Real Madrid Transfer News: Top Rumours Circling Blancos on Christmas Day 2014

Despite possessing two of Europe’s finest goalkeepers in Iker Casillas and Keylor Navas, Real Madrid have been in negotiations with Chelsea about a potential transfer for Petr Cech. 

That’s according to the player’s agent, Viktor Kolar, who has hinted at a potential summer move for the 32-year-old as a result of him dropping behind Thibaut Courtois in the Stamford Bridge pecking order, per Rhys Turrell of the Daily Star:

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We’ve been in contact with Real Madrid, but they don’t need a keeper just now.

It’s unlikely Petr will leave Chelsea in the January transfer window. The club and coach want to keep him to help win the title.

Petr still has the ambition to play as many matches as possible. But it's impossible now. However, he has a good feeling from the overall attitude towards him.

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As Kolar notes, the European champions aren’t in desperate need of a goalkeeper at this stage. The news that they are keen on Cech will come as a shock to Navas and Casillas, though. The Blues man is a player who has the class to challenge for the No. 1 jersey at the Santiago Bernabeu.

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With the legendary Casillas in situ, football writer Peter Hall suggested the most likely outcome for the 'keeper should he sign for the Spanish giants:

Indeed, such is the strength in depth in almost every area of Los Blancos' squad, the majority of rumours surrounding the club are to do with outgoing players.

With that in mind, any Madridistas who received jerseys with “Bale” or “Sergio Ramos” on the back for Christmas might want to keep hold of the receipt.

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According to Fichajes.net (h/t Jamie Sanderson of the Metro), Gareth Bale has given the green light on a move back to the Premier League, with Manchester United set to bid a record £120 million for the Welshman. 

Here’s a glimpse at what United would potentially be getting for that staggering amount of money:

With that being said, this is a deal that looks very unlikely. After all, Bale couldn’t have done much more at Madrid since his transfer from Tottenham Hotspur 15 months ago.

The former Spurs star scored the winning goals in Copa del Rey and Champions League triumphs for Real Madrid, and he has lit up La Liga with his trailblazing brand of marauding wing play.

Sky Sports Spanish football expert Terry Gibson told talkSPORT that we shouldn’t read much into this influx of rumours:

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He had the choice. Manchester United wanted him before he went to Real Madrid but he made it clear to Spurs he wanted to go to Real Madrid. That’s how Real Madrid ended up paying more money.

I can’t imagine [the transfer happening] and I’ve looked into it. I’ve asked [Spanish football experts] Graham Hunter and Guillem Balague, they checked it out and he’s definitely not unhappy. [The rumours] certainly haven’t come from his end.

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Scott Patterson of the Republik of Mancunia blog also thinks that stories regarding the player are most likely nonsense:

The same can be said of any potential transfer for Sergio Ramos, despite reports suggesting that Arsenal have made enquiries about the defender’s availability.

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According to Manolete of AS (h/t Tom Conn of InsideSpanishFootball.com), Arsene Wenger has been in contact with the player’s agent and brother, Rene Ramos, after negotiations about extending his contract with Madrid broke down.

Here’s a look at why Ramos is considered among the very best defenders in world football:

It’s for that reason Madrid simply will not entertain the prospect of selling him. Ramos has refined his game over the past 12 months, blossoming from an erratic presence at the back to an assured, commanding influence. He’s also developed a desirable habit for scoring big goals, too.

Like Bale, he has scored for his team in some major finals and semi-finals at critical moments.

The likes of Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema hog much of the spotlight at Madrid because of their dazzling forward play, but Ramos has developed into just as important a player in recent seasons.

At this juncture, there’s little to suggest any side has the requisite gravitas to lure the Spaniard away from the Santiago Bernabeu.