More Spanish league transfers news

Real Madrid presidential candidate Villar Mir told the News of the World: "We have opened negotiations with two managers, Wenger and Capello." (BBC)

Seville have rejected Liverpool's £10 million bid for Alves (various)

Older news but worth mentioning:

Barcelona have completed the signing of Iceland captain Eidur Gudjohnsen on a four-year, 12 million euro ($15.10 million) deal from Chelsea, the European and Primera Liga champions said on Wednesday (Reuters)

Barcelona are lining up a £30m deal bid - involving cash plus Portuguese midfielder Deco - for Chelsea and England star Frank Lampard (BBC)

Saviola told he can quit Barcelona (CNN)

Dida won't sign a new contract with AC Milan. Villarreal, Deportivo and Manchester United are interested in the Brazilian keeper (Tribalfootball)

World Cup Predictions

I was planning to post this before the World Cup started but I got busy with other stuff. Here's who I guess will be playing in the first knock-out stage:

Germany vs. Sweden; England vs. Ecuador; Argentina vs. Portugal; Mexico vs. Netherlands; USA vs. Croatia; Brazil vs. Italy; France vs. Ukraine; Spain vs. Switzerland

The quarter-finals: Germany vs. Argentina; England vs. Netherlands; USA vs. France; Brazil vs. Spain

Semi-finals: Germany vs. France; Brazil vs. England

And for the final: Host Germany vs. Champions Brazil

However, I don't think the score will be a repetition of the last world-cup final. Germany will benefit from playing on their own soil, so my bet is they will win this year.

That doesn't mean I'm supporting Germany. I'm on Brazil's side any day, but there's a difference between who you think will win, and who you want to win.

The opening match was very good. Man, what a goal by Frings! Would remind you of a younger Roberto Carlos. See the goal here if you've missed it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoY6NUG8HNE

I was expecting a poor match between Poland and Ecuador, but it was even better than the first. Polish players hit the post at least 2 or 3 times, so they were very unlucky. But an awesome match overall.

Joaquin, Reyes and Eriksson for Real Madrid? Vote for Baldasano

Real presidential candidate, Baldasano, has promised Joaquin, Reyes and Eriksson as coach. He claims all of them have made commitments in case he wins the elections.

Although Chelsea have to wait until after Real's July elections to talk about Roberto Carlos, everything is pointing towards Carlos leaving for the Blues. The latest news is that Roberto Carlos has been taking English lessons.

As expected, Gabri has joined Ajax Amsterdam.

AC Milan want Cassano as Shevchenko's replacement. I hope they want him very badly so Real can ask for Kaka in return :-P

Newcastle would like to bring Woodgate back to the Premier League.

Bayern's Roy Makaay and Roma's Chivu denied the possiblity of moving to Barcelona.

New Atletico Madrid striker, Aguero, was officially presented on Moday. Bought from Independiente for around $28 million, the teenager has been brought to Madrid with high expectations. If he can get along with Torres, that would certainly be show to look forward to.

Valencia say they are interested in Benfica's Sabrosa.

Villarreal to Barcelona: Forlan not for sale

Not much news today.

Villarreal were very straight-forward about not wanting to sell Diego Forlan, so leave them alone Barcelona.

After the recent announcement that Valencia are selling Pablo Aimar this summer with an estimated price tag of only £5m, Liverpool is the first team to show interest in the Argentine.

Enjoy your weekend!

Real Madrid set to hold election

Real Madrid will hold an election for a new president on 2 July - with all of the candidates promising to restructure the playing squad if they win.

England captain David Beckham and the Brazil duo Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo have all been tipped to leave the club, depending on who becomes president.


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Raul Gonzalez Offered to Roma

I don't know what team would want a player in such bad form but Real Madrid have offered THE Raul Gonzalez to Roma.

Lopez Caro leaves Real Madrid to coach Racing Santander.

Chelsea are offering Barcelona target Eidur Gudjohnsen to Real Madrid. This move is probably to tempt Real to sell Roberto Carlos to Chelsea.

Real Madrid would buy the whole Brazilian National team squad if they could give them Spanish citizenship. AC Milan's Kaka and Juventus' Emerson have welcomed Real Madrid's interest. Now it's Real's turn to prepare serious bids if they want any of the players.

Luque has turned down Barcelona.

Shevchenko joins the blues

Real Madrid interested in Juventus pair Ibrahimovic and Zambrotta; also in talks with Inter Milan about Adriano.

Valencia coach Flores has extended his contract to 2008; Carboni hints that Aimar is for sale.

Alex Ferguson will interrupt his summer holiday to watch Riquelme at the World Cup.

After Celtic showed interest in Gravesen, the player says he'd be keen on a transfer if Real Madrid let him go.

Deportivo want Manchester United's Fortune.

Atletico Madrid have closed a deal for Dynamo Moscow pair Greek Seitaridis and Portuguese Costinha.

Finally, not Spanish League related: Shevchenko's move to Chelsea is almost a done deal at £34m. The player has to pass the medical test, but other than that there doesn't seem to be any obstacle to stop the transfer.

Calderon bringing Kaka to Madrid, Saviola leaves Seville

Each of the Real Madrid presidential candidates is trying to boost the chances of winning by promising to bring big names to the club; yesterday, Sainz talked about getting coach Arsene Wenger. Today, Ramon Calderon announced that signing Brazilian star Kaka from AC Milan, is his top priority.

"Argentina striker Javier Saviola is not staying at Sevilla after the end of his one-year loan from Barcelona." (Reuters)

This is becoming a little confusing. Yesterday we heard that Eto'o was no longer interested in AC Milan. New reports say that he has held a meeting with AC Milan chiefs.

Ronaldo has turned down a whopping £60 million offer from Red Bull New York because his time at Madrid isn't over yet.

Celtic is targetting Real Madrid's Gravesen.

"Laboring under poor form and an increased threat from younger strikers Fernando Torres and David Villa, the Spanish captain [Raul Gonzalez] is no longer assured of a place in the starting lineup." (AP)

Arsene Wenger for Real Madrid?

"Sainz is hoping to lure Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger to Real Madrid, if he wins the club's presidential election on 2 July." (source: BBC)

Atletico Madrid and Seville are after Luque.

Gabri will leave Barcelona and the most likely destination at this time seems to be Ajax.

Chinese clubs Changchun Yatai and Beijing Guo'an have sent agents to convince Zidane to play for them.

Villarreal's Senna, wanted by Real Madrid and Arsenal, will announce his decision after the World Cup.

Eto'o who showed interest in AC Milan only a few days ago, has now changed his mind. Messi doesn't want to leave Barcelona either.

Real Madrid Dream Squad

I thought I'll do this just for fun. Which players does Real Madrid need to regain their position in Europe and win titles?

Let's get rid of Raul and Cassano and replace them with some real strikers who can score goals, like Forlan and Baptista :-D Full South American fire-power.

The mid-field needs a lot of work. Get Gravesen back; he didn't play much this year, but in the 04/05 season he was amazing. Riquelme to replace Zidane. Kaka and Robinho will be attacking midfielders. C. Ronaldo is very quick and can be a winger on both sides.

And for the defence, Real Madrid need players with more experience. Roberto Ayala and Ashley Cole would be perfect for that. Cicinho and Ramos aren't experienced but they're good enough.

Goalkeeper... Well Real have the best, so that doesn't need much work ;-)

Goalkeeper: Casillas
Defence: Cicinho, Ramos, Roberto Ayala, Ashley Cole
Midfilders: Gravesen, Riquelme, Kaka, C. Ronaldo
Strikers: Baptista, Forlan

What do you think?

Big Update

The past few days, I've been really busy and I couldn't submit any updates, so this is a long post to make up for it.

Fresh news

It's official now: Villarreal agree two-year deal with Pires.

Morientes agrees terms with Valencia.

Real Madrid to play MLS side Real Salt Lake on Aug. 12

Real Madrid are after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.

If Capello agrees, Real Madrid will try to bring half of the Juventus squad with him! Ibrahimovic, Trezeguet, Zambrotta, Emerson, Vieira and Cannavaro are on the list.

Rafael Benitez signed a 4-year deal to stay with Liverpool, so we won't see him in Spain next season.

Chelsea's Lampard dreaming of Barcelona.

Woodgate says he's staying at Real Madrid.

Manchester still interested in Riquelme.

Ronaldo's recovering well from his thigh injury.

Older news

Barcelona won the Champions League final 2-1 in a controversial match. Most of Arsenal's players and the manager justified their defeat by the referee's mistakes.

Barcelona also won the last match against Bilbao where Eto'o scored making him the top scorer of the league.

Henry tells Barcelona and Real Madrid to look elsewhere as he signs a 4-year contract with Arsenal. Adriano is also happy at Inter Milan.

It will be interesting to see who Barcelona will go after now... They had said that Forlan would be second option if Henry talks failed.

Atletico Madrid believe Osasuna coach Aguirre could be their saviour; a one-year contract has been signed.

Arsenal made an £80000 per week offer for Ashley Cole to stay after being linked with Real Madrid.

Inter Milan made a £10 million bid for Nistelrooy who, rumours say, might be swapped for Atletico's Torres.

Amedeo Carboni, 41, has ended a long playing career to become Valencia's sports director.

Deportivo La Coruna are interested in Alaves attacker Nene according to the player.

Sevilla haven't talked with Barcelona over a permanent deal for Saviola.

Barcelona assistant coach left the club to become Ajax head coach.