Madrid Press: Real lay down marker for rest of Europe

James Rodriguez and Keylor Navas are dominating the headlines still with Marca and AS finding new ways to discuss the probable signings without there actually being any real advancement over the weekend.

Marca goes for a front page with Toni Kroos along with signings made by other top European clubs this season so far and the headline screams ‘Colossus Blancos’. The paper says a number of betting companies have already made Real favourites to retain their European crown next May and that the signings they have made this summer have strengthened the squad compared to last season.

There may still be more players to come too – not only Rodriguez and Navas. Following the depature of Alvaro Morata to Juventus, Real are probably a striker short and according to Marca, have turned their attention to Alvaro Negredo at Manchester City. The report claims Real directors are aware only Benzema can play the number 9 role effectively, and with the club competing in six competitions this year, will need a big squad and top class replacements.

Negredo grew up in the Los Blancos youth team and knows the club well. Although he says he is happy in Manchester, he could be open to a return to Spain having fallen down the pecking order at the Citizens. His lack of playing time last season saw him miss out on Spain’s World Cup squad.