With the FIFA World Cup over, the main focus in football shifts towards the Summer transfer window. Many moves have already been made by large and small clubs, but there is not a more active and exciting club during transfer windows that Real Madrid. These three players have been heavily linked with a move to the Bernabeu over the past few weeks:
Toni Kroos
Germany and Bayern Munich star Toni Kroos has practically packed his bags for the Bernabeu. Many reports are circulating that Toni Kroos has already agreed to terms with Real Madrid, which includes a five year contract worth £160,000 a week.
A week ago Toni Kroos was asked by reporters on his decision to leave current club Bayern Munich, but continued to push it aside.
“I’ve said all along I will not make a decision on my future during the World Cup.” Kroos reiterated to reporters. “I can’t comment on every article that comes out in the press. When the World Cup is over, I’ll make my decision and something will be announced.
“That won’t happen in the tournament. I won’t sign anything while I’m with the squad.”
Now that the World Cup is over, and Germany have won it all, Kroos surprisingly came out and told reporters that he is going to Real Madrid, despite no confirmation from his agent.
“We’ve finished the World Cup in the best way possible. Now I’m going to Madrid, so that’s two dreams achieved.”
His agent Volker Struth has denied such reports, and insists a deal has not been sealed off yet. Struth mentioned to the press that they will talk it out in the next couple of days,“We’ll sit down and decide what’s to be done.”
Struth added, “We will announce his decision either on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning.”
Toni Kroos is unhappy with his contract situation with Bayern Munich, and is almost definitely on the way out of the club.
Manchester Untied have also been linked with a move for the German International.
James Rodriguez
Another heavily linked player with Real Madrid this summer is Colombian and AS Monaco youngster James Rodriguez. He has been rumored to leave current French club giants Monaco after his fantastic displays at the FIFA World Cup.
With links to almost ever league in every country, Rodriguez would prefer transferring to La Liga in Spain for he believes it would better suit his style over the physical English Premier League.
“I would love to play in Spain. It would be a dream to play there; it is the best league in the world. I prefer Real Madrid to Barcelona,” Rodriguez said via FourFourTwo.
James admits it would be a dream to play for Los Galacticos.
“It would be a dream to play for Real Madrid but at the end of it all, I respect my club who has the final say. I respect all the other teams, fans and players of other clubs but Real Madrid will always be Real Madrid.”
“It makes me profoundly proud that a club like Real Madrid is interested in me. It’s like a dream.”
Once again James Rodriguez insists that that playing for Real Madrid would be, can be, and is a dream.
“Playing with Cristiano, Benzema and Bale would be a dream. If it happens, I just want to enjoy it.”
Rodriguez relishes the history of the club and knows the greats that passed by through the Spanish giants.
“I’ve liked Real Madrid since the days of Zidane, Ronaldo and ‘The Galácticos.”
With James Rodriguez heavily targeted, and Monaco unwilling to give up their young starlet for a low price, Rodriguez is becoming almost impossible to buy. As of late his transfer price had shot up to over €100m. Not many teams regard him as worth that kind of money.
Carlos Carpio of Marca.com provided an update on the financial situation regarding Rodriguez’s transfer.
“The player’s agent had claimed that it would take an estimated €75m transfer fee to seal the deal. Given that the player does not have a release clause, the club needed to negotiate directly with Monaco.
“That step has now been taken. Meetings have taken place in Madrid this week between the French club’s president, Dmitry Rybolovlev, and Real Madrid. The Russian tycoon went in high asking for an astronomical €115m initially. Following arduous negotiations in the two meetings, ‘Los Blancos’ managed to lower the asking price to €85m.”
Radamel Falcao
Falcao has been the quietest of the bunch. There were several links with him moving to Madrid a few weeks ago but those talks seem to have cooled down. Monaco is surely not willing to lose both of their players in James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao.
Monaco has not been confronted about Falcao according to their vice president.
“There are no negotiations with any club for Falcao,” said Monaco’s vice-president Vadim Vasilyev on Thursday.
He continued by saying everyone has the ability to be transferred, so anything can happen.
“Nobody is not transferable, I don’t know of any examples in football – yet there is no discussion, we rely on him.”
Monaco signed the 27-year-old Colombian for a reported £50m last summer.
