Midfielder Fernando Gago insists he will be staying at Real Madrid this season and is ready to fight for his place at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Spanish giants have brought in five players for the coming season and are reportedly looking to trim three from their squad before the end of the month.

Four of the five new recruits - Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira, Angel di Maria and Pedro Leon - are midfielders, and prior to their arrival Gago had rarely been first choice at the club.

Some players are going to have to leave, but I am staying.
Fernando Gago, Real Madrid midfielder

But the former Boca Juniors midfielder says he is going to stay - at least for now. "I am going to stay with Real Madrid this season," he told Ole. "I have already spoken with (sporting director Jorge) Valdano and (coach Jose) Mourinho and at no time did they say they wanted to sell me."

Gago has made 88 league appearances for Madrid, but his lack of playing time last season caused him to miss out on a spot in this summer's Argentina squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

Nevertheless, the 24 year-old is keen to fight for his place. "I am very comfortable and relaxed here," he said. "Some players are going to have to leave, but I am staying. I was surprised that things were said about me leaving, because I had already spoken to the coach and to Valdano."