Kaka's only option to return to Italy is Napoli, claims former minister

The politician feels there is no place for the Brazilian at any of the other big teams in Serie A but the Partenopei, who are seeking reinforcements following Lavezzi's departure

Italian politician Clemente Mastella believes Napoli are the only realistic option for Kaka if he wants a return to Serie A.

The Real Madrid midfielder faces stiff competition for a starting berth at the Liga champions and has therefore been linked with a move away from the club this summer.

Nonetheless, Mastella, who served as minister of labour under Silvio Berlusconi from May 1994 until January 1995, feels the circumstances in the transfer market pave the way for Napoli to enter the fray.

"There is a chance that Kaka will go to Napoli," Mastella told Radio Kiss Kiss.

"Napoli have not yet spoken with Real Madrid, but it would be the best option for Kaka if he wants to return to Italy. 

"AC Milan don't have the money to sign him, Juventus would be impossible, and a move to Inter would be impractical, too."

The 30-year-old has made 93 appearances for the Blancos since his arrival three years ago, scoring 24 goals, and is under contract with the side until 2015.

'We will save €150m' - AC Milan president Berlusconi suggests Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva deal with Paris Saint-Germain is complete

The Rossoneri patron has told the press the duo will be leaving San Siro and it will be a huge boost to the club's finances, though there is no official word from either side yet

AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has claimed that he has sold Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Paris Saint-Germain.

It is understood that a €60 million offer was enough to persuade the Italians into parting with two of their biggest assets, with the move then subject to the players negotiating personal terms with the Ligue 1 giants. Although the supremo did not confirm the figure involved in the transfer, he conceded that letting the duo leave would allow the club to reduce their costs.

"It is true that I have sold them to Paris Saint-Germain," he is quoted as saying by Ansa. "With their departures, we will save €150m."

Despite Berlusconi's statements, neither the Serie A side or PSG have confirmed the transfers.

Earlier in the summer, Thiago Silva was close to joining PSG in a €46m swoop, but Berlusconi vetoed the deal at the last minute before offering the Brazilian defender an improved contract.

However, with Milan's financial problems well documented, the Rossoneri have not been able to make a big investment in the summer transfer market following a season in which they lost their Serie A crown to Juventus.

The side have so far spent little over €4m on quintet Francesco Acerbi, Gabriel, Bakaye Traore, Riccardo Montolivo and Kevin Constant.

Alongside Alonso, in place of Ozil: Where will Modric fit in at Real Madrid?

With the Croatian playmaker looking more and more likely to head to the Santiago Bernabeu, We examine the possible positions the 26-year-old can take up

After what has been a eerily quiet summer so far by Real Madrid's shopping standards, the reigning Spanish champions could be about to seal their first signing for the 2012-13 campaign in the form of Luka Modric.

The minimal buzz linking high-profile stars to Madrid so far could suggest that, much like last summer, this will be a conservative assault on the market as coach Jose Mourinho looks to bring in just a small selection of players who will strengthen the squad without upsetting the balance - just enough to continue where they left off in La Liga last term, but also to go one step further in the Champions League.

David Silva and Modric have been the only big names linked with the Santiago Bernabeu in the early days of this transfer window, but with the former having recently snubbed a return to Spain, it appears that the latter will become Real's main priority in the coming days, with the transfer looking imminent at this stage. 

With that in mind, We look at how Modric will fit into Madrid's star-studded midfield.

ALONGSIDE ALONSO

HOW THE TEAM WOULD LOOK

(4-2-3-1) Casillas Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo Alonso, MODRIC Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo Benzema/Higuain

Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira have formed a solid partnership in the double-pivot role over the past two seasons. Their communication and understanding have been integral to Mourinho's set-up in protecting the back four.

But Los Blancos are bound to face off against even more ultra-defensive opponents in the coming season after striking fear into their rivals by shattering, by some margin, the record for the most goals scored in a single league campaign in 2011-12.

The continued use of two strictly defensive-minded midfielders could become superfluous, and this is where the more creative and offensive Modric comes in. 

Goal.com International Spain Football Editor Ben Hayward believes the Croatian can make Madrid tick in the same he has done for Spurs: "Modric has played largely alongside a more defensive-minded midfielder [Wilson Palacios, Sandro, Scott Parker] at Tottenham and, even though he doesn't score many or often provide the final pass in a goal, his vision and creativity make him the fulcrum of Spurs' attacking play. He makes Tottenham tick."

Alonso would retain his role as Madrid's fulcrum, but Modric would give the team an extra dimension in attack - something that Khedira has not been able to provide consistently enough against the big teams - while at the same time maintaining the defensive security.

Likelihood rating: 

PART OF A THREE-MAN MIDFIELD

HOW THE TEAM WOULD LOOK

(4-3-3) Casillas Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo Khedira, MODRIC Ozil, Benzema, Ronaldo

While this system also sees Modric feature alongside Xabi deep in midfield, it presents Mourinho with an opportunity to employ the 4-3-3 formation that he has often been fond of.

It is a set-up that the Portuguese could have experimented with last season with the trio of Alonso, Khedira and Nuri Sahin, but all three have similar overlapping characteristics and they would only have suffocated each other. Not to mention Sahin's lengthy injury lay-off.

But Modric offers something extra. He can be as robust and aggressive as Khedira, and he has more pace and creativity than Sahin. It is a formation that provides a good balance between defence and attack, one that can be best maximised against the big teams in Champions League competition.

"I wouldn't expect Mourinho to play with just Alonso and Modric against a team like Barcelona," says Ben Hayward, "Unless Khedira plays too in a 4-3-3. In fact, that could be just what Mourinho has in mind for Modric as we know he is a big fan of the 4-3-3 formation."

Khedira then becomes the primary ball winner, Xabi the deep-lying playmaker who dictates the rhythm of the game, and Modric the most advanced player in the triumvirate in which he can utilise his burst of speed from the back. It is the classic box-to-box midfield role that the Spurs man will excel in.

Likelihood rating: 

THE PLAYMAKER-IN-CHIEF

HOW THE TEAM WOULD LOOK

(4-2-3-1) Casillas Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo Alonso, Khedira Ozil, MODRIC, Ronaldo Benzema/Higuain

If Modric is to be deployed in an attacking midfield role, he will face extremely stiff competition for a regular place in the starting XI: Cristiano Ronaldo has rubber-stamped his ownership on the left-wing spot, while Mesut Ozil and Angel Di Maria have become the perfect accompaniment for the Portuguese ace in the front three behind the lone striker.

However, Di Maria was plagued by inconsistency and injuries last season and never really shone in the high-stake games: against Barcelona and the double header versus Bayern Munich in particular.

As a result, the Argentine could become the sacrificial lamb, with Ozil to be pushed out wide to the right and Modric to become the main central playmaker. If Mourinho struggles to get the best out of the German, who has been Madrid's key creative inspiration for the last two seasons, he could also opt to reinstate Mesut to the middle and move Modric to the right instead.

It is not a position the 26-year-old Croat is accustomed to but, with the guidance of Mourinho, he could stamp his mark out on the right, seeing as it is viewed as Madrid's weakest side due to Alvaro Arbeloa's lack of attacking flair from full-back.

Likelihood rating: 

THE UTILITY MAN

HOW THE TEAM WOULD LOOK

(4-2-3-1) Casillas Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo Alonso*, Khedira Di Maria*, Ozil*, Ronaldo* Benzema/Higuain (* Modric as back-up)

Spurs are believed to be holding out for a €52 million (£40m) fee for Modric, and although that figure is likely to drop if a deal is to go through, the playmaker would still be an expensive reinforcement if he is to be brought in only as a squad player.

However, he could play just as much as the other key figures throughout the season with Real expected to aim for a treble, making the Champions League their priority. His versatility will allow him to cover for more than just one player or position. He would be an ideal back-up to Alonso, who has hardly had a rest over the last three seasons. Similarly, he can occupy Ronaldo's left-wing slot should the Portuguese be ruled out with an injury or, albeit highly unlikely, require a rest.

Modric's versatility across midfield will give him, as well as Mourinho, numerous combinations to work with in the starting XI. For a coach like Mourinho, who frequently mixes up his tactics mid-game, a player such as Modric could be crucial to his plans. Against a high-profile attacking rival, the Croatian could line up as a defensive player, but switch to a more offensive role as the match progresses if necessity dictates, or vice versa. 

If Modric arrives and settles in quickly, it could spell the end of Kaka, and possibly Sahin as well, by the winter as the duo will be called upon less and less.

Likelihood rating: 

HAVE YOUR SAY

Where do you think Modric will play at Madrid if he arrives? Which of the above positions and roles would suit the Croatian best? Is Modric the man who can help Real win La Decima? Let us know your views on the debate by posting a comment below or by engaging with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Higuain reaffirms commitment to Real Madrid

The Argentina international has been linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, but has once again stated that he is happy in the Spanish capital

Gonzalo Higuain has reaffirmed his commitment to Real Madrid, insisting that he is happy in the Spanish capital and that he has no interest in a move.

The Argentina international had to play second fiddle to Karim Benzema at the Santiago Bernabeu for the majority of last season, and, accordingly, there have been rumours that he could seek a move this summer.

The likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Chelsea have all been credited with an interest in the clinical forward, but the ex-River Plate man has expressed his desire to stay with the Liga champions.

"I'm fine at Real Madrid," Higuain confessed to Fox Sports.

"I am happy in Spain and I want to stay with Madrid to realise my dreams. I have matured a lot since leaving my country five years ago, now I feel like a complete player and an important element for Real Madrid. 

"Each player aims to experience new countries and play in different leagues. But for now I'm fine in Madrid, I am happy and satisfied," he concluded.

The 24-year-old made his move to the Spanish capital from River Plate in January 2007, and has won three Liga titles with the club.

Modric close to Real Madrid switch, claims former team-mate

Mate Bilic, who previously played alongside the midfielder at international level with the Vatreni, says he expects his compatriot to sign for the Blancos this summer

Luka Modric is "very close" to swapping Tottenham for Real Madrid, according to former Croatia striker and international team-mate Mate Bilic

The 26-year-old has enjoyed a successful four-year stint at White Hart Lane following a €16.5 million move from Dinamo Zagreb in 2008, but is being tipped to call time on his career in north London this summer.

However, in a surprise twist, the Sporting Gijon striker claims the playmaker is on the verge of signing for the Spanish champions, despite reported interest from Manchester United and Barcelona.

“I’m very good friends with Modric,” Bilic told the Daily Mail. "He wants to play in the Spanish league. He loves the Premier League but he wants to play in Spain. He’s very close to agreeing a move.”

	EURO DARK HORSES?
33/1	Luka Modric's Croatia are 33/1 to win Euro 2012 with bet365

Modric has attracted suitors all over Europe with a series of assured displays for the Lilywhites this season, but is expected to depart in order to pursue his ambition of playing regular Champions League football.

And Croatia legend Davor Suker has backed his countryman's potential move, claiming: "Luka Modric is a player who could play for Real Madrid. He needs to be playing for a team that will win trophies. He’d be perfect for them.

“I would recommend that [Real Madrid president] Florentino Perez signs him. If he doesn’t sign for Real Madrid, he’ll end up at Manchester City or Chelsea. He has to leave Tottenham to win trophies.".