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Former Tottenham Hotspur FC midfielder Luka Modric hopes Gareth Bale will join him at Real Madrid in the future.

Modric joined the La Liga giants from Spurs in the summer and he thinks Bale has has what it takes to play for one of Europe’s most decorated clubs.

He told BBC Sport: “I agree he should play for Real Madrid and I hope he’ll come.

“It would be amazing and I think he can [play for Real Madrid]. He’s a good enough player.”

Bale has signed a new contract until 2015 at White Hart Lane but his current good form for both club and country has seen speculation of a move away from North London re-surface in recent weeks.

A move to Real Madrid looks more likely, though, as the £30 million transfer that saw Modric move to the Bernabeu included an agreement between the two clubs whereby they would work together with players, coaching staff and commercial relationships.

The 23-year-old Welsh winger catapulted on to the world stage with some world class performances in Tottenham’s 2010/2011 Champions League campaign, one of which saw him score a hat-trick against Inter Milan in a 4-3 defeat.

And in the build up to Wales’ 2014 World Cup qualifying defeat to Croatia last night, former Real striker Davor Suker claimed a move to the Bernabeu “would be the best move of his [Bale’s] career.”

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Bale has scored 31 goals in 169 appearances for Tottenham since arriving from Southampton in 2007.

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Long term Manchester City transfer target Stevan Jovetic has insisted that he is happy at Fiorentina despite being flattered by the English clubs’ interest, according to talkSPORT.

Jovetic has started this season as he finished the last, already netting five times and that has only fuelled rumours that he could be on his way to either Manchester City or Real Madrid when the transfer window reopens in January.

However, Jovetic felt the need to talk to the press and commit his allegiance to the Florence club who have helped the 22-year-old make a name for himself over the past few seasons.

Jovetic is one of the hottest youngsters in Europe at the moment but the level headed Montenegro star is clearly happy where he is, although admitting his head may have been turned.

He told La Nazione: “When a big club considers you, it is always nice. But I’m happy here and I chose Fiorentina – that’s what counts.”

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This week heralded the return of the Capital One Cup and the third round certainly lived up to expectations. We have now grown accustomed to the annual midweek programme in September that brings us evening football under the lights, the anthemic melodies of Texas’ Inner Smile and and most importantly the future stars the competition brings to our attention.

Indeed, the League Cup has now become synonymous as a pathway through which young talents emerge, intermingle with first team regulars and look to catch the eye in the hopes of a more frequent role at first team level in the league and potential overtures in Europe. Almost like a one off audition perhaps.

It may be difficult to pin point exactly when it became fashionable for managers to utilise the League Cup as a springboard and anticipated opportunity for fans to get a sneak peak of the stars of tomorrow, but we have now grown used to scrolling through our match day programmes to find a few names draped more in mystery than instant recollection.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has always made public his desire to blood younger talents in the competition and a pattern has started to emerge predominantly across the top two divisions with the many league regulars being replaced in the midweek by a cast of eager, hungry first timers hell bent on making an impression.

Over the years more and more Premier League sides and now Championship outfits alike are following the Wenger ideal by letting their precocious youngsters loose in the competition and who can blame them?

The Capital One Cup offers passionate fans a competitive environment and good old fashioned knockout football that can only be beneficial to the development of any young pro. Vociferous encouragement from the crowd and geeing up from a respected first team accomplice, is a far cry away from the ripple of applause that could be witnessed during a reserve or youth team fixture that would usually represent the surroundings for mere 20-somethings.

With this extra confidence and an understandable adrenaline rush having been given this experience it is no surprise that so many youngsters perform so well and become a first team fixture at their respective club given this initial opportunity.

With sides competing on a number of fronts including the Premier League, FA Cup and European tournaments, the Capital One Cup distinguishes itself on giving frequent first team opportunities to younger pros who wouldn’t gain as much playing time if the competition ceased to exist. Robbie Fowler, David Beckham and Steven Gerrard have all made their name in the League Cup and have gone on to achieve an impressive standing in the game.

This time last year Manchester United handed debuts to young Ezekiel Fryers and Larnell Cole in their fixture against Leeds at Elland Road, and way back in the 2003/4 campaign, a fledgling Cesc Fabregas then wearing squad number 57 scored his first ever goal for Arsenal in the League Cup in a home tie to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Highbury.

With some Premier League clubs entering the competition at the second round phase this year, there was plenty of evidence in the selected rosters that this occurrence of youth is just as prevalent as ever.

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West Ham brought on Matthias Fanimo and George Moncur in their victory against Crewe Alexandra, Aston Villa replaced Australian first teamer Chris Herd with young Irishman Graham Burke during a tie against League One Tranmere Rovers and Southampton boss Nigel Adkins saw Stevenage as the perfect location to hand opportunities to development squad members Luke Shaw, Calum Chambers and Cobey Moore.

This invaluable experience in the Capital One Cup opening phases has now become a staple part of the footballing calendar and more and more clubs are using it as the perfect and assumed opportunity to blood youth.

It is unquestionable that the Capital One Cup conveyor belt is certainly still in motion. All that is left to mystery is just who will become the young star that takes the Capital One Cup by storm this year and really makes a name for themselves.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has stated that his side’s 1-0 win over Norwich on Sunday was important for team morale.

The Magpies took the lead on 20 minutes through attacker Demba Ba, which was enough to seal the three points for the hosts.

“It was such an important game for us to win because, even though we had got some decent results this season, we needed that second win just to get us going,” the visiting manager told Sky Sports.

“We find ourselves with eight points and I think that is a good reflection because we have had some tough games.

“Norwich made it tough for us today and the back four and the goalie were the standout players, outside of Hatem Ben Arfa who was again brilliant,” Pardew commented.

Papiss Cisse, who is yet to score this season, missed a penalty on the brink of half-time, and Pardew feels that the spurned opportunity had the potential to derail his side’s attempts to win the game.

“I thought the penalty miss hurt us mentally a little bit,” the coach continued.

“I think it was pretty obvious that they wanted Cisse to score, which says everything about our spirit here.

“It’s not really what I wanted. I want to see it in the back of the net and I want the best player to take it.

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“Papiss missed one in pre-season so I wasn’t too pleased with that, but I can understand it and I didn’t make a big deal about it at half-time because I thought that could hurt us even more,” he concluded.

Newcastle travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday night next.

By Gareth McKnight

Atletico Madrid striker, Radamel Falcao has been embarrassed by some unwelcome claims by his father, stating that it is his son’s dream to play for Real Madrid. Sky Sports reports.

Falcao’s standing in European football could not be higher at the moment, after his stunning hat-trick helped Atletico crush Chelsea 4-1 in the UEFA Super Cup.

Radamel Garcia told Spanish television that his son’s dream move would be to Real Madrid, but would consider playing in England, with Chelsea and Manchester City reportedly interested in the striker.

“Of course he wants to go to the 2014 World Cup, but most of all, he wants to go to Real Madrid – he will change teams at the end of the year”, Garcia boldly claimed.

But there are suggestions that Garcia’s claims should be taken with a pinch of salt, after previously stating that it was his son’s dream to play for Chelsea and that a deal would be very likely in January.

Falcao himself was keen to dismiss the speculation through his twitter account: “Just so the whole world is clear: my dream is to win titles with Atletico Madrid and to qualify for the World Cup with Colombia.”

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Clint Dempsey may finally get his wish and leave Fulham, after Liverpool could be willing to sell midfielders Charlie Adam and Jay Spearing to bank-roll a move for the USA international, according to the Mirror.

Dempsey was fined by Manager, Martin Jol as the Texan refused to play for the West Londoners again before their 5-0 opening-day win over Norwich.

Liverpool Manager Brendan Rodgers’ spending in the transfer window has been limited by the club’s high-asking price for Andy Carroll, so this is only way in which funds can be raised to buy the troubled star.

Fulham are reportedly keen on a deal which includes a part-exchange with Adam, but it is understood that the Scotland international does not want a move to the Capital.

Adam could instead move across Stanley Park to Everton, with David Moyes reportedly considering a sensational swoop for the midfielder.

The future of Spearing is also unclear as Bolton Manager, Owen Coyle is keen to bolster the Trotters’ promotion charge.

Spearing’s opportunities at Anfield are set to be limited further by the arrival of Joe Allen from Swansea.

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But a bid from the Reebok may only be of a temporary nature, when the Reds are looking for a permanent £3 million deal.

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Few would have expected Arsenal to have something to smile about this transfer window, what with the very public battle surrounding RVP, yet the disastrous situation at Malaga – which could fill a book in itself – has enabled Wenger to lure one of the best players outside of Spain’s big two, Santi Cazorla, to the Emirates.

The little winger has spent most of his career at Villarreal before his move to Malaga, and has attracted mass praise in La Liga, and make no mistake will be a joy to watch this season, if not for the struggle to pronounce a name that actually sounds like Cathorla, yet it is another who Arsenal look set to sign on loan from the very same league that should have Arsenal fans on the edge of their seat with excitement.

Nuri Sahin, as most people will know is a midfielder in the Xabi Alsonso mould, and has struggled to break into the first team at Real Madrid, with Mourinho saying he would be happy for Sahin to go on loan to Arsenal for the season.

However, Sahin’s failure to break into the first team has been through not only devastatingly untimely and lengthy injury problems, but also due to the fact Xabi Alonso is about as untouchable as you get in a Mourinho side.

When Sahin has been given a chance the boy has impressed no end, with vision and a range of passing far beyond his years. The midfielder also has an eye for goal given the chance, and if there was ever a player who you would say should flourish under Wenger and is in the ‘Arsenal mould’ it is this young boy.

During the USA tour with Real Madrid, it has been pretty clear Sahin will not be featuring next season, not even getting a look in the midfield two where you would expect to see him play, but has spent a fair amount of time at left back, and has even done this with class and a quality you might not expect.

Whilst he is one for the future at Real, Sahin will certainly benefit from some first team experience and simply has to get his fitness and confidence levels back, something that looks nigh on impossible at Real Madrid, and with the player, agent and club feeling that a loan move would be hugely beneficial, as you would expect from a man who knows best, Wenger has pounced and looks set to land the player.

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Yes, a Cazorla type player is always welcome at a club, and he will certainly make an impact, and frankly for Mourinho to say he turned down the chance to sign Santi for the tug of love with Modric you have to wonder just what he was thinking, but it could well be Sahin that ends up making a huge impact for Arsenal this season, who are missing a player like the Turk, and knowing exactly what he can do when given the chance, it will be a privilege to watch the young man in the Premier League.

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Everton have announced that they have resigned Steven Pienaar from Tottenham on a four-year contract.

The South Africa international moved to White Hart Lane in January 2011, but failed to hold down a regular starting position with the north London side.

After spending the second half of last season at Goodison Park the Toffees were keen to bring the playmaker back to Merseyside on a permanent basis, and Pienaar is glad that a £4.5 million move has been wrapped up.

“I am happy to be here. It took a few weeks to sort out but I am delighted to be back and excited to play for Everton,” he told the club’s official website.

“There was no doubt in my mind that I would be back here. At the end of the season, I told the manager how I felt and I am happy now it is all done.”

Pienaar joins Steven Naismith as Everton’s new players acquired this summer.

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By Gareth McKnight

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Out of contract striker Hugo Rodallega is set to join Fulham this week, as Martin Jol pips David Moyes to the post in securing the Colombian’s strikers services according to Mirror Sport.

Both managers were interested in signing the former Wigan man, who was released from the DW Stadium at the end of last season, despite being the clubs leading Premier League goal scorer.

The arrival of Rodallega at Fulham is believed to make up for the Cottagers missing out on former loanee Pavel Pogrebnyak, who favoured a move to newly promoted Reading as opposed to signing a permanent deal in West London.

David Moyes was hoping to bring Rodallega to Goodison Park on a free transfer to link up with Steven Naismith, who Everton recently recovered from the turbulence north of the border with Rangers. The move for Rodallega was also set to see Victor Anichebe relieved of his services on Merseyside.

With 24 goals in 4 years of Premier League experience, 26 year old Rodallega has a lot to offer Fulham, as they look to replace Andy Johnson after his move to QPR, and maybe even begin to prepare for life without American Clint Dempsey, who could be on his way to Liverpool.

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Roy Hodgson revealed he will be an extremely proud man today as he leads England for the first time in front of the home fans at Wembley Stadium. Hodgson conceded that why last week in Oslo was special; playing in front of 90,000 fans on the weekend of the Queen’s diamond jubilee makes it an even bigger occasion. It will give the nation the chance to see England’s likely starting XI ahead of the Euros that kicks off in a little over a week.

Elsewhere in the news Rodgers takes full control of Liverpool; West Ham rule out a ground share at the Olympic Stadium and Grant Holt expresses his desire to quit Norwich again.

Headlines

Gary Cahill and John Terry appear to be the first choice defensive pairing in the eyes of Roy Hodgson – Guardian

Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Danny Welbeck are set to start tonight against Belgium to stake their claims for a starting place ahead of the Euros – Guardian

Brendan Rodgers has said that he wouldn’t have taken the Liverpool job unless he was given total control of the football club – Guardian

West Ham rule out the possibility of ground sharing with Leyton Orient at the Olympic Stadium – Guardian

Eden Hazard aims to show what all the fuss is about him at Wembley today and attempt to justify the £78m outlay that Chelsea are looking to pay in transfer fee and wages – Daily Telegraph

Norwich have been dealt a double blow with Grant Holt making his intentions clear that he still wants to leave Carrow Rd – Daily Telegraph

Jan Vertonghen has hinted that a move to Tottenham could be only days away – Independent

Sir Alex Ferguson has turned to TV to help encourage season ticket sales at Old Trafford – Daily Mail

Chelsea and Manchester United are in a £10m transfer battle for Fulham’s Mousa Dembele – Daily Mail

Roberto Mancini has hinted that Sergio Aguero and Robin van Persie could be a future strike force at Manchester City as the Italian highlighted the Dutchman’s contract situation – Mirror

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Harry Redknapp wants another three years at Tottenham to build a Champions League dynasty at the club – Sun

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