Sergio Agüero: I Want to Leave Atlético de Madrid

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In case there was any doubt, striker Sergio “Kun” Agüero told reporters on Wednesday he wants to leave Atlético de Madrid.

Agüero is in Argentina for the Copa America with the host country. He scored twice in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Costa Rica to advance to the next round.

The striker told reporters that his agent was handling negotiations and that he was uncertain where his future lay, but one thing was clear: Agüero does not want to stay at the Vincente Calderon stadium in Madrid.

Agüero also alluded that a clásico match between Real Madrid (one of the clubs interested in signing the striker) and Argentina teammate Lionel Messi’s Barcelona would be interesting.

Real Madrid’s Nuri Sahin Out 2-3 Weeks

Recent Real Madrid acquisition Nuri Sahin will miss the next 2-3 weeks due to a knee injury.

The midfielder suffered a bruise on his left knee during Tuesday’s training session in Los Angeles. A magnetic resonance done at UCLA Health System Hospital on Wednesday confirmed Sahin suffered a Grade I sprain on his internal lateral ligament.

Sahin recently recovered from an injury to his right knee at the end of the 2010-11 Bundesliga season.

Real Madrid paid Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund 10 million euros (approx. $14 million) to sign Sahin to a six-year contract.

Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso also missed Wednesday’s training session due to a problem with a toe nail.

Madrid is in Los Angeles to kick off the North American leg of its pre-season tour.

Xavi Hernandez: Cesc Is “Suffering” Over Barcelona Move

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Barcelona mid-fielder Xavi Hernandez provided some insight on his national teammate and friend Cesc Fabregas’ condition.

Hernandez said a press conference on Wednesday: “I spoke to Cesc in Ibiza and he said he was suffering, because he really wants to come. It’s what he most wants, he’s done everything he can to come and wants Arsenal to let him go.”

Hernandez also spoke on Barcelona’s next likely addition, Alexis Sanchez, calling the Chilean “dynamic, vertical, and direct.”

He also said the possible selling of Bojan Krkic to Roma “might be the best” for the young player.

Update

Arsenal manager Arséne Wenger called Xavi’s remarks “disrespectful” to the club. He reiterated to The Guardian that Cesc has a contract with Arsenal and the club has no intention of selling their captain.

Related articles

• Cesc Fabregas ‘suffering’ over proposed Barcelona switch says Xavi (independent.co.uk)

Barcelona Pending Arrival of Alexis Sanchez

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Will he, won’t he? FC Barcelona and Udinese have reportedly struck a deal for Alexis Sanchez.

Barça has had Sanchez in their sites for the past few months, and manager Pep Guardiola has reportedly urged club president Sandro Rosell to pay the Italian team whatever it wants for the Chilean midfielder.

Footballpress.net reports Barcelona will make an official announcement today.

If the Sanchez deal is true, Barcelona will have accomplished half of its acquisition goals for the season. Nou Camp is still pending an agreement wtih Arsenal for Cesc Fabregas.

Update

The Telegraph reports Barcelona and Sachez will complete a 26 million euro (approx. $51 million) deal this week.

Update 2

Barcelona newspaper El Mundo Deportivo reports that Udinese backed away from negotiations Wednesday after Chelsea increased its bid for Alexis Sanchez.

Jose Mourinho Insists On Another Striker

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Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho may be building the club he wants, but there is still a piece missing: a new striker.

In an interview with RealMadrid.com before traveling to Los Angeles to start the pre-season friendlies, Mourinho voiced wishes for a new forward to complement existing strikers Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema.

Recall from last season Higuain went down for most of the year with an injury, and Mourinho had to rely on Benzema (whom he likened to taking a cat – instead of a dog – on a hunting trip) as his focal point of attack until Madrid acquired Emmanuel Adebayor on loan from Manchester City.

Adebayor returned to City at the end of the season (partly because his performance failed to meet expectations and because City asked too much for him), and Madrid has yet to sign a new striker (they’ve signed winger Jose Maria Callejon, midfielders Fabio Coentrao and Nuri Sahin, and defenseman Rafael Varane so far).

So who will Madrid sign to lead the attack? Several names are up in the air including Sergio Agüero (Atletico de Madrid), Neymar (Santos) and Carlos Tevez (Manchester City).

Related articles

• Mourinho: Real Madrid need one more forward (theglobeandmail.com)
• Real Madrid need striker says Jose Mourinho (independent.co.uk)

Real Madrid Extends Contracts for Sergio Ramos and Pepe

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Real Madrid on Tuesday secured the futures of half of it’s back four: Sergio Ramos and Pepe.

Ramos, 25, signed a contract that will keep him in Madrid until the 2016-17 season. The defensive back joined Madrid from Sevilla in 2005. With Ramos, Madrid has won two Ligas, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.

Ramos is also a regularly featured player on the Spanish national squad and won the 2008 EuroCup and the 2010 World Cup.

Pepe, 28, signed a deal that will last until the 2015/16 season. The central defender joined Madrid in 2007 from Porto.