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    Karim Benzema scores stunning seven-minute hat-trick as Real Madrid batter Valladolid 6-0.. but is it all for nothing?

    KARIM BENZEMA scored three goals in seven minutes as Real Madrid brushed aside Real Valladolid, but they still trail behind rivals Barcelona. Los Blancos tore apart Valladolid 6-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu with their Ballon D’or winning striker proving to be the star man.
    Karim Benzema was in scintillating form once again as he scored a hat-trick

    The Frenchman completed his hat-trick with a stunning acrobatic finish to add the cherry on top of his performance.
    He was joined on the scoresheet by Rodrygo, Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez.
    Benzema has now scored 14 league goals this season, but is still second in the top scorers charts with Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski leading the way after netting 17 times.
    Real Madrid find themselves in a similar position in the league table as they currently sit in second place, miles off Barcelona who are 12 points ahead at the top of the pile.
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    The Catalan giants have been running away with the league under boss Xavi and it seems Carlo Ancelotti’s men have little hope of chasing them down.
    With only 11 games left to play time is running out for a spectacular title charge from Madrid.
    The two sides face each other on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey.
    Real may have to turn their attention to the Champions League as they gear up for quarter-final clash with Chelsea.
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    The two sides face off in the first leg of the tie on April 12 with the Spanish side heavy favourites against a struggling Chelsea team under Graham Potter.
    Real Madrid will be hoping to advance to the semi-finals as they seek to add a 15th Champions League to their trophy cabinet. More

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    Chelsea fans troll Real Madrid by asking ‘haven’t you learned from Eden Hazard?’ amid Reece James transfer talk

    CHELSEA fans have trolled Real Madrid amid rumours they want to sign Reece James. The LaLiga side supposedly want to sign both Jude Bellingham and the Blues defender this summer.
    Reece James is reportedly wanted by Real MadridCredit: Alamy
    Fans have trolled Real Madrid, comparing Eden Hazard’s injury hit spell at the club to Reece James’ fitness troublesCredit: Reuters
    Outlet AS report that the two England stars are their top two transfer targets.
    Chelsea have a history of losing players to Real Madrid, with the likes of Thibaut Courtois, Antonio Rudiger and Eden Hazard all switching West London for the Spanish capital.
    Hazard made the move in 2019 for a fee of £88million and has struggled with persistent injuries since.
    The Belgian has only played 73 times for the club, scoring just seven goals.
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    James has had similar regular injury troubles, missing 18 Chelsea matches this season and the World Cup.
    It has led to fans joking that Real Madrid risk making the same mistake by signing an injury prone Premier League star.
    One supporter said: “Madrid wants a taste of James’ injury record. I thought they’ve learnt from Hazard.”
    Another reacted: “Reece James would play like two games, get injured and then not be seen again until 2028.”
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    A third added: “Hazard all over again.”
    James penned a new deal at Stamford Bridge in September, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2028.
    The Blues are supposedly ready to offload a number of players at the end of the season to trim a bloated squad, yet the 23-year-old is not one up for sale. More

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    Eden Hazard emerges as Fenerbahce’s No1 transfer target as Real Madrid prepare to put ex-Chelsea star on market

    FENERBAHCE want to sign Real Madrid star Eden Hazard, according to reports.The Chelsea icon has been plagued with injury during his spell in Spain and has been limited to just seven appearances this season.
    Eden Hazard turned down Fenerbahce in JanuaryCredit: Getty
    A transfer could be on the horizon but Hazard has remained stubborn in the past and appears determined to stay at the Bernabeu.
    Turkish giants Fenerbahce are keen on the winger and have made him their No1 transfer target this summer, according to Mundo Deportivo.
    It is believed they tried to sign Hazard in January and reached an agreement with Real over a transfer.
    But the Belgian rejected the chance to move, and will take some persuading to make the switch when the transfer window re-opens.
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    However it appears Hazard could be more willing to switch clubs in the summer, as it provides him with more time to organise his life and move his family to a new home.
    He said: “I have one more year and I have to show [what I can do] but it isn’t easy. I’m not playing, I want to play more. I’m really sorry about what has happened.
    “In January it’s impossible [to leave, because I have my family and I like the city.
    “But in the summer it’s possible that I leave. I have a year left on my contract and it’s a decision for the club.
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    “If the club says ‘Eden, thanks for these four years, but you have to go’ I’ll have to accept it.
    “[I’d give myself] a zero in terms of playing, because I haven’t played,” he said, when asked to grade his time at Madrid. “But a 10 in terms of how I feel in this moment with the team. I’m not playing, but being a Real Madrid player was my dream as a kid. I want to play for this club.” More

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    Man City ‘monitoring Celta Vigo wonderkid Gabri Veiga’ with Man Utd and Newcastle also chasing transfer

    MANCHESTER CITY have joined Man Utd and Newcastle in trailing Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga.That’s the claim from Spain as the LaLiga side fight an uphill battle to keep the 20-year-old beyond this summer.
    Celta Vigo say four Prem giants are keen on attacking midfielder Gabri VeigaCredit: Rex
    Real Madrid are also thought to be keen, with Veiga understood to have a £35million release clause.
    Etihad chief Pep Guardiola has one eye on strengthening in midfield.
    That’s partly because City duo Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva face uncertain futures in the summer 
    And Celta president Carlos Mourino accepts holding onto Veiga is virtually impossible – not least financially.

    He also revealed that at least four Premier League clubs are seriously interested.
    Mourino said: “We want to keep Gabri Veiga but it will be impossible due to his release clause.
    “We don’t want to sell, but they are going to buy him from us. And we can’t do anything there.
    “We know some of his offers and it is impossible to reach them.
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    “There are several teams behind Gabri. Real Madrid? They haven’t asked us, we don’t know if they will have called the player. 
    “Of the top 10 in the Premier League, four have asked about him.” More

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    Borussia Dortmund ‘have secret plan to keep Jude Bellingham’ in transfer blow to Man Utd, Chelsea, City and Liverpool

    BORUSSIA DORTMUND reportedly have a “secret plan” to keep hold of star player Jude Bellingham.The England international is one of the most sought after talents in European football with a host of clubs interested in signing him this summer.
    Borussia Dortmund are reportedly planning a new contract for Jude BellinghamCredit: Getty
    Sides such as Chelsea, Man City, Man United, Liverpool and Real Madrid have all been credited with an interest in the midfielder.
    However, they could all be set for disappointment in their pursuit of Bellingham as Dortmund are determined to keep him at Signal Iduna Park.
    According to the German media outlet Bild, Dortmund are hoping to keep hold of him for one more season.
    The club are planning to offer him a new contract that would see his salary increase by 150 per cent up to £13million for the year.
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    The outlet also claims that his contract would include a release clause of £131m.
    This would allow the 19-year-old to leave the club to potential buyers while also guaranteeing the Bundesliga side a large transfer fee.
    This means that interested clubs would have to wait another year to sign the former Birmingham City prospect.
    The report suggests that Real Madrid are currently the favourites to sign Bellingham.
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    The LaLiga side are looking for replacements for veteran duo Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, with both contracts expiring at the end of the current season.
    However, Dortmund could be boosted in their hopes of keeping Bellingham should the veterans sign new deals at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. More

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    Tottenham under pressure from Real Madrid to appoint Nagelsmann with Spanish side approaching ex-Bayern boss years ago

    TOTTENHAM could have competition in the race for Julian Nagelsmann as it emerges that Real Madrid are reportedly big admirers of the boss. A managerial merry-go round appears to have been sparked in Europe in recent days after Bayern Munich surprisingly sacked their manager and replaced him with Thomas Tuchel.
    It ended unhappily for Nagelsmann at Bayern – and his sacking could spark a frenzied manager hunt in EuropeCredit: Getty
    The development came as Spurs finally parted company with Conte on Sunday evening.
    Meanwhile, speculation continues to link Ancelotti with the Brazilian international job.
    If Spurs are considering Nagelsmann as Conte’s replacement, it appears possible that Madrid may be in the hunt as well.
    The Times reports that Spurs “might have to move fast” to land the highly-rated coach.
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    The 35-year-old coach was on the radar of Real Madrid after they sacked Julen Lopetegui in 2018 but Nagelsmann remain focused on Hoffenheim, the German club where he made his name as a coach.
    He said in 2021: “I received a call, 2 years ago, from Real Madrid, they wanted to know me and my philosophy better. If they call me again in the future, the decision might be different.
    “Back then, I didn’t have time to prepare, learn Spanish and lacked the experience.”
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    Nagelsmann is one of the many names who has been linked to Tottenham.
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    The German reportedly owns a replica of the club shirt and is an admirer of the club.
    And it may not just be Madrid that Spurs have to compete with if they do go for the coach.
    Following their last-16 Champions League exit, Christophe Galtier is believed to be under pressure at PSG.
    While Simone Inzaghi of Inter Milan and AC Milan’s Stefano Pioli are both under pressure in Italy after underwhelming seasons.
    Cristian Stellini has been given the Spurs job until the end of the season. More

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    Man Utd transfer blow as Real Madrid set to offer Camavinga new contract with eye-watering release clause

    MANCHESTER UNITED look set to miss out on Eduardo Camavinga as Real Madrid open new contract talks with the midfielder.The 20-year-old joined Real Madrid in 2021 for £26million as a long-term replacement for Casemiro.
    Real Madrid are keen to keep Man Utd target Eduardo CamavingaCredit: AFP
    Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag has been looking to sign the star playerCredit: AP
    Madrid want a reported £115million for the six-cap French international, with United willing to break their club record to sign him.
    However, Los Blancos have made a bold move in their attempt to lock down Camavinga, which could jeopardise United chances of pinching the player.
    According to The Athletic, the Spanish team have responded to United’s moves by offering the Frenchman a potential €1billion (£874million) release clause.
    The club had also given this to Eder Militao, Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior last summer. 
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    The new release clause would make it almost impossible for Ten Hag’s team to secure Camavinga, even with the sale of the club looming.
    Camavinga has played a key role within Real Madrid, who are preparing for major changes with veteran duo Luka Modric and Toni Kroos both potentially leaving this summer.
    He has seen massive success with the Spanish club, winning both LaLiga and the Champions League in the last year.
    The midfielder also helped in France’s bid for the World Cup in December, and has just joined the national squad for their matches during this month’s break.
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    This success has made him a key target for clubs including Man Utd.
    United have also been targeting Frenkie de Jong and possibly a new goalkeeper as David De Gea’s contract runs down.
    The Red Devils have also prioritised looking for a new forward for the summer, with Harry Kane, Tammy Abraham and Victor Osimhen heavily linked with the club.
    However, if plans to sell the club fall through these manoeuvrings may end up falling through.
    Madrid face Valladolid next weekend in their next match in LaLiga, and Chelsea in the quarter-final of the Champions League on April 12. More

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    Ex-Arsenal star Mesut Ozil snubbed Barcelona for Real Madrid thanks to ‘disappointing’ Pep Guardiola

    MESUT OZIL has revealed that a “disappointing” experience with Pep Guardiola led to him snubbing Barcelona in favour of Real Madrid.The former Arsenal winger announced he is hanging up his boots at the age of 34 on Thursday.
    Mesut Ozil has blamed Pep Guardiola for him snubbing Barcelona back in 2010Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    He says Jose Mourinho went all out to get him to sign for Real MadridCredit: Getty
    Ozil decided to call time on his career midway through Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir’s season.
    He thanked all of the clubs he played for, including the Gunners and Real Madrid, but admitted that injuries in recent months had taken their toll.
    Ozil’s retirement brings to an end a career stacked with trophies, with the playmaker once regarded as the best No10 in world football.
    Bursting onto the scene with Schalke in 2006, Ozil became a certified Bundesliga star when he joined Werder Bremen in 2008.
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    But it was his epic performances for Germany at the 2010 World Cup which secured a £13million move to Real Madrid that same summer.
    However, it could all have been very different if the then Barcelona manager Guardiola had made a bit more effort to meet him.
    Speaking to Marca about his exit from Werder Bremen, he revealed: “That was a decision between Real Madrid and Barcelona. And in the end it was not a matter of money.
    “I don’t know if this is known, but I visited Madrid and Barcelona at that time and the difference was Jose Mourinho.
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    “Mou gave me a VIP visit to Real Madrid. He took me to see the stadium and all the trophies they had won. That gave me goosebumps.
    “The visit in Barcelona was less enthusiastic and what was more disappointing is that Pep Guardiola didn’t bother to meet me.
    “Before that trip I really liked Barcelona’s style of football and I could really imagine playing with them, but Madrid went all out.
    “So Jose Mourinho was without a doubt the most important factor in my decision. After my visits, my decision was one hundred percent clear: I wanted to be a Madridista.”
    Ozil won the LaLiga crown and the Copa del Rey during his time in the Spanish capital before Arsenal came calling.
    The Gunners paid £42.5m for Ozil in 2013, with him quickly becoming an Emirates cult hero.
    Ozil ended up with 44 goals in 254 for Arsenal, winning an incredible three FA Cups in four years.
    And it was during this time that he lifted the World Cup with Germany at Brazil 2014.
    But back at Arsenal, Ozil started to find his minutes limited under Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta following Arsene Wenger’s exit.
    And Ozil eventually moved to Turkey with Fenerbahce in January 2021 after having his contract terminated.
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    Ozil lasted 18 months with the Istanbul giants before joining city rivals Basaksehir last summer.
    But he failed to score in just eight appearances for his new side before calling time on his career, last playing in a Super Lig defeat to Kayserispor on February 2.
    Mesut Ozil spent three years at the Bernabeu before joining ArsenalCredit: PA:Empics Sport More