Real Madrid target Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel to replace Iker Casillas

From Leicester to Real Madrid Mourinho considers shock swoop for Schmeichel

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UPDATED:

06:42 GMT, 16 October 2012

Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel is a surprise target for Spanish giants Real Madrid.

The son of Manchester United legend Peter has been identified as a long-term successor to current No 1 Iker Casillas.

Real target: Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel

Real target: Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel

It follows Real boss Jose Mourinho instructing his goalkeeping coach Silvino Louro to recruit a young keeper to provide competition for Casillas, reports the Daily Star.

Real are also looking at Real Zaragoza's Roberto, 26, and Osasuna's Andres Fernandez, 25.

Schmeichel, 25, was voted Leicester's player of the season last campaign.

The Denmark Under 21 keeper began his career at Manchester City and made his league debut on loan at Darlington in 2006.

Schmeichel had spells at Notts County and Leeds before joining Leicester in 2011.

Manchester City and United want Ander Herrera from Athletic Bilbao

City lead rivals United in 16m summer chase for Bilbao's 'Spanish Gerrard' Herrera

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UPDATED:

10:49 GMT, 15 April 2012

Manchester City are ready to battle rivals Manchester United for 16million Athletic Bilbao playmaker Ander Herrera.

The Basque-born midfielder, 22, has been dubbed the 'Spanish Steven Gerrard'.

And both Manchester giants are ready to make their moves this summer, with City leading the race, according to the Sun on Sunday.

Wanted: Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera has admirers in Manchester

Wanted: Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera has admirers in Manchester

Gerrard-esque: Bilbao playmaker Herrera

Gerrard-esque: Bilbao playmaker Herrera

City sent chief scout Rob Newman and football officer Brian Marwood to watch Herrera in fine form during Bilbao's draw at Granada on Wednesday.

Herrera also made an impression on United when Bilbao outplayed the Premier League champions in eliminating them from the Europa League last month.

The Spain Under 21 international has four years left on his contract at Bilbao but the Manchester rivals are able to offer guaranteed Champions League football.

The former Real Zaragoza ace has also been linked to Arsenal in the past.

Real Madrid 0 Valencia 0: Madrid"s gap at the top cut to four points

Spanish title race back on as Madrid draw blank at home to Valencia

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UPDATED:

22:12 GMT, 8 April 2012

La Liga leaders Real Madrid had their advantage over chasing Barcelona trimmed to four points when they were held to a 0-0 draw at home to third-placed Valencia on Sunday.

Goalkeeper Vicente Guaita was the hero for the visitors in a tense encounter at the Bernabeu as he produced superb saves to deny Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel Di Maria and Karim Benzema.

Feeling the pressure: Cristiano Ronaldo misses a chance for Madrid

Feeling the pressure: Cristiano Ronaldo misses a chance for Madrid

On his knees: Ronaldo is dejected as Madrid fail to find the breakthrough

On his knees: Ronaldo is dejected as Madrid fail to find the breakthrough

Ronaldo struck a fierce drive against the post in the eighth minute and was again denied by an upright with a deflected effort 11 minutes into the second half.

Valencia had their chances and a 25th-minute Ricardo Costa header and a powerful Tino Costa shot from long range in the 55th also struck the frame of the goal before Iker Casillas brilliantly denied Jordi Alba with just over five minutes left.

Not going to plan: Pepe looks frustrated at the draw

Not going to plan: Pepe looks frustrated at the draw

With seven matches remaining Real have 79 points. Barca, who host their arch rivals at the Nou Camp later this month, have 75 after Saturday's 4-1 win at Real Zaragoza and Valencia have 49.

La Liga round-up: Real Madrid thrash Osasuna and Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao

Five star Madrid thrash Osasuna but Messi keeps Barca in the title hunt

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UPDATED:

22:24 GMT, 31 March 2012

Real Madrid continue to boast a six-point lead over Barcelona at the top of the Primera Division standings after both sides claimed impressive victorioes this evening.

Madrid brought up 100 league goals for the season in their 30th match after thumping sixth-placed Osasuna 5-1 at the Reyna de Navarra stadium.

Ronaldo took his own tally to 37 for the league campaign with a brace, while Gonzalo Higuain also netted twice after Karim Benzema had given Jose Mourinho's title-chasers a seventh-minute lead.

Top of the charts: Ronaldo scored for Madrid

Top of the charts: Ronaldo scored for Madrid

Osasuna, who saw coach Jose Luis Mendilibar sent to the stands early on and substitutte Roland Lamah red-carded late on, pulled a goal back through Nino just after half-time but they were already 3-0 down at the time.

Ronaldo's goals lifted him two clear of Barcelona's Lionel Messi at the top of the scoring charts, but the Argentina superstar reduced it back to one when he scored from the spot as his men beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0.

Andres Iniesta opened the scoring as Barca rarely had to leave second gear.

High five: Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain celelebrate

High five: Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain celelebrate

Malaga's bid for a Champions League spot suffered a blow as they slumped to a 2-0 home defeat to Andalusian rivals Real Betis.

Ruben Castro and Jose Dorado netted the goals in the final five minutes of the first half as Malaga, who could have moved three points clear in third place with a victory, suffered a rare defeat after winning five and drawing the other of their previous six matches.

At the other end of the table, Real Zaragoza continued their impressive charge to escape relegation as they picked up their third successive victory and fourth in six matches – they only have seven all season – with a 2-1 win at Sporting Gijon.

Another goal: Lionel Messi scored in Barcelona's win over Athletic Bilbao

Another goal: Lionel Messi scored in Barcelona's win over Athletic Bilbao

After a nervy opening, Helder Postiga gave the visitors the lead but Sebastian Eguren equalised for Sporting three minutes into the second half.

However, Zaragoza would go onto claim the points thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Angel Lafita.

Guilherme Siqueira's 89th-minute penalty was enough to secure Granada a deserved 1-0 win over second-bottom Racing Santander.