SPANISH FOOTBALL - LIGA - ROUND 3 SATURDAY GAMES RESULTS

Spanish Football games today with three celebrated as part of Round 3 Liga. Here are all the final results-scores & all the corresponding goalscorers.




Celta de Vigo hosted Granada & their game finished in a 1 - 1 draw. An evenly played match with perhaps the locals showing more initiative & thus will feel they should have been compensated more. The first goal came via on-loan FC Barcelona

ATLETICO DE MADRID SIGNS ALDERWEIRELD FROM AJAX

Argentine International & Atletico de Madrid defender Demichelis has gone off to Manchester City. Atletico de Madrid has already found a substitute replacement in Belguim & Ajax of Amsterdam defender Toby Alderweireld.




The player is currently in Madrid to pass the medical exam before signing with Atletico de Madrid for the next four seasons. The 24 year old comes with very good references

SPANISH FOOTBALL - LIGA - ROUND 3 FRIDAY GAMES RESULTS

Spanish Football action late Friday night with two games of Liga Round 3 scheduled. Two games almost identical with last second surprises & for some grand disappointments. Here are the final results-scores & the goalscorers.




Almeria hosted Elche & relived their "curse" of the two last Liga matches. Almeria should have won the match with goals from Soriano in the 10th min & Verza in the 45th

SPAIN FOOTBALL TEAM LIST FOR FINLAND - CHILE MATCHES

The Spanish Football National Team Selector & Coach Vicente Del Bosque handed in his list of players for the upcoming 2014 World Cup Group qualifier against Finland & the International Friendly against Chile.




The novelties, or news catchers,  are the inclusion of three Atletico de Madrid players: David Villa, Mario Suarez & young Koke. Apart Real Sociedad defender Iñigo Martinez & Isco retain

EUROPA LEAGUE GROUP DRAW 2013-2014

The Europe League Group draw was celebrated this midday with the following Club match-ups.



There are three Spanish Football Clubs in the competition, Valencia CF , Sevilla FC & Real Betis. Valencia will be in Group A & its a difficult group, while Sevilla is in Group H & Real Betis in Group I.The above diagram gives you the full list of Clubs & Groups.

MANCHESTER UNITED MAKES OFFER TO ATHLETIC BILBAO FOR ANDER HERRERA

English Club Manchester United needs to fill the midfield with a class player. The Club has made offers for Cesc Fabregas ( FC Barcelona ) , Ozil ( Real Madrid CF ) & others around Europe (eg Fellaini ). The transfer window shuts the 2nd of September & time is running out.



Latest news locally is that Manchester United has made a 30M€ offer to Spanish Football Club Athletic Club Bilbao for

REAL MADRID NEWS | KAKA COMMENTS HE WANTS TO LEAVE

Real Madrid has played a Friendly match with Second Division Club Deportivo A Coruña in the traditional "Teresa Herrera Trophy" which introduces Deportivo to their fans for the new season. Real Madrid comfortably 0 - 4 won with 2 goals from Kaka, Morata & Casemiro.Straight after the match in a press interview, the Brazilian midfielder Kaka commented that he wishes to leave the Club, that he has

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP DRAW RESULT - CLUB MATCH UPS

UEFA has celebrated the Champions League Group Club match-ups - draw - with the following results:




For the four Spanish Football Clubs the outcome was:


Real Madrid ( Group B) Juventus, Galatasaray & Copenhague.
FC Barcelona (Group H) AC Milan, Ajax & Celtic.
Atletico de Madrid  (Group G) Oporto, Zenit & Austria de Viena
La Real Sociedad ( Group A) Manchester United, Shakhtar & Bayer

FC BARCELONA 0 - ATLETICO DE MADRID 0 ( 1 - 1 AGG + AWAY GOAL ) FC BARCELONA WINS SPANISH SUPER CUP

The away goal scored in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup by FC Barcelona at the Atletico de Madrid ground was enough tonight to give them the title with a 1 - 1 aggregate plus with the away goal advantage. 




Tonight's 2º leg return 0 - 0 final result had goalkeeping match savers by Barça Victor Valdes, a red card to Luis Felipe in the 80th min  which left Atletico down to 10 men & a

REAL SOCIEDAD 2 OLYMPIQUE LYON 0 ( 4 - 0 AGG ) | REAL SOCIEDAD IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Spanish Football was on the European Football stage as one of its Clubs Real Sociedad took a 2 - 0 aggregate advantage over French Club Olympique Lyon in the 2º leg match of  the preliminary Champions League phase & attempt to join FC Barcelona, Real Madrid & Atletico de Madrid in the Group draw to be held tomorrow at Monaco.




Fantastic home atmosphere as the local fans embraced with warmth

UEFA BEST PLAYER IN EUROPE 2012 - 2013 | RIBERY FAVOURITE AHEAD OF RONALDO - MESSI

The local Football observers & punters have French International & Bayern Munich Franck Ribery as favourite to take the "UEFA Best Player in Europe" season 2012-2013 award. If the Frenchman wins he will be come the second after Zidane ( 2002 ) to take the prestigious Individual European Football Prize




To win Ribery will have to overcome in the voting  from European Sports-Football journalist

REAL MADRID - GARETH BALE NEWS TRANSFER UPDATE

Few emails received by readers asking me what is the latest news exactly happening with Real Madrid & Gareth Bale from a local point of view. 





The following is what we know locally about the situation:


Last Wednesday the deal was agreed : 91M€. Apparently Real Madrid, players rep & Tottenham Football Director Baldini , under Levy guidance, shut the deal.
Tottenham Hotspurs asked Real

SPANISH FOOTBALL - LIGA - ROUND 2 MONDAY GAME NIGHT RESULT

Last match tonight of Liga Round 2 with Granada hosting Real Madrid & losing 0 - 1. Real Madrid notched up another win & three points but do not convince at all. Real Madrid look unsettled , slow at times & with other concerns on their minds.Diego Lopez started ahead of Iker Casillas which will keep the tiring but damaging debate open another week. The more than likely coming of Gareth Bale has

SPANISH FOOTBALL - LIGA - ROUND 2 SUNDAY GAMES RESULTS

Sunday had four Spanish Football matches as part of Liga Round 2 schedule. Top action on display with the following final results - scores & the goalscorers.




City of Madrid derby between Atletico de Madrid & Rayo Vallecano. The home team steam-rolled the visitors 5 - 0 with an impressive Diego Costa, Raul Garcia, Arda Turan & Luis Felipe. The score could have been more for Atletico had the

ARSENAL MAKES A 30M€ OFFER TO REAL MADRID FOR DI MARIA ?

The imminent arrival of current Tottenham Hotspurs player Gareth Bale to Real Madrid will force changes at the Spanish Football Club. There is currently a midfield "overbooking" situation where not everyone can play & most big European Clubs know it. 

English Premier League Club Arsenal FC is said to already have made its move. First it was a speculated offer for forward Karim Benzema which was

SPANISH FOOTBALL - LIGA - ROUND 2 SATURDAY GAMES RESULTS

Spanish Football & Round 2 of Liga continued today with three matches scheduled. Here are the final results - scores & all the corresponding goalscorers.




Newly promoted Elche ( Alicante ) hosted Real Sociedad & managed a 1 - 1 draw. The home team was anxious to give a good show to their local fans & started "on fire" catching the visitors by complete surprise. Elche went ahead first with a 2º

SPANISH FOOTBALL - LIGA - ROUND 2 FRIDAY NIGHT GAMES RESULTS

The 2º Round of Liga is broken up in three days with two games scheduled tonight of Spanish Football. Here are the final results & the goalscorers.




Madrid Club Getafe hosted Almeria & finished their game with a 2 - 2 final result. Shared points but neither would be happy with the outcome. Getafe wanted a win in front of their home fans for the start of the season at home & Almeria let of the

REAL MADRID TO RECEIVE MANCHESTER UNITED OFFER FOR OZIL ?

English Club Manchester United is looking "desperately" for a World Class midfielder & play-maker.  Their number one priority FC Barcelona Cesc Fabregas has declined their offer & the "Plan B" widely commented locally is called Mesut Ozil.Spanish Sports media is speculating that Manchester United will be making a 45M€ offer to Real Madrid for its German International. At first glance one may

SPANISH SUPER CUP 1º LEG RESULT | ATLETICO DE MADRID 1 FC BARCELONA 1

Hot night in Madrid that gave the atmospheric backdrop to the 1ºst leg of the Spanish Super Cup between Atletico de Madrid & FC Barcelona which ended in a 1 - 1 draw that keeps the first title of the new Spanish Football season open for the 2º leg at Barcelona next week.




In general terms it was even between both teams & but perhaps Barcelona was fortunate to have equalized in the second half

REAL SOCIEDAD WINS 0 - 2 OLYMPIQUE LYON | 1º LEG CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PRELIMINARY QUALIFIER

Excellent result for Spanish Football Club Real Sociedad defeating Olympique Lyon 0 - 2 in the 1ºst leg of the Champions League preliminary qualifier. Deserved victory away that should make things a little more easier for the return 2º leg where Lyon will have to go all out.




The match was settled by two extraordinary goals that will be travelling around the global in the next 24 hours. When

TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS - REAL MADRID AGREE ON GARETH BALE TRANSFER | NEWS FROM ITALY

News out of Italy via "Sky Sport" & from journalist Gianluca Di Marzio. According to the flash Tottenham Hotspurs & Real Madrid have come to an agreement in the Gareth Bale Operation. The transfer figure is 93M GBP plus Real Madrid defender Fabio Coentrao, however this needs further explaining.




Real Madrid will pay Tottenham Hotspurs 93M GBP in transfer payment, a payment that is over two

ATLETICO DE MADRID TRANSFER RUMOURS | ADRIAN & LJAJAC

Atletico de Madrid forward Adrian maybe on the verge of moving to Italy. Although the Spanish Football Club comments they have no offer, Spanish Sports media indicate that AC Roma is very interested in the forward as a substitute for departed Osvaldo. The Spanish player is "plan B" in case first objective Gilardino of Genoa fails.

But Roma is not the only Club interested, Valencia CF has also

SPANISH FOOTBALL - LIGA - ROUND 1 MONDAY GAMES RESULTS

Spanish Football action tonight with the last three games of Round 1 of Liga. Here are the final results & all the goalscorers.




Madrid Club Rayo Vallecano host newly promoted Elche & won 3 - 0 in a very clear & effective fashion. Elche experienced first hand that their is an important difference between 2º Division & Liga & will need to work more to lift in grade. The goals came in the 39th

VALENCIA CF SIGNS PABON FROM MONTERREY FOR 7M€

Spanish Football Club Valencia CF has shut the transfer of Colombian midfielder - forward Dorlan Pabon. The Mexican Club Monterrey will receive 7M€ in concept of transfer payment, the amount that is the contract release clause of the player




Valencia CF awaits the arrival of the final documents to be able to announce the new incorporation formally. The Colombian signs for 4 seasons & is

SPANISH FOOTBALL - LIGA | SUNDAY ROUND 1 GAMES RESULTS

Spanish Football continued today with four matches scheduled of Round 1 of Liga. The top Clubs in actions & here are the final results & goalscorers.





FC Barcelona squashed literally Levante 7 - 0 with the damage done in the first half of the game. Neymar & Iniesta started on the bench which may have lifted the eyebrows of some but the team showed they were well tuned without both. The goals

SPANISH FOOTBALL - LIGA | ROUND 1 SATURDAY MATCH FINAL RESULTS

The 2013 - 2014 Spanish Football season kicked off today with three games scheduled of Liga Round 1 encounters. Here are all the final results along with all the goalscorers.






Excellent start by Real Sociedad with a 2 - 0 victory over Madrid Club Getafe. A good confidence booster for Real Sociedad which will meet Olympic Lyon next week for the Champions League preliminary. 

The locals

Romelu Lukaku - 8.0m

So here's my excuse: the players listed in each team section within the team reviews are those with stats from last season. The players listed in the transfer section are all the new signings (per Transfermarkt). Romelu Lukaku doesn't fit into either category (his data all relates to West Brom, of course) and thus I somehow excluded one of the most exciting prospects in the league from my eBook (I think I got everyone else though so check out the rest of the book if you want to see what I'm talking about).

If I'd had a bit more sleep, and a few less wedding tasks to complete, here's what I would have written:

Lukaku enjoyed a tremendous first real season in the Premier League, notching 17 goals and seven assists, supported by excellent underlying data including 97 total shots with an impressive 45 on target. These totals ranked 8th and 4th among all forwards respectively: excellent numbers for a player in a mid level team with a mid level price tag. What's even more incredible though is if we gross up the Belgian's numbers to put him on a level playing field with his pricier rivals. For example, if Lukaku played at this rate for the same minutes as van Persie, he'd have racked up 151 total shots with 70 of those coming inside the box, which would actually exceed the Dutchman's haul of 141 and 63. Now, it might not be fair to set that as our expectation, but to even be mentioned in the same postal code as a 14.0m forward is noteworthy.

Now, the issue coming into the new season is playing time and where as at West Brom he was able to solidify his place as an every week starter by mid-season, at Chelsea this sporadic playing time may continue all year. Back in September when we highlighted Lukaku as a 'Moneyball' player over at Fantasy Football Scout, it was fairly evident that if he continued to play as he was, he would displace the likes of Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie, but with Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and even Andre Schurrle providing stronger competition at Stamford Bridge, it's far from clear how Lukaku will feature this year.

We all want to get in on players with upside as early as possible, and if this were a typical baseball-style draft competition then Lukaku would absolutely be a player to target and perhaps even reach for. However, as appealing as the double gameweek is, it's far from clear that he'll start both games, and if you were assigning probabilities, you'd probably suggest the odds are against him doing so. This status could quickly change with indications that Lukaku will lead the line more often than not, but until then, the prudent move is to grab someone like Paul Lambert or Dimitar Berbatov and then react to Lukaku's situation after Chelsea have been to Old Trafford and had their off week in GW3.

Editors's note: Apparently by addressing a careless mistake I've decided to add another. Despite his 14 goals for St Mirren between 1986 and 1993 (thanks Wikipedia!), Paul Lambert is absolutely not a great pickup for 7.5m. Rickie Lambert however does appear to tick all the boxes.

REAL MADRID | "MIDFIELD OVERBOOKNG" - THE NEWCOMERS PLUS BALE EFFECT

Real Madrid has an "overbooking" situation especially in the midfield area. Have a look at the current squad names Xabi Alonso, Casemiro, Illaramendi, Khedira, Ozil, Modric, Isco...lets also add Angel Di Maria as well. As you can clearly see not everyone can play & on top of it all  next year is FIFA World Cup time & everyone needs to play to secure a spot on their National Teams.

If we add to

ECUADOR 0 SPAIN 2 | INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY MATCH RESULT

Spain has defeated Ecuador 0 - 2 in an International Friendly game played in Guayaquil ( Ecuador ). A game which had its dose of emotion as it served to also remember the recently died Ecuador International Football Player "Chucho" Christian Benitez.




The Spanish national Coach Vicente del Bosque must have thought if your going to travel half way around the World at least give most of the

eBook Sample

A couple of readers on Twitter and here on the blog rightly suggested that a bit of a preview of the eBook might be useful for people to see if it's something they'd be interested in. With that in mind, here are a couple of screenshots of the kind of analysis you'll find in the eBook:

100 player profiles including expected goals, assists and points total from prior year (based on underlying data and regression). Includes a 'buy', 'consider', 'monitor' and 'avoid' status (Coutinho here is shown as a player to consider but one who carries at least one question mark:

SImple data tells us how many games everyone played, but why did they miss the other games? The below chart provided for each defense shows which players were rotated by choice and which played whenever they were healthy:

Forecast starting lineups for all 20 teams:

Distribution of expected goals and assists by team:

I hope these screenshots whet the collective appetite a bit, and if so, head over to Lulu and grab the whole book before Saturday's GW1 deadline!

FC BARCELONA THINKS IN PSG SAKHO AS AN ALTERNATIVE OPTION

FC Barcelona Coach Gerardo Martino has apparently told Club Directives that if it means sending money not currently available that he has sufficient squad resources to "patch up" the Central Defender position. However, it seems President Rosell is adamant that the team needs a Central Defender reinforcement right now.  




The latest name to arise is Paris St Germain defender Mamadou Sakho. The

ATLETICO DE MADRID "TIE UP" FIORENTINA MIDFIEDER ADEM LJAJIC

News is out this morning on the Spanish Sports papers that Atletico de Madrid is following 21 year old Serbian midfielder Adem Ljajic & talking with his Italian Club Fiorentina. The papers mention that the Serb is the substitute - plan B - in case their current player Adrian leaves the Spanish Club. It is being said that Valencia CF is very keen on the services of the Atletico forward. 

Welcome back and exciting news

Welcome back everyone! Well, actually you've probably all been around a lot more than I have, so I guess it's me who's back.

It's been a busy time for me personally (I got married on August 2nd!) and for the blog, as I've finally finished my proposed e-book season preview. It's something I've wanted to do for a couple of seasons but have finally managed to complete the project this year and, honestly, I'm delighted with how it turned out.

It's 64 pages of content (all penned by yours truly) featuring:

• 100 individual player profiles and fantasy status (buy, sell, monitor etc)
• 17 full team previews including assessment of 2012-13 data, transfer analysis and forecast lineups
• Goalkeeper rotation data
• Forecast data for the first eight gameweeks of the season
• Brief analysis of every transfer, including fantasy status
• A review of the model in 2012-13 and how it will be improved this season.

Now here's the awkward bit: there is a price tag. Aside from a couple of dollars in Google ads over the years, I've never made anything from this blog, and while it is a labour of love, it would be nice if I could at least get back the money I expect to spend when I move the site to a fixed site address, sometime later in the season. The book is published through LuLu and is available for CAD$5.99 (or your local equivalent). I figure this is less than what you'd pay for a high street magazine which may feature a couple of pages of fantasy "analysis" and then a handful of perfume ads so it seems like a fair price for everyone.

The book has been an incredible amount of work (including having my new wife help edit it between our wedding and our honeymoon - which starts on Friday) but it's been a lot of fun to make and I'm really proud of how it has turned out.

For those who are interested, the book is available at Lulu.

As for the coming season, normal, and full service service will resume in a couple of weeks after I return from our honeymoon (we're heading to S.Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia in case anyone was wondering). We're due back on Sep 9th so I expect to have everything up and running for GW4. Until then, eight week forecast data and GK-rotation data can be found in the book.

As always, thanks for reading and sticking with the blog and here's to another great season.

PS. Now that the book is finished I'll be back on here and Twitter until Friday posting some general thoughts and hopefully my opening day lineup if I can make my mind up in time!

GARETH BALE LATEST NEWS | REAL MADRID OFFER - SITUATION

The Gareth Bale "saga" continues in the media as it should, it is the only real "interesting" piece of news left before the start of the Spanish Football season this weekend that sells Sports papers.

Lots of news coming out from England. However most are strategic "leaks" or "false". There is no real big interest from Manchester United ( at least not in the prices being offered ) as its a

TOTTENHAM PULL THE MAN UTD RABBIT TO "PRESSURE" REAL MADRID ON BALE

More news on the transfer saga of this Summer in Spanish Football. News out of England suggest that Manchester United may be preparing an offer for Tottenham Hotspurs Gareth Bale. The idea according to Manchester United is to offer cash & perhaps Mexican Striker Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez.




Lets have a think about this. May it be all a "leaked" story from Tottenham sources? It is not the

ATLETICO DE MADRID | ARDA TURAN TO STAY

Good news for Atletico de Madrid fans & followers if it is correct the news from Spanish Sports papers about the words of player Arda Turan. In reference to the 17M€ offer from Monaco the Turkish midfielder has said that he wishes to stay at Atletico de Madrid.



Although the Club does not wish to sell the Turkish International his contract release clause is only 24M€. Atletico de Madrid are

REAL MADRID INTERESTED IN AC MILAN DEFENDER DE SCIGLIO

Real Madrid Portuguese International left back Fabio Coentrao has again expressed his desires to leave the Club. The Spanish Football Club wants to hear offers of 25M€ & above before negotiating. Clubs like Monaco, Chelsea FC & even Tottenham Hotspurs may be the players next destination with the latter Club perhaps being part of the "Bale Operation".



The speculated thought about substitute is

SPANISH FOOTBALL | SEVILLA FC LOOKING GOOD FOR SEASON 2013 - 2014

Spanish Football Clubs FC Barcelona & Real Madrid CF have been getting the mayor headlines of most Spanish Sports papers while they sign the big names & travel around the World. However, there is another Spanish Football Club also doing their work this pre-season & doing it well.

Sevilla FC has sold two important players in Jesus Navas & Alvaro Negredo to Manchester City which has filled their

SPANISH FOOTBALL NATIONAL TEAM LIST OF 21 PLAYERS FOR ECUADOR | "NEW BLOOD"

Spanish Football National Team Selector & Coach Vicente Del Bosque has handed in his list of 21 players to fly off to Ecuador to play an upcoming International Friendly match. The Spanish Coach is obviously thinking way ahead towards next years FIFA World Cup in Brazil & is beginning the process of introducing "new blood" into the squad. Coach Del Bosque has introduced Isco ( Real Madrid ), Iñigo

FIFA RANKINGS AUGUST 2013 | SPAIN Nº 1

FIFA has released its monthly "National Football Teams Rankings" with Spain retaining the Number 1 position for another month. The loss in the FIFA Confederations Cup Final against Brazil has made Spain lose points but retains a "healthy" margin over second placed Germany. The winners of the said Final, Brazil,  jumps up back into the Top 10 Football Nations.




FIFA Ranking for August 2013:

1.

FC BARCELONA CENTRAL DEFENDER WOES

Brazilian International & Chelsea FC defender David Luiz is occupying the Spanish Sports papers after news from England comments that FC Barcelona has made a 40M€ offer for the defender. Contradictory news, because from Barcelona that figure is close to 25M€ which should not really surprise us as these numbers are often distorted. The case is that David Luiz seems to be the man chosen by Barça to

VALENCIA CF SELECTS REAL ZARAGOZA POSTIGA TO REPLACE SOLDADO

Portuguese International & Real Zaragoza 31 year old striker Helder Postiga is the chosen player by Valencia CF to fill the position left vacant by Roberto Soldado after transferring the goalscorer to Tottenham Hotspurs. 



Valencia CF has paid Real Zaragoza 3M€ & the player has arrived at the city of Valencia this evening to pass tomorrow morning the obligatory medical exam before signing with

SPANISH DEFENDER GOIKOETXEA NAMED "TOUGHEST DEFENDER IN FOOTBALL HISTORY"

German magazine "11 Freunde" has given its list of  "The Toughest Defenders in Football History" with Spanish International & Athletic Club Bilbao defender Andoni Goikoetxea taking the Nº 1 position. The only modern - contemporary - player in the list is Real Madrid defender Pepe with the Nº 6 spot & lastly Spanish International & Real Madrid defender José Camacho is given the N º 14 position.

ATLETICO DE MADRID RAISE TO 9M€ FROM TOULOUSE CAPOUE

Spanish Football Club Atletico de Madrid returns French Club Toulouse with an improved offer for their 25 year old French International midfielder Capoue. The offer rises to 9M€ & Atletico hopes that the French Club will accept the offer after the player has voiced his desires to play in Spain.



Originally Toulouse had accepted a better offer from Cardiff City of 10M€ plus extras, an offer

CRISTIANO RONALDO - RIBERY - MESSI FINALISTS UEFA PLAYER OF THE YEAR

UEFA has handed in their list of the three candidates up for the "UEFA Player of the Year" season 2012-2013. The three chosen are:

Cristiano Ronaldo ( Real Madrid CF)
Franck Ribery ( Bayern Munich)
Lionel Messi ( FC Barcelona)


The winner will be announced the 29th of August in Monaco where 29 leading Football journalists will vote live & direct via an electronic voting system.






Cristiano

THE DIEGO COSTA - LUIS SUAREZ - CAZORLA TRANSFER OPERATION THEORY

This next piece is very interesting & worth a post. Very speculative & will need to be seen, but not impossible. According to Spanish Sports newspapers - "Sport" & "El Confidencial" a 3 band transfer move could be brewing between Atletico de Madrid Diego Costa, Liverpool FC Luis Suarez & Arsenal FC player Santi Cazorla.



Here is the theory:


A 25M€ move by Atletico de Madrid player Diego Costa

TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS WANTS REAL MADRID MORATA IN BALE DEAL

The negotiations continue between Tottenham Hotspurs & Real Madrid in order to find a "middle ground" for the transfer of Welsh International & Hotspurs player Gareth Bale. Tough meetings were options are being put on the table & countered with alternatives.Real Madrid wishes to reduce the written about asked transfer figures of 145M€, latter 115M€ ...etc with the inclusion of player/s. The price

TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS - REAL MADRID CONTINUE TALKS ON GARETH BALE

Back after a few days relaxing.

The local Spanish Sports papers have the summer pre-season matches on-board with a "curious" Real Madrid - Chelsea match coming up & a "rancorous" Mourinho with his latest comments, FC Barcelona passing through the Middle East & now in Thailand, Atletico de Madrid bettering in South America, Valencia putting in 4 goals in their friendly, Cesc Fabregas apparently "

CHELSEA FC TEMPTING REAL MADRID MIDFIELDER SAMI KHEDIRA ?

There is a buzz locally that ex-Real Madrid, & now Chelsea FC Coach José Mourinho has not forgotten German International midfielder Sami Khedira. Apparently Mourinho has made a few calls to the mobile number of the Real Madrid player to see how things are & if he would like to join him at London.




Real Madrid has "overbooking" in the midfield, especially with the new incorporations like Isco,

LIVERPOOL FC MAKES 24M€ BID FOR ATLETICO DE MADRID DIEGO COSTA

The 24 year old Brazilian-Spaniard midfielder Diego Costa has blossomed at Atletico de Madrid under Coach Simeone. So much so that he was called up last season for Brazil & now has caught the eye of English Club Liverpool FC. News out of England comment that the English Club has made a 24M€ bid for Costa & Atletico de Madrid has it on their table. Atletico de Madrid however deny that they have

VALENCIA CF - TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS CLOSE DEAL FOR FORWARD ROBERTO SOLDADO

After days of negotiations & speculations, Spanish Football Club Valencia CF has officially announced via its website ( as has Tottenham ) that they have come to an agreement to transfer their Spanish International & forward Roberto Soldado to English Football Club Tottenham Hotspurs. The only thing now remaining is that the player pass the obligatory medical exam before closing the deal 100%.The

FC BARCELONA SEES LIVERPOOL FC DANIEL AGGER AS THE OPTION

The search by FC Barcelona for a Central Defender seems to be coming to a safe port after weeks of "testing the market". The two candidates seem to be David Luiz of Chelsea FC & Daniel Agger of Liverpool FC.According to Barcelona based Spanish Sports paper "Sport" , the 28 year old Danish International & Liverpool FC defender Daniel Agger is currently the best positioned for Barça. This option is

TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS 120M€ BALE AGREEMENT WITH REAL MADRID ?

The "pressure" from the player has been decisive. Tottenham Hotspurs Welsh International Gareth Bale has let known to his Coach & Club President Daniel Levy that he wishes to leave for Real Madrid & to leave now. The offer from Real Madrid is already on the Tottenham Hotspurs table, its a World Record 98,5M€ which the English Club has turned down for the moment.




Today, local Spanish Sports