Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said he was happy after the team’s preseason friendly defeat of AC Milan.  Madrid lost 1-0 in Chicago with Samuel Chukwueze the matchwinner for Milan. Carlo said, “We fought and did good things. It’s the first match of the pre-season, there are a lot of young people. The important thing was to compete and we did it throughout the match. “The evaluation is positive. It’s a great chance for young players to play this type of match. In the first half, with more seniors like Rudiger and Modric, we did better, but at the moment these players cannot play more than 45 minutes. “Now let’s get ready for the next game. Tomorrow Vinicius and Militao return and today Rodrygo returns. Let’s see if they can play a part of the match. Those who started on the 15th, like Lucas, Fran, Brahim or Ceballos, are already showing good condition. “Palacios’ change? He has a knee problem and is not well. We have to evaluate him tomorrow and it’s a shame that a young player was injured in the first pre-season match. I hope it’s nothing serious. Brahim? He played well. We made good plays offensively. Arda is also in good shape. “The objective until the 7th is to try to have the players who have already started in the best possible physical condition. At the moment we only do tactical work for the young people, but when they return we will try to work for everyone too. There aren’t many things to do because the team is more or less the same as last year. The strategies are quite clear. We have to adapt to new things, but we will do it little by little. We can’t adapt Mbappé or Endrick in five days.”

An enraged Real Madrid management is ready to sever all ties with super agent Jorge Mendes. According to Okdiario, Real Chiefs are angry after Jorge took Leny Yoro to Manchester United ahead of them this summer.  Real knew Yoro chose Madrid over United and the player had told them that he preferred Madrid.  But Mendes demanded a €10m-a-year personal terms deal for Yoro which turned off Real, alongside Lille’s  €63 valuation. And instead of concluding his final year at LOSC before joining Madrid, Yoro and Mendes accepted Manchester’s proposal. But, it is not only his decision for Yoro that annoyed Real. The agent had also stolen away prodigy Paulo Iago to Sporting CP. Real Madrid offered Iago new contracts to continue schooling inside La Fabrica, but instead Mendes took him to Sporting.  On that note, Madrid directors are now considering ending all business relationships with him and rounding up future discussions with him.

Aston Villa are pushing a bid for Barcelona winger Raphinha. Sport reports Villa plan to sell Moussa Diaby to Al-Ittihad and use the money raised to acquire Raphinha. Aston intends to sell Diaby for a €60m price. Barcelona on the other hand, want €70m to sell Brazil national Raphinha. He has a deal with the Spanish side that runs in the summer of 2027. After selling him, Barca will want to pay the €58m buyout clause in the Athletic Bilbao deal of Nico Williams.

Real Madrid signee Kylian Mbappe is exploring the possibility of owning the club SM Caen. Mbappe, who has left France PSG for Real Madrid, with his appearance anticipated at a sold-out Santiago Bernabeu next week. RMC says he has contacted SM Caen about a takeover. The Normandy-based club’s co-owner Pierre-Antoine Capton, has announced that the club are looking for a new owner. Mbappe is enthusiastic about this opportunity, with reps for his company, he is now in contact with Caption to discuss a purchase. SM Caen currently compete in Ligue 2.

Atletico Madrid wants PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Walter Benitez. Benitez is on Atletico’s radar as they get ready to send off Horaţiu Moldovan, who has substituted for No 1 Jan Oblak. Fabrizio Romano the transfer expert reports: “EXCL: Atlético Madrid open talks to sign Walter Benítez from PSV as new goalkeeper. “Long term contract on the table as Atléti believe in Benítez for the future. “Talks ongoing.”

Former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart says he would not swap Lamine Yamal for Real Madrid signing Kylian Mbappe.  Gaspart was asked about the prospect when speaking on El Chiringuito. He replied: “No. I would not. An exchange? Yamal is neither better nor worse, he is different. For some he is better and for others he is worse. “ Gaspart said that for Yamal “his value is not age, it is the quality he has… “But I repeat it again, he just won’t make us champions next year. You have to surround him. You have to accompany him.”

Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal has dismissed the mockery of former Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann.  Ahead of the Euros quarter final on Friday, Lehmann referred to Spain as “small’’ and as a “youth team’’. In response, Spain winger Yamal said: “It is his opinion, what is he going to tell you? He is German. Trying to destabilise us a little. We do not listen to anyone, we will demonstrate who we are. “More than helping Germany, it helps us. Let’s see if we are small and inexperienced.” When asked about playing with Nico Williams at Barcelona, Yamal added: “Anyone who is your friend you would like  to be on your team. Hopefully… We have common tastes, we have similar positions, and a similar style. There is a very good vibe.”

The Three Lions were down 1-0 in their match with Slovakia before Jude Bellingham equalised for the team in the 95th minute.  A UEFA spokesperson said: “Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector will conduct a disciplinary investigation regarding a potential violation of the basic rules of decent conduct by the English FA player, Jude Bellingham, having allegedly occurred in the scope of this match.” During the game, Bellingham seemed to gesture in the direction of the crowd, before mouthing “who else” in reference to himself. The Real Madrid star may be banned if found guilty, as FIFA rules state:  “Anyone who insults someone in any way, especially by using offensive gestures or language, or who violates the principles of fair pay or whose behaviour is unsporting in any other way may be subject to sanctions in accordance with art. 10 ff.” Bellingham wrote on social media post-game: “An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight.”

Relevo says Atlético Madrid want €15m for Álvaro Morata. However, Morata is expected to make the final decision for his future after the Euro 2024 tournament. Diego Simeone, head coach of Atlético Madrid, hopes that Morata will stay with the club. The captain’s contract will end in the summer of 2026.

Real Madrid could send Arder Güler out for loan next La Liga season.  According to Radio Marca, Real Madrid would be a preferred club if Güler were to leave on loan. Madrid would like to see the prodigy move to Real Sociedad which is one of the clubs that have shown interest in him.  The current La Liga champions feel that Güler can grow at Real Sociedad, just like former prospects Martin Ödegaard and Takefusa Kubo did.