Trent Alexander-Arnold shows off fluent Spanish at Real Madrid unveiling after learning for ‘a few months’

Trent Alexander-Arnold surprisingly gave his welcome speech entirely in Spanish as Real Madrid unveiled their new signing at the Estadio Bernabeu.

Alexander-Arnold, 26, arrives after 20 years at boyhood club Liverpooljoining for a fee of £10m to ensure his participation at the Club World Cup.

opting not to extend his contract at Anfield, an announcement which was made at the beginning of May.

However, Alexander-Arnold’s first words as a Real Madrid player indicate his decision to leave was far from a last-minute one as he showed off his impressive Spanish at the welcome ceremony.

“This doesn’t happen every day,” Alexander-Arnold said in the language of his new employers. “It’s a dream come true, I’m very happy and proud to be here.

“I want to show Real Madrid fans how I play. I do realise I’m signing for Real Madrid and that the demands are high, but I’m going to give my all for the team. I want to win many titles and play alongside the best players.”

In his press conference, he confirmed he had been learning for a “few months”.

The ceremony kicked off with a montage of his greatest moments for Liverpool, among which included his famous performance against El Clasico rivals Barcelona in the Champions League in 2019, where he caught the Blaugrana defence napping from a corner to set up the Reds’ crucial fourth goal on the night.

Alexander-Arnold was instrumental in Liverpool winning Europe’s most prestigious trophy that year, and later added two Premier League titles, two Carabao Cups, an FA Cup and a Club World Cup to his accolade collection across 354 appearances.

The Liverpudlian left his home side on imperfect terms, with his first appearance after announcing his departure seeing him booed by the Anfield faithful. However, as he collected his Premier League winners medal on the final day of the season, a teary-eyed Alexander-Arnold was met with cheers in what was heart-warming send-off.

Alexander-Arnold will wear the number 12 shirt - forced to ditch his famed 66 due to LaLiga rules - but has also changed the name that will appear on his back, opting for ‘Trent’ over his surname.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was sure to hail Alexander-Arnold’s arrival at the ceremony, who joins in time for the start of the Club World Cup next week.

Trent Alexander-Arnold lifted the Premier League title on his Liverpool send-off (PA Wire)

“This is a very special day for Real Madrid fans worldwide,” Perez said. “One of the best right-backs in world football who played for one of the best clubs in the world. A legend in the game at 26 years old, today we welcome him to our family, a player who wants to don the famous Real Madrid jersey.

“We’d like to thank you for joining our club we know it means a lot, you could have signed for any club worldwide but you wanted to commit your future to Real Madrid. Our fans will never forget that gesture.”

when they take on Saudi side Al-Hilal on Wednesday 18 June at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.

Source: https://onefootball.com/en/news/trent-alexander-arnold-shows-off-fluent-spanish-at-real-madrid-unveiling-after-learning-for-a-few-months-41236671

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liam Delap, Matheus Cunha: Every major deal so far as transfer deadline approaches

 Big transfers have already been completed with the first window set to close

The summer transfer window’s first deadline is approaching ahead of the upcoming Club World Cup.

Because of the newly expanded tournament, FIFA allowed for an earlier opening of the market so that clubs could sign and register players in time for the inaugural competition.

Chelsea and Manchester City have done so with the signings of Liam Delap and Rayan Ait-Nouri respectively.

On the continent, Real Madrid completed the signing of Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool, and paid a fee to the Premier League champions to ensure that he was on the plane to the United States with them.

Bayern Munich did similar with Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah, who arrives to provide fresh impetus to Vincent Kompany’s backline.

In the Premier League, Ruben Amorim’s rebuild at Manchester United is already underway with the signing of Wolves forward Matheus Cunha, with United set for a big summer of ins and outs.

Here, Standard Sport lays out every major deal of the summer so far.

Signed: Jeremie Frimpong

Liverpool FC via Getty Images

June

June 1

Matheus Cunha - Wolves to Manchester United, £62.5million

June 2

Dario Essugo - Sporting to Chelsea, £18million

Romelle Donovan - Birmingham to Brentford, Undisclosed

June 3

Caoimhin Kelleher - Liverpool to Brentford, £12.5million

Mark Flekken - Brentford to Bayer Leverkusen, £8million

June 4

Liam Delap - Ipswich to Chelsea, £30million

James Ball - AFC Wimbledon to Swindon, Free

June 5

Nuno Tavares - Arsenal to Lazio, Undisclosed

Antonio Cordero - Malaga to Newcastle, Undisclosed

June 6

Jorginho - Arsenal to Flamengo, Free

Lloyd Kelly - Newcastle to Juventus, £20million

Thierry Small - Charlton to Preston, Free

Sonny Carey - Blackpool to Charlton, Free

Jean-Clair Todibo - Nice to West Ham, Undisclosed

June 9

Rayan Ait-Nouri - Wolves to Manchester City, £31million

Mamadou Sarr - Strasbourg to Chelsea, £12million

Marquinhos - Arsenal to Cruzeiro, Undisclosed

Safe hands: Caoimhin Kelleher

Nigel Keene/ProSportsImages

May

May 14

Eric Dier - Bayern Munich to AS Monaco, Free

May 20

Bashir Humphreys - Chelsea to Burnley, Undisclosed

May 28

Michael Kayode - Fiorentina to Brentford, Undisclosed

May 30

Jeremie Frimpong - Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool, £29.5million

Trent Alexander-Arnold - Liverpool to Real Madrid, Free

Carlos Alcaraz - Flamengo to Everton, Undisclosed

Source: https://onefootball.com/en/news/trent-alexander-arnold-liam-delap-matheus-cunha-every-major-deal-so-far-as-transfer-deadline-approaches-41227016

Transfer Rumors: Liverpool Prepare Isak Bid; Klopp Offers Sesko to Real Madrid

 Man Utd are chasing Mateta. / IMAGO/Sebastian Frej

Liverpool are ready to lodge a bid of €120 million (£101.2 million, $136.9 million) for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, Fichajes state. The Reds are awaiting encouragement from the Sweden international if talks over a new contract stall.

Manchester United are set to receive another blow in their search for a new striker as Sky Sports News note Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta is in talks over signing a new contract. Juventus are also keen on the 27-year-old.

Early talks have been held between Newcastle and Nottingham Forest over winger Anthony Elanga. The Daily Mail state Forest will only listen to offers if Elanga requests to leave.

Per Calciomercato, Chelsea are ready to submit a take-it-or-leave-it offer to AC Milan over goalkeeper Mike Maignan, having failed with an opening offer below €20 million (£16.9 million, $22.8 million).

Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has travelled to London for talks with Chelsea over winger Noni Madueke, according to Napoli Network. An asking price of £50 million ($67.7 million) has been set.

Marseille have made an offer to sign West Ham United defender Nayef Aguerd, Foot Mercato report. The Morocco international impressed on loan with Real Sociedad this season.

Sky Sports Germany state Sunderland have turned down an offer from Borussia Dortmund over midfielder Jobe Bellingham. Talks are ongoing after an bid worth under €25 million (£21.1 million, $28.5 million).

Manchester City midfielders Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gündogan are both targets for Turkish giants Galatasaray, according to Fotomac. Pep Guardiola is open to parting with the latter.

La Liga

Ter Stegen could leave Barcelona. / IMAGO/NurPhoto

Jürgen Klopp, Red Bull’s head of global soccer, has personally reached out to Real Madrid to try negotiate the sale of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Šeško, DefensaCentral state. Los Blancos are not interested, however.

Instead, TodoFichajes claim manager Xabi Alonso has requested a move for Edin Džeko. The 39-year-old is set to be available for free as he prepares to depart Fenerbahçe.

Barcelona are ready to offer Marc-André ter Stegen a full year’s salary to agree to terminate his contract, SPORT report. The Germany international has been warned he will not play next season after the imminent arrival of Joan García.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur all failed with approaches for River Plate midfielder Franco Mastantuono, according to TBR Football. The 17-year-old star turned down all offers and is ready to join Real Madrid.

Rojo has been linked with Inter Miami. / IMAGO/NurPhoto

Lionel Messi is urging Inter Miami to sign former Manchester United and Argentina defender Marcos Rojo, TNT Sports claim. The 35-year-old is under contract with Boca Juniors until the end of the year.

Source: https://onefootball.com/en/news/transfer-rumors-liverpool-prepare-isak-bid-klopp-offers-sesko-to-real-madrid-41218370

GIRONA FAIRYTALE CONTINUES AS BARCELONA BEATEN 4-2 BY SHOCK LALIGA LEADERS

 High-flying Girona reclaimed top spot in LaLiga after winning 4-2 at defending champions Barcelona on Sunday.

Artem Dovbyk and Miguel Gutierrez both scored for Girona in the first half, either side of Robert Lewandowski's equaliser, before Girona's Valery Fernandez and Cristhian Stuani sealed the victory after the break.

Girona, who remain unbeaten away from home in LaLiga this season, top the standings with 41 points from 16 games, having leapfrogged Real Madrid on 39 points after Carlo Ancelotti's side were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Betis on Saturday.

Barcelona, whose only previous defeat this season was to rivals Real at the end of October, are fourth on 34 points, level with third-placed Atletico Madrid who have a game in hand.

Barcelona fired off 31 shots, 11 of which were on target, but Girona's ex-Tottenham goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga pulled off a string of saves while the leaders scored with four out of their seven shots on target.

Dovbyk put Girona in front in the 12th minute with a shot that bounced in off the bottom of the post for his eighth goal in his debut LaLiga season.

Lewandowski then rediscovered his goalscoring touch and equalised for the hosts seven minutes later, heading home following a corner. It was the Poland striker's first goal for Barcelona in nearly a month.

Gutierrez restored Girona's lead before half-time, after the defender broke into the box and netted a fine individual effort, and Fernandez made it 3-1 in the 80th minute with a low shot two minutes after coming off the bench

"It is a tough defeat, we have not been good," Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong told DAZN. "Girona did well, but it is our fault.

"We haven't been good with the ball, neither have I, especially in the first half.

"We are seven points behind Girona, which is a lot. There is time, there is a lot of LaLiga left, but we have to improve a lot. We are disappointed, it is hard, but we can come back."

Sources:https://onefootball.com/en/news/girona-fairytale-continues-as-barcelona-beaten-4-2-by-shock-laliga-leaders-38704093

KARIM BENZEMA INCLUDES HIMSELF IN HIS DREAM XI, BUT NOT LIONEL MESSI OR CRISTIANO RONALDO

 Al-Ittihad forward Karim Benzema (35) has revealed his dream XI during an interview with the Saudi Arabian club’s social channels. The former France international includes himself in the team, but notably not Lionel Messi (36), nor former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo (38).

Messi and Ronaldo are considered by many to be two of the best players to have ever played the game; the former has won eight Ballon d’Or, the latter five. No players have won more than the pair. However, neither were good enough to make Benzema’s all-time XI.

The absence of Messi may not be entirely surprising, given their rivalry during their time at Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively, although that didn’t prevent him from naming Dani Alves at right-back. However, the absence of Ronaldo, with whom he spent nine years with Los Blancos (2009-2018) certainly constitutes a shock.

Benzema’s XI is full of former Real Madrid teammates, notably in defence, and also Les Bleus legends, notably Zinédine Zidane.

Benzema’s dream XI

Manuel Neuer; Dani Alves, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Claude Makélélé, Paul Pogba, Zinédine Zidane; Ronaldinho, Ronaldo (R9), Karim Benzema.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Source:https://onefootball.com/en/news/karim-benzema-includes-himself-in-his-dream-xi-but-not-lionel-messi-or-cristiano-ronaldo-38704032

REAL MADRID PREPARING FOR HAALAND/MBAPPE GALACTICO SIGNINGS

 Real Madrid are preparing to make a ‘Galactico’ signing next summer and are targeting deals for Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.

The Spanish side want to sign an elite centre-forward in next summer’s transfer window and have been raising cash behind the scenes in preparation for a big-money bid.

Mbappe has been a long-term target for Real Madrid and is approaching the end of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain, having turned down the option of an extension at the Parc des Prices.

Real Madrid have offloaded several high earners from the club’s wage bill in recent windows, with Marcelo, Isco and Gareth Bale moved on in 2022, and Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio and Eden Hazard all departing last summer

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The additional wage bill provides room to manoeuvre in the market, according to AS, particularly when presenting a proposal to sign Mbappe on a free transfer at the end of the season.

However, the Spaniards also have significant sums with which to spend, with €128m available in cash and a further €265m already approved to spend, according to the club’s official accounts.

Read more

Source : https://onefootball.com/en/news/real-madrid-preparing-for-haalandmbappe-galactico-signings-38611433

FOOTBALL TRANSFER RUMOURS: REAL MADRID BUDGET FOR MBAPPE & HAALAND; ARSENAL MAKE TONEY DECISION

 90min rounds up the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip circulating around the world...

Real Madrid have organised their finances in such a way that they will be able to compete for more 'Galactico' signings next summer, with PSG's Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City's Erling Haaland on their shortlist. (AS)

Manchester United view Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo and Sporting CP's Goncalo Inacio as ideal long-term replacements for Raphael Varane. (The Sun)

Another player on Manchester United's radar is Pedro Neto, who is also wanted by Arsenal and Saudi Pro League clubs. Wolves have set a £60m asking price. (TeamTALK)

Liverpool lead Inter and Juventus in the race to sign Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram, with the France international able to leave if a club comes in with a £35m bid. (Corriere dello Sport

Chelsea could turn to Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez if Napoli's demands for Victor Osimhen prove excessive. (Football Transfers)

In their attempts to find a cut-price replacement for the injured Gavi, Barcelona are weighing up a move for West Ham midfielder Pablo Fornals, whose contract expires in the summer. (Cadena SER)

Read more 

Source: https://onefootball.com/en/news/football-transfer-rumours-real-madrid-budget-for-mbappe-haaland-arsenal-make-toney-decision-38611601

VIRTUAL COACHES AND SCOUTING APPS: HOW THE AI REVOLUTION IS TRANSFORMING FOOTBALL'S FUTURE

Football

Clubs not embracing the new era of artificial intelligence risk being left behind with the impacts set to be wide-ranging

Matt Majendie2 minutes ago

QPR’s relegation at the end of the 2012-13 season acted as an unlikely precursor of sorts to the introduction of artificial intelligence in football.

At the start of the season, midfielder Esteban Granero arrived amid fanfare from Real Madrid but was unable to halt the club’s drop from the top flight.

He returned to Spain the following season, first on loan with Real Sociedad before joining permanently. While there, he befriended a team analyst, who found himself unsure what to make of the reams of data he had at his disposal.

Granero’s solution was perhaps atypical to that of his peers. “I took the data and started asking clever people about it,” he recalls. “I went to universities and asked professors about artificial intelligence, as I felt AI could improve data analysis, as in other industries.”

By 2016, he had founded Olocip, an early entry into football AI used to aid decision making when it comes to signing players and also around in-game decisions.

Read more 

Source : https://onefootball.com/en/news/virtual-coaches-and-scouting-apps-how-the-ai-revolution-is-transforming-footballs-future-38608623