Milan confirm "The Beast" interest

Italian giants and Champions of Europe, AC Milan have confirmed their interest in Real Madrid's Julio Baptista. Baptista is slated to join back with the rest of the Madrid squad who are in pre-season in Germany. He is on an extended vacation as he was participating in the Copa America for Brazil.

Milan officials have confirmed today that they are interested only on a Loan deal for the Beast with a buy option at the end of the year. The news spread that Real would entice Milan to sell Kaka if it is a part deal with Baptista. But Milan President said " We met Real and they have to wait for another 4 years to get Kaka".

Real might be interested to offload Baptista this term, but would prefer a permanent deal to a loan deal as they might be stuck with the same predicament next summer. Baptista is getting the option for first team football and teaming up with Brazilian counterpart striker Ronaldo.

"The Door to Madrid is closed"-Kaka

The 25 year old who was the target of a world record bid of close to 90M Euros said today that he is going no where. He said he met with the Spanish Champions but decided against the move.

Kaka said "I met with Real and Milan were the first to know about it, i have a contract till 2011 and the door is closed, unless Milan wants to re open it"

Kaka also quoted the great Pele by concluding "Money is not everything"

Well true in Kaka's case as he is from a very rich background in Brazil unlike most of his soccer playing national team mates.

He must also be vary of the fact that people who left Milan for other clubs in other leagues around the world have not done well. Shevchenko is the first to come to mind.....

If Madird don't land Robben they are in trouble....

Reyes joins Athletico Madrid

Reyes claimed "I am definitely going to be in Madrid next season, but playing for whom is yet to be seen"

The 23 year old Spanish striker spent an unhappy time in England with Arsenal and was loaned out to Real Madrid in an exchange loan deal with Julio Baptista. When Baptista struggled at Arsenal and returned to Madrid after his loan, Reyes had a decent run with the Spanish Champions. He will be remembered for his cameo substitute appearance in the final league game and scoring two goals to win Madrid the 30th league title.

With Saviola signed and Baptista joining back and Real recalling Spanish striker Soldado from loan, they wanted Arsenal to sell Reyes for cheap.

There was a brief interest from Lyon but Reyes had made up his mind in staying in Spain. He was for the taking of the highest bidder in the Spanish Primera. In comes Athletico Madrid, who had their icon Fernando Torres leaving to Liverpool. Atletico is claimed to have done a deal of 12M Euros with Arsenal for Reyes who signed a 4 year deal and he will be partnering with another new striker Diego Forlan.

Is any player worth 90M??

Well obviously Real Madrid think so. No guesses for who it is. Kaka's financial advisor was quoted as saying that he has asked his client to carefully decide. Real's sporting director Mijatovic met with Milan officials and reports i read claim Real have offered Milan a price which the Italian giants may not be able to reject. This is expected to be close to 90M Euros which may also include Julio Baptista whom Milan are interested in as Eto is not going anywhere. If Madrid have the audacity to do this it will be a record transfer amount ever.

Though real have a habit of being in the news for major transfers i think it is highly unlikely that Madrid will shell out so much of money for a single player. A club which has made 83M in profit last year and hoping to double it this year would definitely not go for such a big investment. Real have a few names in the top ten transfer amounts paid, actually with all the big money clubs like Chelsea, the top two names are still transfers that Real made. Real paid Juventus 46M pounds for Zidane which is close to 65M Euros followed by number 2 Figo for whom Real parted with 38.7M pounds.

Real have been silent this term in the transfer market, not that they have not added to their roster. They have signed 3 players for free and shelled out 30M Euros for Pepe, which in particular attracted lot of criticism that Madrid is blowing up the transfer market. Well i agree with the response by Madrid president, Madrid paid the same amount for Sergio Ramos to Sevilla last term and he is a young exciting prospect. If Juventus can spend 32M for Buffon in 2001 and Man U can spend 29M for Rio Ferdinand in 2002, well 30M in 2007 is not a big amount.

But 90M for Kaka? Well i see an ulterior motive in this. Real desperately need an attacking midfielder. Schuster is keen to add a left sided midfielder so that he can play Robinho or Higuain on the right and is a coach who is against playing a left footer on the right. He is looking for someone to fill in the hole Zidane has left and the two people identified are Robben and the young Drenthe from Feynoord. Chelsea have said that Robben needs to sign the new tabled contract within 7 days or will be sold before the transfer window closes. Real by diverting their attention to other players are trying to catalyst the Robben transfer or indeed they are really desperate.

As Schuster mentioned "i would be comfortable if i had Robben already in the team". Well sure Real need a feed player in midfield. With the transfer window closing soon, it needs to be seen what Real can pull off...

Premiership here is Eduardo Da Silva

All Premiership fans here is Arsenal's new signing Eduardo Da Silva. In one of my earlier blogs i mentioned that no one knew how good Eduardo is. One of my friends pulled up this site in her search and i realized i need to do better in the statements i make. I did a research on this guy and came up with a video, a collection of his 32 goals in 34 games last season for Dinamo. The Brazilian born Croatian primarily a left footed striker has all the Brazilian flare and now has earned some valuable European experience. Here is a link for the Video....


http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1294158413584139017&q=eduardo+silva&total=286&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

Here is Pepe

Real Madrid paid Porto 30M for this Brazilian, centre back and here is one reason why....

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-875077002710291068&q=Pepe+man+utd&total=6&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

Freddie Ljunberg joins West Ham

The longest serving Arsenal player has left for West Ham after almost 10 years with the Gunners.

Arsenal has cover in the Right Midfield though Rosicky plays in a very attacking role. Ljunberg was injured for the major part of last season. Wenger is lucky he is losing the swede due to Henry leaving and it is not one of the important players such as Fabregas.

Fabregas confirmed that he discussed with Real Madrid, but decided to stay back with Arsenal.

Ljunberg has been one of the pillars of Arsenal in the last decade or more along with the likes of Bergkamp, Vieira, and Henry all three of whom are not with the club anymore.

Arsenal have been slow to get off the transfer market, with limited cash and the liabilities from a new stadium. The only new signing is Eduardo Silva and looks like Wenger will be competing for everything with a side less Henry and Ljunberg.

Villareal in "Beast" Interest

Julio Baptista failed to establish a name in England during his time in Arsenal on loan from Real Madrid. With a season suitable to benefit the Brazilian with Henry's injury he failed to gel with the English style of play. Especially Arsenal who play quick one touch football.

Unlike most Brazilians Baptista is not quick and does not dribble well, he is a strong Attacking midfielder who is best suited playing behind the strikers and need some time and a second touch on the ball. Indeed this was the reason why Madrid spent the multi million Euros for his signature from Sevilla. But soon Real realized that he is slow for Real and is a direct competitor for the position that Raul plays in.

The "Beast" as he is called showed signs of his brilliance especially in the final of the Copa America when his 4th minute scorcher blew the wind out of Argentina.

With Diego forlan leaving Villareal to replace Torres in Athletico Madrid, it is heard that the Yellow Submarines are ready to shell out 11M for the Brazilian.

With new signings such as Saviola and the possible permanent deal of Reyes, Baptista could well end up being a "Beast on the Bench" at Real.

Ivan Helguera joins Valencia

Its been a pre-season at Madrid of more names leaving than joining the squad. As a part of their squad revamp new coach Schuster has brought in Pepe and Metzelder in defense and out goes one of the stalwarts of Real, Ivan Helguera.

Helguera played for 8 years at Madrid and made over 250 appearances in the White shirt. The 32 year old was deemed surplus last year when Capello brought in Cannavaro, but as a part of the Spanish contingent ended up playing close to 30 games. There was a claim from a host of clubs in the premiership that they wanted Helguera last year.

Though he is not a composed centre back, he is aggressive in the air especially in set pieces. I remember him well in the early part of his career with Madrid Vincente Del Bosque the then coach always used to rely on him to play in multiple positions including the dreaded defensive midfielder slot.

He has put pen to paper at Valencia for 3 years and will be replacing another big name Roberto Ayala who left for Zaragosa.

Meanwhile Real presented their next signing Jersey Dudek from Liverpool. He will be the second keeper to Casillas as Real earlier sold Diego Lopez to Villareal.

The Spanish media claim that Robben has agreed personal terms with Real and it is just the negotiations between the two clubs on his price that is delaying the most talked about signing. Real coach claimed that the Robben deal will be done in a couple of days.

Transfer Update....

Gabriel Milito to Barca

Well it is time for some of the guys who played in the Copa America to seal their moves. Barcelona swept in for the Real Zaragosa defender and Argentne internatonal Gabriel Milto for around 20M Euros. The 26 year old signs a 4 year deal with Barcelona who looked lack lustre in their defensive side last season.

Milito actually has an interesting story in Spain. He was signed initially by Real Madrid in 2003 from an Argentine club. Now in the medical Madrid had their doubts on how injury prone he would be as he had Achilles surgery done. Madrid released him and he was snapped by Zaragosa. To Madrid's horror 4 seasons later Milito was wearing the captain's arm band and was controlling the defense superbly.

Madrid being as smart as this went ahead and signed an injured Woodgate who never played for a whole season and then next season was loaned out to Middlesborough where he proved to be an instant hit and made a permanent switch. The same is the case for the latest signing Metzelder who has had two surgeries on his Achilles. Is the medical team changing their notes based on the clubs needs.

A year after Gaby joined Zaragosa his brother Diego Milito also joined Zaragosa and is a 20+ goal striker in Spanish Primiera. Yaya Toure has joined Barca as well and this puts Mexico captain Rafael Marquez on the club's door.

Meanwhile Giuly has left Barca for Roma. The french player had offers from a host of European clubs but decided to join Roma instead.

Roberto Ayala to Zaragosa

Argentine captain and the notorious own goal scorer of the Copa America final is joining Real Zaragosa from Valencia to fill in for his international defensive partner Milito who leaves Zaragosa for Barca. Ayala recently announced his retirement from International football.

Meija, Raul Bravo, Pablo Garcia, Pavon all out

25 year old Meija joins Real Murcia, the club promoted this season to the Primier division. He was a youth team player who got into the Madrid first team and had a decent run. Bernd Schuster has also sold Raul Bravo to Olympiakos and Pablo Garcia has been loaned out to Real Murcia. Another long timer with Real Madrid Francisco Pavon has joined Real Zaragosa.

With the new signings such as Pepe and Metzelder, Ivan Helguera a long time Madrid player would also be shown the door.

Meanwhile Madrid are waiting patiently on Chelsea's response to their 13.5M offer for Robben.
Reyes also is waiting for an affirmative deal between Arsenal and Madrid.

Tevez deal hangs in the balance

Supposedly the most highly anticipated transfer of the season, Tevez to United is put on hold and has got FIFA involvement. West Ham has a contract with the player for 3 years more and they do not want to sell him. Where as the player's economic rights are with his agent, with his illegal transactions have caused West Ham 5M in fines. This always happens with players from South America who struggle with their Agents who are always a part of some controversy or the other.

Real Madrid's Best goal of last season- Fans Vote

Real Madrid fans voted for Van Nistelrooy's stunning volley against Valencia as the best Real Madrid goal of last season. Real playing a defensive format goals were few having clocked only 66 goals in 38 league games.

By no means this goal was the most important, as in the final weeks many players scored many crucial goals including the likes of Robinho, Roberto Carlos, Reyes and Higuain.

It is indeed a stunning goal, by virtue of the build up passing and the outstanding finishing.

Here is a video of the same...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4005635004747755023&q=Van+nistelrooy+valencia&total=17&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

Saviola joins Real Madrid

Argentine international striker Javier Saviola becomes yet another on the list of traitors who have joined Real Madrid from Barcelona.

Real have confirmed the signing and presented Saviola on Friday. Madrid are thinking wisely and though they have been criticized for their huge spending on defender Pepe, the 3 other signings they have made have all been free transfers. Christoph Metzelder, Dudek and now Saviola have all arrived for free.

Saviola has signed a 4 year deal with the Spanish champions. New coach Shcuster was keenly interested in the services of the 25 year old saying that "he is a cross between Raul and Owen" when it comes to playing style.

There have been 8 players leaving Madrid, including Beckham, Carlos and now the confirmed transfer of Raul Bravo. Raul Bravo having played with Real from 1996 has confirmed joining Olympiakos.

Real are also positive to complete the deals of Reyes on a permanent basis next week as well as one of the most talked about transfers that of Arjen Robben from Chelsea.

Malouda saga finally over

Chelsea's major signing of the season has come through France international Florent Malouda. The left sided midfielder has been in the news the past few weeks when Chelsea's interest was evident. Now it is confirmed that he has put pen to paper for a deal at Stamford bridge.

Now being a Real Madrid fan does this open up the chances of Robben leaving even more? Well probably yes, with Falouda a Left sided midfielder and Joe Cole who also plays left sided, Chelsea would rather look to cash in on Robben.

Schuster it is the new Coach of Real Madrid

The German has cleared his papers finally with Getafe and has taken over the hot seat at the Spanish Champions helm. It is said that he even had to pay 4,80,000 Euros to get out of the remaining time on the contract with Getafe.

Schuster has played at Real for 2 seasons when they were the cream in Europe even having a season where the team scored a 108 goals in the league.

In the press conference he has clearly mentioned that Real will play with a different style which focuses more on attack and player like Guti, Robinho and Raul will only be thinking of scoring and setting up goals and not coming back to help the backline. Precisely the reason why Capello was fired. The guy is young and is ambitious and if Real are able to make a couple of crucial signings should end up doing good. Being a very good midfielder at his time Schuster has already informed the technical team on his likes on possible signings.

Well with Metzelder, Pepe and the possible arrival of Chivu, looks like Real will now focus on doing whatever possible to get some of the big name midfielders. Kaka and Robben as top of the list candidates. Kaka would want to join Real but Milan would never want to let him go at any cost. The more possible and likely candidate is Robben with the imminent arrival of Malouda t Chelsea.

Well the only thing Schuster should work for is not being a history after one season at Madrid. Win or no win Real have a history of changing coaches like changing footballs in the past 4 years.

Defenders aplenty at Madrid

The Spanish champions had announced the possible signing of German International Christoph Metzelder last week. Metzelder is in Spanish capital and has completed his medical today, though the club website mentioned that he passed it with flying colors, the club doctor has mentioned that he is a player to look out for as he has had two surgeries on his Achiles Tendon. He is prone to injuries and relapse and hopefully this is not a repeat of the Woodgate Saga. But Madrid would feel safe financially as Metzelder is a free transfer.

Now in terms of having some cover Madrid today announced that Pepe from FC Porto has signed a 5 year deal with Real. He is Brazilian by birth but a naturalized citizen with Portugal and has flourished a good defender after Mourinho left Porto. Porto was recently crowned Champions in Portugal and Pepe played a major part in it. The tall lanky defender is supposed to come to Madrid with a good reputation and he is just 24 years old. Madrid is heard to have splashed out 19M for Pepe.

Being a big Madrid fan i am happy to see the club investing money in acquiring some good talent in the defensive side.

Christoph Metzelder lands at Madrid

The defender saga is finally over in Madrid as German International Metzelder joined the Spanish Champions on a free transfer Borussia Dortmund.

Metzelder has reached the Spanish capital today to sign the contract and to be presented as a new Real Madrid player early next week.

Real really have made a wise signing as Metzelder is a good Centre Back and has proved his worth in Germany and had a good run during the last world cup. He is quick and good in the air.

Now it seems all the talks of Christian Chivu may not happen unless Madrid are looking to replace and fill the position of LB with Chivu.

Utd to Land Tevez

The Carlos Tevez jet that has been flying over all major clubs across Europe may finally land in Old Trafford.

In an absolute turn around Utd is seeking to obtain the services of Tevez on a loan for 2 years with a possibility of a 3 year contract extension.

Utd contingent is said to be meeting with Tevez and his representatives in Venezuela where he is playing in the Copa America.

From the looks of it Tevez has been interested to play for Utd as well, actually he has welcomed all major clubs across Europe including Real and Inter.

In one of my earlier blogs triggered by my cousin on who Man U should buy i had given a priority for a striker and here it is. If Man U pulls this off Tevez should be a good enough signing to support United in what Rooney has been under achieving in.

New coach and possible player signings

Real Madrid President Calderon has confirmed that they are interested to have current Getafe coach Bernd Shuster to coach the Spanish Champions next term. With the growing tension between the two clubs for years now, Calderon has asked Shuster to clear up his contractual liabilities with Getafe before any more talks. He also claimed today that Wenger was also considered for the position. Now since Capello has been shown the door bottom line for Real is to get a coach who will work as per the directions of the board and to a real concept of football that the fans would be pleased with.

Though i have no clue of the technical capabilities of Shuster, the work he has done with Getafe has been amazing and if he puts the same together at Madrid with a calm and ego less approach he should be successful. The problem with Capello as evident from his tenure was Madrid's sporting body decides on new signings, and Capello failed to utilize them properly. Beckham, Robinho, Reyes are examples.

Madrid for the same reason who showed no interest to sign Reyes on a permanent basis have a made a u-turn after the exit of Capello. But Real and Arsenal have not agreed upon the price evaluation. Arsenal would definitely be looking to make up for the huge transfer amount they spent on Arsenal with Sevilla and Madrid with Baptista back after loan would be looking to get Reyes for cheap.

The defender saga has changed. Christoph Metzelder was all set to join Madrid, with claims from both sides, but now its Barca target and Romanian international Christian Chivu who is in the news. Roma has confirmed that they have accepted an offer from Real Madrid, but the player's agent has claimed that there is no contract signed as Madrid's offer of player wages was way below the offer from Inter.

I firmly believe Robben will play for Madrid next term. Chelsea though are claiming otherwise is bound to give in for couple of reasons. Chelsea have tabled an offer for Robben in terms of a contract renewal and it has not been signed yet. Chelsea are close to signing Malouda from Lyon and they would want to clear up space and funds. Malouda is also a Left sided midfielder.

Real would also need a Left Back and a Right sided winger to replace Beckham and Roberto Carlos.

It will be interesting to see who ends up where....

Transfers Galore...

The one major signing that Liverpool and their fans were hoping for years has finally happened.....

Torres to Liverpool

Athletico Madrid have finally given in to the huge offer for their prized asset and captain and have agreed a record deal with Liverpool for their spanish international striker Fernando Torres. The deal is somewhere in between 26.5M-32M + Luis Garcia who will join Atletico and is valued at close to 4M. This is a record deal for Liverpool. The former Barca man Garcia had a decent spell under Benitez and will be looking forward to getting back to Spain. Torres is supposedly signing a 6 year deal with a Whooping 90,000/week contract. Much to the joy of Liverpool fans, this a deal that should stand up to its name.

Forlan to Athletico

Athletico Madrid was quick to finalize who comes in to fill the spot left by Torres. It is none other than Villareal striker Diego Forlan. The Uruguay international and highly rated former Man Utd man would cost somewhere close to 21M. Forlan will join Garcia as new strike partners at Athletico who is a part deal with Torres.

Arsenal Sign Striker

The responsibility of filling in the big hole left by Henry has fallen on Eduardo Da Silva. He is Brazilan born but moved to Croatia (correction thanks to one of my Croatian friends) when he was 15 and now plays for Dinamo Zagreb... Arsenal is expected to have paid Dinamo 8M for his services.

I am not sure Wenger can save Arsenal by such transfers.... What they need is a Striker who has proved his worth around the world.... Any common man does not have a clue of how good this guy is.

Man Utd land owen Hargreaves-Finally

After coaxing Bayern for 12 months to sell the England international Man Utd have been successful finally to get a nod from the Germans. He is joining Man Utd for a 17M price tag. Hargreaves will enjoy being the next Roy Keane in controlling play in the midfield. Though Paul Scholes fares well in an attacking role, his defensive tackles are absolutely poor.He will join Portuguese winger Nene and Brazilian international midfielder Anderson who joined Man U earlier from Porto. Anderson got his first major cap for Brazil in the Copa America and he failed to impress....

Geremi joins Newcastle

Geremi has joined Newcastle Utd from Chelsea under hope of getting some regular football under Big Sam. From years of start stop career at Chelsea he would definitely need it. Newcastle has made a smart free transfer. Geremi always has been an overrated player and i have failed to understand what his natural position is as to if it is Right Back or Right Midfield, because he looks out of place in both.