Real Madrid get first option on Witsel; Newcastle target hints at summer exit

Real Madrid get first option on Witsel

Real Madrid and Benfica have reached a verbal agreement that los Blancos will have a first option on signing midfielder Axel Witsel, Record understands.

The Spanish giants first showed interest in the Belgian midfielder in March after the player had caught the attention of Jose Mourinho.

Portuguese newspaper Record claims that los Blancos have since stepped up their interest in the 23-year-old and that they now have the first option on Witsel.

Benfica are keen to maintain good relations with the Spanish club and that is one of the reasons why they have accepted the proposal from Real.

Record believes Witsel is worth around €14 million at the moment even if his release clause currently stands at €40 million.

In order to get the first option on the Belgian international, los Blancos had to agree to sell youngster Jese Rodriguez to Benfica, with that transfer set to be wrapped up in the coming days.

Newcastle target hints at summer exit

Espanyol midfielder Javi Marquez has revealed that he doesn’t plan to extend his current contract with the La Liga side.

The 25-year-old has just over a year left on his deal at Cornella El Prat, but he plans to leave the club at the end of the season.

In spite of starting the season as a first team regular, Marquez has failed to feature for los Boquerones since October and is desperate to leave in search of first team football.

“I have decided not to renew because of the simple fact that I have not been in the squad for many games, and I am ambitious and I want to play,” Marquez said at a press conference.

The player, who is followed by Newcastle and Valencia, among other sides, wants the club chiefs to listen to offers in the summer.

“I want them to listen to offers for me because I know my agent has already received calls even if I was on the sidelines, and something is up.”

The talented midfielder, who started his career at Espanyol, has featured in 9 La Liga games this season.

Farfan to stay at Schalke

Schalke have confirmed Jefferson Farfan is likely to extend his contract that is due to expire at the end of the season.

The Miners presented their big money offer to the player’s representatives during the winter break, but they soon broke off the negotiations after the Peruvian asked for a €14 million sign up bonus.

It then became almost clear that Farfan would leave the club on a free transfer at the end of the season, but things have changed since.

The player decided to return to the negotiating table due to the lack of interest from abroad and Schalke chief Horst Heldt is now confident the player will extend his deal at Veltins Arena.

“Following the two week of negotiations, it just remains to clarify a few points. I am very optimistic that we will reach an agreement,” Heldt was quoted as saying in Bild.

The German newspaper claims that Farfan will be earning around €6 million per season if he signs a new deal with Schalke.

After they tie down the Peruvian international to a new deal, the club chiefs aim to do the same with star player Klaas Jan Huntelaar.

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