Real Madrid round-up: Ronaldo, Isco, Benzema, Lucas Vázquez...
The bookies have installed Ronaldo as the firm favourite to win the Ballon d'Or, while Milan are interested in Isco and Lazio want Lucas VázquezReal Madrid-Gremio: Club World Cup final 2017
AC Milan want Isco
Milan’s new owners, the snappily titled Chinese conglomerate Sino-Europe Sports Investment Management Changxing, reportedly have a clause in the contract that bought out Silvio Berlusconi after 30 years obliging them to spend 350 million euros over the next three years. Sources have told AS that a chunk of that will be aimed Real Madrid’s way this summer in exchange for Isco as Milan seek to regain their place among Europe’s elite. With James Rodríguez digging in his heels – with the backing of Florentino Pérez – Isco is seen as the prized asset most likely to be sold. Having missed out on the European Championship after a modest season at the Bernabéu, the player may feel it’s time to seek regular first team action.
Ronaldo a golden bet
The bookmakers have installed the Portuguese as overwhelming favourite to pick up his fourth Ballon d’Or next January. Sky Bet are offering odds of 1.4 on the euro for Ronaldo, compared to 7/1 for Leo Messi and 10/1 on Antoine Griezmann. Bwin go even further, offering just over evens on Ronaldo (1.15), 6/1 on Messi and Luis Suárez, 7/1 on Griezmann and 21/1 on Gareth Bale.
Coentrão back in training
The Portuguese left back, who spent last season on loan at Monaco, is back at Valdebebas after surgery to fix a hamstring problem. Coentrão was in some fine form for the Ligue 1 side until injuries started to take their toll and Real will hope he can remain fit for 2016-17 as back-up to Marcelo, with few attractive alternatives to deputize for the Brazilian in the absence of the experienced former Benfica man.
Lazio keen on Lucas Vázquez
Corriere dello Sport claimed on Saturday that Simone Inzaghi has cast his eye towards the Spanish capital in his search for a new winger after the departure of Italy international Antonio Candreva to Inter Milan. A year ago the move might have made perfect sense but Vázquez has endeared himself to Zinedine Zidane and the Bernabéu and will prefer to remain where he is, particularly after breaking into the Spain team last season.
Benzema in fitness race for Supercup
The Real striker is putting in extra hours at Valdebebas in a bid to be fit in time for the European Supercup against Sevilla in Trondheim on Tuesday. Benzema has been struggling with a hip problem and did not feature during Real’s pre-season tour of the US. Zidane is keen to try out a 4-4-2 with Álvaro Morata partnering Benzema but may not take the risk against Sevilla, which would leave him with just the Spain international and Mariano as options to lead the line. The canterano, who was promoted from Castilla this summer, outscored Morata in Real’s three pre-season matches.