image/spacer.gif this term, and he has now decided that surgery is required.

This latest setback is a blow for the player, who hopes to play in this summer's World Cuphttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/ spacer.gif in South Africa.

However, he could now be out until the middle of March and he will want to return to action sooner rather than later.

Kaka could be used as bait by Real Madrid so they can land Diego and Giorgio Chiellini in return for the Brazilian ace, according to Sportmediaset.it.

A return to Italy is the idea being floated around in Spain. Kaka joined Real from Milan last year in a €65 million deal. But new reports claiming he suffers from a recurring hernia injury that needs treatment every day will see him go.

As part of that move Kaka will be offered to Juventus, with both Chiellini and Diego heading to Madrid in a straight swap deal.

Chelsea and Manchester City have also been linked with him for the summer should Real decide to sell.

On Tuesday, six children from a local XICS centre met Carles Puyol and joined him in a photo shoot for the book that the Foundation is writing about these charitable organizations.
Jordi, Yassin, Margaritte, Víctor, Marua and Leila are aged between 6 and 10 and belong to the Barça Toons and Tigers of the XICS centre in Santa Coloma de Gramenet (Barcelona). On Tuesday they got the chance to meet one of their sporting heroes, Carles Puyol.

A Foundation project

The Barça captain spoke to the children before training on Tuesday and posed for photos for the photographer Kim Manresa. He then gave an interview to David Dusster, which will be included in a book to be published by the Foundation on Saint George’s Day (St George is the patron saint of Catalonia). Marta Segú, the director general of the foundation told us: “We’re working on a book to leave a legacy of the work we have done through the XICS centres around the world. It’s a way of transmitting the values of the Foundation”.

The daily work of the XICS centres

The book will describe the day to day work of the centres and includes the personal stories of some of the children who have benefited from their work. Players who have taken part in the activities of the XICS, such as Seydou Keita and Rafa Márquez, also tell their stories. The book is written and photographed by David Dusster and Kim Manresa, who have spent the last year visiting the centres around the world and talking to the children and their educators.

Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed the red card he received in his side's 2-0 La Liga win over Malaga was a "disgrace" despite breaking Patrick Mtiliga's nose with a swinging arm.Ronaldo, who scored both goals before his 70th-minute dismissal, apologised to Mtiliga after the match but his initial on-field protest at the decision has angered Malaga officials.

Meanwhile, Madrid director general Jorge Valdano said referees should give Ronaldo preferential treatment because he is an "entertainer" who just "wants to play".

The injury came as Ronaldo threw an accidental arm into Mtiliga's face as he was trying to break free from the Danish defender's clutches.

"People who understand football know that my intention is always to try and play," Ronaldo said. "The red card is a disgrace. I don't understand it. I learned in England not to deceive the referees. This is not a red card here or in anywhere in the world and I'm not asking for protection. I've seen worse things in other games.

"I didn't mean to injure the lad. It was bad luck to hit him on the nose because he's only 1.70m and if he had been taller I would have struck his chest. I always want to play and these things make me angry. I've spoken with Mtiliga and he told me that I didn't need to apologise because he doesn't believe I hurt him intentionally.

"I wouldn't want to injure anybody. I'm not that type of person. I'm not a bad person. I only want to shine by playing football. Now I'm going to be angry when I get home because I won't be able to play through suspension."

Malaga coach Juan Ramon Lopez Muniz said Mtiliga would be out of action for around three weeks. The Andalusian club's president Fernando Sanz was critical of Ronaldo's attitude when he was interviewed immediately after the game.

"I don't suppose Ronaldo meant to do it but he swung his arm back once and the second time he did it he broke the player's nose," Sanz told Canal Plus television. "It was a brutal impact and a clear sending-off offence. What he should have done is left the field apologising to his opponent rather than throwing his arms in the air and protesting."

Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini said he was unable to see the incident clearly but Valdano rushed to his player's defence.

"The referee has to understand which players want to entertain and those who want to break up the spectacle," he said. "Cristiano wants to play. When a player grabs him from behind he tries to break away from them. Others throw themselves to the ground to simulate a foul.

"More than Ronaldo's need to adapt to the Spanish league the referees need to adapt to protect players who want to entertain. I don't want to judge referees decisions, simply to state that Ronaldo's intentions are always noble."

It was Ronaldo's second red card for Real Madrid after being sent off in a league match against Almeria last month.

The players quake in their boots. It's the half-term report. This weekend was the 19th game of the season, which makes it the official half-way point. Appearance of cast in order of 'surprise' factor.



1. Mallorca: Finishing the first half of the season in fourth place was not beyond their wildest dreams - let's not be condescending to a side that has made respectable finishes in the last two seasons (seventh and then ninth). More surprising has been their astonishing home form at the Oni Estadi - not exactly Spain's most passionate or atmospheric stadium. They've won all nine of their home games, but only managed one win on their travels. Aritz Aduriz has been their star man, performing well enough to bring him into the gaze of Vicente Del Bosque. Athletic Bilbao are rumoured to want him back at the end of the season. If Mallorca finish in a Champions League place, Aduriz will very probably stay put.

2. Valencia: When you see them sitting in third place, and you look at the squad they still have, you detect a certain coherence in their position at this half-way stage. But many people had written them off before the season began, perhaps expecting the exodus of players that never happened. David Silva may be on his way to Madrid in the summer, and who knows where David Villa will end up, especially if he has a good World Cup - but Valencia have overcome a massive financial crisis, a lack of faith in their manager (Unai Emery) and the feeling that the squad was too dependent on its (older) big names. The only fly in the ointment has been their weirdly poor home form (only four games won) whereas their seven away victories almost broke a club record for the half-term stage. They should now be aiming for a runners-up spot at the end of the season but their home disability may prevent this.

3. Deportivo de La Coruña: For a side that had a sensational ten years between 1995 and 2005, recent seasons have been a bit lacklustre, but the late rise to seventh position last season perhaps augured something. The loss of their excellent full-back Filipe Luis due to a long-term injury is bad news, but the squad, without any really big names, has performed more solidly than expected, and they are only outside of the Champions League places on goal difference. Wins are generally narrow affairs, the goals are hardly abundant, but they're tight at the back and don't take any prisoners. As one Spanish journalist suggested, "they don't sing you songs in the moonlight", but it's effective. They may well stay up there.

4. Sevilla: They get an early mention for the wrong reasons. Still going well in the cup and the Champions League, their league form is becoming increasingly bizarre. Most Liga watchers tipped them as the 'third horse' this season, but their alarming inconsistency, possibly due to the losses of Frederic Kanouté and Luis Fabiano for longish stretches, has condemned them to a disappointing sixth spot at this stage.

5. Athletic Bilbao: I saw them play earlier in the season at home to Atlético Madrid and their enthusiasm, as ever undimmed, seemed to mask a general lack of overall quality. But they've confounded the cynics and had a more-than-decent first half, lying eighth and only four points short of Mallorca's fourth. Still alive in the Europa League, they look as though they could progress further and make a bit of a splash for themselves. Young pup Iker Muniain is a future star who will at least guarantee future funds, and Fernando Llorente is turning into a class act. Many locals considered manager Joaquín Caparrós to be on borrowed time, but he seems to be nicely settled in the job and even claims to have learned some Basque. Oso ondo, Joaquín!

6. Villarreal: The sick man of the first half, there are signs of life, but it's been a tough first voyage in the submarine for manager Ernesto Valverde, who was always going to have his work cut out following the Manuel Pellegrini act. Ninth position is hardly tragic, given their appalling start, but with such a classy squad they should be much higher. Expectations have changed radically at the Madrigal with an average finishing position of fourth in the past five seasons. Nihat has gone, Giuseppe Rossi, Santi Cazorla and Ariel Ibagaza have been sporadic and off colour, and Joseba Llorente hasn't figured much so far this term. Marcos Senna has also been injured and age has finally caught up with Robert Pires. Nilmar looks the business, but something's not quite right.

7. Getafe: Seventh here and seventh in the league, nobody seemed too sure about their likely destiny this season after Michel seemed to keep them up last season following his late arrival. Losing Esteban Granero to Real Madrid hardly looked to be helping their cause for this term, but as with Miguel Angel Lotina at Depor, Michel has gelled an unspectacular but efficient squad, capable of beating anyone and not easy to beat, at least in the Coliseum. Their 30 points are a club record for a primera vuelta, as they call the first half here, and they're looking likely semi-finalists in the King's Cup. Michel's manager profile is on the up, which is just as well, because nobody wants him to return as a TV commentator.

8. Málaga: Last season's surprise package, maybe it shouldn't be too odd that they haven't been able to keep up appearances, but 16th at this stage - on the same points as Tenerife in the first relegation spot - doesn't augur well and wasn't a fall foreseen. Some of their football has actually been quite decent, and their defensive record is much better than the teams below them, but they've drawn too many games. Duda is a classy player, as is Jesus Gámez. Selim Benachour is rapidly improving, too. They should survive.

9. Sporting de Gijón: Still the team that causes English commentators most phonetic nightmares ('Gijón' comes over like a donkey's bray), I'm not so sure that their position of 10th is so surprising. However, they seemed to be several journalists' favourite for a struggle this season and, while they still may be proved right, a decent enough showing in the Molinón has kept up appearances thus far. The problem for the next term might be the lack of goals (only 20 scored so far), and losing Michel to Birmingham won't help the cause.

10. Almería: New manager and master of the sound-bite Juanma Lillo has improved things of late, but rather more was expected of Almería after a couple of half-decent seasons. Was it all Hugo Sánchez's fault? Probably.

11. Racing de Santander: Last season saw a slight falling-off from the euphoria of 2008, but until a few weeks ago, things for this campaign were looking dodgy and Racing looked to be in one of their terminal decline phases. Enter a new manager, enter Sergio Canales and - bingo - it is all smiles again at the Sardine Can. The new boy wonder has, of course, been snapped up by Madrid, but will stay by the seaside until the summer at least.

12. Osasuna: We're moving into the more predictable territory now. Osasuna mid-table? Yep, and that's where they'll stay.

13. Espanyol: A new stadium and some decent-looking signings over the summer (Shunsuke Nakamura, Ben Sahar, Joan Verdú) gave the squad a more balanced look than previously, but the Raul Tamudo affair seems to have overshadowed things and the team has sputtered on a wet fuse so far. But they're much too good to go down. They'll improve, but not a great deal.

14. Tenerife: They'd been out of the top flight since 2002, but they seem to belong there somehow. As such, expectations were reasonably high with a proven goalscorer in Nino and a solid enough midfield line (Mikel Alonso, Román, Richi), but it hasn't worked out for them so far. They have played some decent enough football, but their away record is horrible. It must be all that flying they have to do.

15. Zaragoza: Again, a side expected to consolidate their return, it's all going horribly wrong. They've looked very poor and are understandably next to bottom.

16. Valladolid: Hard workers, but they just seem short of class to haul themselves any higher. Could be a candidate for the drop, if Tenerife improve.

17. Real Madrid: Did we expect them to be second at this stage? Be it on your conscience, but plenty thought they would take longer to settle, at least in terms of results. Home record has been impeccable.

18. Xerez: Sorry, Xerez, but we kind of expected you to struggle. Good luck for next term, but despite a new manager with an impressive hairstyle (Néstor Gorosito) one fears that taking just a measly eight points has already condemned them to a swift return from whence they came.

19. Atlético Madrid: The perennially maddest team in La Liga has had a predictably insane first term. The entertainment value (for neutrals) has been wondrous, nevertheless.

20. Barcelona: They've lost a trophy, but it's hardly a crisis. With not quite the swagger of last season, they are still unplayable on their day (most of the time). Unbeaten this term, it's another record for the club. Entirely predictable, but that's no criticism.

(GSM) - Real Madrid look to have won the race to sign Racing Santander's Sergio Canales.

Sergio' father and agent, Angel Canales, has claimed his son has agreed a five-year contract to join the Madrid giants .

The Racing teenager has shot to prominence over recent weeks, with a number of eye-catching displays drawing admiring glances from Europe's top clubs.

At just 18-years-old the talented playmaker has become one of the continent's hottest properties.

Such interest has made it virtually impossible for Racing to convince the youngster than his long-term future lies at El Sardinero.

They could, however, benefit from the agreement reported to have been struck with capital giants Real.

Racing are set to receive €6 million compensation from los Blancos for a player who would be out of contract in the summer.

And Real are also believed to have agreed to send the youngster back to Racing on loan for the next two seasons, with regular first-team football needed to help aid his development.

Chelsea, Barcelona and Manchester City were all reported to have been chasing Canales' signature during the January transfer window but, while they were prepared to offer a better financial package to player and club, the Spain Under 19 international feels a move to Madrid is the best choice for his career.

"The decision was Sergio's and he thinks that Real offer the best option in a sporting sense," said Angel Canales.

MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid's out-of-favour midfielder Guti says he wants to leave the Spanish giants and would welcome a move to Inter Milan "with open arms."

"It is true that I have experienced a very beautiful stage at Real Madrid, that Madrid is a city where I have wanted to live my entire life, but now I want to leave," he said in the interview with Canal+ television which will air on January 28.

"It is a contradiction but I want to leave Madrid, to be in another country, in another city, to enjoy other things," according to excerpts published Friday in sports daily AS.

Guti, 33, a product of Real's youth system and one of the longest-serving members of the squad, has been linked to a move to Bolton Wanderers and Inter Milan but in his interview he showed a preference for the Italian side.

"I would go to Inter with open arms. It is a great club. I have great friends there like Samuel Eto'o and Wesley Sneijder. I think it is a team which can aspire to everything. It is one of my best options, if it can become reality," he said.

Guti came on as a late substitute during Real's 2-0 win at home over Mallorca.

He had not played since the club's embarrassing 4-0 Spanish Cup defeat against third division side Alcorcon on October 27 when he reportedly insulted Real coach Manuel Pellegrini when he was substituted at half-time.

The player, whose full name Jose Maria Gutierrez, also made an obscene gesture to Alcorcon fans at the start of the second half when sitting on the Real bench after someone launched an insult directed at him.

Guti has been frequently late for morning training sessions this week and appeared annoyed on Wednesday when a journalist asked him about the length of time which it has taken for him to recover from several injuries.

MADRID (AFP) - Atletico Madrid, looking to recover from a dismal first half of the season, have signed 19-year-old striker Eduardo Salvio from Argentine side Lanus for 8 million euros, Spanish media said Tuesday.

"I have fulfilled the dream of my life, because it is a dream to play alongside players like (fellow Argentine Sergio) Aguero or (Diego) Forlan," Salvio told the sports newspaper Marca.

"Atletico is one of the greats of Europe and I am joining with the hope of battling for major things."

Lanus chairman Nicolas Russo confirmed the transfer, lamenting that this "fantastic player" was "irreplaceable."

The Spanish club have been looking for a striker to replace Frenchman Florent Sinama-Pongolle, who left for Sporting Lisbon earlier this month.

Atletico last week signed Portuguese international midfielder Tiago from Juventus and he was presented to the fans on Tuesday.

"I want to repay the trust that the club has placed in me," the 29-year-old said.

"With Tiago and Salvio, Atletico is closing its reinforcement programme," club chairman Enrique Cerezo said on Monday.

Atletico, who finished fourth in the league last season, have been in poor form this season, crashing out of the European Champions League while struggling in the league.

However, wins in their last two league games, against Sevilla and Valladolid, have given cause for optimism.

MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid's Argentine international striker Gonzalo Higuain has suffered a tear in his left calf muscle and will be sidelined for three weeks, the club said on Tuesday.The injury was detected after the 22-year-old underwent medical tests at a Madrid hospital on Tuesday, it said in a statement.

"We were all very surprised because nobody thought that he had such an injury. But this happens during such a long season with so many matches," said Real keeper Iker Casillas.

Higuain has been a regular for Real this season, scoring 11 times in the league and two in the Champions League despite the arrival of Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, Brazil's Kaka and France's Karim Benzema.

Benzema, the top scorer in the French league the 2007-2008 season who has struggled to impress since he joined Real from French side Lyon in July, is likely to take Higuain's place.

(GSM) - Racing Santander have dismissed claims that Real Madrid have agreed a deal for starlet Sergio Canales.

The 18-year-old midfielder has made a huge impression in recent weeks, scoring four goals in his last three games.

His current deal expires in the summer but Racing do have an option on him.

And president Francisco Pernia insists he will be staying put and not joining Real.

"We have a commitment obtained with his father who is the person who represents the player's interests and I am fully confident in this," said the Racing chief.

"These stories have as much relation to the truth as an egg to a chestnut.

"I have never lost my calm nor am I going to. Nothing's happening here. Everyone's calm and no-one's getting nervous.

"There are always people who talk about matters and get in contact with other people to ask them about it."

(GSM) - Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart may have to miss several matches after suffering a calf injury in Sunday's league game with Real Mallorca.

Only 18 minutes had been played at Madrid's Bernabeu stadium, when Van der Vaart needed to be stretchered off.

Tests pointed out that the player suffered a calf injury, although it is still uncertain how serious it is.

Madrid went on to beat Mallorca 2-0, with goals from Gonzalo Higuain and Esteban Granero.

January 10, 2010

Mainz have signed Real Madrid forward Adam Szalai on loan until the end of the season.



The Hungarian, who will strengthen the Bundesliga side ahead of the second half of the season, has yet to make his first-team debut for the Primera Division giants and has spent much of his two years at the playing for the reserves.

"He is just the player we wanted in attack," Mainz coach Thomas Tuchel said. "He is versatile and can play as a target man, as a second striker or even behind the forwards."

Tuchel has worked with Szalai in the past, having coached him when he was in charge of Stuttgart's youth team in 2004 after the player joined the Swabians from Ujpest Budapest. Szalai then moved to Madrid, but is happy to be back in the Bundesliga.

"I have chosen Mainz because the club really tried hard to get me and I know the coach Thomas Tuchel from when I was at Stuttgart," he said on the club's website. "I also see good perspectives for me and the club."

Atletico Madrid have signed Juventus midfielder Tiago on loan for the rest of the season with a view to a permanent deal.

The former Chelsea player completed the switch on Friday after passing a medical at the Vicente Calderon.

But the 28-year-old Portugal international will not be unveiled by the Spanish side until Monday as he has returned to Italy for Juve's clash with AC Milan.

A statement on the Spanish club's official website said: "Atletico Madrid have reached an agreement with Juventus for the temporary signing of the player Tiago Cardoso Mendes, with the option to buy.

"The midfielder will be presented by club president Enrique Cerezo on Monday."

The Portugal international moved to Chelsea from Benfica in 2004 but left for Lyon after just one season at Stamford Bridge.

He then moved on to Juve in the summer of 2007 but has fallen down the pecking order with the Serie A giants this season, making just six starts in all competitions.

He has become Atletico's first signing this winter as the mid-table club bid to move up La Liga and progress in the Europa League.

Source: Sky Sports News