..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Buffon: Pirlo made the impossible come true

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has paid tribute to former team-mate Andrea Pirlo after the midfielder agreed a switch to MLS side New York City FC.

Pirlo's move to New York - where he will play alongside David Villa and Frank Lampard - was confirmed on Monday.

Buffon and Pirlo won four consecutive Scudetti alongside one another at Juve - not to mention a World Cup together with Italy - but the veteran shot-stopper admitted that he felt as if he were losing a friend rather than a team-mate.

"Others have used different words to tell you goodbye and wish you many other victories. I would like to use one word gathering the whole life we lived together - friend," the 37-year-old posted on sportlobster."Good luck, my friend. Good luck for your present and your future. Thank you for our past lives together. Thank you for the carefree hours spent together.

"Thank you for the tears of joy and sadness we cried, always supporting each other."Thank you for having taught me that sometimes in this sport people can make things, that most think impossible, become real.

"A friend is the most precious thing people can have, and the best thing people can be. I am sure about this first sentence and I live and hope for the second one."

 

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Liverpool contract rebel Sterling named Europe's 'most valuable' young player

With his future at Liverpool still unclear, a new study has named Raheem Sterling as the most valuable player under the age of 21 in Europe.

Last month Goal reported that Manchester City had submitted a £45 million (€63.5m) offer for Sterling, who is at the centre of a contract dispute with the Reds but has yet to hand in an official transfer request.

The Soccerex 20 Football Value Index, which seeks to offer "independent and accurate" player valuations, compares a host of data including position, age and technical skills.

The study offered Sterling's value at €49.295 million (£35m) - some way off the £50 million (€70.4m) Liverpool are believed to be holding out for.

Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos came in second, with recent Manchester United signing Memphis Depay third.

Sassuolo striker Domenico Berardi is fourth, while Jose Gimenez - who impressed for Uruguay at the Copa America - completes Europe's top five prospects.

"In the years since we released our first review of the Football Transfer market in 2009, the game has gone from strength to strength," said Esteve Calzada, CEO of Prime Time Sport, who compiled the study.

"Since 2009, nine of the 10 top transfer fees ever seen have been achieved, the transfer record has been broached three times, and the €100 million (£86 million) player transfer has been reached.

"Another area of the market which has been undergoing profound change is the market for young players, with progressively more value being attributed to the hottest prospects.

"This report has been commissioned to provide insight into this area."

 

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Milner: Rodgers will play me centrally at Liverpool

James Milner expects to play centrally more often after completing his move to Liverpool.

The 29-year-old joined Brendan Rodgers' team on a free transfer in June, ending a five-season stay at Manchester City, where he was deployed in a number of positions but mainly out wide.

However, Milner, who was unveiled as Liverpool's new No.7 on Monday, says the chance to influence games in the middles was part of his reason for moving to Anfield, amid reportedly interest from elsewhere.

"I've been very fortunate to play for some massive clubs during my career so far and this is another one," he told the club's website.

"It's a great challenge for me. I want to play football and play more centrally if I can - and that's where the manager said he sees me playing.

"That's a big thing for me coming to the later stages of my career - I'm not going to say the end of my career because I still feel I have plenty of football left in me. I want to play as much football as I can.

"When I'm sat at 45 and retired, I want to look back and see what I've done and that I've played games, rather than having come to the end of my career and tailed off."

Departed captain Steven Gerrard has left a hole in central midfield for Liverpool, with team-mate Jordan Henderson widely expected to take the armband, but Milner says he is also ready and willing to lead.

"If you look at the squad here, there is a great mix of home-grown British players and foreign lads as well, but there's also quite a lot of younger players in there," he added.

"I've been lucky enough to be playing for maybe 13 years or something now - it makes me feel a bit older - but hopefully I can bring that experience to the squad and help those younger guys along.

"Liverpool came so close a couple of years ago to winning the league and being up against them in that title run-in, it felt like the whole world wanted them to. That shows the love and global respect for the team.

"Hopefully, my experience can help us get into that position again. And if I can use the experience of winning trophies to help the younger guys, hopefully it can help get us [...] win some silverware."

 

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Dani Alves: Guardiola wanted Brazil job - but they didn't want him

Barcelona and Brazil defender Dani Alves has claimed Pep Guardiola was turned down for the Selecao head coach job before the World Cup.

The former midfielder has long been credited with an interest in taking on the Brazil post and is thought to have been in the running in the autumn of 2012, as the Brazilian Football Confederation sought a replacement for Mano Menezes.

Brazil ultimately handed the role to 2002 World Cup-winner Luiz Felipe Scolari, who oversaw the triumph at the 2013 Confederations Cup prior to the World Cup on home soil which saw them exit at the semi-final stage thanks to a now infamous 7-1 thrashing by Germany.

And Alves, who enjoyed supreme success under Guardiola at Barcelona, has hit out at the CBF for failing to appoint the current Bayern Munich boss when they had the chance."Before the World Cup, Pep wanted to coach the Brazil side but they weren't keen," the full-back told Bola de Vez.

"Pep said that he wanted to make us the best in the world and had a strategy planned out... but they didn't want him.

"They said they didn't know if the Brazilian people would accept him. But if you don't accept the best in the world, someone who can make us better, you don't care about the Selecao."Since I started playing for Brazil, he had a team in his head. Pep is the best coach in the world. He's a guy who revolutionised football.

"We had the chance to get him without spending loads of money... his intention was only to receive money if he delivered results. How do you let an opportunity like that slide?"

Scolari was replaced by Dunga following the 2014 finals but the former midfielder failed to inspire success at this summer's Copa America, as they exited at the quarter-final stage to Paraguay.

 

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Juventus sign Zaza from Sassuolo

Juventus have announced the signing of Simone Zaza from Sassuolo for €18 million.

The Italian champions entered into a co-ownership agreement with their Serie A rivals for the striker in 2013 but sold their share in the 24-year-old to the Neroverdi last summer.However, the Old Lady retained the right to buy Zaza back - and the Scudetto holders have now enacted that option.

"Juventus announces that it has reached an agreement with Sassuolo for the outright acquisition of the sporting rights of the footballer Simone Zaza for €18 million, which is to be paid over three years," read a statement released on the Bianconeri's official website on Tuesday."Juventus also confirms that the same player has signed a five-year contract with the club."

Zaza, who scored 20 goals in 64 appearances for Sassuolo, is the third new striker to arrive in Turin this summer, with Juve already having signed Mario Mandzukic from Atletico Madrid and Palermo starlet Paulo Dybala.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lampard: Manchester City pressured me into staying

Frank Lampard says that he felt pressured into extending his loan spell at Manchester City, which delayed his move to New York City FC.

The 37-year-old initially joined City in a bid to maintain fitness ahead of the start of the new MLS season in March, but extended his deal until the end of the campaign.

"I was asked from the top to stay on in Manchester," he told reporters. "So it wasn’t an easy position for me to be in.

"I’m not trying to wash my hands of it because I am a man and I make my decisions, but it kind of felt right at the time to carry on playing.

"The situation happened as it did and I kind of sat there and, yeah, when you stay on and the club really wanted me to stay on, and I thought I’d play more matches, obviously. It didn’t work out that way."

Lampard also ruled out a return to the Premier League, insisting he will not entertain offers during the MLS off-season.

He added: "I might train somewhere to stay fit, but I won't play anywhere. I've had my time in the Premier League and Europe and it's not going to happen now."

 

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Manchester City can attract the world's best, says Kompany

Vincent Kompany is confident that Manchester City remain an "attractive proposition" as the club looks to bolster their squad during the summer.

The Premier League runners-up have been quiet in the transfer market thus far, 18-year-old Turkish striker Enes Unal their only new recuit, but are keen on Juventus star Paul Pogba and Liverpool's Raheem Sterling.

City finished the season trophyless, just 12 months after winning both the Premier League title and League Cup, and were again eliminated from the Champions League in the first knockout round.

However, Kompany feels that they can still lure top talent despite more established rivals, telling reporters: "There are not so many top players and there are a few clubs who will probably be after the same players.

"We have an attractive proposition here - we obviously have the facilities, we have the increased capacity of the stadium and everything we want to achieve in the future. But some clubs have got the history.

"Players choose different things at times. You just can't guess."

He added: "[The transfer market] is the key to the success of any top club. It's maybe not always the amount of players that come.

"I think every top club in the world will be looking to add two or three quality players to make the team just that little bit stronger and, if you don't do it, then you are exposed to other teams becoming stronger.

"It's just nothing more than usual for us in the transfer window and I'm hoping and confident that we will make the right signings."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester City want to bounce back from 'disappointing' campaign - Yaya Toure

Manchester City's players are desperate to make the club successful again after last season's frustrations, says Yaya Toure.

Toure has rejected speculation that he will leave City during the close-season, despite Inter - coached by former City boss Roberto Mancini - expressing their interest in his services.

The Ivorian returned to pre-season training on Tuesday and reiterated his desire to remain at the Etihad Stadium, with silverware firmly on his mind.

"I'm just really looking forward to next season and it feels great to be back," Toure told City's official website.

"I'm going to work as hard as I can in pre-season and we're already looking forward to playing in front of our own fans again in six weeks or so.

"I've had a good summer with plenty of rest and I've just relaxed as much as possible so I can be ready for the new season. I've had two or three years full of competition and constant playing and it was a break I really needed.

"I'm not the biggest fan of pre-season, if I'm honest, but we all know we have to prepare well and eat properly so we're good to go at the start of the season.

"As for predictions, I don't want to say we'll do this or that - just that we have our targets and we want to make the fans and this club proud. Last season was disappointing by our own standards because we know we could have done better.

"We are looking forward to welcoming some new players as well, which will strengthen the team, and together we want to achieve something really big this year. We are looking forward to bouncing back very strongly."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Official: Atletico Madrid complete signing of Vietto

Atletico Madrid have announced they have sealed the signing of Luciano Vietto from Villarreal.

The Argentine will formalise his move and then link up with his new team-mates for training on Thursday after the 2014 Liga champions confirmed a deal had been agreed.

Vietto will then finalise his contract, which will tie him to the club for the next six seasons, before he begins life working with Diego Simeone once again following his time playing for the coach at Racing in Argentina.

The 21-year-old, who only moved to Europe last summer when he joined Villarreal from Racing, bagged 20 goals in Spain and the Europa League in a highly-impressive debut campaign.

Vietto joins to provide competition to Fernando Torres and Raul Jimenez following the sale of Mario Mandzukic to Juventus, with Porto's Jackson Martinez also set to arrive this summer.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arda Turan: Now I don't have to suffer against Messi and Barcelona

Arda Turan admits he will be honoured to play alongside Lionel Messi at Barcelona - especially after years of "suffering" as an opponent.

The Turkey international sealed a move to Camp Nou on Tuesday after four years with Atletico Madrid, in a deal which could total €41 million.

Having battled against Messi, Neymar, Luis Suarez and his "idol" Andres Iniesta during his Liga career so far, the 28-year-old says he cannot wait to experience life alongside them."It's incredible, I've always had a dream of playing for Barca," he told Mundo Deportivo.

"Having grown accustomed to suffering against players like Messi, Suarez, Neymar, Iniesta, now I have the honour of playing alongside them. Messi is the best in the world and Iniesta is my idol."

Arda, who was linked with a handful of Europe's top clubs after telling Atletico he would not extend his stay at Vicente Calderon, admits he could barely contain his excitement when he learned of Luis Enrique's interest.

"Once I heard of Barca's interest, I couldn't sleep until yesterday, when the signing was made official. I was on holiday but I called my agent every day to ask if the deal was closed," he said. "I couldn't get Barca out of my head."Luis Enrique called me yesterday to welcome me. It was a great gesture, I'm very happy."

The former Galatasaray winger's move contains a clause which would allow the next president of Barcelona - to be decided on July 18 - to sell him back to Atletico for a 10 per cent loss should he be considered surplus to demands.
Arda, however, is not worried by the prospect.

"I respect all the candidates. All I'm thinking about is that Barca are my dream and, if they want me and I want them, there's nothing to talk about," he added.Arda is due to be unveiled officially at Camp Nou on Friday, when he will sign his contract and be presented to the media.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lampard: I can't wait to face Gerrard again

Frank Lampard is eagerly anticipating renewing his rivalry with Steven Gerrard when New York City FC face LA Galaxy in August.

Both players have arrived in the USA and are expected to make their respective debuts this weekend, when Lampard's New York City face Toronto FC in MLS and Gerrard's Galaxy take on Mexican side Club America as part of the International Champions Cup tournament.

But it is the meeting between the two sides on August 23 that the former Chelsea man has had pencilled into his calendar since the Liverpool legend announced his move.

"I can't wait," Lampard told the club's official website. "I've played against Steven so many times in my career, at one stage we seemed to play each other almost 10 times a season because of cups and Champions League and all that stuff.

"I have a huge amount of respect for him. I'm delighted that he's joined the league, I think it's great for the MLS as a whole.

"As soon as the fixture list came out that date was pencilled in and I'm really ready for that game.

"I think it's two really big clubs playing against each other and to have the opportunity to play against Steven again is a great one, and I'm going to be really ready for that game."

Lampard will soon be joined at New York City by Andrea Pirlo after the midfielder confirmed his move away from Juventus, while Gerrard has been reunited with former Liverpool team-mate Robbie Keane in Los Angeles.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

AC Milan get green light for new stadium development

AC Milan have been given the green light to begin plans for a new stadium complex to be ready for the 2018-19 season.

The Fondazione Fiera in the city has at last given the all-clear to the Rossoneri to allow them to take over the Portello area of the city, right next to their modernised Casa Milan headquarters, where they plan to construct a new arena.

Joint-CEO Barbara Berlusconi welcomed the news and is keen to model the new location on modern London stadia, promoting the use of public transport for supporters attending matches.

She is also excited for the financial benefits of the move, which she believes could total an income of between €50 million and €80m every year."This is the first historic step to make Milan like London," Berlusconi said to reporters.

"Today, with the decision of the Fondazione Fiera, we can officially begin the journey towards our new stadium. It is the first step, as we still need to present the entire project to the institutions for approval.

"This is still an historic day. Ours is foremost a cultural challenge. It is for Milan that we are proposing an urban stadium, to favour the development of the area that will play host to us, to make it more secure and a symbol for the city, to completely change the mentality of those who come to the stadium by providing services and entertainment that go beyond the 90 minutes of the game."At the same time, we will work to discourage private transport and favour public transport. Milan, as such, will be like London.

"In fact, London also has urban stadiums that are reached via the underground system and have allowed the areas where they were constructed to be improved.
"It's also indispensable for developing the commercial power of the club. The stadium will bring from €50m to €80m per year.

"These are resources that can also be used to buy new players."Milan hope to have their new purpose-built 48,000-seater stadium ready for the start of the 2018-19 season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

I could leave Madrid on loan - Lucas Silva

Real Madrid midfielder Lucas Silva admits he could be tempted to leave the club on loan for the coming season.

The Brazilian managed just nine appearances in all competitions following his January move from Cruzeiro, with Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Asier Illarramendi, Isco and James Rodriguez all vying for central spots in Carlo Ancelotti's side.

Lucas Silva says he plans to speak with new head coach Rafael Benitez to learn his plans for the coming campaign but accepts he could be forced into a temporary exit.

"Leaving on loan to play more is a possibility. There are also too many non-EU players at Real Madrid," he told Sport TV."When I get back from holiday I'll have a meeting with the coach and find out how it's all going to work.

"A lot of stuff has been published but it's all speculation. When I get to Madrid, I'll start the pre-season and I'll find out more about my future. What I have in mind at the moment is to carry on at Madrid."

 

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If Casillas joins Porto, it'll be best for him - Carvajal

Dani Carvajal believes Iker Casillas will be making the right decision if he joins Porto from Real Madrid.

The Portuguese giants have made a move to tempt the Spain captain to leave Santiago Bernabeu this summer after more than 15 years with the senior Madrid side, with los Blancos' pursuit of David de Gea placing his future in further doubt.

And team-mate Carvajal has backed the World Cup-winning keeper to consider pastures new after a turbulent 18 months in the Spanish capital, in which a number of fans have turned against him following some high-profile errors and a falling-out with former boss Jose Mourinho.

"I repeat: I don't need to get into that topic. I think it's something you'd have to ask him," Carvajal told AS."I have an exceptional relationship with Casillas, and if he's made that decision, I think it will be the best for him."

Fellow defender Sergio Ramos continues to be linked with Manchester United but Carvajal insists it is hard to imagine the 29-year-old leaving."All I know is that he's our team-mate and nobody imagines him in another shirt," he said of the former Sevilla man.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Benedito: Arda's signing is a huge problem for Barcelona

Barcelona presidential hopeful Agusti Benedito has branded the signing of Arda Turan as a "huge problem" for the club.

The midfielder sealed a €41 million transfer to the European champions on Monday despite the club currently being without an elected board, with elections due to take place on July 18.Arda's transfer contains a clause which would allow the incoming Camp Nou chief to veto the move and return him to Atletico Madrid for a reduced sum.

And Benedito has slammed the decision to splash out on a player who cannot play for the club until the expiry of the transfer ban next January, placing the blame squarely at the feet of former president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

"They've left us with a huge problem," he said to reporters. "A signing that we can't use until six months from now because, and we mustn't forget this, we are under sanction from Fifa because of that person [Bartomeu]."He's going to pay a big price for this disrespect towards the members. He is crossing the line.

Benedito, who admitted he would cancel the transfer if elected, added: "I spoke to him [acting president Ramon Adell] and told him that signing Arda is an act of disloyalty, an attack on the club's democratic spirit."

Bartomeu has already publicly backed the signing of Arda, insisting it came at the request of head coach Luis Enrique, while fellow candidate Joan Laporta claimed he was undecided over the transfer.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lampard 'lucky' to play alongside Pirlo

Frank Lampard considers himself "lucky" to play in the same New York City FC team as Andrea Pirlo.

The former England international was finally unveiled by the Major League Soccer side on Tuesday after spending last season on loan at Manchester City and could make his debut in Sunday's meeting with Toronto FC.

Pirlo's transfer to MLS's newest club from Juventus was confirmed on Monday and Lampard cannot wait to play alongside the Italian and former Barcelona striker David Villa.

"David and Andrea are at the top of the list, I'm a lucky man to be in the same squad as them," he told reporters at his unveiling.

"I've been watching all the games. I know every player and how they play. It will be a pleasure to play with them every day.

"I think Pirlo is the best at getting his ball to dip and dive off the free kick. He can have the first one!"

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Benatia open to Real Madrid or Juventus move

Medhi Benatia has admitted he would jump at the chance to move to Real Madrid or Juventus if he is not guaranteed more game time at Bayern Munich next season.

The Bavarians paid €28 million to prise the Morocco international away from Roma last summer but the centre-half featured in only 24 games in all competitions during the 2014-15 campaign.

As a result, Benatia is open to leaving the Allianz Arena for a club that would offer him regular first-team football.

"The interest of Real Madrid and Juventus would flatter any player because they are two great clubs," the defender told Tuttosport. "Therefore, it cannot but make you happy."But I'm already at a great club, to whom I'm bound by contract for another four years.

"My goal is to win the Champions League but my main objective is to play 35-40 games next season."If I should realise that I'm not going to be able to do that, then I will start to look around.

"In football, as you know, anything can happen."Juve's Serie A rivals Inter have also previously expressed their interest in bringing Benatia back to Italy.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sterling threatens to go on strike to force Liverpool exit

Raheem Sterling has told Liverpool he does not want to join the squad on their upcoming pre-season tour of Australia and south east Asia as he attempts to force a summer exit, Goal can confirm.

Manchester City are clear front-runners for his signature and are willing to make a third bid of £45 million, including add-ons, after their first two approaches were knocked back by Liverpool.

The Blues have been waiting on Sterling's next move before launching a fresh bid and while the Reds have refused to comment on the situation, Goal understands the 20-year-old's decision to tell Brendan Rodgers he is not in the right frame of mind to travel on tour could spark activity at the Etihad Stadium.

Sterling is one of City's top transfer targets this summer, along with Juventus' Paul Pogba and Wolfsburg's Kevin De Bruyne, but so far they have been unable to seal any deals.

While Sterling's row with Liverpool plays out in public, City look to be behind Barcelona in the race to sign Pogba despite a willingness to break the world transfer record, and the club are also awaiting developments on De Bruyne's contract talks with Wolfsburg before showing their hand.

But progress is now expected in their pursuit of Sterling after the youngster sat down with Rodgers at Melwood to reaffirm his desire to leave Anfield and insist he is not prepared to join up with his team-mates in their overseas pre-season preparations.

Liverpool are due to fly out on Sunday ahead of a game against the Thai All Stars in Bangkok next Tuesday, with matches against A-League outfits Brisbane and Adelaide next up before they face a Malaysia XI in Kuala Lumpur.

The Reds have signed six players already this summer as they look to improve on last season's sixth-placed finish, with Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Nathaniel Clyne, Danny Ings, Joe Gomez and Adam Bogdan already recruited.

The club are also expected to launch a bid for Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, although his asking price remains fixed at £32.5m.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Moratti: Kondogbia better for Inter than Yaya Toure

Former Inter president Massimo Moratti believes Geoffrey Kondogbia represents a far better signing for the club than Yaya Toure.

Inter coach Roberto Mancini repeatedly expressed his desire to be reunited with Toure, with whom he won a Premier League title during his time in charge of Manchester City.

However, the Ivorian decided to stay at the Etihad, prompting Inter to turn their attention to Kondogbia, who joined the club for a fee in the region of €40 million from Monaco.

Despite the huge outlay, Moratti believes his successor, Erick Thohir, has done a great piece of business, arguing that Kondogbia has much more to offer than the 32-year-old Toure."Is he even more suited to Inter than Yaya? Yes, certainly, both in terms of his lower wage and his age," the oil tycoon told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Thohir called me, because by the rules of the club, he must have my consent for operations above €20m."I immediately felt very strongly about the deal and I was happy to give my ok. It was a major operation, but the alternatives were even more expensive.

"Also, you can build an entire project on a boy of just 22. Toure is more experienced but Kondogbia will be spurred on by the fans and will grow with the team.

"He chose Inter because he saw that we can take the next step forward together. I think it was a very important purchase for everyone involved."It's good for the needs of the team in order to allow Mancini to work more calmly, and to lift the whole club by bringing enthusiasm to the fans.

"Thohir could have just got by for a few years. Instead, he's building a team to win."

Indeed, Moratti has been enthused by Thohir's other transfer dealings, with Inter already having signed Jeison Murillo from Granada, Miranda from Atletico Madrid and Martin Montoya from Barcelona."I know little about the Colombian [Murillo] but he had a great Copa America," he stated.

"The Brazilian [Miranda] is strong and experienced, something that will help him fit in quickly."As for the Spaniard, one only needs to look at the club he's coming from..."

Having brought in a midfielder and three new defenders, it is now thought that Inter will look to sign a high-profile striker and the San Siro side have been linked with former forward Mario Balotelli, who has struggled since joining Liverpool from AC Milan last year.

However, Moratti does not believe there is much chance of the Nerazzurri re-signing the Italy international."I have not heard any talk about him in recent months," the ex-Inter supremo added.

"Mario is a great guy and I still hope that he gets back to his best."But now I do not think that he would be deemed functional within this project."

 

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Gento: Ramos will stay at Real Madrid - but Casillas could leave

Real Madrid legend Gento is convinced Sergio Ramos will remain at the club but suspects captain Iker Casillas will leave.

After ending last season trophyless, Madrid opted to dismiss coach Carlo Ancelotti and replace him with Rafa Benitez, while changes to the playing staff are expected over the summer.

Ramos is considering quitting as he is unhappy with the new contract he has been offered and Casillas is edging towards a move to Porto 25 years after joining Madrid as a schoolboy.

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has been lined up as a replacement, but though Gento envisages Casillas moving on, he believes Ramos is going nowhere.

"He's not going to go," the iconic winger is quoted as saying by AS at a charity event on Tuesday. "Sergio is going to stay."I do not know about Iker. I do not want him to leave. But I have my doubts."

Meanwhile, Gento was asked during a question and answer session with the children in attendance whether he had played with current Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.The 81-year-old replied: "No, but I played with others as good as him. I played with Alfredo Di Stefano, who was the best, and Ferenc Puskas."

Gento spent 18 years with Madrid, winning 12 Liga titles and six European Cups.