Real Madrid Transfer News: Casemiro Re-signs, Latest on Gareth Bale Rumours

New Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez has kicked off his summer transfer activity by re-signing Casemiro from Porto.

Real announced on their official website that they have "exercised the option to salvage federative rights on the player" after activating his €7.5 million buy-back clause.

The defensive midfielder was on loan at the Portuguese club, who were keen to sign Casemiro permanently. However, as reported by Marca, Real informed Porto of their intention to bring the Brazilian back to the Bernabeu before the June 5 deadline.

Paulo Duarte/Associated Press

The 23-year-old is not yet a star name but has become a hot prospect in recent seasons, and as football writer Jack Lang notes, he could be on the verge of breaking into Brazil's national team:

Football writer and broadcaster Andy West believes it is good business by Los Blancos:

The Brazilian impressed during Porto's Champions League campaign, making 50 per cent of his tackles successfully and winning 62 per cent of his aerial duels, according to Squawka. 

With Sami Khedira's impending departure and Asier Illarramendi's failure to nail down a starting berth, Casemiro will give Benitez a strong defensive-midfield option who could challenge for a regular place in the side.

One player who could give Benitez a selection headache, however, is Gareth Bale.

According to Marca's Jose Felix Diaz, Bale is determined to return to his natural position on the left wing, and his agent, Jonathan Barnett, has met with Real's hierarchy to put that message across.

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

Bale, a long-term target for Manchester United, endured a difficult second season in the Spanish capital, his performances often drawing boos from some sections of the Madrid faithful.

The Welshman has insisted that he wants to turn things around with Real and recently took to Twitter to reaffirm where his future lies.

However, the left-wing position at Real is currently occupied by Cristiano Ronaldo. As Diaz notes, the superstar will not consider moving into a central role because he enjoys the freedom he gets on the left flank.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Ronaldo is a huge figure in the Madrid dressing room, so Benitez would be wise to keep the Ballon d'Or winner happy, particularly in his first season with the club.

To that end, the 30-year-old is unlikely to swap positions unless he has a change of heart.

Should Benitez inform the Welshman that his position will remain on the right wing for the foreseeable future, Bale could find himself edging closer to the Bernabeu exit door sooner than he might have hoped.