Speculation linking Luis Suarez with a move to Real Madrid have increased after Italian Carlo Ancelotti admitted that he is a fan of the Liverpool striker. Ancelotti led Madrid to the 10th European title, thus becoming one of the few managers to have won the Champions League three times. Even more important is that he led Madrid to the 10th European title, which they have been chasing for such a long period. As a result, Ancelotti said to enjoy a high status within the club. This is set to work in the transfer market as well.

It is widely expected that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez will sanction a bid for any player Ancelotti wants in his team. It is thought that Suarez is high on the list. The Spanish outfit wanted to sign the Uruguay striker last summer, but an official offer was never made. Even though the 27-year-old signed a new contract only a few months ago, it is believed that Madrid have been contacting Suarez on a number of occasions recently. Ancelotti recently confirmed that the club are not planning to make any signings before the World Cup.

It is expected that Real will begin negotiations after the World Cup. Suarez scored more than 30 goals in the league last season. “Luis Suarez is a fantastic player, high quality and very good, but to speak about other things [transfers] is to show a lack of respect. It is impossible to improve Real Madrid’s attack because it has Cristiano, Benzema, Bale, Jese. The squad is very good and we are very competitive. If we can improve, which won’t be easy, we will, but if we keep those we have I would be happy. This group has won two cups and will be very competitive next year,” said Ancelotti.

Last season’s La Liga was one of the most exciting in years. It was a genuine three hose race for much of the season which left many fans biting their nails right until the final whistle.

Eventually Atlético Madrid came out on top, finishing three points clear of Real Madrid and Barcelona, and taking the title away from the big two for the first time since 2003-04. Next season, however, promises to be a return to form in La Liga, with Atlético struggling to contain the might of their challengers.

Whils there is no denying from fans who enjoy a punt that Atlético Madrid deserved to win La Liga last season but there is a feeling that Real and Barca underestimated them somewhat; after years of dominance they had grown used to worrying only about each other’s results- Atlético took them by surprise. This will not happen next season and, as champions, every team will be gunning for Diego Simeone’s men, not least their defeated title rivals.

Much of Atlético’s success has been built on the tactical wizardry of Diego Simeone, a man who was able to turn a team with few resources into La Liga Champions and Champions League finalists.

As Betfair fans will know, success brings unwanted attention and Simeone is likely to be linked with a number of big jobs across Europe this summer. Rumours have already circulated that Inter Milan are interested in the Argentinian for the 2015/16 season- they are certain not to be his only suitors and Atlético may be lucky to keep him until then. If Simeone does leave then he could prove impossible to replace.

With success comes demands from existing players for more money. It has been reported that Atlético’s wage bill last season was less than half that of Barcelona and Real Madrid but their players will surely now expect parity with the bigger clubs. Given Atlético’s reported level of debt there is no way that they could possibly afford to meet wage demands and it seems likely that their stars may look to leave in order to maximise their incomes. Their leading striker Diego Costa has, for instance, already been linked with the exit.

One of the backbones of Atlético’s success in recent seasons has been the outstanding Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois who has been on loan at the club from Chelsea since 2011. Now, having proved his ability, the young keeper looks set to be recalled by his parent club, this will leave Simeone with a real problem in trying to replace him and there seems little chance that he could afford to buy someone of the 22 year old’s calibre.

Similarly, Atlético’s stars who have proven themselves on the European stage will become more attractive to other clubs and where Simeone may not previously have had to worry about warding off attention from the world’s biggest teams for his players he may now receive offers that he cannot refuse. With such a small squad, if Atlético lose many of their established players to rival clubs (or to injury) then they will simply not having the playing resources to compete with Real Madrid and Barcelona next season.

Whilst many neutrals would love to see Atlético Madrid challenging for the title again next season it is very difficult to see that happening and the smart money is on next season’s La Liga being a two horse race again.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has suggested that defender Pepe could miss the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid on May 24. The defender has been struggling with a series of injuries the last few weeks. He was taken off in the Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich at the Allianz arena. Back then, it was suggested that he would be back in time to play in the final. Now, it has been put in serious doubt, as Madrid are likely to be without him and Karim Benzema according to Ancelotti.

The Italian, though, had positive news for the Real Madrid fans by suggesting that both Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale will be fit for the final. Once again, these two players have not been feeling well in the last few weeks. Ronaldo was named in the starting line-up against Espanyol on the final day of the season, but he was taken off in the warmup after feeling muscle strain. The injury to Pepe is likely to force Ancelotti into fielding youngster Rafael Varane. The defender has seen little action throughout the season, but he has been praised by former manager José Mourinho as the best young defender in the world.

Real Madrid’s opposition, Atletico Madrid also come into the match with several injury problems.

“They’re the two players we have doubts about. I’m a realist and as of today they can’t play. There are four days left and we’ll make our final decision. If Pepe can’t play, Varane can take his place. As for Benzema, we can understand that the player isn’t at 100%, but if he has injury problems, it’s better if he doesn’t play. If we don’t think he’s risking an injury he’ll play. Bale had a minor problem in the pre-season, but he has shown his quality and he’s in good shape,” said Ancelotti.