Busy Monday for Real Madrid

Monday is a busy day for Real Madrid as the club not only plays its last friendly game of the season when they entertain Galatasaray in the 'Santiago Bernabeu' Trophy, but also completes two important pieces of business.

The club has confirmed that central defender Ramos has agreed the long awaited extension to his contract, ending months of speculation over his future, which had seen him ask for the club to allow him to join Manchester United.

In the end a new deal worth around 9 million euros (10 million US dollars a year) until the end of June 2020 has convinced Ramos that the place he really wanted to spend the rest of his career was at Real Madrid rather than in England and his place in the side is now secure.

Meanwhile the Real Madrid midfield has also been strengthened by the signing of 21-year-old Croatian midfielder, Mateo Kovacic from Inter Milan for around 30 million euros (slightly less than 35 million US dollars).

Kovacic arrives at the club after Real Madrid moved swiftly to sign the player, who Inter coach Roberto Mancini confirmed would leave in order to allow the Italian side to meet financial fair play regulations.

"We are all sorry to have to sell him -- everyone from myself to the club President, but we have to respect the Financial Fair Play regulations," confirmed Mancini.

Kovacic's arrival presents a problem for Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez given that he now has 28 members in his first team squad, meaning three will have to leave before the end of the month.

The likely candidates are Asier Illaramendi, who could move to England, while Lucas Silva, who was only signed in January, could be loaned to another top-flight side in Spain. Endi