Forlan : Suarez will not join Real Madrid

The 35-year-old star  Diego Forlan would be impressed if his international team-mate Luis Suarez were going to join Real Madrid this summer and says the striker is nearing full fitness ahead of the first game of the World Cup.

"Luis Suarez is very happy at Liverpool. They are all rumours for now, if at any time he signs for Real Madrid, I will answer that question."

"Luis Suarez is much better," he added. "He is taking steps to recover well. Hopefully he recovers well and could be ready to play."

The Ex-Atletico also adminted that his national will aim more than just passing the group stage at this World Cup.

Forlan has played in his long career with Atletico Madrid , Internazionale , Manchester United ect.

This will probably his last World Cup.

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Chelsea finds Varane as David Luis replacement

Chelsea are reportedly eyeing a move for Real Madrid youngster Raphael Varane after agreeing the sale of David Luiz to Paris Saint-Germain.

Luiz is set to join the French champions after the Blues announced they had agreed a fee with PSG for the Brazilian, thought to be in excess of £40m.

And boss Jose Mourinho is now said to be keen to link up again with Varane, having signed him for Real in 2011 and lauding him as the ‘best young central defender in the world’ earlier this year.

The 21-year-old has struggled to hold down a regular first team place under Carlo Ancelotti this season, having been hampered with a series of knee injuries.

And Mourinho may see this as his chance to bring the Frenchman to Stamford Bridge.

But Chelsea will have to move quickly if they are to secure a deal before this summer’s World Cup, which starts in Brazil in less than three weeks, with Varane having been named in Didier Deschamps’ 23-man squad.

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Courtois : Ronaldo is great but so am I

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has insisted he does not fear Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Saturday's Champions League final against Real Madrid.

The Portugal international has been in sublime form in Europe so far this season, netting 16 goals in 10 appearances, but Courtois is confident he has what it takes to deny the prolific attacker in this weekend's showpiece in Lisbon.

"I will not prepare in some special way for Ronaldo. I do not have any fear for him," Courtois was quoted as saying by Sport Bild.

"Of course, he is a great player, but I am a great goalkeeper as well..."

Courtois then went on to stress that Atletico cannot afford to make the same mistakes Bayern Munich made in the semi-finals against Madrid and feels they should aim to put in a performance similar to that of Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals.

"We should learn from Dortmund's second-leg display against Madrid. They showed how it's done.

"Bayern's tactics were silly. They copied Barcelona's style of play and Madrid know all about this philosophy.

"Their players only need a few seconds to cross the entire pitch. They have the perfect weapon against possession-based football."

Atletico and Real Madrid have met four times so far this season, with Diego Simeone's men winning once, losing twice and drawing the remaining game.

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Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid Match Preview

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

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Real Madrid and Monaco lead race for Cole

Ashley Cole will consider lucrative offers from Monaco and Real Madrid this summer as he prepares to leave Chelsea after eight years.

Cole has already received approaches from eight other clubs, from the Premier League and overseas, and Monaco are set to compete with Real Madrid in a wages war to secure the former England international on a free transfer.

The 33-year-old has not completely dismissed the prospect of staying at Chelsea, with his contract expiring at Stamford Bridge at the end of next month, though the chances of him staying are thought to be remote.

Chelsea are offering only a 12-month deal on reduced terms so it seems more likely that Cole will pursue one final move before bringing down the curtain on his career, with Monaco understood to be keen on offering him a fresh start in France.

The super-rich Ligue 1 club, who are searching for a new head coach after former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri’s departure on Tuesday, are interested in Cole and will offer a mammoth tax-free salary. Backed by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, Monaco could conceivably offer even better wages than Madrid.

Liverpool and Manchester City have also made tentative inquiries about the defender while Inter Milan could also come into the equation.

Cole has gone away on holiday in California to decide his next move but has made it clear that playing in the Major League Soccer in America is not an option.

He is still convinced he can perform at the highest level and the chase to sign the free agent is likely to intensify over this summer.

Last season proved frustrating for Cole, after losing his place to Cesar Azpilicueta and making only 15 Premier League starts under Jose Mourinho, but he will be highly sought after and could seek a two-year deal.

He tweeted: “Now I’ll be looking for another journey in my life. I hope it can be like my others, full of fun and of course win something.

“I am weighing up my options for playing next season with my agent. Sadly, it does not look like Chelsea will be one of them.” Cole announced his retirement from international football last week after he was told he would not be included in Roy Hodgson’s squad for the World Cup.

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Bale and Ronaldo will be fit for final

Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he will be fit to face Atlético Madrid in Saturday’s Champions League final. The Portuguese did not train with his team-mates on Tuesday following a thigh muscle injury that forced him to miss Real Madrid's final two games of the season, but insists he will be fit for his third Champions League final.

Ronaldo picked up a winners medal in 2008 as Manchester United beat Chelsea on penalties but was on the losing side the following year, when Barcelona beat United in Rome. Real fell at the semi-final stage of the competition in each of the last three seasons but Ronaldo’s 16 goals in this year’s competition have fired them to a first final in 12 years.

“No one wants to miss a final, a final we’ve been waiting a long time for and worked so hard to get to over the last three years,” he said. “Some very important players have got injured this year but the most important thing is how I feel. I won’t be taking any risks, I have been feeling good and I will be there on Saturday.”

Real Madrid finished the La Liga season in third place, while Atlético were crowned champions for the first time in 18 years. But Ronaldo is not intimidated by Diego Simeone’s side.

“Atlético are very happy, they are full of hope and go into the game with high spirits and a lot of strength, but a final is a unique game,” he said. “It’s 50/50, but I’m convinced we’re going to win.”

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Ancelotti: Ronaldo injury 'not serious'

Carlo Ancelotti has eased fears over the fitness of Cristiano Ronaldo, revealing that the problem that forced the forward off in Wednesday's 1-1 draw at Valladolid is "not serious".

The Portugal international lasted just nine minutes of the game at the Jose Zorrilla, sparking fears that he had suffered a recurrence of his recent hamstring problem.

However, Ancelotti has soothed initial concerns that Ronaldo could end up missing the conclusion of the Liga season and the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid on May 24.

"We'll see in the next few days how Cristiano is, but it's not a serious problem," the Blancos boss told reporters.

"He was not comfortable, though, so I changed him.

"I don't think Pepe or [Angel] Di Maria [who also picked up knocks] have serious problems either. But we'll see."

Ancelotti was more perturbed by the way in which Madrid threw away a one-goal lead against Valladolid to leave their Liga title hopes in tatters.

Sergio Ramos had given the visitors the lead with a fine free kick but Juan Ignacio Martinez's men snatched a crucial point for their survival bid thanks to an 85th-minute equaliser from Humberto Osorio.

"We controlled the game for 70 minutes but then we lost it in the last 20," Ancelotti lamented.

"It was not a question of attitude. Iker [Casillas, Madrid's goalkeeper] had not had a save to make.

"We defended too deep and then defended a set-piece poorly and lost the game."

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Ramos: La Liga practically lost for Madrid

Sergio Ramos has acknowledged that Real Madrid are practically out of the Liga title race following Wednesday's disappointing 1-1 draw against Real Valladolid.

Carlo Ancelotti's men sit third in the league table following this week's slip-up, trailing leaders Atletico Madrid by four points with just two games to go.

Victory for Diego Simeone's men and Barcelona this weekend will ensure the Spanish top flight becomes a two-horse title race and Ramos has been left to rue the "unique opportunity" which has passed his side by.

"It's a shame because with just two matches to go it's nearly impossible. It's practically lost now," Ramos told reporters.

"We've let a unique opportunity slip.

"We feel like we relaxed after we went 1-0 up and that was a big mistake. Focus has to be at a maximum and against a team whose safety is at stake you have to play it as if it were a final. They made the most of the only chance they had.

"The team's attitude was good, but perhaps we could have killed the game off."

Ramos, however, refused to completely give up on the domestic title so long as they can still mathematically leapfrog Atletico.

"As long as there is a mathematical chance, Real Madrid have to fight," he added.

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Real Madrid to appeal Alonso booking

Real Madrid will appeal Xabi Alonso's suspension for this month's Champions League final, coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed.

Alonso was booked in the first half of Real's 4-0 semi-final second leg win over Bayern Munich for a clumsy foul on Bastian Schweinsteiger.

The yellow card was the Spain international's third of the tournament, ruling him out of the final against city rivals Atletico Madrid in Lisbon on May 24.

Madrid were already 3-0 ahead – and 4-0 up on aggregate – when Alonso committed his foul, and he later claimed missing the final was a "shame" and that being banned for the final due to an accumulation of yellow cards was an "unfair rule".

He could still feature in the showpiece though, after Ancelotti told reporters on Saturday that they would appeal against the decision.

"Xabi Alonso's natural replacement is (Asier) Illarramendi (if required)," Ancelotti said.

"But we will appeal the yellow card."

Sami Khedira was tipped to replace Alonso by some, with the Germany international returning to training last month for the first time since injuring his knee in a November friendly against Italy.

And Ancelotti said he will play a part in his matchday squad for Sunday's home clash against Valencia.

"Khedira is available for tomorrow. He will start on the bench," he added.

"Khedira will come back slowly (though). We will organise a friendly in Valdebebas next week to help him improve."

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Ronaldo: Madrid will show we're best in Europe

Cristiano Ronaldo is determined to show Real Madrid are the best team in Europe in the Champions League final after thrashing holders Bayern Munich 5-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals of the competition.

Madrid recorded a 4-0 win at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday after previously winning the first leg 1-0, with the Portuguese attacker scoring twice after Sergio Ramos' four-minute double propelled the Blancos to a healthy 2-0 second-leg lead.

The former Manchester United man said it was a monkey off the back of the Madrid club, who had fallen at the semi-final hurdle in the past three European cups, and is determined to go all the way now.

"We deserve to be in the final and everyone - the coach and all his staff - deserve to be congratulated because we played very well. Now we're going to enjoy the final and try to win," Ronaldo told the official Uefa website.

"We have to show that we're the favourites out on the pitch. It's always 50-50 going into a final anyway, irrespective of who the teams are, so we're going do our best and prove we're the best team in Europe.

"As I said at the very start of the Champions League, we have to take it step by step and game by game because we know that whoever we meet in the final will be a very tough opponent. I don't care who we face in the final. It will be in my country and I want to win the Champions League."

Ronaldo broke the record for most goals in a European cup campaign, with his double on Tuesday taking him to 16, and he praised team-mate Gareth Bale for providing him with a slice of history.

"I was looking for it and I knew I needed one goal but I was not going to be mad if it didn't happen," he added. "It was a great ball from Bale. The whole team helped me.

"I'm really happy to break the Champions League record but what I want is to win it and we're very excited."

Madrid will either meet Atletico Madrid or Chelsea in next month's showpiece in Lisbon.

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Lahm blames tactics for Real defeat

Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm was full of regret after his side's devastating 4-0 Champions League semi-final second-leg defeat to Real Madrid.

The reigning champions only lost 1-0 in the Bernabeu but were annihilated in front of stunned home fans at the Allianz Arena as Real raced into a 3-0 first-half lead.

Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed his second of the night in the dying stages to add further emphasis to the scoreline - but Lahm was adamant the sloppy defending that allowed Sergio Ramos to score twice in the first 20 minutes was to blame.

The Germany full-back told the Bayern website: "We're very disappointed because we set our sights high, but suddenly we were 2-0 down after 20 minutes from two set-pieces.

"That really leaves a bitter taste. I don't think we played well tactically in the first half. The game was too open.

"It was the opposite of the first leg when we controlled the play. I know they hit us on the break last week, but (on Tuesday) it was end-to-end stuff in the first half.

"That's fundamentally not the way we play our football, but it's what Real really like. It totally played into their hands."

Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was equally disappointed, adding: "We didn't have quite enough passion to cause our opponents serious problems.

"We were obviously unlucky to go two goals behind to set-plays. After that it was obvious Real would make the final.

"Real have a magnificent team at the moment and our limitations have been exposed to a certain extent.

"You get games like these, but we need to hold our nerve. We've been a little spoiled because we made the final twice in a row, and three times in the last four years.

"Despite the anger you feel welling up inside, I think on days like these you have to stay calm, go home and try to do things better as of tomorrow."

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Ronaldo set to miss Copa del Rey final

Real Madrid have been dealt a serious blow following the news Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to miss next week's Copa del Rey final against Barcelona with a hamstring problem.

The Portugual international limped off in the closing stages of his side's 3-0 Champions League quarter-final first leg win over Borussia Dortmund.

He subsequently sat out the 4-0 win over Real Sociedad at Anoeta and was an unused substitute in the return game against Jurgen Klopp's side, as Madrid scraped through to the semi-finals 3-2 on aggregate after losing 2-0 on Tuesday night.

It has now been confirmed that the 29-year-old has suffered an injury to his left hamstring, and is reportedly set to miss around two weeks of action, which would rule him out of the crucial Clasico next Wednesday.

The problem also makes him a doubt for the first-leg of his side's Champions League semi-final on April 22 or 23, with Atletico Madrid, Chelsea and Bayern Munich all possible opponents in the last four.

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Casillas : I'll give Busquets a slap

Iker Casillas has promised to give Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets "a slap" after he appeared to stamp on Real Madrid defender Pepe.

The Spain international clashed with the Portguese during the Blaugrana's 4-3 Clasico win at the Bernabeu last month, but was quick to deny any wrongdoing.

Pepe responded by calling the 25-year-old a "liar" and Casillas has backed his team-mate, slamming his Spain colleague's conduct.

"The image speaks for itself. Pepe has the full backing of the whole side," he said at a promotional event.

"I'm not going to go into more detail. It was a heated moment. Busquets, from my point of view, behaved poorly. When I see Busquets I'll give him a slap."

Casillas has only played for Madrid in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League this season, with coach Carlo Ancelotti preferring Diego Lopez in La Liga, but the 32-year-old is tired of the debate.

"It is a subject that has got tiresome. Those who the boss thinks that should be playing, play. That's that. You have to carry on as you are.

"Diego Lopez deserves support and has started a competition and should finish it. I train and compete. It's good for me and the side.

"Diego Lopez is good enough for the national side: of course. Vicente has already shown he believes this. Now Vicente del Bosque must decide.

"Since Victor [Valdes] got injured he will have been closely following other keepers and will make the best decision."

Casillas also admitted that his side cannot afford to lose to Real Sociedad in San Sebastian this weekend but denied that Cristiano Ronaldo's absence means Ancelotti is prioritising other competitions.

"We cannot slip up. It is very important and we have to take the three points and then wait. Hopefully there'll be good results for us. With anything other than a win, it would make the league very difficult for us.

"I don't think the league is taking a backseat. The decision was made because [Ronaldo] can't play. Over the last five years he has been superb and always with the side. If he has to stop it's because he needs it.

"He must recover well and be there in the next games. Whoever replaces him will do their best."

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Ancelotti : We have good chances to win La Liga

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti insisted his side would "carry on looking forward optimistically" after getting their season back on track with a 5-0 hammering of Rayo Vallecano.

Losses to Barcelona and Sevilla - the first time Madrid have suffered successive defeats in the Primera Division since the 2008/09 campaign - over the previous seven days had badly hit their title hopes.

But they returned to winning ways in style on Saturday night thanks to goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale (two), Daniel Carvajal and substitute Alvaro Morata.

And Ancelotti promised his team would not give up in their remaining fixtures.

"Naturally, this win is important," he said on Real's official website. "Today we reacted well following two losses. We played a great game, with a good attitude on the pitch.

"This serves to prepare well for the next game. In the last two games we made errors at the back. Today we didn't and we used the counter-attack well. The back four were good."

Atletico Madrid and Barca also won on Saturday to maintain the status quo at the top of La Liga, with Real three points adrift of Los Rojiblancos and two behind their Catalan arch rivals.

"We have to carry on," Ancelotti continued. "It's an important part of the season for all of us. We could be better, given we lost twice, but physically we're good.

"Also, we reacted well and we carry on looking forward optimistically. If we win all the games that we have left, at least we win the Champions League and the Copa del Rey. We just have to believe in ourselves and be positive."

Ancelotti stressed his team would be focusing only on themselves during the run-in and would not be distracted by what Atletico and Barca get up to.

"They could affect us a little bit - it's normal," he added. "We must be focused on our game and nothing else.

"Maybe those who didn't play (on Saturday) were listening to the results, but those who were going to play weren't thinking about other sides."

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Ancelotti: Madrid don't need Vidal

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that his side do not need to sign Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal.

The Chilean has been linked with a variety of clubs after leading the Bianconeri to two straight Serie A titles, most recently the Liga leaders and their arch rivals Barcelona.

However, Ancelotti has denied that Juve director Beppe Marotta came to visit Madrid's training centre to thrash out a deal for the former Bayer Leverkusen man.

"He came to see the sports centre," he told La Stampa.

"In midfield we won't take anyone. We don't need anyone and [Sami] Khedira will return."

The Italian also voiced his admiration for Paris Saint-Germain star Marco Verratti, but says that too much should not be expected of the youngster.

"He doesn't miss anything. He has personality and isn't afraid, but he shouldn't play because he is young. At Madrid, I have Jese, who is a phenomenon, but we have many champions."

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Mourinho : Varane is the best defender in the world

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho believes that Real Madrid youngster Raphael Varane is arguably the best defender in the world.

The Portuguese, who left the Santiago Bernabeu for Stamford Bridge last summer, made the French youngster a regular in his starting XI last term.

Varane earned widespread praise for his composed defensive performances and Mourinho has nothing but good memories of the centre-back.

Indeed, after being asked who were the young players to watch at the World Cup after being unveiled as Yahoo's global ambassador for football 2014, the Blues boss stated: "I would say [Eden] Hazard for sure, Neymar and Varane.

"I think Varane is the best central defender in the world. He is still young, but I think he's the best. Already, yes. I think he's the best defender."

Varane has made just six La Liga appearances so far this term as a knee injury kept him sidelined for the majority of the first half of the season but is expected to be named in France's squad for Brazil 2014.

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Calderon : Ronaldo turned down Barcelona

Cristiano Ronaldo turned down the chance to join Barcelona before signing his world-record deal with Real Madrid, former ex-Blancos president Ramon Calderon has revealed.

The Portuguese star joined Madrid in 2009 for a fee of €94 million from Manchester United and has become a huge hit at the Santiago Bernabeu, winning the 2013 Ballon d'Or for his sensational performances for both club and country.

However, former Madrid president Calderon insists former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson attempted to engineer a move to rivals Barca for the attacker - but Ronaldo refused.

Asked whether the Scot tried to send Ronaldo to the Blaugrana, Calderon told talkSPORT: "It is totally true. In the few weeks he tried to avoid him going to Real Madrid, offering him to Barcelona.

"Barcelona were very happy but in that moment it was very crucial as Ronaldo said: 'I'm not going to any other club but Real Madrid.'‏

"That's why we signed the deal. Everyone was happy: Manchester United got the £80 million [€94m], Real Madrid got the best player in the world and Cristiano got what he wanted because players like him are not only looking for money, they look for glory, and they look for anyone who is giving them that opportunity to win titles, to be the best in the world, to win golden boots.

"There are only three, four or five clubs that can give him what he wants."

Ronaldo has scored 22 goals in 21 league appearances for Madrid this season, but it is his work ethic and determination that separates him from other players, according to the former Madrid chief.

"Cristiano is the best of the best because every day he gets up in the morning and his only obsession is to be the best. He wants to be better than the day before," Calderon continued.

"I always told players coming to Madrid that this is the most difficult time of your career because anyone who plays against Real is going to give 150 per cent of themselves in order to beat you.

"I think it is very important for young players to understand how important it is every time you are playing or working to want to be the best.  I think that is the secret of Cristiano."

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Modric: I want to finish my career at Real Madrid

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric says he would relish the chance to stay at the club for the remainder of his career.

The Croatia international joined los Blancos from Tottenham in the summer of 2012 for €35 million and has been one of the side's standout performers this season, after struggling initially for consistency in the Spanish capital.

"I never considered leaving Real Madrid or that it was a mistake to come here," Modric told BBC Sport. "It was my dream come true when I signed for Real Madrid.

"I want to stay here for as many years as possible and, if it's possible, finish my career here.

"I feel so proud of where I've come. All I dreamed of when I became a footballer was to play for a club as big as Real Madrid. It's maybe the most famous and best club in the history of football.

"I have big trust and big confidence from the coach [Carlo Ancelotti]. From the beginning he was clear with what he wanted from me and how important I am for the team. That helped me a lot and I could show my quality on the pitch.

"I don't think any club is like here. They ask so much from you and that forces you to always be at the top of your game.

"The pressure is huge here. But I've never had a problem with pressure, I like pressure; pressure pushes me to be better."

Modric, who admits he owes much of his development into one of Europe's top midfielders to his time at Tottenham, points to a match with Premier League champions Manchester United in last season's Champions League as the true turning point in his Madrid career.

"I have great memories of Tottenham," continued the 28-year-old. "I spent four great years there with a lot of emotions, with a lot of love from the club and the fans. I enjoyed every moment with Tottenham.

"But in one moment you feel you need to take a step forward, to go to a higher level.

"I think it was the right time for me to go, but I will always be thankful to Tottenham for everything they did for me. I became a better player there and they pushed me to this level where I am at the moment. I will always be a fan, I follow them a lot when I can.

"I had some difficulties at the beginning [at Madrid]. I didn't have a complete pre-season - I trained on my own in London, I came later here and you need time for everything to get settled.

"I knew sooner or later I would show my quality and show to everyone why I'm here, why Real made such an effort to bring me here.

"I had a lot of support from the ex-coach [Jose Mourinho] - he did everything to bring me here and I'm grateful for that. At the beginning he was very helpful to ease my adaptation. By the time I was fit enough I started playing better and better. His tactics were never a problem for me.

"When I came on [against United] I changed the game, I scored that goal and after we scored another to win 2-1.

"That was the turning point for me and my career at Real Madrid. From that game, people started seeing why I'm here and my career at Real Madrid was all the time going up."

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Muller: I've no reason to join Real Madrid

Thomas Muller has made it clear that he sees no reason to leave Bayern Munich for Real Madrid amid reports linking him with a move to the Spanish giants.

The Santiago Bernabeu side are rumoured to be considering a swoop for the 24-year-old at the end of the season, but while Muller admits it can be flattering to hear of interest from foreign sides, he maintains he is happy with life at the Allianz Arena.

"Real Madrid? There has been a lot of speculation about my future in the past few weeks, months and even years. We have all seen what has come from those rumours so far," Muller told AZ.

"It's not a bad feeling when you hear about interest from abroad.

"However, at the moment there is absolutely no reason for me to leave Bayern Munich for another club."

Muller has been in sublime form for the Bundesliga leaders so far this season, scoring seven goals in 16 league appearances.

The versatile attacker has a contract with Bayern until the summer of 2017.

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Arsenal: Alvaro Morata’s agent was in London to negotiate a deal

Only yesterday, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in his press conference had played down suggestions of a possible loan move for Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, claiming he could do without the distractions of the January transfer window.

Morata has struggled to find regular games at the Bernabeu this season and the player himself admitted that he could make a move, albeit temporarily, should the situation doesn’t improve. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti however insisted that the 21-year-old won’t be sold in the winter transfer window.

cristiano ronaldo 637 alvaro morata celebrating his first goal scored for real madrid in 2013 Arsenal: Alvaro Moratas agent was in London to negotiate a deal

Madrid-based newspaper AS claims that agent of Morata, Juanma Lopez, was in London yesterday, to negotiate the transfer with hierarchies of Arsenal and fellow North London rivals Tottenham.

Madrid do not want to lose a prodigious young talent like Morata permanently, but the Los Blancos could be happy to let him go on loan for the reminder of the season. The 21-year-old, who is seen as a second fiddle to main striker Karim Benzema, has recently fallen down the pecking orders behind Jese Rodriguez.

Despite Wenger’s claims, the Gunners may require a striker, especially now that Walcott will miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury. Also, Spurs could be looking for a striker as well, after the North London club agreed a deal to sell Jermain Defoe to MLS club Toronto.

There were reports yesterday, that Portuguese club Benfica have also registered their interest in the youngster. Benfica could lose forward Rodrigo to Russian club Zenit Saint Petersburg and Morata could be used to fill that vacancy.

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