Real Madrid

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has said he feels he can depend on Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez ahead of the new season amid uncertainty over their futures.

Both players have been linked with moves away from the Santiago Bernabeu, although with the La Liga season starting this weekend, they each remain on Madrid's books.

Following the team's friendly showdown with Roma on Sunday, Zidane was asked about the pair. The Frenchman said he feels he can "count on" both, but he refused to guarantee Bale and James would still be at the club by the time the transfer window closes, per Ryan Benson of Goal:

"James and Bale are players of the squad. They are both registered, but anything can happen and I, as a coach of Real Madrid, must count on them.

"I count on them 100 per cent. James has not been summoned [to the squad recently], but this can change. Even before the end of the transfer window, everything can happen."

James has yet to feature in any of Madrid's pre-season games. Bale returned to the squad for Sunday's 2-2 draw with Roma following a three-game absence and was brought on as a late substitute.

Zidane was also asked about the possibility of more players coming into the squad before the window closes on September 2, with Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar and Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba linked.

"We are with what we have, and we only think about that," he said. "Our mind is only thinking about Saturday [their next match]." 

Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC offered his analysis of Zidane's comments:

Zidane out - not too many smiles from him tonight. Kept repeating that he would keep repeating the same answer - "I'll count on the players I have". Left idea that he'd prefer some other players tho.

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) August 11, 2019

Madrid will begin their La Liga season against Celta Vigo in what has the potential to be an intriguing game.

Lucas Navarrete of Managing Madrid commented on the team's below-par outings in pre-season:

Well... This hasn't been a good preseason.

The match against Celta next Saturday will be tough and intriguing.

— Lucas Navarrete (@LucasNavarreteM) August 11, 2019

With Madrid struggling in their preparations, it will be fascinating to see who Zidane turns to for the first competitive game of the campaign.

While he may consider Bale and James dependable players, it would be a shock to see either involved on Saturday. The latter will be a long way short of fitness after no minutes in pre-season, whereas Bale came close to being sold in the window, with a transfer to Jiangsu Suning collapsing.

Despite spending huge money in the window already, speculation about possible incomings in the final days of the transfer window appears set to intensify, too.

Pogba or Neymar would represent spectacular acquisitions for the club, although deals of such magnitude will be difficult to get done. Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek appears to be a more likely arrival at this juncture after Marca's Juan Ignacio Garia-Ochoa reported the Dutchman has agreed terms with Madrid. 

Real Madrid continued their preparations for the upcoming La Liga season with a penalty shootout loss against AS Roma in a pre-season friendly. The match finished 2-2 in regulation, and Marcelo missed the final spot-kick in a 5-4 shootout.

Marcelo and Casemiro twice gave the visitors the lead during an entertaining first half, but Diego Perotti and Edin Dzeko were on point for the Giallorossi. The second half wasn't nearly as engrossing, and after 90 minutes, the match went to penalties. 

Los Blancos will open the domestic campaign Saturday against Celta Vigo.

Manager Zinedine Zidane opted to start three centre-backs in a 3-5-2 formation, per Dermot Corrigan:

Definitely three CBs from Zidane - Varane in middle, Nacho on left, Militao on right. Hazard up front just off Benzema.

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) August 11, 2019

Raphael Varane, Eder Militao and Nacho Fernandez all had their struggles in the system during the first half, and while it should have Zidane worried ahead of Saturday's La Liga opener, it also meant this friendly was an entertaining one before the break.

Roma were all over Real initially, with Dzeko and Perotti testing Thibaut Courtois. Nicolo Zaniolo was the standout for the hosts, but a moment of magic from Luka Modric gave the visitors the lead.

The Ballon d'Or winner spotted the run of Marcelo, and the Brazilian cut to his right foot before firing home.

The setback didn't halt Roma's momentum, however, and Zanilo continued to be at the centre of every attack. A brilliant solo effort resulted in the equaliser after 34 minutes, with the youngster running up the pitch before picking out Perotti.

Roma continued to push, and Corrigan noted the back three were struggling:

Under now backs Militao into the area and gets off shot which Courtois saves. Madrid's back three / new shape definitely needs work.

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) August 11, 2019

Casemiro restored the lead after 39 minutes with a header, although replays showed the midfielder was well offside when Marcelo's cross came in. The linesman's error was undone just a minute later as Cengiz Under set up Dzeko for another equaliser.

After 45 entertaining minutes, the fans finally had the chance to catch their breath. Corrigan thought Roma had clearly been the better team:

HT Roma 2-2 Madrid. Very entertaining so far, Roma by far the better team with Madrid's back three caught out again and again, but Zidane's side with old knack of scoring out of nothing.

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) August 11, 2019

After the lightning opening 45 minutes, the intensity dropped in the second half. Real's defence continued to struggle, while on the other side of the pitch, substitutes Luka Jovic and Vinicius Junior needed some time to find their feet. The latter in particular struggled with his touch, but grew into the contest.

Chances were few, but Dzeko went close to handing his team their first lead, firing over from close range. Vinicius also had a good look on goal, but Pau Lopez made a fine save.

Gareth Bale and Isco nearly combined for a spectacular third goal, but the Welshman couldn't keep his shot on target. He also fired the last chance of the match narrowly wide from the edge of the box.

Los Blancos finished the 90 minutes on top but couldn't find a winner before the penalty shootout. In that shootout, all nine takers found the back of the net until it was Marcelo's turn. The Brazilian's effort crashed off the crossbar, ending the match in favour of Roma. 

Eden Hazard has said he is in "seventh heaven" playing under his idol Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid.

The Belgian winger joined Los Blancos from Chelsea for €100 million (£89 million) back in June after seven seasons at Stamford Bridge.

He netted his first goal for the club in a 1-0 pre-season win over Salzburg on Wednesday and will likely make his competitive debut for the Spanish giants in their 2019-20 La Liga opener at Celta Vigo on August 17.

Hazard, 28, said that despite enjoying great successes at Chelsea, he had no hesitation in moving to the Santiago Bernabeu, per Corriere della Sera (h/t Stephen Creek of Goal):

"As a child I dreamed of one day wearing Real Madrid's shirt. When Real knock on your door you can do only one thing: open it. At Chelsea I spent unforgettable years, but here I am in seventh heaven. One of my idols, as a child, was Zinedine Zidane. I had his poster in the room and now I have the opportunity to be trained by him."

Real endured a poor season by their high standards in 2018-19 as they came a distant third to Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in La Liga and fell short in both the Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League.

Cristiano Ronaldo was conspicuous by his absence following his departure to Juventus as Real netted just 63 goals in the league, their lowest return since 1999-2000.

Managers Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari were both jettisoned during the course of the campaign, and Zidane returned to the helm in March, just 10 months after leaving the Madrid outfit in the wake of a third consecutive Champions League win:

BREAKING: Zinedine Zidane leaves Real Madrid after winning three Champions League titles in three years pic.twitter.com/qBrRy4Hidi

— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 31, 2018

As well as Hazard, Real have spent nearly £60 million on Luka Jovic, £44 million on Ferland Mendy, £44 million on Eder Militao and £40 million on Rodrygo this summer.

Given their huge outlay, Real will need to compete for the league title and Champions League again next season or Zidane's second spell in charge of the club may not last very long.

Hazard will be crucial to helping Real properly replace the goals lost by the departure of Ronaldo, who averaged 50 goals per season in his nine years at the club.

The Belgium international is unlikely to match those numbers, but he did enjoy his most effective Premier League season of his career in 2018-19 as he netted 16 goals and provided 15 assists:

Eden Hazard for Chelsea in the 2018/2019 Premier League:

most successful take-ons (137)
most chances created (98)
most shots taken (93)
most assists (16)
most goals (15)

Absolutely ran the show. 🇧🇪🇧🇪🇧🇪 pic.twitter.com/4r1tlJIWFq

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) June 19, 2019

A similar return for Real in the upcoming campaign would be a huge boost for Los Blancos, particularly as Hazard's influence will likely be beneficial for other attackers like Jovic and Karim Benzema. 

A majority of Real Madrid fans have voted against their club potentially signing Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar.

AS' Jonathan Meaney reported the findings of their poll on Saturday, with nearly 60 percent of more than 160,000 fans polled voting against the deal.

According to AS' Fernando Kallas, Real have opened talks with the Ligue 1 champions about a possible deal. He has also been strongly linked with a return to former club Barcelona, but the French side would rather sell to Real.

PSG sporting director Leonardo has confirmed talks are ongoing, and the 27-year-old will be held out of Sunday's clash with Nimes, per ESPN FC's Jonathan Johnson:

Neymar no called up for Nimes clash. Discussions ongoing. "Talks more advanced than before, but no agreement. We will see what happens -- everybody needs the future to be defined." #PSGNO

— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) August 10, 2019

Neymar has been the constant topic of transfer rumours throughout summer. Per Kallas, the relationship between him and PSG has been broken for two months, and Les Parisiens are willing to be flexible to move him on.

Real fans don't appear keen on his arrival, however. In the poll, one pointed at his injury record and behaviour off the pitch: "I'm a Madridista, and I have voted no. Apart from the stories off the pitch, I don't want Madrid to sign him because he's an injury-prone player and his foot has hasn't healed well. Why does Madrid want to spend a ton of money on a player who will be injured again in no time."

Real already splashed the cash on a star winger this summer, bringing in Eden Hazard from Chelsea. A combination of the two flanking Karim Benzema could be deadly, but Los Blancos may have to get creative with their transfer budget.

The same goes for Barcelona, who signed Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid. The Frenchman is expected to form a new world-class trident with Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi.

The Catalans are reportedly not giving up on their former star man, however. According to Sport's Samuel Marsden, president Josep Maria Bartomeu is working on a deal:

As PSG sporting director Leonardo said, negotiations heating up re: Neymar. Barça president Bartomeu has cancelled a commitment he had in Detroit this morning as talks go on. Threat of Madrid still there, too.

— Samuel Marsden (@samuelmarsden) August 10, 2019

Per Kallas, Madrid and PSG have an excellent working relationship, giving Los Blancos the edge in negotiations. Les Parisiens reportedly hold a grudge against Barcelona and believe the club has conspired with the player to create a "crisis" in the French capital.

Eden Hazard will wear the No. 7 jersey during his first season at Real Madrid.

The Belgian's number was revealed after the club posted the 2019-20 squad list on their official website.

The former Chelsea forward will wear the number previously worn by Cristiano Ronaldo before his departure to Juventus last summer.

Hazard signed for Real in June, and his eventual transfer fee could exceed £150 million after he signed a five-year deal to join Los Blancos.

Next in line. pic.twitter.com/NKdydQTkFO

— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 9, 2019

The shirt number was also worn by club legend Emilio Butragueno, who played for Real for a decade and eventually served as director of football and vice-president for the Spanish giants.

Raul was also the No. 7 during his fabled career in the capital.

Expectations are high for Hazard, with Zinedine Zidane overseeing a rebuild of the starting XI at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Ronaldo's sale severely weakened the attack, and Madrid could only finish third in La Liga last term, 19 points behind champions Barcelona.

Real have struggled in pre-season during Hazard's opening displays. Among other results, the club lost 3-1 to Bayern Munich during the attacker's debut, and they were thrashed 7-3 by neighbours Atletico Madrid in the United States. 

The pressure is on at Real Madrid after a disastrous campaign last season, their worst arguably since the turn of the millennium. The club are throwing money at the problem. For the first time in five years—when they made their last galactico signing, the 2014 FIFA World Cup star James Rodriguez—Real Madrid have spent big in the transfer market.

Some 50,000 Real Madrid fans flocked to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in June to witness the unveiling of Eden Hazard. Elsewhere, the squad has been bolstered by defenders Ferland Mendy and Eder Militao as well as attacking players Luka Jovic, Rodrygo (a deal that was negotiated last year) and Kubo, an exciting 18-year-old Japanese playmaker who may well go on loan to Real Valladolid. The new arrivals have already brought the total spend to approximately €300 million, and more reinforcements are expected in midfield.

The plan of Zinedine Zidane, who sensationally returned as head coach in March, is to rekindle old glories with the formula—and in many places the same players for his gala XI—which brought him a league and UEFA Champions League double during the 2016-2017 season, the first at the club since 1958. His team's brilliant form that season, which concluded with five trophies in the calendar year, was based on a heavy rotation policy in which he managed to keep the squad's egos in check, rest Cristiano Ronaldo and play a reserve team in several must-win away league fixtures. 

That season, 20 of his squad played more than 1,000 minutes in the league. Zidane's vaunted "Plan B" squad of players—Alvaro Morata, James and Pepe among the secondary figures—helped keep the fight going successfully on two fronts and ensured competition remained fierce for starting places. The season finished in an epoch-defining 4-1 defeat of Juventus in the UEFA Champions League final with a gilded substitutes' bench that included Gareth Bale and goalscorer Marco Asensio.

"Obviously Real Madrid has made these transfers to strengthen its reserves more than to add guaranteed starters because Zidane trusts a lot in his old guard, the guys who won him all those Champions League titles," says Jaime Rodriguez, a journalist with El Mundo. "So in Zidane's starting XI there's little space for new players. In theory, we can already imagine Zidane's starting XI. We've seen him use them in his pre-season friendlies. It's a strong bench—Jovic, Militao, Rodrygo. We have to see how they perform and if they can compete to become starters.

"Last season, Real Madrid showed they missed having a strong bench. A lot of as we say in Spain 'fondo de armario'—classic clothes that will save you in any occasion. When Zidane had a good list of reserves, he had his best season—2016-2017. Effectively he had two starting XIs. He could go to grounds like Gijon or other difficult grounds and play a with a team of 10 subs. This is his idea. He's looking for almost 20 players that he can trust in, so he wanted to sign in this area.

"Of course, another thing is what Real Madrid's fans would like. Obviously they're not signings that excite them—that give them ilusion (dreamy sensations) except for Hazard. They're not signings that drive the fans crazy, but they are signings that make for a competitive squad."

A lot will hinge on Zidane's man management. He's not one for tactical innovations. Or a martinet like, say, Jose Mourinho (who had been linked with the vacant managerial job in March). Zidane trusts that the world's most talented players can find their own solutions on the pitch. He's betting on being able to recreate a good working environment again that will allow his players to flourish again, explains Diario AS' Santiago Segurola.

"Zidane is a prudent trainer," says Segurola. "He understands the club Real Madrid well. He doesn't burden himself with elaborate tactics or the vanity of the chalkboard. He's not concerned with tactical revolutions. He's more interested in taking proper care of his players and making them feel they are in a nice place. He's a players' manager. In general, Real Madrid does well enough with this type of trainer. Real Madrid's fans knew this season would come with a lot of changes, with a lot of new arrivals ... [although] Zidane puts his faith in veterans."

Because last season was so dispiriting for Real Madrid's fans—attendances at the Bernabeu have dropped by an average of almost 9,000 over the last decade—there has been a clamour to usher in a "revolution" in the squad make-up. So far it's difficult to discern a revolutionary overhaul.

"It's a semi-revolution!" says Rodriguez, laughing. "The truth is that Zidane never uttered the words 'revolution,' but on various occasions he said there would be changes. Until now there has been a lot of changes. He wants to give chances to his 'people,' the old guard, to prove themselves again. The ones he has confidence in—Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Modric, Kroos—have given him a lot of glory. The question is: Are these guys able to reach that level again?"

Last season, they had their excuses. They were sated from perennial success, especially in the UEFA Champions League. Players were tired from the FIFA World Cup in Russia. There was the loss of Ronaldo, a huge psychic blow to the club's morale. But this season there can be no excuses. Those eight Real Madrid players who made last year's Ballon d'Or longlist must scale the mountain again. It's a last chance saloon.

"Real Madrid's fans wanted a greater revolution—maybe a change of two players per line [defence, midfield, attack]—but Zidane believes not," says Rodriguez. "He reckons he can revive these players and win again. It's his great challenge. But as we know, second parts historically rarely go well.

"If you remember, for example, the Spain national team of Vicente del Bosque. It has similarities with Zidane's situation. Del Bosque had won the World Cup and the European Championship. He arrived at the World Cup in 2014 with a squad that was crying out for renovation, but he showed faith in the same players who had brought him success—Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Xabi Alonso. It ended in a disastrous World Cup in Brazil. Sometimes it's not possible to re-energise a group of champions, but Zidane believes he can achieve the feat. Let's see."

Apart from a surplus of players in attack—what is referred to as "overbooking" in Spain—the remaining piece to be solved in Zidane's puzzle is his midfield. He has discarded Marcos Llorente, Dani Ceballos and Mateo Kovavic. He has no back-up for Casemiro as the team's holding midfielder.

Zidane set his heart on bringing in Paul Pogba as the X-factor player for his second project, a box-to-box player who would invigorate his team's midfield axis. That move seems unlikely to happen now, however, as Manchester United failed to find a replacement before the English Premier League transfer window closed on Thursday (the Spanish transfer window remains open until September 2).

"The urge Zidane has to sign Pogba is because he knows that Real Madrid needs a shake-up, above all in midfield, where Real Madrid has played with the same trio for many years now—Modric, Casemiro and Kroos," says El Pais' Oscar Sanz.

Zidane has to contend with other headaches in his squad composition. The Gareth Bale saga has been torturing the manager all summer. A couple of weeks ago, Zidane said: "If Bale leaves tomorrow, the better." Then Real Madrid got thrashed 7-3 by Atletico Madrid. Real Madrid need a player like Bale who can score goals. The same weekend of the humiliating defeat to Atletico, a free transfer to China for Bale was vetoed by Real Madrid's board. They believe Zidane is cutting off his nose to spite his face.

Bale sat out Real Madrid's ensuing trip to Munich, owing to "stress." He was then pictured playing golf while Real Madrid lost 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur. Zidane's old World Cup teammate Frank Leboeuf suggested during the week that if Bale remains at Real Madrid under Zidane, it will be like "gangrene" in the dressing room. Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, has yet to find a new club for Bale. The door has shut on any chance of a return to England, his most likely destination. The stalemate has left Zidane in a bind and exposed his poor diplomacy skills.

"It would be legitimate to sell Gareth Bale if Real Madrid got a good transfer fee," says Sanz. "The club should be telling the whole world that he's an extraordinary player. You can't have Zidane in a press conference saying, 'If Bale goes tomorrow, the better.' You immediately devalue the player. Whatever team might have been interested in Bale wouldn't give €70 million or €80 million, they'd offer €10 million. It's a disastrous negotiating ploy. It was absurd. 

"If Bale stays on the books at Real Madrid, with the club paying so much money each year for him, he won't be sitting in the stands eating pipas (sunflower seeds) or playing golf when Real Madrid travels for away trips. He might not be a starter, but Zidane would have to use him. Zidane has phobias with Bale and James, but Bale and James are far superior to a lot of the players in Real Madrid's squad—for example, Lucas Vazquez or Vinicius or Isco—but Zidane doesn't want them." 

If Zidane can't get who he wants—Pogba, as seems likely—the club could be in for 22-year-old Ajax star Donny van de Beek as a cheaper alternative. Christian Eriksen, whom Diario AS has reported Real Madrid have a long-standing verbal agreement with, could also be of interest.

"Neither options would be too bad," says Sanz. "Real Madrid need to reinforce their midfield. Eriksen is a player that would give the team a lot of control of the ball. He's a very good midfielder in the style of Modric.

"Van de Beek is a magnificent footballer. He's good at arriving in the box. He would be a player for the future. The only issue is that both players are attacking midfielders. Real Madrid already has an over-supply of them. Zidane believes Pogba could give Real Madrid something it doesn't have."

If those options aren't convincing, Real Madrid's president Florentino Perez might have one more trick up his sleeve.

"Florentino doesn't want to pay the fee of a superstar—€150 million or €180 million—for Pogba," says Rodriguez. "It's an astronomical fee, the kind a Messi or Cristiano would command. Florentino won't pay that kind of money for Pogba, who would strengthen the team but wouldn't unbalance opposition teams.

"In my opinion, Real Madrid intend to buy someone like Neymar. Despite all the noise around whether he will return to Spain, and the scandals, Real Madrid need a player of this stature. Somebody who will impose themselves. Since Cristiano left, they don't have that kind of figure."

                  

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Eden Hazard said he had been waiting for a long time to score his first goal for Real Madrid after netting the solitary strike in their 1-0 win over Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday. 

In a summer of major transfer activity for Los Blancos, the signing of Hazard has been their most significant, and the Belgium international will be expected to be the team's key attacking player in the upcoming 2019-20 season.

In pre-season, Hazard has looked a little rusty at times, although he has also showcased glimpses of quality. After scoring for the first time as a Real Madrid player, the Belgium international spoke of his delight, per Sacha Pisani of Goal:

"When you're out on the pitch, you want to win the game, and being a forward, you want to score goals. I'd been waiting for this moment for the last five games and it's happened today. I'm very pleased. 

"It's still pre-season, but I think we've got more energy now. We've still got another 10 days before our first competitive game so we have to focus and keep working hard. Our aim is to be ready for next week, we can't wait to start La Liga, so we're training and practising hard."

Here is more of what Hazard had to say after his goal:

💬⚽ The words of the goalscorer! This is what @hazardeden10 had to say after scoring his first @RealMadrid goal.#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/3ll7UtT6EP

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 7, 2019

The strike was an indication of what the 28-year-old can offer. Hazard picked the ball up on the left flank, danced past a couple of challenges and fired a shot beyond the Salzburg goalkeeper.

The Spanish Football Podcast commented on what it believed to be the former Chelsea man's best display in pre-season so far:

Hazard with a brilliant piece of skill goes past a defender and through on goal but denied by a fine stop. This is Hazard's best performance so far for Real Madrid by some distance, looking good.

— The Spanish Football Podcast (@tsf_podcast) August 7, 2019

Per Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC, a tweak in system appeared to give Hazard more freedom in his attacking play:

Hazard seems to be playing as floating number 10, with Benzema also with his usual liberty to pick up different positions. Isco and Kroos flanking Casemiro in centre.

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) August 7, 2019

Hazard darting into the area and firing shots at goal is a sight Real Madrid fans will hope to see more of in the coming months, as they seek to get back on top of Spanish and European football.

Having lost Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus last summer, in 2018-19 the team toiled in attack, with no player able to step up and fill the void the Portuguese's departure left. In Hazard, they now have someone capable of shouldering responsibility in attack.

After all, at Chelsea he was the team's most prolific goalscorer and creator:

Eden Hazard: Had a direct hand in more goals (31 -- 16 goals, 15 assists) than any other player in the Premier League last season

For more player stats -- https://t.co/uLO9OOWM31 pic.twitter.com/ix8aWujuSJ

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) June 5, 2019

Hazard has all the qualities to make a big impression in La Liga, having been regarded as one of the best players in English football for a long time before his move.

Madridistas may not have seen the best of the forward in what has been a challenging pre-season for the club so far. However, they will be encouraged by what was on show against Salzburg, and Hazard will feel some weight off his shoulders ahead of the new campaign.

Neymar is reportedly unhappy at Paris Saint-Germain, but returning to former club Barcelona isn't his only option. The world's most expensive player could reportedly earn a move to Barca's bitter rivals Real Madrid, with Los Blancos opening talks about a possible deal on Wednesday, per Sky Sports.

The report noted how Neymar is eager to leave the French capital, but Les Parisiens "are unlikely to sanction a sale unless they are able to recoup the £200m they spent" back in 2017.

Sky believe Real are yet to make a firm bid:

https://twitter.com/skysports_bryan/status/1159190459039789056

However, Sport (h/t Goal) has outlined the package on offer:

Real Madrid have offered €120m plus Luka Modric for PSG's Neymar, according to Sport 😲

Who would get the better deal? pic.twitter.com/1L2zw8L1AJ

— GOAL (@goal) August 7, 2019

Whatever value Real are assigning to the Brazil international, securing his signature would represent a coup on two levels. Aside from getting one over on Barcelona, Neymar's arrival would also complete a necessary overhaul of Real's forward line after the signings of winger Eden Hazard and striker Luka Jovic earlier this summer.

Putting Neymar alongside this pair would give Los Merengues the star power they have missed since Cristiano Ronaldo joined Juventus last summer. Ronaldo wasn't adequately replaced and Real devolved from a team that won the UEFA Champions League three seasons in a row to a squad that finished third in La Liga and were eliminated by Ajax at the last-16 stage in Europe.

Neymar hasn't lifted the Champions League trophy since he was a Barca player in 2015. He hasn't yielded the success at Europe's top table PSG crave, despite some fine individual performances:

Neymar: Made more accurate through balls (17) than any other player in Ligue 1 last season

For more player stats -- https://t.co/2OX26dM7o5 pic.twitter.com/Mk4Af20bJH

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) July 19, 2019

Neymar: Only Hatem Ben Arfa (5.1) completed more dribbles per 90 than @neymarjr (4.7) in Ligue 1 last season (10+ apps)

For more player stats -- https://t.co/2OX26e3IfD pic.twitter.com/gLihzRLMDz

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) July 11, 2019

Even so, domestic dominance hasn't been enough to stop Neymar wanting to leave the Parc des Princes. He formally notified PSG of his desire to move on last month.

Barca were widely expected to capitalise, but the Blaugrana instead wrapped up the signing of Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid. Barcelona vice-president JordiCardoner recently played down interest, telling TV3 (h/t Ben Hayward of the London Evening Standard): "As of today, there is no case, as the president said."

With Griezmann joining Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele, Barcelona no longer have a pressing need to pursue what would be a hugely expensive Neymar deal. By contrast, Real still need a new marquee attraction to be the face of a successful post-Ronaldo era.

Cesc Fabregas has backed Eden Hazard to succeed at Real Madrid despite criticism of the Belgian's early performances for the club in pre-season. 

Per Sport (h/t Glen Williams of MailOnline), the 28-year-old, who signed for Real from Chelsea for £88.5 million back in June, arrived at the club's pre-season tour in Montreal seven kilograms overweight. 

He has played in all five of Real's pre-season games. But despite the fact Hazard has yet to play a competitive match for Los Blancos, there are already calls for him to contribute more:

"Five games and yet to make an impact". First pre-season syndrome pic.twitter.com/uLNNrh6bSx

— Tom Allnutt (@TomAllnutt_) August 7, 2019

Monaco midfielder Fabregas played with Hazard at Chelsea between 2014 and 2019, and he has said the Belgium international needs time to settle, per COPE (h/t Sport):

"They talk a lot about his weight. It seems like people haven't seen the Premier League for the last seven years. Maybe in pre-season things are a bit harder, but you have to give him time, not just for his physical state but because he has to adapt to a new philosophy, another type of play, other pressures.

"Madrid and Barca have pressures of all kinds, and I think he didn't even know. I'm sure Eden will do well, because he's a crack and I have no doubts about him."

Hazard is far from the only signing Real have made this summer. They have also spent big money on forwards Luka Jovic and Rodrygo, left-back Ferland Mendy and centre-back Eder Militao.

There is little doubt, though, that Hazard is Real's marquee signing.

He has established himself as one of the world's best players during seven years at Chelsea, and he could be the key to Real finally finding a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Real failed to properly replace the Portuguese superstar when he left for Juventus last summer, and as a result their goalscoring suffered.

They came a distant third to Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in La Liga while scoring just 63 goals, their worst return in any season since 1999-2000.

Hazard, meanwhile, had his best season from a personal perspective in 2018-19 as he netted 16 goals and provided 15 assists in the Premier League:

Eden Hazard for Chelsea in the 2018/2019 Premier League:

most successful take-ons (137)
most chances created (98)
most shots taken (93)
most assists (16)
most goals (15)

Absolutely ran the show. 🇧🇪🇧🇪🇧🇪 pic.twitter.com/4r1tlJIWFq

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) June 19, 2019

If he can reproduce that type of form at the Santiago Bernabeu, any criticism of him will disappear quickly.

Hazard will likely make his competitive debut for Real when they kick off their new La Liga campaign away at Celta Vigo on August 17. 

Ajax manager Erik ten Hag has said Donny van de Beek has not yet finalised a move to Real Madrid despite the transfer speculation surrounding him. 

In recent days, the Netherlands international has been linked with a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu, with manager Zinedine Zidane seemingly keen to bolster his options in central midfield.

Ten Hag was asked about the 22-year-old after the team's 2-2 draw with PAOK in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round on Tuesday and said there's no guarantee he will make the switch to the Spanish capital, per Ziggo Sports (h/t Marca).

"There are a lot of rumours, but nothing definitive," said Ten Hag. "Donny played today, and he's busy with Ajax. We want him to be here for the Champions League because he makes this team better. ... I don't know if he'll leave, but I hope he stays for a long time. Especially for this season because it would mean we have a very good midfielder."

Van de Beek played in the draw with PAOK, but that wouldn't see him cup-tied for Madrid's Champions League group-stage fixtures should a transfer happen.

Per The Spanish Football Podcast, reports in Spain have suggested Madrid will turn to Van de Beek because they've been unable to do a deal for Paul Pogba with Manchester United:

Today’s 🇪🇸⚽️ frontpages...

🗞 Marca: “Van de Beek Yes Pogba No”

🗞 As: “Now Van de Beek believes it”

🗞 Mundo Deportivo: “Junior will sign today”

🗞 Sport: “Neymar loan”

More in the #tsfp Morning Paper Review for patrons ➡️ https://t.co/SLrR7Gpt6j pic.twitter.com/uIYzviurMg

— The Spanish Football Podcast (@tsf_podcast) August 4, 2019

According to Paul Hirst and Ian Whittell of The Times, the Red Devils have rejected an offer of £27.4 million and James Rodriguez for the France midfielder.

The other attacking midfielder linked with a move to the Spanish capital is Tottenham Hotspur star Christian Eriksen. Miguel Delaney of The Independent and Andy Mitten of The Athletic reported that the Dane is still hoping for a move to the Bernabeu:

Eriksen still holding out for Madrid move, above any other.

— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) August 7, 2019

MUFC had a few discussions with Eriksen but they’re not ongoing. MU rate him but, tallying with sources in Spain, his focus is on Madrid.

— Andy Mitten (@AndyMitten) August 7, 2019

Van de Beek did excellently for Ajax last season, helping them to a domestic double and progressed to the Champions League semi-finals. The Dutchman offered an incisive threat from an attacking-midfield role, getting into dangerous areas, scoring goals and creating opportunities.

Per WhoScored.com, over the last couple of years he's been the most prolific midfielder in Dutch football:

Donny van de Beek: Has had a direct hand in more goals (38 -- 21 goals, 17 assists) than any other central midfielder since the start of the 2017/18 Eredivisie season

For more player stats -- https://t.co/BMu3FKfZM4 pic.twitter.com/US97bLb8bj

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) August 5, 2019

Under Zidane, Madrid won three successive Champions League titles, with Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro forming a formidable heart of midfield. In 2018-19, there were small signs of that trio becoming a little one-dimensional.

With his positivity in possession, runs into the penalty area and nose for goals, Van de Beek would add a different edge to Madrid's play. While Ajax appear keen to keep him, you sense that if Los Blancos make him a priority acquisition, the deal will get over the line before the transfer window shuts.