Real Madrid 1-1 Manchester United

Manchester United came away from the Bernabeu with a highly satisfactory Champions League draw against Real Madrid.Danny Welbeck gave United an early lead and a crucial away goal from Wayne Rooney's corner - but former United golden boy Cristiano Ronaldo responded with a classic header to draw Real level before the interval.In an enthralling encounter that lived up to Real coach Jose Mourinho's claim that it was "the match the world wanted to see", both sides created opportunities to take a crucial lead to Old Trafford for the second leg of this last-16 tie in three weeks' time.De Gea brilliantly turned Fabio Coentrao's shot on to the post early on and, as a tight and tense game entered its closing stages, Robin Van Persie saw his drive pushed on to the bar by Real keeper Diego Lopez and had another attempt scrambled off the line by Xabi Alonso seconds later.

United's Spanish keeper, returning to his home city after making his name as a youngster with Real's great rivals Atletico, distinguished himself with a succession of saves and a display that backed up Ferguson's claim that he is approaching maturity and growing into life at Old Trafford.The result leaves the second leg delicately balanced but even as United took the acclaim of their travelling fans it was clear much work is still to be done before they can contemplate a place in the last eight. Real ominously illustrated their attacking riches led by the magnificent Ronaldo, who will relish his return to Manchester.United were without captain Nemanja Vidic and it soon became clear that Phil Jones was not under orders to shadow Ronaldo, with Rooney pushed to the right flank.
The tone was set for a magnificent first half as Real poured forward into attack. Angel Di Maria went narrowly wide and it took a top-class save from De Gea to touch Coentrao's low drive on to the upright.
After surviving that early pressure, United exploited Real's weakness at set pieces to secure an away goal after 20 minutes as Welbeck pulled away from Sergio Ramos to meet Rooney's corner and angle a fine header away from Lopez.
For all Real's failings at the back, they were attacking United from all angles. It was no surprise when they restored parity on the half hour - and no surprise that the source was Ronaldo.
In a moment reminiscent of his goal for United in the 2008 Champions League victory against Chelsea in Moscow, Ronaldo hung in the air to meet Di Maria's delivery and direct a header past the diving De Gea.
The celebration against his former club was subdued but this iconic arena did not hold back as his name rang around the Bernabeu.
United, however, had been encouraged by Real's defensive frailties as a stretching Welbeck almost produced the perfect response, only to direct his finish off target. Rooney then gave Real another anxious moment by shooting narrowly wide.Mourinho was prowling his technical area throughout and responded to chants of "sit down Mourinho" from United's travelling support perched high to his right with an imperious wave.Real maintained their impetus after the break and De Gea was in action again with an athletic stop at the far post to block Coentrao once more.Little had been seen of Van Persie, apart from an early yellow card after a clash with Sergio Ramos, but he burst into the action and could have twice restored United's lead.He was unfortunate as his rising shot was touched on to the bar by Lopez but he was guilty of a bad miss when he was presented with time and space in the area seconds later.As Real waited for an offside flag that never came, the normally clinical striker miscued his shot and its lack of power allowed Alonso to recover and clear off the line.De Gea rescued United again with 11 minutes left as Real continued to press, diving away to his right to clutch Sami Khedira's effort.Van Persie had one more chance to snatch a win for United in the closing seconds, but his angled drive was touched to safety by Lopez.

Real Madrid £20m Bid for Nani

Real Madrid are reportedly lining up a surprise swoop for Manchester United winger Nani.Nani, whose contract expires in 2014, has yet to agree a new deal Old Trafford, despite Manchester United’s desire to extend his stay at the club.And according to protransfers.ru, Real Madrid are poised to capitalise on Nani’s failure to agree a new contract by testing United’s resolve with a £19.7m offer for the 25-year-old.
The Spanish champions believe their proposal could be boosted by the fact that Nani’s agent Jorge Mendes also represents Cristiano Ronaldo and Bernabeu boss Jose Mourinho.
However, free-spending Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala are also interested in Nani, and they’ve earmarked the Portuguese winger as the latest high-profile target to join the club.

Real Madrid join Manchester United in chase for Fulham star

Spanish champions Real Madrid have become the latest big club to show interest in Belgium and Fulham play maker Moussa Dembele.Dembele’s agent Jan de Visser disclosed that several top European clubs have inquired on the availability of the 25-year old including the Spanish giants."Real Madrid have contacted us and asked about Moussa Dembele's availability," De Visser stated to De Telegraaf."They are not the first big club to make inquiries about Moussa this summer, though."The 24-year-old Belgium midfielder has made a huge impression since his £5m move from AZ Alkmaar in 2010 and he has been a revelation for the Cottagers ever since he was assigned a deeper role in the middle of the pack.Manchester United have made reclaiming the Premier League title from arch-rivals Manchester City their top priority and Dembele has emerged as one of the potential acquisitions to spruce up the Red Devils’ midfield.The Cottagers are thought to demand at least £15million for the 25-year-old who was arguably their best performer last season.Fulham boss, Martin Jol has a tough balancing act up his sleeve since he is faced with the prospect of losing both his key attacking players this summer, with Clint Dempsey heavily linked with a move away to Liverpool.

Arsenal and Real Madrid battle to land Biglia

Real Madrid are in the hunt for Arsenal target Lucas Biglia after the midfielder claimed both clubs have been in contact.Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is a big admirer of the 26-year-old Argentina international, but so is Real chief Jose Mourinho and a battle for his signature looks to be on the cards.Anderlecht have come to terms with the fact they will be losing their star midfielder this summer but they are keen to get as much cash as possible and will be hoping for a bidding war between the two clubs.
"Real Madrid and Arsenal have both been in contact and I'll wait to see what happens," the player revealed. "I am still under contract with Anderlecht until 2015, but they know that I plan to leave."If a club offers the right price, Anderlecht will let me go."
That price is said to be £8million and Wenger will be hoping to get the green light from his board to make a move.

Anderlcht Midfielder Claims Arsenal Interest

Anderlecht midfielder Lucas Biglia says Arsenal and Real Madrid have both made contact over a possible move in the summer. Biglia will be allowed to leave the Belgian outfit at the end of the season if a club matches their £8million valuation and Biglia claims it is a straight scrap between the Gunners and Real. Arsenal have long been linked with the Argentina international, who has three years to run on his current deal, and Arsene Wenger could be ready to move after Anderlecht opened the door. "It's true that Real Madrid and Arsenal are interested in me," the 26-year-old told todomercadoweb.es. "I can say that Real Madrid have contacted my agent Enzo Montepaono to ask about my situation but so far there have only been contacts and no formal offers have arrived. "About Arsenal, I can tell you the same as before. Only Arsenal and Real Madrid have contacted us and now we are waiting. I have a contract with Anderlecht until 2015 but the club know what I want. My intention is to leave. "We have negotiated my buy-out clause and, if a club comes and pays the clause, Anderlecht will allow me to leave."

Real Mardrid Set to Bid £30M for Suarez

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is ready to step in and take advantage of the moment by making a £30m offer for Luis Suarez.The Uruguayan international is in the middle of a maelstrom and is currently serving an eight-game ban following his bust-up with Patrice Evra and he was also banned for a match and fined £20,000 for his gesture towards Fulham fans. Mourinho is trying to take advantage of the situation by making a surprise move for the player during the January transfer window, according to reports in Spain.Meanwhile, Kenny Dalglish has defended the club's support of Suarez and the players wearing a controversial T-shirt backing the striker before they played Wigan last month.He told the club's website: "Obviously there was a big issue with Luis. The players showed support for Luis which was fantastic, but then some people interpreted that wrongly as the players saying they're not interested in the fight against racism."That is totally and utterly rubbish. If we can help to eradicate racism or discrimination from any part of the society, with the help of anybody at Liverpool Football Club, then that help will be forthcoming. "We don't want racism anywhere near football and certainly not anywhere near this football club."

Former Real Madrid youngster turns down Bolton deal to join Kettering

Kettering backer Imraan Ladak

Former Real Madrid youngster Jaime Navarro has snubbed the chance of Premier League football to join Kettering Town. Navarro, 19, enjoyed a successful trial at Bolton Wanderers and boss Owen Coyle offered him a contract. But the ambitious Blue Square Premier outfit made an 11th hour bid for the free agent, who was advised by Cristiano Ronaldo to try his luck in England. And Navarro has been convinced to join the ambitious Poppies, believing regular first-team football will be better for his development. Kettering are backed by Asian businessman Imraan Ladak, who has moved the club to the former home of Rushden and Diamonds, Nene Park, and has lofty ambitions to take the club into the Football League. Navarro's agent Jonathan Hope said: "I am delighted to have agreed terms with Kettering Town. Imraan Ladak has big plans and put an offer on the table that was too good to turn down. "Jaime will develop further there and I stand by my statement he will play in the Premier League within three years. My sincere thanks go to Cristiano Ronaldo for helping me get this kid here."

Chelsea eye Pepe move

Reports in Spain claim Real Madrid defender Pepe is on Andre Villas-Boas' shopping list.The Chelsea boss is being linked with plenty of new talent in his first week at the club with a centre-half thought to be high up his list, and Madrid daily 'Marca' is reporting that the Portuguese centre-half is on his radar.Pepe has been at the Bernabeu since 2007 and has featured regularly for the club since his arrival. Chelsea are said to be preparing a lucrative €5m-per-season deal to make the move.Gary Cahill and Inter Milan's Lucio are also being linked with a move to Stamford bridge, while Anderlecht have indicated that the Blues are still interested in their wonderkid Romelu Lukaku.The Belgian club's director of football Herman van Holsbeeck has denied reports that Villas-Boas is not as keen on the striker -- who has been likened to Didier Drogba -- as his predecessor Carlo Ancelotti.But he says that Roman Abramovich will need to loosen his purse strings considerably in order to land the striker.

"People say the new Chelsea manager doesn't want Lukaku -- but they have different information to me," Van Holsbeeck said. "But we will only sell him if it is good for both ourselves and the player. We are asking serious money for him."

Real Mardrid Bid £45m for Fabregas

Real Madrid have contacted Arsenal about the availability of captain Cesc Fabregas and are ready to pay the Gunners £45m for the Spaniard, according to reports.Sky Sports News reporter and Spanish correspondent Graham Hunter believes Madrid have contacted the Gunners and enquired about Fabregas, with the La Liga giants ready to outbid rivals Barcelona.Fabregas has been linked with a move back ‘home’ to Barca for several years now and it has been highly expected that the move would finally go through this summer. However, the major stumbling block has always been Barca’s valuation of the player with them refusing to pay beyond £30m, which is well short of Arsenal valuation.However, Real are understood to be ready to submit a bid of £45m which may force Barcelona to up their offer. Arsenal would of course prefer to sell to the highest bidder but it’s unlikely Fabregas would consider a move to any other side except his boyhood team (Barcelona).

Xavi Alonso Linked With Move to Manchester United

Manchester United have been linked with a move for former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso. The Old Trafford side are desperate to find a player to replace Paul Scholes and see the Real Madrid star as the ideal man.

Spanish radio station Radio Cadena Ser, are today reporting that Sir Alex Ferguson is prepared to increase the wages that Alonso receives at the Bernabeu in order to bring the 29 year-old to Manchester.

Alonso has 86 international caps to date, and started every single match of Spain’s successful World Cup campaign in South Africa last summer. He made 52 appearances for Real last season and is seen as one of their key men.

A move to Manchester United would be a bitter pill for Liverpool fans to swallow, but Ferguson has been told that he has the money to spend and if he is prepared to pay the asking price then he may well succeed in getting his man.

Tottenham 0 - 1 Real Madrid (agg 0 - 5)

Tottenham's hopes of performing a Champions League miracle came to an inevitable conclusion as Real Madrid rounded off an emphatic quarter-final triumph with victory at White Hart Lane.Spurs boss Harry Redknapp made predictably defiant noises about the possibility of overturning Real's 4-0 lead from the first meeting at the Bernabeu - but in reality this was never a serious option against Jose Mourinho's side.

And so it proved as Real were helped on their way towards an 'El Clasico' confrontation with La Liga rivals Barcelona in the last four by a nightmare moment from Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes.Spurs had failed to make any inroads into Real's lead when Gomes fumbled a routine effort from Cristiano Ronaldo into the net five minutes after the break to complete the formalities and take Mourinho a step closer to a Champions League final with a third club.Redknapp's players did everything in their power to clear the huge obstacle in front of them and were unfortunate not to be awarded an early penalty when Luka Modric looked to be brought down by Xabi Alonso.
It was a rare moment of discomfort for Real as Spurs' Champions League campaign fizzled out in low-key fashion in front of their own supporters, who showed their appreciation for the efforts of their players in Europe with warm applause, even in disappointment, at the final whistle.
Spurs must now turn their attentions towards overhauling Manchester City in the race for a top-four place to ensure they return to this stage next season - but they can take great credit from the manner in which they have acquitted themselves in Europe's elite competition.

The night Inter Milan were soundly beaten at White Hart Lane and the victory against AC Milan in the San Siro will live long in the memory. They were undone, however, by Real's superior quality as well as the self-destruct button Peter Crouch pressed so spectacularly with his early red card in Madrid.
Spurs knew only an early goal would provide them with the faintest hope of somehow turning around Real's advantage from the first leg, but Mourinho's men were resolute and their only moments of serious anxiety came from three penalty claims.
Gareth Bale went down far too easily with Alonso in close attendance and Italian referee Nicola Rizzi was right to ignore the appeals.
A second incident involving the former Liverpool midfield man, this time as he challenged Modric, was a much closer call and Real were fortunate to get the benefit of the official's doubt.
The frustration continued as Roman Pavlyuchenko was involved in another collision in the box with Real defender Raul Albiol but once again there was no response from Rizzi.
Pavlyuchenko had Spurs' best opportunity of the first half when Aaron Lennon found himself unmarked 12 yards out, only for the Russian to sky his attempt well over the top. He also tested Iker Casillas with a long-range effort that was held comfortably by the Real keeper.
The Spanish side's responses were fleeting but their main business was closing out the tie with no alarms.
They did suffer one setback, however, when Ricardo Carvalho was booked for a foul on Tom Huddlestone that means the influential former Chelsea defender misses the first leg of the semi-final against Barcelona.

Spurs were threatened when Sergio Ramos met Mesut Ozil's corner, only to see his header turned away by Gomes.
The brutal truth was that the game was up after those 90 harrowing minutes in Madrid but any lingering hope Spurs had of provoking an unlikely collapse from Real was snuffed out in one dreadful moment for Gomes.
Ronaldo's effort from 25 yards travelled more in hope than expectation but the Brazilian fumbled hopelessly and even botched his attempt to recover the situation as the ball crept over the line.
It was then all about limiting the damage and clawing back a measure of respectability for Spurs and Pavlyuchenko had a chance to at least draw them level on the night but he headed Lennon's cross over the top when unmarked.
Lennon was then withdrawn by Spurs and replaced by Jermain Defoe, who wasted no time in testing Casillas with a low 20-yard effort that he turned away.
Spurs, to their credit, continued to battle and almost scored when Casillas misjudged Rafael van der Vaart's corner and Defoe almost smuggled home the loose ball.
Tottenham left themselves with an insurmountable task after the first leg and now must focus their attention fully on the Premier League.

Spurs take a "Real" smashing

A goal in each half from former Arsenal front-man Emmanuel Adebayor, a third from Angel di Maria and late fourth from Cristiano Ronaldo plus an early red card for Peter Crouch all conspired to ruin Tottenham's big night at the Bernabeu.Now a performance even better than previous successes against Inter and AC Milan in the second leg at White Hart Lane will be needed for Harry Redknapp's side to carry on their amazing Champions League adventure.It is unlikely to happen though and Spurs must already know that Jose Mourinho is set to head into the semi-final of the competition he has already won with Porto and Inter.

Whatever Tottenham's pre-match plans were, they needed to be changed seconds before kick-off when Aaron Lennon was taken sick and had to be replaced in the starting line-up by Jermaine Jenas.They held out for all of four minutes when Jenas failed to pick Adebayor up from a corner and the ex-Arsenal striker powered Real in front, with Luka Modric, the man on the line, unable to keep out a header that had already beaten goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.The Togo striker, on loan from Manchester City and shorn of the long locks he sported in England, loved playing against Tottenham when he was a Gunner and this was his ninth goal against them.

It was a very disappointing start from the visitors given that it was extremely unlikely that the diminutive Lennon would have been handed the job of marking Adebayor from set-pieces so it was a mystery why Jenas was his challenger.Further disaster was not far away when Crouch, who had already been booked for a foul on Sergio Ramos, lunged at Marcelo and was shown another yellow and an inevitable red. Just 15 minutes were on the clock and Rafael van der Vaart was left on his own up front against the team that sold him in August.

Gareth Bale was always going to be Tottenham's main hope of turning the tide and he fired into the side-netting before being fouled by Pepe on another pacy counter-attack but the half ended with the action at the other end, with Michael Dawson and then William Gallas surviving strong penalty appeals.

Van der Vaart was replaced by Defoe for the start of the second half but Adebayor made it 2-0 with another unchallenged header, this time from a cross from the left from Marcelo, in the 57th minute.

Gomes tipped over another Adebayor header to prevent him from claiming the match ball but Real kept the pressure on an Di Maria beat the Brazilian with a thunderbolt into the top corner with 18 minutes remaining.

A three-goal margin would have given Spurs a slim hope of over-turning the deficit but Ronaldo's fourth - a low drive that beat Gomes at his near post - changed that.

Bolton loan star to decide on future in the summer

Bolton's on-loan striker Rodrigo Moreno will not make a decision on his future until the end of the season.
Manager Owen Coyle has expressed a desire to sign the Spanish Under-20 international on a permanent deal from Benfica in the summer - but Moreno is keeping his options open.
Real Madrid signed the forward from Celta Vigo in 2009 but, after failing to establish himself in the senior side, he was sold to Benfica in a deal which contained buy-back option.
And Moreno admits that he "would love" a return to Madrid in the future.
He said: "Things happened very fast in the summer but I am very happy at Bolton. The adaptation has been fairly easy to me because my mates, the club and the fans have helped a lot.
"Have I closed the door on a return to Madrid? Not at all - neither Real Madrid nor Benfica.
"Real Madrid have sold me with a repurchase option. Obviously, my performances will decide whether that option becomes effective or not.
"I would love to return to Real Madrid - it would be ridiculous to deny it. But right now I have to keep doing it to get to Madrid, or any another big European team.
"Now the first and the only thing I think about is finishing the season at Bolton in the best way possible. Then at the end of the year we will see what happens; if I stay at Bolton or I return to Benfica, or what."

Ronaldo injury boosts Tottenham Champions League quest

Tottenham Hotspur have been given a massive boost ahead of their upcoming Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid with the news that Cristiano Ronaldo looks like missing the encounter with a hamstring injury.
The Portugal international, who arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu from Manchester United in the summer of 2009 for a world-record transfer fee of £80 million, has only just returned to first-team action following a similar injury.
However, he was forced to be substituted after 73 minutes of Saturday’s Madrid derby complaining of pain and soreness in his left thigh, which the club’s doctors later diagnosed as a hamstring tear.
A statement released by Madrid on Sunday revealed that the 26 year old is likely to be out of action for "between two to three weeks, depending on his progress".
And, with the two clubs due to clash in the first leg of their last-eight showdown on April 5th in the Spanish capital, before the second leg at White Hart Lane on April 13th, it looks more than likely that Ronaldo will be missing from the contest.

Champions League Draw

Chelsea and Manchester United have been drawn to face each other in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, while Tottenham will play Real Madrid.
Barcelona meet Shakhtar Donetsk, with reigning champions Inter Milan drawn against Schalke.
Chelsea or United will go on to face either Inter or Schalke, while the winners of the other two last eight ties will meet in the other semi-final.
The quarter-final ties will be played on 5/6 and 12/13 April.
Chelsea have yet to win the Champions League and will have revenge on their minds after losing the 2008 Champions League final to United on penalties in Moscow.
The first leg between the Premier League rivals will take place at Stamford Bridge with United, who have won Europe's top competition three times, at home for the second leg.
Their tie means at least one English team is guaranteed a place in the semi-finals of the Champions League and the chance to make it to the final at Wembley on 28 May.
Whoever does win will play the first leg of their semi-final against inter or Schalke away with the return at home.
Spurs knocked out AC Milan in the last round and will travel to the Bernabeu for the first leg of their tie against Real Madrid before hosting the nine-time winners at White Hart Lane in the second leg.
Tottenham, who reached the European Cup semi-finals in 1962 when they lost to Benfica, will be out to stop Real manager Jose Mourinho's attempts to become the first man to win the Champions League with three different clubs.
Mourinho led Porto to glory in the competition in 2004 and guided Inter to victory last season before making the switch from the San Siro to Spain.
He has ended a run of Real Madrid failing to make it through to the last eight since 2004, with their last win in the Champions League coming in 2002.
Mourinho said: "I'm happy not because it is easy but because I love to play in England."
Spurs and Real Madrid met in the quarter-finals of the 1984/85 Uefa Cup when the Spanish side won 1-0 at White Hart Lane before a goalless draw at the Bernabeu helped them advance before they went on to win the trophy that season.
The tie between them promises goals as Tottenham, managed by Harry Redknapp, and Real have scored the most goals of the remaining teams with 19 apiece, although the Spanish outfit have let in only three while Spurs have conceded 11.
If Spurs do progress they have been drawn to be at home for the first leg of a potential semi-final against favourites Barcelona or last eight debutants Shakhtar and away for the second leg.
Real and United are the only unbeaten teams left in this season's competition while Inter have lost three games, which is the most of any of the clubs contesting the quarter-finals.

Spanish press claim Kaka swap deal

Brazilian midfielder Kaka is being dangled as bait by Real Madrid as they eye a potential swap deal with Manchester City for Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor.
The former Monaco and Arsenal striker is currently on loan at the Bernabeu and appears to have impressed coach Jose Mourinho who now wants to seal a permanent deal for the attacker at the end of the season.
Kaka, who moved to Los Merengues from AC Milan in 2009 for a fee in the region of £56 million has struggled to match the impact made by fellow ‘galactico’ Ronaldo with injuries and poor form hampering his progress.
Tipped to end his time in Spain prematurely, the 2007 World Player of the Year, who is still only 28-years-old, is also reportedly still on Chelsea’s radar while nouveau-riche Russian outfit Rubin Kazan are also thought to be preparing a big money offer.

Adebayor to join Real in cut price deal

Emmanuel Adebayor could be allowed to join loan club Real Madrid in a cut-price £12million deal from Manchester City this summer.
The Togolese striker was signed from Arsenal by former City boss Mark Hughes in a deal worth around £25million in summer 2009.
However, as Adebayor lost his place in the side over the 12 months since Roberto Mancini took charge of the Eastlands hot-seat in December 2009, City were keen to get him off the wage bill in the recent January window in order to help fund their £27million signing of Edin Dzeko from Wolfsburg.
As a result it has now emerged that City requested a payment of £1.7million from Real Madrid to loan Adebayor for the next six months, with a further £12million to pay if the move is made permanent next summer - almost half of what they paid out to sign him from the Gunners.
Adebayor's chances of earning a full-time deal at the Bernabeu have been boosted after he scored twice in his first two games for Jose Mourinho's outfit.

Adebayor completes "dream" move to Real Madrid

Emmanuel Adebayor hopes to have put a turbulent 12 months behind him after completing what he described as a dream move to Real Madrid.Adebayor was presented at the Bernabeu today after joining Madrid on loan until the end of the season from Manchester City, with the Spanish giants having the option to buy the 26-year-old in the summer.The switch, which will see Adebayor help cover the loss of long-term injury victim Gonzalo Higuain, comes after a difficult 2010 for the former Togo captain both professionally and on a personal level.He initially proved a massive hit at City following his £25million move from Arsenal 18 months ago, but Adebayor's star faded after Roberto Mancini replaced Mark Hughes as manager.

Away from the pitch, Adebayor was scarred by tragedy last January after the Togo team bus was attacked by terrorists during the African Nations Cup in Angola.Speaking today, Adebayor admitted his start to this year could hardly have been more different to 12 months ago."My dream has come true to be able to play football again at the highest level, especially with Real Madrid," he said."After Arsenal, when I went to Man City, don't get me wrong, it's true that I had an up and down time, and I was nearly dead as well on the way to the African Nations Cup."I was a little bit traumatised by all those kinds if things and it was a very difficult moment for me and today all those kinds of things are behind me.

"2010 started very badly for me, but 2011 started very well by signing a contract with Real Madrid.
"Hopefully there's a lot of good coming my way, so I have to praise God that I'm still alive and I get the chance to wear the white shirt of Real Madrid."I'm very honoured and very, very happy to join this club. And for all that has happened over the last six months today I'm more comfortable, more relieved and I'm very happy."

When asked what went wrong for him under Mancini at City, Adebayor added: "I'm a footballer and what I need is to play football, to be out there on the pitch."What went wrong with Mancini and Manchester City? I don't think there's a lot of things wrong. Right now he's lost confidence in me. He doesn't have any confidence in me any more and he has decided to choose other players."So for me I'm very happy to be back again on the football pitch with Real Madrid and the chance to play football again."

Madrid were forced to enter the transfer market when Higuain was recently ruled out for up to four months after undergoing back surgery, leaving coach Jose Mourinho with Karim Benzema as his only senior striker.
With Higuain absent for a significant period and Benzema struggling to impress, Adebayor has the chance to push his claims for a permanent switch to Madrid over the next few months.However, the former Arsenal forward, who scored 19 goals in 43 games for City, is not looking too far ahead.He said: "At the moment I'm here for six months and I'm very honoured, and happy and grateful to wear Real Madrid shirt."The most important thing for me is to enjoy myself here and everybody is making me feel at home. I'm going to talk to the boss (Mourinho) to see how I can help the team win things.

"I'm a player who loves challenges, and who came here to achieve a lot of things.

"It's not going to be easy but I'm here to help the team achieve things."

He added: "I'm here to learn. Players never stop learning. I will learn and from then I will have to improve my game. I have to score goals, I have to create goals, I have to make things happen.

"I have to pay back all the people who have confidence in me by playing well on the pitch. Football isn't just about scoring goals - it's about attitude and what you can achieve and how you can help your team win games."

Real Madrid move for Man City striker after Ruud snub

Real Madrid have made a move for Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor, according to reports in Spain.
Bernabeu boss Jose Mourinho is in the hunt for a forward after losing Gonzalo Higuain to injury for the rest of the season.
Ruud van Nistelrooy was the Spanish club's number one target but, after Hamburg ruled out selling the Dutchman, Mourinho has turned his attention to Adebayor.
Real want the 26-year-old Togo star on loan for the rest of the season, say Spanish daily Marca, and are willing to cover 50 per cent of his £160,000-a-week wages.
The Catalan giants are also prepared to pay City €2 million and give them the option of a friendly match, claims the report.
Adebayor is desperate to quit Eastlands after falling down the pecking order, with Edin Dzeko, Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli all ahead of him, but it remains to be seen whether big-spending City will give him the green light to move.

Starlet snubs Man Unt and Real

Manchester United and Real Madrid have missed out to Porto who are on the verge of signing attacking starlet Juan Manuel Iturbe. The Portuguese giants are set to snap up the player with the ominous tag of being nicknamed 'the new Lionel Messi.'

The 17-year-old is currently representing Argentina at the Under-20 South American championships. It is reported that the transfer will cost Porto €1.5 million, with €1m going to Cerro Porteno and the rest to the player's agent and his father.

"Iturbe's family arrived [on Tuesday] in Portugal in the company of agent Gustavo Mascardi, to negotiate with FC Porto. Cerro Porteno waited for an agreement to be reached, to travel to Portugal too and close the transfer. This Wednesday we received word that the deal could be completed," Cerro Porteno spokesman Romeo Ortigoza told Maisfutebol.

"For the moment the family has reached an understanding with FC Porto, we would reach a compromise too. On our part there is no problem."

The player has been training with Argentine outfit Quilmes since August, but unable to play after a dispute from the Paraguayan side that they still owned the player's rights.