Gossip: Antonio Conte 'could replace Julen Lopetegui today', Manchester United chase Aaron Ramsey

Real Madrid suffered yet another Clasico humiliation, and it appears that time and patience has run out for Julen Lopetegui.

The European champions were dismantled on Sunday by their rivals Barcelona, who ran out 5-1 winners with little difficulty.

The well-connected Spanish newspaper Marca reports that Florentino Perez is set to discuss the future of Lopetegui with other Real Madrid directors today, and that will see him removed from his post as they no longer believe he can remain at the club.

Antonio Conte could arrive as soon as Monday as his replacement, having resolved his contractual particulars with Chelsea, and ensured that he will not suffer a financial loss as a result of taking over at the Bernabeu. However, his arrival will come too late for him to be in the dugout for the match against Melilla in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, so current B team coach Santiago Solari will be nominated caretaker.

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The board at Real believe that Conte’s big personality is what is needed now, but they might want to consider that Zinedine Zidane left after falling out with Perez over the transfer policy of the club, just as Conte did in his previous job at Chelsea.

The Evening Standard states that former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola has hinted at one reason why Conte is getting the job – he believes that Real have little chance of luring Mauricio Pochettino from Tottenham Hotspur because Daniel Levy is such a tough negotiator.

United chase Ramsey as De Gea considers options

Manchester United are reeling from the shock of going three league matches without defeat, and are planning for the future – but they will face competition.

United are lining up a move for Aaron Ramsey, who saw a contract offer from Arsenal withdrawn this month, meaning he will be able to leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Ramsey is still just 27, and has been attracting interest from across Europe. The Express report that Valencia, Chelsea, AC Milan and Juventus are all interested in the midfielder.

Elsewhere for United, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp has suggested that David de Gea will be considering where to move next following the switch of Thibaut Courtois to Real Madrid last summer. He thinks that Paris Saint-Germain, who have Alphonse Areola, and Juventus’ selection of Wojciech Szczesny, make both those teams attractive to De Gea should he want first team football.

Benitez set for Newcastle deal

It is yet again a case of ‘jam tomorrow’ for Rafael Benitez at Newcastle United. The former Liverpool manager believed that he would be supported in the transfer window this summer, but when little money was forthcoming from owner Mike Ashley, he put off signing any new contract.

Ashley wants Benitez to stay at the club having secured a top-half finish in the league last season, but the club struggled in the transfer market compared to the bigger spenders.

The Newcastle Chronicle say that Benitez wants for financial control in the market, changes to the academy and improvements to the training ground. The club are prepared to meet those requests, but only over a five year period, and only if he signs a new deal. The January transfer window is thus being seen by Benitez as a chance to put Ashley’s commitment to the test.