Real Madrid News
‘Doing it to create a smokescreen’ – Barcelona president-elect Laporta lashes out at Real Madrid
Florentino Perez’s press conference last week, when the Real Madrid president hit out at FC Barcelona and the Spanish referees has ruffled a lot of feathers in Spain.
The Real Madrid chief is already facing complaints from the Referees Union in Spain, while Barça themselves have claimed that they are considering legal actions.
Joan Laporta hits out
Now, the Catalans’ president-elect, Joan Laporta, has fired back at Real Madrid and Perez over his comments, stating that it is all a strategy to cover up for the team’s failure.
“Everything related to the Negreira case , which isn’t even a case, is false, and I think they’re doing it to create a smokescreen and divert attention from the fact that they haven’t won anything in two years,” Laporta stated (h/t Mundo Deportivo).
“They’re using Barça to cover up their failures. The club is still studying these statements to respond in the appropriate forum,” he added.
Further continuing his verbal attack on Real Madrid, Laporta highlighted how his Barcelona team had won five trophies in the last two seasons, saying:
“They’ve invested a lot and still haven’t won anything, while we keep winning. We’ve won two league titles in a row, two Super Cups, and a Copa del Rey.
“He’s turned on the fan of their misery, and we’re not going to allow it.”
Concluding, Laporta stated that if Real Madrid come at Barcelona, they will continue to respond in kind, saying:
“When they use Barça for their problems, we react, and we react forcefully.”
Arbeloa responds
Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa was asked about Laporta’s statements during his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s game against Athletic Club.
In response, the Spanish tactician made it clear that he and the club do not pay attention to Laporta’s words and that they will continue to fight against the Negreira scandal.
“I don’t attach much importance to Laporta’s words; we’ve always been very clear about what we’ve discussed. He must be referring to the Negreira case… We’re still waiting for a resolution to such a serious case that has tarnished Spanish football,” he said.
“Many referees from that era are still around, and we still have the same feeling. These things aren’t normal. We have to keep denouncing it. A Real Madrid player is bleeding, and that referee gets the reward of officiating the Copa del Rey final.”
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid eye €40 millon-rated goalkeeper as potential Thibaut Courtois replacement
Real Madrid boast one of the best goalkeepers in world football in the form of Thibaut Courtois.
However, the Belgian is already 34 and his current contract at the club expires at the end of the season.
Although Real Madrid are keen on extending his contract, they are preparing for the possibility of life beyond the veteran goalkeeper as well.
Keeping that in mind, Real Madrid are already keeping tabs on the market and monitoring potential replacements, with Diogo Costa emerging as one of the options.
Real Madrid interested in Diogo Costa
As reported by Bernabeu Digital, Costa is among the goalkeepers Real Madrid are interested in, as they look for potential replacements for Courtois.
The Portuguese international is regarded highly and has been endorsed personally by the club’s new goalkeeping coach, Nuno Santos.
Jose Mourinho is also said to be playing a key role in driving the club’s interest in Costa, who currently plies his trade for FC Porto.
At age of just 26, Costa has established himself as the firm number one for the Portugal national team, having already won almost 50 caps.
€40 million for Costa?
Acquiring the services of Diogo Costa, though, won’t be a walk in the park for Real Madrid.
The Portuguese international is valued at around €40 million, which the club might see as steep.
But given the experience and the quality Costa offers, Real Madrid do indeed see him as the ideal candidate to replace Courtois, if necessary.
Given that he is also liked by Mourinho and Santos, there is no reason why Real Madrid will be against paying that premium for the goalkeeper, especially if Courtois ends up leaving the club.
Real Madrid, though, are also open to finding an in-house replacement for Courtois, with Javi Navarro, in particular, making a lot of waves in the lower divisions.
That being said, everything indicates Courtois will sign a new contract so there shouldn’t be any immediate need for a replacement.
