Liverpool beat Arsenal to sign Real Madrid's Nuri Sahin on a season long loan

The Reds offered to pay a larger proportion of the 23-year-old's £115,000 a week wages, swinging the deal in their favour.

 Sahin, who has 31 caps for Turkey, will undergo a medical ahead of the match against Manchester City on Sunday. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is now considering a number of other targets.

 Sahin had been expected to join Arsenal, having privately expressed a preference for the north London club.But the deal stalled when Real and Arsenal could not agree a £14m option to buy the player at the end of the loan.

 Liverpool and Real then agreed a deal, with Sahin's agent meeting Liverpool officials earlier in the week to agree terms.

 Real boss Jose Mourinho had given the go ahead for Sahin to move to the Premier League after the playmaker struggled to make an impression at the Bernabeu since a move from Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund last summer.

 Sahin signed a six-year deal with the La Liga outfit but made just 11 appearances for them last season as they won the Spanish league title.

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Real Madrid 1-1 Valencia: Below-par Blancos held at home in La liga Opener

Real Madrid were less than convincing as they begun the defence of their La Liga crown with a 1-1 draw against Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu.

 Things began promisingly for the reigning champions as Gonzalo Higuain, who was picked ahead of Karim Benzema, put them ahead after just 10 minutes.

 But they soon became guilty of sitting back and failing to make their ball retention count and shortly before the break Jonas resotred parity.

 Los Blancos were unable to regain their advantage in the second half and thus had to settle for a point in front of disgruntled and frustrated home supporters.

 Madrid signalled their intent to score an early goal with an intense start that saw both Angel Di Maria and Cristiano Ronaldo take shots from long-range.

 Neither managed to work Diego Alves but it did not take much longer for Los Blancos to find the net. Di Maria clipped the ball up to Higuain, who had sprung the offside trap, and the striker controlled the ball exquisitely.

 Yet after seeing his initial and follow-up efforts saved by the keeper the third time proved a charm as he rifled a volley into the back of the net with just 10 minutes on the clock.

 Following the goal Jose Mourinho's men played a far more patient game but despite controlling possession, opportunities to find the net were sparse as Valencia sat deep.

 With 25 minutes played Xabi Alonso narrowly missed the target with a powerful attempt from wide on the left that lacked the whip to bend in at the far post.

 But patience soon turned to complacency for the hosts and Los Che capitalised by netting an equaliser three minutes before the break. Iker Casillas failed to clear Tino Costa's fantastic delivery and Jonas duly headed the ball into the vacated goal.

 The keeper did however succeed in injuring Pepe who was subsequently withdrawn at half time.

 Madrid began the second half as they did the first and after eight second-half minutes they missed a great chance to regain the lead. Mesut Ozil fed Di Maria but the winger failed to hit the target from a central position inside the box. The game became absurdly stale with neither side offering much in the attacking department.

 Mourinho was the first coach to change things around as he replaced Lass with Karim Benzema on the hour mark. It seemed to galvanise his side and six minutes later they almost scored their second of the night.

 A great centre from Di Maria found Alves out of position but Higuain's header rattled the bar before being cleared away.

 The effect soon dissipated though as Los Blancos lacked urgency to find a winner and it was not until the 82nd minute that they tested Alves. An extremely quiet Ronaldo drilled a cross into the area but Benzema's ferocious strike was parried away by the Valencia stopper.

 Mourinho's men were unable to find the net again as the two sides shared the spoils on the opening weekend of La Liga. They will need to be far more clinical when they face Barcelona in the Super Cup in midweek.

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Barcelona are ready for Real Madrid

Barcelona wing-back Adriano is eagerly anticipating the upcoming Spanish Supercopa tie against Real Madrid, and has stressed that the Catalans are ready for the start of the 2012-13 campaign.

 The Brazilian defender wants to start the new season on a high, and believes the team is in good condition ahead of the opening weekend of La Liga and the new term's curtain raiser.

 "It is always appetising to play against Madrid and we hope to start off the season on the right footing by winning the Supercopa," Adriano stated at a press conference.

 "The team is in condition to play, despite the fact that some of the players did not have as much rest as others, the players who joined the team later on are in good condition.

 "Our objective is to maintain the level of play in order to stay at the top [of the league]. We can improve on what we did last year."

 Barcelona kick off their Liga campaign at home against Real Sociedad on Sunday, before taking on Madrid at Camp Nou on Thursday in the first leg of the Supecopa.

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Mourinho: I was wrong to stick my finger into Vilanova's eye

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has conceded he was wrong to poke current Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova in the eye during a touchline altercation during the Spanish Supercopa last season.

 Occuring during the two-legged competition when Vilanova was then-assistant coach to Pep Guardiola, the incident happened in a tie which Los Merengues went on to lose 5-4 on aggregate.

 Mourinho subsequently had a ban as punishment lifted. The outspoken Portuguese has since admitted he lost control of himself at that moment, but revealed there was no bad blood that existed any longer between the two of them.

 "I should obviously not have done what I did," Mourinho told a press conference while on tour with his club in the United States. "Nevertheless, there was a whole story behind that that made me lose a little control."

 "The one who failed there was me, and I place plenty of emphasis these days on my players just to continue concentrating on games themselves and controlling their emotions.

 "There lie no problems between Tito [Vilanova] and myself. We greeted each other normally in subsequent matches. Thankfully, the story is over and we must just hope to avoid such instances in the future."

 With his thoughts shifting to the season ahead, the 49-year-old was quick to state his objectives of building upon their La Liga triumph by eventually winning the Champions League.

 "Last year, we were only eliminated on penalties in Europe. We're close, and if we keep trying, one day it will happen." The Santiago Bernabeu side crashed out to eventual runners-up Bayern Munich in the semi-finals.

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Real issue €30m ultimatum for Modric

Real Madrid have handed Tottenham a €30 million 'take it or leave it' bid for Luka Modric, which has been rejected, according to our sources.

 Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has set the price for the Croatian midfielder at around £40 million, though £35 million (plus success-dependent add-on clauses) would be enough to clinch the deal.

 But Real are refusing to bid that high, and have told Levy that their latest offer will be their last - meaning Spurs are now "stuck with" the unhappy Modric as there are no other clubs willing to meet the North Londoners' valuation.

 A source says: "A year ago Daniel Levy could have sold Modric to Chelsea for £40 million but turned it down, believing that in a year's time he would be worth £50 million.

 "Well, the feeling was that he couldn't possibly have such a brilliant season as he had the year before, and his price has not gone up. Even if one of the big-spending clubs came in, they would be wasting their time as the player has made it clear he only wants to go to Real Madrid.

 "Unless something gives, and it doesn't look that way at the moment, then Spurs are stuck with Modric."

 Spurs fans might feel that Modric is a good player to be "stuck with", but new manager Andres Villa-Boas has his work cut out to motivate him if, as now looks likely, his dream move to Real collapses.

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Maicon rejects Paris Saint-Germain in hope of Real Madrid switch

Inter right-back Maicon has turned down a move to Paris Saint-Germain, as he eyes a reunion with former coach Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.

 The 31-year-old is out of favour at the Nerazzurri, and as a result has been the subject of much speculation over the past few weeks, with the likes of PSG, Chelsea and Madrid rumoured to be interested in acquiring his services.

 The Brazilian's agent confirmed that his client feels "It is time to move on", and the player has not been included in the San Siro club's Europa League squad for their qualifying tie with Hajduk Split.

 Reports suggest Carlo Ancelotti's PSG put in a bid of around €8-10 million for the Brazil international, an offer that would have been readily accepted by Massimo Moratti as he looks to fund an offer for Sao Paulo youngster Lucas Moura.

 But Maicon is not keen on a move to the Ligue 1 side, and instead would prefer a switch to La Liga champions Madrid, or Champions League winners Chelsea.

 His contract expires at the end of next season and there has been little movement from the San Siro side in offering the player an extension.

 Maicon, who represented Monaco for two seasons before moving to the Italian giants in 2006, may even extend his contract in Lombardy, but that option, according to the reports, remains very much unlikely.

 Meanwhile, Moratti confirmed on Monday that Inter had pulled out of the race for Lucas Moura.

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Higuain targets more playing time at Real Madrid

Gonzalo Higuain is aiming to feature more for Real Madrid in the upcoming season, but realises his chances of securing a reglar first-team berth depend only on him.

 The former River Plate striker played a key role as Los Merengues won their first league title in four years last season, scoring 22 times in 35 Liga appearances, despite having to compete with Karim Benzema for a place in Jose Mourinho's starting eleven.

 The 24-year-old has been in amongst the goals for Jose Mourinho's side during their pre-season tour of the United States, and netted the first goal during his side's 5-1 win over Los Angeles Galaxy on August 3.

 "On a personal level I'd like to play more," the Argentine told Major League Soccer's official website.

 "I want to score more goals than I did last season, but that is in my hands and nobody else's.

 "We had a great league last season, setting new records along the way, but the main thing is to keep it up or even go one better."

 Higuain also spoke about his older brother Federico, who recently joined MLS side Columbus Crew.

 "I'm very happy because it is a change for the better and I hope it all turns out well for him.

 "Federico is really looking forward to it, especially moving to such a great city." Los Blancos' next match of their United States tour is against AC Milan at the Yankee Stadium in New York City on August 9.

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Man United Ready to Make £18m Bid for Real Madrid Midfielder Nuri Sahin

Sir Alex Ferguson is set to enter the race to sign Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin after Jose Mourinho admitted that he was open to allowing the Turkish international to leave the Bernabeu this summer.

 There is growing speculation that Arsenal will bring in the former Borussia Dortmund man in on a season long loan deal but the Man United boss is readying a move to sign the 23 year old on a permanent basis.

 Ferguson was linked with a move for the attacking midfielder prior to his move to the Spanish giants and is ready to make a significant offer, in the region of £18m, in the hope that Mourinho would consider the option of offloading Sahin to the Old Trafford club.

 Sahin struggled to break into the Real Madrid starting eleven last term and may be tempted by a move to the Premier League and could well prefer a move to Man United over a temporary deal to join the Gunners.

 Nuri Sahin helped Borussia Dortmund to a Bundesliga title prior to completing his £8m move to Real Madrid a year ago and managed just four La Liga appearances as Mourinho’s side romped to a domestic title success.

 With the likes of Mesut Ozil, Xabi Alonso, Kaka and Esteban Granero seemingly ahead of the midfielder in the pecking order a move away from the Bernabeu seems entirely plausible.

 Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to look to bring in one or two further signings this summer having already snapped up Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell thus far.

 Man United’s chief operating officer Michael Bolingbroke stated earlier this week that the club were expecting to spend £40m on additions to their squad and with around £20m used to sign the aforementioned pair, there is clearly scope to make a healthy offer for Sahin.

 Man United could well do with adding to their current midfield options.

 Paul Scholes is clearly at the tail end of his career and Michael Carrick at 31 is also in the latter stages of his. Anderson has failed to impress and Darren Fletcher is still to make a return from illness.

 Sahin would offer Ferguson a natural connection between midfield and attack and is a player who will be looking to get his career back on track and may feel he can do so more effectively in Manchester than in Madrid.

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Real Madrid Enter Race For Manchester United Target Moussa Dembele

Real Madrid are the latest club to express an interest in Fulham playmaker Moussa Dembele, after the La Liga giants reportedly contacted the Belgian’s agent.

 Dembele is set to leave Craven Cottage after outgrowing the west London minnows, with Manchester United thought to be leading the race for the stylish yet powerful midfielder.

 The 25-year-old’s contract expires and the end of next season and Fulham are ready to cash in on Dembele, who joined them from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in 2010.

 And the star’s agent, Jan de Visser, has claimed that Real are the latest European heavyweights to express an interest in his client.

 “Real Madrid have contacted us and asked about the possibility of signing Moussa Dembele,” de Visser said.

 “They are not the first big club who have contacted us this summer for him.” Interestingly, Tottenham have also been linked with the Belgian as a potential replacement for outbound Luka Modric, who was thought to be on the verge of a move to the Bernebeu.

 Modric and Dembele are similar players, both being comfortable in an advanced or deep-lying central midfield role, dictating the tempo.

 Los Blancos interest in Dembele suggests that they are pursuing alternatives to Modric, with Spurs £40 million asking price proving too steep.

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Tottenham turn down Carvalho & Sahin to hold out for cash-only £40m Modric deal

Tottenham have turned down the prospect of Real Madrid including Nuri Sahin or Ricardo Carvalho in any attempted offer for Luka Modric as the north Londoners hold out for a straight cash deal worth around £40 million.

 The Spanish giants are struggling to meet Spurs' valuation of Modric and had hoped to pursue a player-plus-cash move in an attempt to trim their squad.

 Sources at White Hart Lane have denied suggestions that a deal has already been struck for Modric to move to the Bernabeu, although negotiations are ongoing with Real Madrid believed to have significantly improved their previous offer worth £31m.

 Spurs are adamant they will not be bullied into selling their star midfielder, who was fined heavily earlier in the month for refusing to train and failing to take part in the squad’s pre-season tour of the United States.

 One factor for the Londoners has been the difficulty in lining up a direct replacement for the playmaker.

 Joao Moutinho is the top target but his club Porto want £30m for the Portuguese midfielder, while Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas rejected the idea of a move for Sahin as he believes the Turkey international would struggle to adapt to the pace of the Premier League.

 Tottenham have not completely ruled out a future move for Arsenal target Sahin - perhaps on a season-long loan - but they have no interest in Carvalho, who was omitted from Real Madrid’s own pre-season tour of the United States.

 “Spurs don’t want to consider a player swap as Villas-Boas knows the players he wants to reinvest the money in,” an insider revealed. “Carvalho and Sahin are the two that have been mentioned but he’s not interested at the moment.

 He thinks Sahin could struggle with the pace of English football and would rather go all out for Moutinho.” Real Madrid’s pursuit of Modric has been further complicated by the willingness of Paris Saint-Germain to pay £40m for the Croatia international, and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will not lower his demands.

 The 26-year-old, who cost Spurs £16.5m in 2008, has his heart set on a switch to Real Madrid but PSG could emerge as his only escape route from White Hart Lane, especially with the north London club unwilling to sell him to a Premier League rival.

 While all parties eventually expect to strike a deal, Modric’s future will become clearer after the Tottenham squad return from the United States on Wednesday.

 "Luka is now doing double sessions on his own and when we get back to London we will give players time off and after that we will decide what is best for Luka to do," Villas-Boas told told Sky Sports News.

 "He is a Tottenham player obviously and he has to be in good mental state to return to training as his colleagues are a step above and we will have to work on a programme for him to work on his fitness," he added.

 Modric has four years left on his Spurs contract but is understood to have agreed a deal worth around £120,000-a-week to join Jose Mourinho’s side as they look to retain their La Liga title.

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LUKA MODRIC HOPES OF REAL MADRID TRANSFER DASHED AS CLUB SAYS 'THEY WON'T PAY 40M'

Manager Andre Villas Boas has previously said that Modric will not move unless their £40million fee is matched.

 He said: "This can be resolved in one of two ways. One is that the teams pay what Tottenham is asking and the other is that the player continues with us next season."

 According to Spanish sources, Real Madrid are unwilling to pay the huge fee set by Tottenham.

 Manager Andre Villas Boas has previously said that Modric will not move unless their £40million fee is matched.

 He said: "This can be resolved in one of two ways. One is that the teams pay what Tottenham is asking and the other is that the player continues with us next season."

 According to sources, Real Madrid are unwilling to pay the huge fee set by Tottenham.

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AC Milan to continue Kaka negotiations with Real Madrid in the United States

The Serie A giants have made no secret of the fact that they are interested in re-signing the Brazilian playmaker, who has endured a largely unproductive spell at the Santiago Bernabeu following a €68 million transfer in 2009.

 Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has admitted that he does not know whether Kaka will remain at the club, but the Rossoneri are still a long way from signing the 30-year-old as they are not prepared to match his current wages.

 It is reported that Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani will meet with Madrid president Florentino Perez during Los Blancos' pre-season tour of the United States to discuss the potential transfer of the Brazilian, as well as certain other players deemed surplus to requirements in the Spanish capital.

 Ricardo Carvalho, Nuri Sahin, Sami Khedira and Lassana Diarra are all understood to be on the wishlist of Milan, who will have money to spend after the €65m sale of Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Paris Saint-Germain earlier in July.

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Mourinho plays down 5-2 loss to Benfica

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has played down the importance of his side's 5-2 defeat to Benfica in the Eusebio Cup on Friday.

 La Liga champions Real fielded an under-strength team at Estadio da Luz and were surprised by a rampant second-half display from the hosts after going into the break with the scoreline at 2-2.

 After the match, Mourinho said he did not take a serious approach to the game and warned Benfica not to get carried away with the result.

 "There is no such thing as heavy defeats in friendly matches," he told reporters. "We knew the risk we were taking.

 Benfica did not wish to test new things, they played seriously.

 "I hope this victory will boost their morale, but in a balanced way. Because if they give too much importance to this result, it could be negative for them.

 "I hope to return here during the season, but to play an official match, and to win when winning matters."

 Meanwhile, Fabio Coentrao said his former team Benfica were worthy winners on his return, one year after leaving the Portuguese club.

 "It was a good game and a good spectacle," Coentrao said. "We did not expect this result, but we were missing many players and we had several others from the Castilla (second) team.

 But Benfica deserved to win. "I am a Benfica fan and I did not want to waste the opportunity to play in my stadium once again."

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Galliani hints at AC Milan move for Kaka

The Brazil international's future at Madrid is in limbo as he has been struggling to secure regular first-team football at the Santiago Bernabeu, and recent reports suggest that the 30-year-old could leave the Liga champions this summer.

 Milan are understood to be one of the prime candidates to secure his services, and even though his wage demands could pose a problem for the Rossoneri, Galliani has opened the door for a Kaka return. "Certain loves never end.

 They go around on a big journey, and then they return," Galliani stated to reporters when questioned on a potential move for the playmaker. Meanwhile, Marca reports that a decision on the player's future will be made in the next 72 hours.

 It is believed that if Kaka is not included in the Madrid team for the friendly game against Benfica on Friday, he is expected to be omitted from the squad for the pre-season trip to the USA, making a transfer inevitable.

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Modric agrees terms with Real Madrid - report

Tottenham star Luka Modric has agreed terms with Real Madrid and could soon finalise a move to the Spanish side despite the clubs being unable to settle on a fee so far, according to reports from Croatian.

 Spurs are said to be demanding over £40 million for the 26-year-old, but Madrid are confident talks will come to a conclusion in the next few days.

 Sources close to Modric have been quoted as saying: "Everything has been resolved. Luka and Real Madrid agree on everything.

 "There is a little more difficulty with the position of Tottenham but everything will be solved and will be resolved quickly.

" Bernabeu boss Jose Mourinho could soon be able to achieve what his former club Chelsea were unable to do last summer.

 Eleven months ago, Modric was denied a move away from White Hart Lane despite heavy interest from Stamford Bridge when Harry Redknapp was Spurs manager.

 Redknapp was sacked after the club fell from a strong position in third place and finished fourth, but did not qualify for the Champions League because Chelsea won the competition.

 Andre Villas-Boas, who was in charge of the Blues when Roman Abramovich pursued Modric last year, will want to keep hold of his best players but the odds of being able to hold onto the much-coveted Croatian look increasingly unlikely.

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Benfica ready to cash in on Man United and Chelsea target

Manchester United and Chelsea have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Axel Witsel after Benfica signalled their willingness to cash in on the Belgium international.

 Witsel, who signed for Benfica from Standard Liege last summer, enjoyed a terrific debut season in Portugal, and played a key part in the Lisbon side's march to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

 According to reports, Benfica are ready to sanction the sale of Witsel this summer.

 However, the Portuguese side are demanding £20m for the Belgium international - more than three times the £6.3m they paid Standard for his services last July.

 United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is reported to be a long-term admirer of the combative midfielder, who sparked controversy in 2009 following a reckless challenge that resulted in Anderlecht defender Marcil Wasilewski breaking a leg - an incident that saw him banned for eight games.

 New Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo is also thought to be on the hunt for a new central midfielder this summer, with Witsel's international team-mate Marouane Fellaini also linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge.

 However, the two Premier League giants will have to fight off competition from Spanish champions Real Madrid, with Bernabeu boss Jose Mourinho keen to strengthen his midfield before the start of next season.

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Tottenham Demand £19m Plus Two Real Madrid Players for Modric Deal

Luka Modric’s transfer from Tottenham may see Real Madrid’s Nuri Sahin and Ricardo Carvalho move the other way. 

Transfer speculation involving Modric has been commonplace this summer, with the Croatian expected to leave Tottenham for one of the big two in La Liga, Barcelona or Real Madrid.

 Although the White Hart Lane faithful are hoping Modric stays with the club, it appears increasingly unlikely as Spurs have neither Champions League football nor an influential manager to convince their talismanic playmaker of future silverware. 

Croatian legend Davor Suker has encouraged Modric to move to the Santiago Bernabeu instead of the Camp Nou, and it appears that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy would also prefer to do business with Los Blancos. 

Newspaper The National reports that Levy is willing to enter negotiations with Real, if the Spanish club offer Sahin and Carvalho, in addition to a 25 million Euro bid. 

 Daniel Levy may well be ready to relent and allow Luka Modric to complete a move away from White Hart Lane, a year after the White Hart Lane chairman steadfastly refused the Croatian’s request to join Chelsea. 

Perhaps the Tottenham chief merely wanted to avoid selling to a fellow Premier League side but in order for a deal to be struck with Real Madrid it seems that the North London club are keen to sell on their terms.

 Tottenham could well do with new defensive options given that Ledley King is out of contract and William Gallas & Michael Dawson are injury concerns.

 However a move for veteran Ricardo Carvalho is clearly not a long term solution to this problem, indeed many had thought that Ajax captain Jan Vertonghen was the player set to resolve that issue.

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Messi ignores Ronaldo jibe

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has chosen to ignore the comments made by Real Madrid ace Cristiano Ronaldo about him during Euro 2012.

 After being taunted by Denmark fans chanting Messi's name during Portugal's match against Morten Olsen's team, Ronaldo lashed out by slating the Argentine's failure to claim silverware with the Albiceleste at Copa America in 2011.

 "I have nothing to say with regards to Cristiano Ronaldo's comments," Messi told reporters.

 Questioned about a potential transfer to Real Madrid, Messi reiterated his desire to retire at Barcelona, where he has played since 2000.

 "I do not think about joining Madrid," the 24-year-old added. "Barcelona are my home and I would be delighted to play there until I retire.

 "I hope that is what happens." Messi went on to comment on the managerial changes at Camp Nou, with Tito Vilanova taking the reins after Pep Guardiola decided to step down as coach to take a year out of the game. "We are very happy that Tito is Guardiola's replacement," he affirmed.

 "He is someone we know, he works the same way that Guardiola did.

 "We are obviously sad that Pep has left us, because we did not expect it, but with Tito the way we work will not suffer any changes."

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Modric on the verge of Spain move as Madrid lead race for Spurs star

Luka Modric is close to moving to Spain, with Real Madrid desperate to sign the Tottenham midfielder.

 That is the view of Modric’s friend and former Croatia team-mate Mate Bilic, who has claimed Manchester United and Chelsea have competition for the 26-year-old.

 ‘I’m very good friends with Modric,’ said the Sporting Gijon striker. ‘He wants to play in the Spanish league.

 He loves the Premier League but he wants to play in Spain. He’s very close to agreeing a move.

 That revelation comes with Real Madrid preparing a bid for Modric and former Croatia and Real star Davor Suker claiming the Tottenham man is good enough to be a galactico and also claims Manchester City are interested in him.

 United and Chelsea are also keen to sign Modric, who wants to leave White Hart Lane for Champions League football.

 Managerless Spurs don’t want to lose the linchpin of the midfield but might not be able to resist a second summer of bids, even if clubs might not want to meet Daniel Levy’s £35million valuation.

 Jose Mourinho is a long-term admirer of Modric and sees him as an integral part of his plan to win the Champions League with a third club.

 He wants Modric to play alongside Xabi Alonso in central midfield. Suker said: ‘Luka Modric is a player who could play for Real Madrid.

 He needs to be playing for a team that will win trophies. He’d be perfect for them.

 ‘I would recommend that Florentino Perez signs him. If he doesn’t sign for Real Madrid, he’ll end up at Manchester City or Chelsea. He has to leave Tottenham to win trophies.

’ When told about Suker’s praise, Modric said: ‘I am proud he thinks I could be a Real Madrid player. It’s good. I thank him a lot for his words.’

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Mourinho in Silva and Chelsea's target Lucas Moura raid

REAL MADRID will table a £30million bid for David Silva this week.

 Real boss Jose Mourinho wants the Manchester City star to add more creativity to his Spanish champions.

Silva was being pursued by the Madrid giants before he signed for Manchester City in a £24m deal from Valencia two years ago.

But Jose Mourinho failed to follow up their initial interest when he took over at the Bernabeu.

Now he has had a change of heart after seeing the way Silva, 25, helped City secure the Premier League title.

Madrid will also step up their attempts to beat Chelsea for the signature of Brazilian starlet Lucas Moura.

Blues owner Roman Abramovich personally sanctioned a £32m bid for the rising Sao Paulo star.

His agent insists Moura will not move until after the 2014 World Cup — but that claim has fallen on deaf ears in Madrid. champions.

 Silva was being pursued by the Madrid giants before he signed for Manchester City in a £24m deal from Valencia two years ago.

 But Jose Mourinho failed to follow up their initial interest when he took over at the Bernabeu. Now he has had a change of heart after seeing the way Silva, 25, helped City secure the Premier League title.

 Madrid will also step up their attempts to beat Chelsea for the signature of Brazilian starlet Lucas Moura.

 Blues owner Roman Abramovich personally sanctioned a £32m bid for the rising Sao Paulo star.

 His agent insists Moura will not move until after the 2014 World Cup — but that claim has fallen on deaf ears in Madrid.

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