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.