Real Madrid Will Continue To Pursue Inter Right-Back Maicon - Report

Mourinho has not yet given up on the Brazilian wingback...

By Cyrus C. Malek

Maicon - Inter (Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho's era at Real Madrid has begun with three signings as Sergio Canales, Angel Di Maria and Pedro Leon have come through the entrance at the Bernabeu, but it as though the Special One wants to add to his squad further.

Although Bastian Schweinsteiger remains the preferable option, Sami Khedira has been strongly linked, whilst the addition of Mesut Oezil would necessitate the sale of either Rafael Van der Vaart or Kaka.

But as reported by AS, the Special One is keen on bringing one player in particular to the Spanish capital: Inter right-back Maicon.

Despite the fact that Blancos director general Jorge Valdano announced in the wake of Di Maria's signing that Madrid would only make one or two more signings, Mourinho continues to hope that the negotiations between the Merengues and Inter, which have reached an impasse, can be set into motion again. For the Portuguese coach, the Brazilian right-back is an important piece of his vision of a future Real Madrid.

On Wednesday, Inter declared that the Brazilian will not be sold on the cheap and Madrid have been told that the Italian club will not cede from the €35 million price tag they have slapped on the player. Los Blancos have stated they will not pay such a quantity for the soon-to-be 29-year-old, refusing to raise their offer from €25m.

The saga could continue well into August and up until the transfer deadline, but in the event that an accord cannot be reached, Los Blancos have a plan B which includes retaining Sergio Ramos at right-back where the player performed adeptly for the Spanish national team in this summer's World Cup triumph, and instead signing a central defender, with Benfica youngster David Luiz and Porto's Bruno Alves heading the list.

Another worry for the Portuguese coach remains the left-back position for which Manchester United's Patrice Evra and Chelsea's Ashley Cole remain far too expensive for consideration. Regardless, it seems the pieces in the Spanish capital may continue to move for some time and all of it may hinge on whether Maicon dons a white shirt.

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Hosted by Stephen Crawford & Adam Scime
2/15/12
And with that, we're going to call it a night, folks.

We've had two tremendous matches today, so lets hope the intensity keeps up in the next clashes!

Until next time, this is LIVE commentator Stephen Crawford signing off.

From everyone here at Goal.com, thanks for joining us!

2/15/12
All this focus on the Arsenal and Milan game should not take away from another cracker earlier tonight between Zenit and Benfica. The Russians came from a goal down to lead 2-1 in the closing minutes before Oscar Cardozo levelled things for Benfica, but it wasn't over there as Roman Shirokov won the game for Zenit in the 88th minute.

Here's the thoughts of Benfica coach Jorge Jesus, who felt his side deserved a point from the game.
2/15/12
Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny bemoaned his side's luck tonight but refused to give up. Here's some of his quotes:

"They were the better team on the night and that's the story of the day.

"We have to keep fighting, pick ourselves up, get the confidence back and challenge in the other competitions and in the second leg of this tie too.

"They punished us on every occasion; they scored some quality goals and they deserved to win."

Full story HERE


2/15/12
Another Milan player who was willing to share his thoughts after the match was Mark van Bommel, who has urged caution ahead of the second leg in London.

“The score made it look like it was an easy game, but it certainly wasn't.

(Strange... it looked pretty easy from where I was sitting, but hey.)

“I do not think it's over yet. I remember a clash between Milan and Deportivo la Coruna when Milan was also ahead by four goals, and in the end Deportivo eliminated Milan.

“I went into the Arsenal dressing room after the match to speak to Robin van Persie. I had agreed with him to swap shirts – my sons are big fans of his and he brought two for them. They will be delighted.


Van Bommel went on to talk about a possible move to PSV in the future, but was quick to point out his terms for the move.

“I've spoken with PSV, but we don't have an agreement yet. The club has to decide what they want.

“If Louis van Gaal turns out to be the new coach, I won't go.”


2/15/12
Next up is the Milan maestro Clarence Seedorf. He only managed 12 minutes on the pitch, but watching from the sidelines he was delighted at how his team mates had dominated the game.

"Tonight everything went in the right direction and we did a very good match. You don't start a match thinking to win 4-0, but at the end i think we deserved it coz we played very well."

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