Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has disclosed that “nothing has changed” with regard to his descision that Gareth Bale would leave Santiago Bernabeu this summer

The former Tottenham forward spearheaded Real Madrid’s comback from 2-0 down, coming the bench to score a goal in the preseason match against Arsenal in Maryland.

Zidane previously said that it would be for the best if the player left the club as soon as possible, after not being involved against Bayern Munich.

Despite Marco Asensio’s injury in the match, Zidane still insisted that the incident changed nothing.

Asked if that could lead to a change in his plans for Bale, Zidane said: “It has nothing to do with one thing. We are all touched by Marco, hopefully as little as possible, just that.

“He has played a good game today and I am happy for him.

“We started very well and after a while we lost a player, then we played well and we were better ten against ten. We drew the game and that is the good news. He (Bale) is here with us and we will continue working.

“As I said, Gareth is here. At the moment, he is with us. He played because he wanted to be with us and play, the other day he did not (want to play).

“He played and played well. Today he played and the decision is mine, he played a part and we will see what will happen. Nothing has changed. You know the situation, I will always tell you the same thing.”

Photo Credit: Twitter/realmadrid.com

La Liga President Javier Tebas has disclosed that Atletico Madrid have asked his organisation to block Antoine Griezmann’s registration at Barcelona following their dispute over his release clause, according to Sky Sports.

Barcelona confirmed the signing of the French World Cup winner last week, saying in a statement that they had met the 28-year-old’s £108m buyout clause.

However, Atletico insist that is not enough, claiming that Griezmann had agreed to move to the Nou Camp before July 1, when his £180m release clause was brought down to £108m.

Griezmann made his Barca debut in the 2-1 friendly defeat to Chelsea on Tuesday but La Liga president Tebas has said Atletico have asked the Spanish league to block the player’s registration and explained that it would be possible to do.

“Atletico wrote to us and placed in doubt whether or not we should grant Griezmann’s licence at Barcelona,” he told radio station Onda Cero.

“There is a mechanism that has been put in place and it will be the organisations that must resolve the situation. We don’t have the element of judgement.”

Photo Credit: fcbarcelona.com

Former Chelsea star and coach Gianfranco Zola claims Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku is “ideal for Antonio Conte’s Inter.”

The Belgium international has been heavily linked with a move to the Beneamata this summer, but the Old Trafford club are asking for over €80m.

“Lukaku would make a big impact at Inter, as he has the ideal characteristics for Conte’s football and has the kind of physicality from the Premier League that puts him a step above the rest in Serie A,” Zola told FCInterNews.it.

“Having said that, I believe the real strength at Inter will be Conte himself. He’s really fired up after the Chelsea experience and then taking a year off. He’ll want to transmit that determination to the squad.

“We know how good Antonio is at transmitting grit, intensity and sporting aggression. I am sure Inter will be one of the principle antagonists to Juventus this season.”

Arsenal boss Unai Emery has made it clear there is no way back for Laurent Koscielny.

Emery insisted Koscielny will have to continue training with Arsenal ’s under-23s even when they return to London after their US tour.

It was a brutal message to the Arsenal captain who went on strike and refused to travel to the United States after a bitter row over a new contract.

According to the Mirror, Arsenal are ready to sell 33-year-old Koscielny even though it will leave them short of defenders with Emery seemingly determined to dig his heels in.

Gunners boss Emery, talking after Arsenal lost their final game of their US tour to Real Madrid on penalties, said: “I spoke about him with respect to him.

“I tried for him to be with us in the pre-season here and to continue working to find a solution between the club, between him and between us.

“When he decided not to stay with us here in the tour, the solution now is only for the club and him because he decided to be out of the team in pre-season.

“I respect him, but we have responsibility, he has his responsibility and the club has their responsibility and I have my responsibility. And now it is one issue only for the club and for him. My idea is continuing with the players we are working with and the players that want to be here.”

Photo Credit: Sky Sports