La Liga - Agent: Barcelona vying for Neymar

The future of the 19-year-old Santos forward has been subject of incessant speculation this summer, with Real Madrid the favourites to clinch his signing.

But the forward's agent, Wagner Ribeiro, insists a move to Madrid - reportedly long-standing admirers of the player - is Neymar's preference, but that Barcelona are now making their presence felt.

Ribeiro told www.as.com: "The exact situation is as follows: Barcelona want him next year and will pay next year, Madrid want him now and are prepared to pay now.

"The main problem is that the kid (Neymar) wants to play in the Club World Cup against Barcelona, and Santos are using their force to make him choose Barca.

"The numbers being talked about by both clubs (Madrid and Barcelona) are good, but Neymar would prefer a move to Madrid."

Ribeiro insists Neymar will make a final decision once Brazil's involvement in the Copa America is at an end.

Ribeiro claims that Pep Guardiola is prepared to wait until Libertadores winners Santos have competed in the Club World Cup in December, which would enable the Brazil club's president Luis Alvaro De Oliveira to honour a pledge he made that Neymar would lead the team at the tournament in Japan before moving to Europe.

Such a position would be favourable to Neymar's current club and such flexibility could see the European champions win the race for the forward.

Eurosport

La Liga - Real Madrid sign £27m Coentrao

"Fabio Coentrao officially became Real Madrid's latest signing by signing a six-season contract with the club after passing his medical," Real said in a statement on their website.

Benfica had announced the deal in a statement earlier on Tuesday.

Coentrao, 23, had a contract with the Portuguese club until 2016 and is regarded as one of the most promising left-backs in Europe.

He is the fifth squad reinforcement of the close season for Real's Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho following the acquisitions of Turkey midfielders Nuri Sahin and Hamit Altintop, French defender Raphael Varane and Spanish forward Jose Callejon.

Coentrao joined Benfica from Rio Ave in 2007 as a winger but failed to make an impact in his first season and went on three consecutive loan spells, including a short and unimpressive one at Spanish club Real Zaragoza.

Benfica coach Jorge Jesus recalled Coentrao in 2009 andconverted him into a speedy and tricky left back who became akey member of the team who won the Portuguese Premier Leaguetitle in 2010 for the first time in five years.

Coentrao's fine club form earned him a place in the national team and he impressed at last year's World Cup.

"The left-back is solid in attack, has excellent dribbling skills, has a powerful shot and is extremely versatile, which allows him to play in any winger position," Real said.

Real spokesman Oscar Ribot could not immediately be reached to comment on Spanish media reports that the club's Argentine defender Ezequiel Garay would be sold to Benfica for 10 million euros and Netherlands midfielder Royston Drenthe would be loaned to the Portuguese club.

Reuters

La Liga - Emery pens new Valencia deal

Valencia finished third for a second successive season, clinching an automatic qualification spot in Europe's elite club competition.

"Unai has demonstrated his worth and qualifying directly for the Champions League has great merit for all," the club's president, Manuel Llorent, said on their website.

Reuters