Transfer gossips....

[Davius]

FREDDIE READY TO STAY AT HIGHBURY

Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg has denied reports linking him with a move away from Highbury.

The Sweden international has been linked with a move to Roma or Juventus.

But Ljungberg has denied talking to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger about any possible move out of the Barclays Premiership club.

Ljungberg said: "I don't know where these stories about me leaving Arsenal have come from. I enjoy playing football here.

"I have never had a conversation with the boss at any time about wanting to leave the club and at the moment am just focussing on the start of the new season."

[Davius]

The Strong-arming of the Football World

So, Patrick Vieira’s transfer to Real Madrid to become the next ‘galactico’ seems imminently close. It should come as no surprise to anyone, even the most diehard Gunners fan. This move has been reported for some time, with every pundit offering their speculations and opinion since the beginning of the summer on how and if the move would go through.

It follows a similar pattern. Every close season, Real select several world class players (one standing above all the rest) for a one way trip to the Bernabeu. Once any interest is shown, they hint in the media, but deny any knowledge of the move. Then all of a sudden, the desired player’s club is forced to accept because he hands in a transfer request with stars in his eyes. First, they got Luis Figo from hated rivals Barcelona. Next, Zinedine Zidane left Juventus of Turin in northern Italy to apparently appease his Spanish speaking wife. Ronaldo came from Inter Milan, much to the chagrin and anger of the Nerazzurri faithful. Then, David Beckham flew south(or was thrown by Sir Alex, depending on which side you stand) to provide Florentino Perez with the marketing maneuverability he so fervently desired.

This summer has been no different, as the list included such names as: Xabi Alonso from Real Sociedad; the Porto quartet of Costinha, Deco, Maniche, and Ricardo Carvalho; Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen from Everton and Liverpool, respectively; and headlined by Patrick Vieira of Arsenal.

Inevitably, the only telling point for success in this recent purchase will be the amount of silverware Los Merengues bring home, if any

[Davius]

Chelsea, of Russian oil tycoon Roman Abramovich’s millions, is again loaded for another assault on all of Europe. I recently visited Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, to see them do “battle” against Milan in the Champions World Series. All the new signings were present: Didier Drogba, Mateja Kezman (though he did not play in this particular game), Petr Cech, Paulo Ferreira, and Ricardo Carvalho. And don’t forget their new big name manager, Jose Mourinho, who brought Ferreira and Carvalho with him from Porto. He was very perturbed, to say the least, at the way his team allowed Milan back into the game to eventually win with an 87th minute Andriy Shevchenko free kick. How could he not have expected it, though, as he was the person who made the decision to bring on a fifth defender in Robert Huth.

He should have learned while watching this past summer’s European Championship that sitting back to defend a one goal lead is like scheduling a lunch date with the Grim Reaper. Yes, it may only be a preseason fixture, but these may be the times where your squad finds out what type of bearings their new leader has. I suppose if they reach the newly installed winter break of the Premiership season not in the most favorable position, Mourinho can just ask his Russian sugar daddy for some new toys to play with. Then they can ship out to Italy what they already have bought for too high of a price, as they have already done with Juan Sebastian Veron and Hernan Crespo to the two Milan giants, and replace them with the latest and greatest phenom. Adrian Mutu, currently the fourth striker, will supposedly also be headed back to Italy to join Juventus, where he should have been in the first place, rather than in the make or break EPL. ‘Chelski’ will now have to find someone capably of lassoing the moon to sit the bench in place of Mutu.

Recent seasons have shown that the old adage still rings true: Money can buy players, but it cannot buy a team. This past season’s European Cup title of the aforementioned Porto from the relatively small Portuguese league shows that great teams are forged through several years of a qualified manager working with a core group of players and each summer adding a few pieces he feels are necessary. While Real Madrid and Chelsea may hear that and laugh, clubs such as AC Milan and Manchester United will continue to be perennial favorites for the major trophies.

[Davius]

Who saw that one coming? All summer the spin doctors around if not inside the Bernabeu were priming us for the arrival of Patrick Vieira from Arsenal to swell the ranks of the galacticos.

But while the Vieira saga ran for months and was several times within an ace of becoming a fait accompli - again according to those ‘sources close to Real Madrid’ who love to brief journalists – the deal fell apart at the eleventh hour. And during that fateful hour, Michael Owen made a blindside run into the box to get his name, if not on the scoresheet, then onto he contract that eventually proved resistible for Vieira.

France’s captain declared that his decision followed a late change of heart when he realised just how much he loved Arsenal. Cynics will insist it was more to do with money than loyalty, but while we are all familiar with the tiresomely empty gesture of a player “kissing the badge” then departing for greener pastures, it is certainly novel to hear one cite affection for his present club and its fans as the reason for rejecting the self-styled best/most glamorous/biggest club in the world.

In pure footballing terms, Vieira’s decision makes sense. Real have the history, but at the moment Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal have the momentum and the potential.

Which leads us to Owen. His obvious dissatisfaction with Liverpool’s recent Premiership failings, plus the club’s fear of losing him for nothing next summer, made it easier for Owen than Vieira to jump ship. But it begs the question: did Real really need another striker? The glaring need in their team was for a holding midfielder; hence the intense interest in Vieira.

But Real are as much about presidential egos and marketing possibilities as they are about football. Perez needed to snare a big name this summer. And Owen’s name will sell replica white shirts in the Far East. But whether Camacho’s team will be better balanced as a result is debatable

[StormAngel]

Milanista si ju duket kjo qe ka thene Stami...cool a???

However in this season FC Real Madrid is the best...

Real Madrid kete sezon the best,po pas Milanit.

[Davius]

Barca To Offload Saviola, Recber and Lopez

Barcelona officials have reportedly told forward Javier Saviola, goalkeeper Rustu Recber and midfielder Oscar Lopez to start looking for new clubs.
Saviola’s exit was all but confirmed when the club snapped up Cameroon international Samuel Eto’o from Mallorca.

With Eto’o, Deco, Larsson and Giuly all added in the offseason, manager Frank Rijkaard deemed Saviola surplus.

Reports are already swirling that Saviola could be joining Champions League finalists Monaco on loan for one season.

However, Monaco do not have the cash to purchase Saviola on a transfer and if another club emerges with an offer, look for Barca to give transfer offers first priority.

As for Rustu Recber, the Turkish international has been unhappy with life at the club ever since he lost the starters' role last season. Once considered among the best shot-stoppers in Europe, Rustu’s stock has decreased dramatically since he joined the Spanish giants.

Lopez, whose contract with Barcelona runs until 2007, has also been told to pack his bags as he is not in the clubs plans for the upcoming season

[Davius]

Dyer out but Shearer staying?

DYER HEADING OUT?
After Kieron Dyer's alleged bust-up with Uncle Bobby and refusal to play on the right wing, it was inevitable that he would be linked with a move away from St James' Park. And the Daily Express says that the Toon will listen to offers of £8m for the England international - with Manchester United and Aston Villa both said to be interested.


SHEARER STAYING PUT?
The rumour of the weekend was that Manchester United will move for Alan Shearer despite the fact that he's turned them down flat in the past. But according to The Sun, the Newcastle striker has 'told friends' that he is not interested in moving to Old Trafford or indeed to Celtic, who are definitely interested in the England legend.


'JUNINHO SET FOR MOVE'
Little Juninho will join Celtic from Middlesbrough 'in the next 48 hours', says the Daily Record. The Brazilian is surplus to requirements at Boro after the signings of Gaizka Mendieta, Boudewijn Zenden and Ray Parlour and Martin O'Neill has offered him first-team football in Scotland.


AND THE REST
Southampton are set to sign Swedish duo Daniel Majstorovic and Tommy Jonsson from Malmo and Halmstad...Pompey will offer a pay-as-you-play deal to Ricardo Fuller...West Brom will step up their Michael carrick chase this week.

[Davius]

According to reports out of Spain, Barcelona and Lazio have agreed, in principal, on a loan deal for Mexican defender Rafael Marquez. Both clubs are still waiting for the defender's approval.

Big things were expected of Marquez when he joined Barcelona from Monaco in the summer of 2002, but for the most part, he failed to deliver.

Rijkaard was reportedly very upset with Marquez's showing in several preseason matches, especially against Parma in Cardiff, and has decided to axe the defender from the first-team.

Lazio are desperate to add some depth to their very slim roster and see Marquez as the ideal replacement for Jaap Stam.

[Davius]

The latest Englishman to join president Florentino Perez’s self-styled ‘galacticos’ at Real Madrid is hoping his move to the Bernabeu will help him put a troubled past behind him.

Jonathan Woodgate was convicted of affray during his Leeds United days and sentenced to 100 hours of community service. Referring to his part in an attack on a student in Leeds a few years ago, he told Real’s website: “I made a mistake and went through a very difficult period. But I think it has helped me become a better player and a better person. After something like that, you think a lot and draw conclusions. Now I have to look to the future.”

First, though, he reflected on the club he has left, telling the Newcastle Evening Chronicle: "I’m disappointed because I am leaving Newcastle before I could show the fans what I can really do. I’m leaving probably the most exciting bunch of young players in Europe, plus great players like Alan Shearer. It was the hardest decision of my career, but I can’t miss out on playing with so many great players at Real.

“In my opinion, Newcastle United as a club are on the up and I hope I can look forward to playing for Real against them in the Champions League one day," he said.

Meanwhile, Perez claimed Real had pulled off a major coup. "Jonathan is the correct choice, a magnificent player,” he said (side-stepping the fact that an earlier attempt to lure Sol Campbell to Madrid had been thwarted by Arsenal. "He is one of the best defenders in Europe and he will be one of the best in the world."

"Real Madrid will help consolidate him in this position and he will help Real Madrid get stronger. He’s young and a serious player. He knows our value and he is coming to a club where every day is a challenge both on and off the pitch. Real Madrid and their players have to set an example."

Woodgate, handed the number 18 shirt at Real, spoke only a few words when presented to the club’s fans. “Es un sueno,” he said, “It’s a dream.”

[Vjosa]

PO MIR O VLLA PO CFAR SHKRUAN ATY?? MOS NA SHAN??ahahahah. PO NE QE NUK DIM ANGLISHT CFAR TE BEJME??