Spanish Football | Soccer

REAL MADRID SIGNINGS - GOSSIP | ISCO - CRISTIANO RONALDO

Authentic "tug of war" happening at the moment with Spanish International & young Malaga FC midfieder Isco. The Spanish Football pearl has two very good offers on the table, Real Madrid & Manchester City.
The talks with Real Madrid are very advanced & his inner circle ( father & representative ) believe that it is the players best option. However, it is Isco who is not sure & is currently more keen to sign with Manchester City. His current Coach at Malaga Maunuel Pellegrini has indicated to Isco that he wants to take him over to Manchester City next season to form part of the Clubs project. Pellegrini has basically guaranteed Isco a mayor role & playing time.

Real Madrid on the other hand can´t say the same as Isco would have compete for a position with Xabi Alonso, Modric, Khedira & Ozil. The Malaga player does not want to sit on the bench & thus Manchester City is currently in the front running to lure the Spanish talent.

Staying at Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo is a top priority as the Club wishes to secure the services of the Portuguese who has two more seasons left of contract. Ronaldo has become the back-bone of the squad & of the future plans of the Club, getting the player to extend his contract capital. Added to this, Real Madrid wishes to keep out the calls of other Clubs like Paris St Germain, Chelsea, Manchester etc.

According to Spanish media source "elconfidencial", Real Madrid is negotiating & preparing a super offer to keep the player at "home". The figure being said is a 16M€ / year salary net (24M€ gross/before taxes), making him one of the highest paid players in World Football & securing his services until 2018. Negotiations continue as there is an area concerning "image rights" that is still to be cleared but there should be news soon on this front. Everything indicates - barring surprises which is always possible - that Ronaldo will renew.

REAL MADRID HAS A TOTAL AGREEMENT WITH PLAYER LUIS SUAREZ ?

Uruguayan International & Liverpool FC striker LUIS SUAREZ wishes to leave English Football & play elsewhere for reasons that most Football followers ( specially the English Premier League ) are familiar with & I don´t wish to analyse here.

Spanish Football Club Atletico de Madrid has targeted the forward to replace departing Radamel Falcao, but the 45-50M€ price tag has stopped cold this option. Real Madrid has entered the picture as the "Cavani option" has complicated itself with the arrival of new Coach Rafa Benitez to Napoles who puts as a condition the NO sale of Cavani.

Luis Suarez has been throwing "kisses" to Real Madrid all week with press & radio comments & it seems they have made an impact. According to Spanish Sports paper "Marca" Real Madrid has come to an agreement with the 26 year old striker with a 4 year contract. The player has a "contract release clause" of 47M€ & Real Madrid will have to pay it if they wish to sign the player, because Liverpool FC it seems do not wish to negotiate at all or reduce the price.

So now its up to Real Madrid to put the cash on the table.

The thing that baffles me continuously is how Football Clubs negotiate & shut deals with players before negotiating with their paying Clubs. According to FIFA it is "illegal" to approach a player with contract, but we see that it continuously happens. Having made this observation, please keep in mind that the Football Transfer Market is very volatile & full of rumours, speculations & damn outright lies. The Luis Suarez & Real Madrid news is currently a rumour & even possibly a lie until one of the Clubs implicated - Liverpool or Real Madrid - officially make a formal comment.

Stay tuned!

LATEST : Bayern Munich may have entered the picture as Lewandowski may finish off his last year of contract left at Dortmund before going to Bayern.

CESC FABREGAS | THE CALLS FROM MANCHESTER UNITED, MANCHESTER CITY & ARSENAL FC

Cesc Fabregas was an idol & the Captain at Arsenal FC. His move to FC Barcelona diluted his influence & role amongst a star-studded line-up of team-mates most of which are the "Best in the World" in their positions. He was warned beforehand of the possibility but the desire to return "home" was greater than the reality.

Without the playing time one would expect & without the important role imagined, Cesc Fabregas ( & FC Barcelona ) could be thinking in a move, a move back to English Football where the player knows best & is more "suited" to his style & play.

Although Cesc is too keen initially in a moving, there are three Clubs that could help with a return back to England. Manchester United is very keen to get the Spanish midfielder over to "Old Trafford" & has 29M€ to offer Barça. Manchester City under the soon to be new Coach Manuel Pellegrini thinks Fabregas is ideal for his City plans. While Arsenal FC would always have their open arms for their ex-Captain & star.

Three teams positioning themselves to attempt to convince Cesc Fabregas & FC Barcelona. The latter does not need to worked too much as the Spanish Football Club would transfer the player with a good offer.

Stay tuned!

CELTA DE VIGO IAGO ASPAS CLOSE TO LIVERPOOL FC

Iago Aspas, forward of Spanish Football Club Celta of Vigo, has an important job ahead this Saturday in the last Round of Liga for this season; to help save his Club from relegation. Difficult endeavour as 4 teams will be fighting for their Spanish Liga life & the combinations of results & points makes it a "Russian Roulette".

Independently of the final outcome & the ultimate fate of Celta of Vigo, everything points that the next & new Club for Aspas next season with be English Premier League Club Liverpool FC. Local & UK media report that a deal & signing is very close, so close that in England its considered an already done deal. Liverpool FC is reported to have offered 9M€ for the Celta forward, but neither Liverpool or Celta confirm the figure or the signing interest for the moment.

Iago Aspas is a talented striker that has had the eyes of big local Clubs focused on him sometime, some being Atletico de Madrid & lastly Valencia CF. The injection of money into Celta if Aspas goes over to England will be welcomed & give the Club a boost in moments that could see the Club fall to the Spanish 2º Division.

ATLETICO DE MADRID NEWS | IN SEARCH OF A NEW STRIKER

With Atletico de Madrid without its forward Radamel Falcao who signed yesterday with French Club Monaco, the "race" is on to find a worthy substitute that can get the goals needed for an ambitious new season coming up with Champions League included.

Although the Club has received an important injection of cash with the transfer of Falcao, most of the money will go to the Spanish Tax office as Atletico still has a lot of debt within its financial structure & this limits their ability in getting the desired striker.

At this moment there are three names being handled by Atletico de Madrid:

Luis Suarez ( Liverpool FC ) . The most desired, but his price tag of around 45M€ makes the player difficult to consider, Atletico is looking to find the extra cash. Also local neighbour Real Madrid is also in the picture & the player may decide to go over to Real which has the resources.
Jackson Martinez ( Porto ) . The Colombian is an option that likes at the Atletico de Madrid offices. However, once again the price tag, 40M€ & Porto are fierce negotiators that will not lower their price.
Damaio (Porto Alegre ). The 23 year old Brazilian is another sensation in Brazil in the Neymar line. The 30M€ price tag may make the player a more viable option.

Latest news is that AC Roma player Osvaldo has "offered himself" to the Spanish Football Club for study & consideration.

There will be more news in coming days & weeks as negotiations take off & the money talk begins. Stay tuned!

REAL MADRID | ANGEL DI MARIA CLOSE TO PARIS ST GERMAIN ?

It has been speculated for months that Real Madrid Argentine forward Angel Di Maria could be sold at the end of this season. The player has offers & Real Madrid needs to fill the bank account if they desire to sign big names some of which are costly like Gareth Bale, Cavani etc.

Portuguese press, "A Bola", make echo of the real possibility of Di Maria signing for Paris St Germain for an offer of around 25M€. Manchester United & Chelsea FC are also said to be hoovering around the winger but the French side is in a favourable front position.

The exit of Di Maria would leave vacant a position that would suit very well Sevilla FC & Spanish International winger Jesus Navas, an old favourite of President Florentino & of the Real Madrid "top brass". Navas has interest from Manchester City but the winger has voiced his preference to stay & play at Real Madrid.

To end, Spanish Sports paper "AS" adds that the arrival of Di Maria to PSG at "reasonable" conditions would ease the "release" of PSG Coach Ancelotti towards Real Madrid. Stay tuned!

FALCAO CLOSE TO SIGNING WITH MONACO - WITH A "CATCH"

Atletico de Madrid Colombian forward Radamel Falcao is on the verge of signing with French Club Monaco. Spanish media speculate it could be today. However, most are baffled at why the "Best Nº 9 in Europe" wants to sign with a Club that will not be in Champions League or in European competition.

Here are the reported reasons:

60M€ transfer to Atletico de Madrid ( plus the commissions to all parties )
10M€ / year net for Falcao

Here is the interesting bit. According to Spanish media, Falcao has introduced a clause in his contract with very specific instructions. Spanish Sports paper "Marca" says it a one year contract with Monaco, other say that if Real Madrid or Chelsea FC show interest around the 1st of Janaury 2014 ( Winter Market ) & offer to buy the player for the same conditions as Monaco ( 60M€ + 10M€ salary ) , the French Club would have to let him go.

The 27 year old forward accepts a possible "dry year" without European Football , but leaves wide open a short-tern move to either Real Madrid or Chelsea FC.

Stay tuned. Until things are not made official the above is pure rumour.

OFFICIAL : FALCAO SIGNS FOR MONACO

FALCAO - VALDES IN MONACO TO SIGN ?

News in from "France Press" informes that Atletico de Madrid forward Radamel Falcao & FC Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes are correctly in Monaco ( France ). The rumours of the signing by Monaco look like they may become reality - according to French Press - as both players may undergo tomorrow the medical exams needed before formally signing with the newly Liga 1 French Club.

The transfer figure for Falcao is speculated to be 60M€ that will go to Atletico de Madrid. It is also rumoured that Monaco wants Valdes as their goalkeeper for next season.

Monaco has big plans under their rich Russian owner & have already signed Colombian James Rodriguez & Joao Moutinho. France press "L´Equipe" has also added that Real Madrid Portuguese defender Carvalho is also on the Monaco list of signings

All the above is from French media & nothing is official, please keep this in mind. Yesterday there was news that Chelsea FC was making a last bid for Falcao.

Stay tuned!

SPANISH FOOTBALL TEAM | PRE-LIST FOR THE CONFEDERATIONS CUP

Spanish Football National Team Selector & Coach Vicente Del Bosque has handed in this midday his pre-list of 26 players that will make up the Spanish Team squad for the upcoming FIFA Confederations Cup Finals to be held in Brazil next month. I say pre-list because three names will fall off next week to keep it to 23 players before flying off to the Friendly games scheduled & to Brazil.

Novelty, if you can call it, is keeping Iker Casillas as goalkeeper when he hasn't played for the past months, plus the call ups of Beñat, Soldado & Javi Garcia. Fernando Torres returns as well after a good run of goals with Chelsea FC in the final part of the season. An absence to mention is Sevilla FC forward Negredo, & in my opinion Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez who has been superb & above Pepe Reina in form & performances. But here I suppose that Del Bosque wishes to avoid dressing room distractions & media "pressure & questions".

Full pre-list of 26 players:

Goalkeepers: Casillas (Real Madrid), Reina (Liverpool) & Valdés (Barcelona).

Defenders: Monreal (Arsenal), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Albiol (Real Madrid), Piqué (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Azpilicueta (Chelsea) & Arbeloa (Real Madrid).

Midfielders: Iniesta (Barcelona), Cazorla (Arsenal), Busquets (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Xavi Hernández (Barcelona) y Javi Martínez (Bayern de Múnich), Javi García (Manchester City) & Beñat (Betis).

Forwards: Mata (Chelsea), Silva (Manchester City), Cesc Fábregas (Barcelona), Pedro (Barcelona), Jesús Navas (Sevilla), Villa (Barcelona), Fernando Torres (Chelsea) & Soldado (Valencia).

Three players will fall off this list next week.

SPANISH FOOTBALL | LIGA | ROUND 37 MATCHES FINAL RESULTS

Emotional & exciting Round 37 of Spanish Football as Liga has the fate of many Clubs still up in the air. There is an authentic battle between the bottom placed teams to attempt to avoid the relegation into the Spanish 2º Division, while there is another battle for the 4th place on the ladder that gives Champions League options.

All the matches were played today & all simultaneously at 20.00. Here are all the final results - scores - & the goal scorers.

The city of Barcelona derby finished in RCD Espanyol 0 - FC Barcelona 2. Barcelona will equal the 100 points record in a season held by Real Madrid if they can win the last match of Liga next week. It is an objective set by Barça as the rivalry with Real Madrid historically asks for it.

The goal scorers were Alexis in the 14th min & Pedro in the 86th min

Top match between Real Sociedad & Real Madrid that finished in a heroic 3 - 3 draw with comeback from Real Sociedad. The draw allows Valencia CF to hold the Champions League 4th points with a 2 point advantage, but the draw effort & point allows Real Sociedad the "Champions League" option if they win next week & if Valencia CF slips.

The locals played with their hearts & came back all the time to deserve the result which could have been more favourable had they managed to convert the numerous occasions they had & had Real Madrid Diego Lopez not made all the great saves he did.

Real Madrid played without suspended Cristiano Ronaldo & gave palyers like Kaka, Callejon, Marcelo, Carvalho & Albiol a run. The goals from Real Madrid came from Higuain in the 6th min, Callejon in the 57th min & Khedira in the 80th min. For Real Sociedad Xavi Prieto scored a penalty in the 64th min, Griezmann in the 78th min & Xabi Prieto again in the 93rd min.

A Club fighting for its Liga life, Celta of Vigo kept their slim hopes alive with a vital away win with 0 - 2 result against Real Valladolid. Cabral in the 28th min & Aspas via a penalty in the 56th min gave them three points that will take their future to the wire next week.

Atletico de Madrid finished their game with Real Mallorca 0 - 0 & a lost opportunity for the latter to get points in their almost "impossible" attempt to avoid relegation. A game with little Football & one can say boring that was a punishment for Mallorca that goes into the last game of this season with a must win attempt & see how others finish in their games.

Osasuna made a great comeback to win Sevilla FC 2 - 1 & secure their place mathematically in Liga for next season. Sevilla got ahead first with a superb goal from Negredo in the 50th min, but Osasuna answered with a brilliant equalizer from Puñal in the 63rd min & Cejudo in the 79th min.

Real Betis won 4 - 0 Real Zaragoza to get themselves into Europa League options, while condemning Zaragoza to a must win game next week & see how others finish to avoid relegation. The fate of Zaragoza is not in their hands after this severe defeat tonight.

The goals came from Castro, 2 x Pabon & Molina

Malaga won 3 - 0 Deportivo A Coruña & put the latter in a dangerous game of "Russian Roulette" in the last match of Liga next week. Malaga overwhelmed Deportivo with goals from Saviola in the 45th min, Baptista in the 64th min & Isco 79th min

Athletic Club Bilbao lost their last ever match in their mythical home stadium "San Mames" 0 - 1 to Levante with a last moment goal by Juanlu in the 90th min. Bilbao will play as of next season in the new "San Mamas" being constructed right next to the old 100 year old arena. Emotional farewell that could not be accompanied by a local victory.

The Madrid city derby between Getafe & Rayo Vallecano finished in a 1 - 2 win to Rayo that still looks towards Euro positions. Getafe scored via Rafa in the 48th min, & the two goals from Rayo came from Chori in the 53rd min & Castro with an own goal in the 89th min.

The header goal from Roberto Soldado in the 58th min gave Valencia CF the victory over Granada 1 - 0 & three points that puts them 4th on the Liga ladder & with Champions League options after Real Sociedad drew with Real Madrid. Valencia will keep this position if they can win next week their match.

Last matches of Liga next week with Round 38 & as always emotional & nail biting stuff as three teams will drop & get relegated. This is how the bottom of the Spanish League ladder looks after tonight's Round 37 matches:

17. Deportivo - 35 points
18. Celta de Vigo - 34 points
19. Zaragoza - 34 points
20. Real Mallorca - 33 points

NEYMAR GOES TO FC BARCELONA | WILL SIGN MONDAY

Spanish Football will have a new upcoming talent next season. FC BARCELONA announced around 03.30 Sp. local time via their Web that they had an agreement with Santos & Neymar to sign for next season. The Brazilian 21 year old "sensation" announced this himself as well via the Social Media channels & will sign the formal contract tomorrow that will make him officially a FC Barcelona player as of next season & for the following 5 seasons.

The operation is rumoured to have cost FC Barcelona around 54M€ which I suspect maybe higher but better not said by the Club. This puts an end to months of speculations & rumours where the "kid" was placed in a "bidding war" with Clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea FC etc all asking & offering. In the end Neymar picks Barcelona for its style of Football & prestige.

Welcome to Spanish Football.

NEYMAR | AN AGREEMENT - DEAL WITH FC BARCELONA SHUT ?

More news from Brazil after intense negotiations today between Santos, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid & Neymar. The very latest news circulating is the offer each Club ( Barça & Madrid ) has made to the Santos player: Real Madrid 11M€ /season & FC Barcelona 7M€/season. But there is a "catch", Real Madrid asks for 50% of the players image rights while FC Barcelona gives it all - 100% - to Neymar. Just to remind you, Neymar earns around 8M€ just in publicity per year.

But there is more, Spanish Sports paper "Marca", along while the two main Barcelona based papers, "Sport" & "Mundo Deportivo", have let known this afternoon in their online editions that its a practical done deal in favour of FC Barcelona. According to the mentioned Sports papers, barring last minute surprises & paperwork, the Brazilian 21 year old will be a FC Barcelona player as from next season with a 5 year contract. The rumoured signing - transfer figure that FC Barcelona will pay to all 4 parties that own the rights of Neymar is around 50M€ although I suspect that it will finally be much higher.

This is all unconfirmed. It is important that readers keep this in mind. Plus it is not even certain that Real Madrid has really offered the player anything & least 11M€ per season. I say this because the highest paid players at Real Madrid right now are Cristiano Ronaldo & Kaka & they are around the 10M€. If it is true that Real Madrid has offered 11M€/season to Neymar, & if Neymar surprises everyone choosing Real Madrid next season, the Club would have to raise the salary of Cristiano Ronaldo substantially & perhaps others players to keep the salaries "in line" & not offend "egos".

The only thing right now that can be said is that the "Neymar story" is very close to coming to a conclusion & that FC Bareclona is in the front seat. Everything indicates that Barça is the destination the player desires for next season - over that of Real Madrid - & that an official announcement seems very close. If I were a FC Barcelona fan I would be conservatively happy - if your in agreement - that the Brazilian is in "the bag".

Stay tuned!

NEYMAR NEWS - LATEST | FC BARCELONA OR REAL MADRID ITS UP TO NEYMAR

We have been following the Neymar "soap opera" here for months. I would assume that plenty of fans of Santos, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid & World Football in general will be interested in knowing how it will finish.

Apparently, according to local Spanish Sports press, we could be in the final home stretch.

There are two firm offers on the table that satisfy the 4 players rights owners of Neymar. The most "difficult" to date, Brazilian Club Santos, has apparently accepted a figure & has said it is up to Neymar to decide which one he prefers.

The two Clubs are Spanish Football giants FC Barcelona & Real Madrid CF, the former is offering around 60-70M€ ( way above originally agreed months back ) while Real Madrid it is rumoured to be around the 90-100M€ mark ( not confirmed ). Santos has said OK to both & leaves it all now in the hands of Neymar to decide. The player came out this morning to say to press that he was honoured to have both Clubs interested & that he will decide soon which offer to take up.

In Football nothing is certain, & least with the ever changing Neymar & his money hungry circles of advisors & rights owners. Real Madrid is the offer economically superior, but it seems the player wishes to go to FC Barcelona & this is the determining factor.

However, in the last days influential voices at FC Barcelona ( Johan Cruyff for example ) have expressed the "no need for Neymar" & the worry of having "two peacocks" in the same dressing room that may cause more problems than solutions. The possible clash of "egos" between Messi & Neymar has been voiced, plus the unknown of how will Neymar adapt to Barça & European Football ? Theses opinions from Barcelona may have reached Brazil & may make Neymar think & change his mind, but everything looks set that Neymar will choose FC Barcelona, taking into account that he apparently Neymar signed weeks back a document saying so.

But don´t take this as a certainty, anything can still happen. Stay tuned!

THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE IDEAL 11 TEAM SELECTION FOR SEASON 2012 - 2013

The news source in itself could be debated if its reputable, English paper "The Sun" has released their "Ideal Champions League 11" for season 2012 - 2013". Apart from their choices - all top players - there is a stark contrast with the "Ideal 11" lists from last season.

Firstly, the list is dominated by the German Clubs Bayern Munich & Borussia Dortmund, both which will meet tomorrow in London in the Champions League Final. Secondly, there is just one Spanish player & that is FC Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez. Thirdly, the Spanish Club with most players is Malaga FC with goalkeeper Willy Caballero & defender Welington.

You may have noticed that "The Sun" leaves out Lionel Messi, but puts in Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo who is currently the leading Champions League goal scorer for season 2012-2013.

Here is the full list of names:

Willy Caballero; Lahm, Dante, Weligton, Schmelzer; Xavi Hernandez, Schweinsteiger, Götze; Lewandowski, Yilmaz & Cristiano Ronaldo.

As with all lists of these type they cause debate & never satisfy all the Footy punters. However, interesting how it does illustrate to some exact the "changing of the guard" or "shift in the European Football power" from Spanish Football to Germany.

EURO U-21 CHAMPIONSHIP ISRAEL | FULL LIST OF SPANISH NATIONAL SQUAD PLAYERS

The Spanish U- 21 National Team Selector & Coach Julen Lopetegui has handed in today his list of players that will make up the U- 21 Spanish Football Team for the upcoming U-21 European Championships to be held in Israel during the days 5 - 18 of June.

Spain will be defending title & put forward on paper a powerful squad full of full-time experienced players in top league Clubs around Europe.

Here is the full list of players that makes up the U-21 Spanish National Football squad:

-Goalkeepers: De Gea (Manchester United), Joel (Wigan), Mariño (Villarreal).

-Defenders: Nacho (Real Madrid), Montoya, Bartra y Muniesa (FC Barcelona), Íñigo Martínez (Real Sociedad), Alberto (Sevilla), Carvajal (Leverkusen) & Álvaro González (Zaragoza).

-Midfielders: Koke (Atlético), Illarramendi (Real Sociedad), Thiago (FC Barcelona), Isco y Camacho (Málaga), Muniain (Athletic), Sarabia (Getafe) & Canales (Valencia).

-Forwards: Morata (Real Madrid), Tello (FC Barcelona), Rodrigo (Benfica), Álvaro Vázquez (Getafe).

FC BARCELONA | THIAGO TO LEAVE BARCELONA

FC Barcelona has always preached they are different, that one of the elements they hold close & cultivate is to create local talent for the Club. It´s propaganda , as with most other Clubs.

FC Barcelona "home grown" young midfield talent Thiago Alcantra is to leave the Club because he can´t find a regular place. The irony & the truth is that FC Barcelona prefers to spent a whooping 60-70M€ on an outside & still unproven player in European Football like Neymar.

The father of Thiago, ex Brazilian International Mazinho, warned Barcelona early this season. Thaigo wishes to stay & play at FC Barcelona, but if he can´t get regular play & he cant continue evolving Thaigo will have to move elsewhere to grow.

The player had a 90 M€ contract release clause, but because he has not played this season a "determined number of games", his contract release clause falls to 18 M€ & naturally this has made the midfielder "top prize" in the European signing market.

Latest news is that Thiago will be leaving FC Barcelona ´& that the player has an "agreement" elsewhere for next season. Bayern Munich is rumoured to be interested but everyone is pointing to England & concretely Manchester United which is rumoured to be preparing the 18M€ needed.

Thiago is an immense young Football talent & already a Spanish International, the player is destined to be a great in European Football, but as with the insects FC Barcelona prefers to smash itself against the bright lights of others. The 60-70M€ price figure for Neymar is an "investment risk" when you have the "sure thing" in your back yard & free.

REAL MADRID | TRANSFER NEWS - GOSSIP FOR SEASON 2013-2014

Spanish Sports paper "Marca" has put on its front cover today a story titled "The plans of Florentino" discussing the wishes & possible signing targets the Real Madrid CF has for next season 2013 - 2014.

With the above image courtesy of the Spanish paper, they speculate that President Florentino & Real Madrid will be going for: Neymar, Lewandowski, Bale, Isco, Carvajal & Casemiro.

Studying other sources & International press Real Madrid can basically forget about the first two:

Neymar will finally end up in FC Barcelona, this is what the player desires & has signed a pre-agreement to this effect. What Real Madrid has managed to do is "stick it up" Barça by lifting the initial transfer offer from 40 to 60 M€ just by their "interference". One can say that indirectly Real Madrid has been strategically successful.
Lewandowski will go to Bayern Munich, this is the wish & desire of the Polish forward. Real Madrid can forget this option, & now have Napoles Cavani as their main striker target.

The rest are still open:

According to UK press, Real Madrid will make an initial 50M€ to Tottenham Hotspurs for Gareth Bale & offer a player to chose from; Higuain, Di Maria, Coentrao, Pepe etc. This will be a very difficult operation & will go on all summer. We need to watch how it all develops.

Malaga FC has priced its midfielder Isco at 35M€. Negotiations will continue.

Carvajal is an option but it ain´t too clear. The next new Coach ( Carlo Ancelotti ) will have a big say here.

Cashemiro looks set to stay at Real Madrid. The Brazilian has given good sensations & his price is 6M€ that Sao Paolo will receive in the operation.

There are more names floating around & as always a "surprise" will arise in coming weeks or months , but this is how it is for now. It may change tomorrow & I have no doubt that it will.

REAL MADRID | EDINSON CAVANI THE CHOICE OF ANCELOTTI

Edinson Cavani has scored 29 goals in 34 games this season & seems the striker that Real Madrid wishes for next season. Current Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain looks all set to leave for Juventus ( or England ) & there will be a place for the Napoles Uruguayan International.

News from Italy & locally cite that current Paris St Germain Coach - & next Real Madrid Coach - Carlo Ancelotti has called personally the representative of Cavani to let him know that he & Real Madrid count on his player for next season. Plus days back the Real Madrid Director General Jose Sanchez flew to Napoles to tell the player of his Clubs interest for his services.

Meanwhile the Italian Club Napoles is "auctioning" the player in order to get the most money possible from a transfer. The Club has let known to Real Madrid that English Club Manchester City is already negotiating for their player. The advantage that Real Madrid has in this "tug-of-war" operation is that it seems Cavani wants to play at Real Madrid & not in England. Either way the transfer price will be high as speculation puts it around the 35-40M€ mark. No doubt Real Madrid will force downward & may attempt to put in a player.

If all the above is true, Cavani will have a big say on his future. Stay tuned!

ATLETICO DE MADRID | WHO WILL REPLACE FALCAO ?

It seems clear that Atletico de Madrid forward Radamel Falcao will be leaving at the end of the season. What´s not confirmed is where but there are a few Clubs being mentioned, Monaco, Chelsea FC, Manchester City & Paris St Germain, with the first two more favourite than the others.

Atletico de Madrid obviously have to work - & have been - to find a substitute forward that will fill the "big" space that Falcao will leave vacant. Names are already been sounding & are appearing in Football press.

First name to hit the papers was FC Barcelona forward David Villa, but it seems that the Spanish International will go to the English Premier League with Tottenham Hotspurs or Arsenal FC battling out between themselves to convince the player.

Second name that is sounding is Luis Suarez of Liverpool FC, an old desire of Atletico de Madrid. Apparently there are negotiations going on but money maybe a serious obstacle.

Thirdly, Spanish International & Sevilla FC forward Alvaro Negredo has offered himself for next season as he desires to play in Champions League & is an option.

Lastly, the name of Brazilian International & Russian Club Zenit forward Hulk has appeared on the scene. The Brazilian is not happy in Russia & looks favourably a move to Liga. The big obstacle here is the 60M€ that Zenit paid recently for the player.

In conclusion there are two current viable options: Luis Suarez & Alvaro Negredo. Stay tuned!

NEYMAR | PLAYER WISHES TO GO TO FC BARCELONA - OR IT SEEMS

Signing Brazilian sensation Neymar is a very complex affair as the players rights are divided in four parts : Club Santos (55%), DIS (45%),Teisa (5%) plus his father. Each naturally wishes to get the maximum out of their investment, while his Club Santos desires to sell him now in order to avoid the player becoming a "free agent" next season.

As written here Spanish Football Club Real Madrid has burst onto the scene to "torpedo" the pre-agreement with FC Barcelona. The strategy is simple, while FC Barcelona is willing to pay around 40-45M€ Real Madrid has raised the bid to 100M€. Real Madrid is willing to offer more & will take care of the "penalty pre-agreement clause" with Barça as well.

Apart from Real Madrid, other Clubs are said to have entered the picture like Manchester City which has said will offer 138M€, obviously false as its "filtered news" to make all the parties offering lift their bids.

Up to here its all known. What is fresh news is that the player seems to want to go to FC Barcelona. News out of Brazil, via O Globo, comments that Neymar has signed an "agreement" with FC Barcelona last week committing to present himself at the Club for next season straight after duties with Brazil in the upcoming FIFA Confederations Cup.

Important piece of "fresh" news today, as it is hard to fight against the desires of the player. Real Madrid has been successful in its strategy, at least it has forced FC Barcelona to pay way about the original figure they calculated. Said this the Neymar circle with so many intermediaries hungry for money are liquid & every changing & Real Madrid still has a glimpse of a chance, after all 100M€ is a record figure.

However, if the Spanish Football Sports readers were to ask me were I believe Neymar will finally end up my answer is that it looks like FC Barcelona at this moment. Plus it looks like the Brazilian "whiz kid" will join for next season.

Said this, negotiations with all parties ( & all Clubs ) are continuing in this very complex & "greedy" atmosphere. Stay tuned.

FC BARCELONA NEW UNIFORMS SEASON 2013 - 2014

Just bought yourself this season FC Barcelona shirt - uniform? After forking out between 80 - 100 € for an official version it must look great, correct? Well marketing speaking, you have just been "rolled", your old news, old school & behind the times.

FC Barcelona has presented its season 2013 - 2014 new uniform for home & away matches as we can see below. In fact, it does not differ radically much from previous seasons except the away look & that they have a new sponsor.

However, if your one to want to be with the latest & right in the groove begin saving your bucks. The other alternatives are to look through the Internet, there are some interesting cheap uniforms coming out of China. I believe the Chinese have the collection rearing to go before the official is in the stores :O)

REAL MADRID NEGOCIATING FOR LEWANDOWSKI - ISCO ?

Spanish radio station "Cadena Ser" gave the news last night during its late night Football Show that Spanish Football Club Real Madrid CF was in negotiations with Borussia Dortmund & Malaga FC. The players in question are respectively Polish forward Robert Lewandowski & Spanish midfielder Isco.

According to the radio station German Club Borrusia Dortmund has approached Real Madrid because they wish to avoid making local rival Bayern Munich stronger & would prefer to sell elsewhere.

The Isco case comes because it is speculated that Real Madrid may want to sell Luka Modric this summer as part of another operation & Isco would make an excellent substitute.

Apart from the news that both players have half of Europe looking at signing them & thus making successful the operations are difficult & very costly, the Spanish radio station in question is "flying out rumours" lately due to stiff competition between media channels & thus maybe looking for marketing exposure.

With the season nearly over, signings & transfers news will take over the front pages & media channels in the coming months & all news must be taken with a "grain of salt". We will be reading & hearing lots of rumours.

Stay tuned!

SPANISH SOCCER | LIGA | ROUND 36 MONDAY GAME RESULT

Spanish Football match tonight, the last game of Round 36 of Liga. A do or die affair for Real Mallorca in that, if they lost tonight they mathematically would be relegated to the Spanish 2º Division.

The final result - score - ended Real Mallorca 1 - Real Betis 0, which keeps the options open for Real Mallorca in their desperate attempt to save themselves with just two more games of Liga left for this season. The endeavour will be difficult, I would say nearly impossible, but as the saying goes, where there is hope ...

The match of the season for Mallorca tonight for all the above reasons & they were quite frankly brilliant in focusing on the objective & the cause. Every Football trick was a viable option, from defending with everyone back, annoying tackles to the opposite team to cut down their Football, counter-attacks, long-balls & time wasting. All was fair in the Football war...

The winning goal came from a Betis defensive lapse that allowed Hemed to score for Mallorca in the 21st min. From here onwards it was sweat, rugged Football work & lots of nerves. On the edge Football that had all the local fans biting their finger nails & I would doubt some their toe-nails. In the end a vital victory & "Liga saving" three points.

Mallorca lives tonight in Liga to fight another Round.

REAL MADRID PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES MOURINHO EXIT

Real Madrid CF President Florentino Perez gave a press conference this afternoon with double motive:

to announce that current Coach Jose Mourinho will leave,
that he will be running for re-election for the Club Presidency.

Both are not new at all, simply the President formalized what we all suspected months back. The Real Madrid CF Presidential elections will be the 16th of June, & curiously Perez has´nt any opponents as yet. The man has managed to maintain a "squeaky clean" image amongst all the turmoil.

As for José Mourinho the Coach finishes the 30th of June & the Club & Coach have come to a mutual & friendly agreement to end their professional relationship. President Perez added that Mourinho, who still had 2 more years of contract, thought it was best for the Club that he leave & Perez has not disagreed with him on this point. President Perez has added that the Club has no one as yet in mind to Coach the Club next season, but we know that this is not true at all & these are the candidates:

1. option : Carlo Ancelotti, if this fails
2. option : Jupp Heynckes

I would image that many players & their Spanish media allies will be celebrating with champagne tonight at the news that Mourinho is leaving. As mentioned here many a time the only "glue" that keeps everything together & happy : Club, Coach, Players, Media , fans etc. is winning & this year in the titles area it has been zero for Real Madrid.

REAL MADRID & ANCELOTTI TARGETS LICHTSTEINER OF JUVENTUS

Specific petition from the probable next Coach of Real Madrid Carlo Ancelotti? Spanish Sports paper "AS" publish today that Real Madrid is negotiating with Italian Club Juventus for 29 year old Swiss & Juve right-back Lichtsteiner.

Real Madrid desires - as has happened - to include the defender in the Gonzalo Higuain negotiations. As written here weeks back, Juventus has targeted Real Madrid Argentine forward Higuain for next year. The 25 M€ price tag put on the player by Real Madrid has motivated Juventus to "throw in " their defender Lichtsteiner in an attempt to lower the price.

Carlo Ancelotti as asked Real Madrid this player, & he has already attempted the signing of the Swiss defender in the past & has tried to get the player over to Paris St Germain. This time the Italian may have luck at Real Madrid. Stay tuned.

SPANISH SOCCER | LIGA | ROUND 36 SUNDAY GAMES RESULTS

Spanish Football - Soccer - action today with four matches of Round 36 of Liga. There are just two matches left for the season & there is a furious battle at the bottom of the classification table between 4- 6 Clubs to avoid relegation. Here are the final results - scores - & all the goal scorers.

Levante lost 2 - 3 to Madrid Club Rayo Vallecano with the latter still with Europa League ladder options. The goals for Rayo came from Piti ( two ) in the 20th min & a penalty in the 72nd , with a third from Vazquez. The two goals for Levante came from Acquafresca in the 52nd min & Iborra in the 86th min.

Important victory & three points for Deportivo A Coruña which while still in relegation danger jumped out 1 point into the "salvation zone". A working victory with their Football lives in danger Deportivo won RCD Espanyol 2 - 0 with goals from Gama in the 50th min & Oliviera in the 91st min. Still in danger but a huge step forward today.

Real Zaragoza lost 1 - 2 to Athletic Club Bilbao & fell back into the relegation zone to take the position Deportivo left vacant with their particular win. For Bilbao the victory mathematically assures their presence in Liga next season & saves a terrible season for them. Zaragoza got ahead first with a Postinga goal in the 14th min that gave them hopes, but Bilbao reacted with goals from Fernando Llorente in the 80th min & the winner from Ibai Gomez in the 92nd min. This last goal sank Zaragoza & the players left the ground "seriously wounded" with low moral. They have a mighty task ahead in the next two matches.

FC Barcelona with the Liga title already in the bag had a night of Football celebration at the their home ground with a 2 - 1 win over Real Valladolid. The Barça goals came from Pedro in the 26th min & from an own goal by Valladolid player Valiente in the 42nd min. FC Barcelona could have scored more but they missed their chances & Valladolid pulled one back in the 89th min from a penalty that Victor Perez converted.

Monday Night Round 36 game:
Real Mallorca - Real Betis

REAL MADRID POLITICS | JOSE MOURINHO TO LEAVE PRESIDENT FLORENTINO PEREZ TO STAY

Everything indicates that the "Mourinho era" at Real Madrid has come to its end. Scorched earth some claim, a created disaster area like a recently passed Hurricane. The "Special One" came to put back the glory back onto Real Madrid & will leave with only a Spanish Cup, Liga & Spanish SuperCup title. Not bad at all for any other Club, but not with Real Madrid that measures success with Champions Leagues titles, none with Mourinho, only three straight semi-finals. This can be debated elsewhere.

The Spanish Cup Final was the "last straw" for many, with a loss & thus a dry season of no titles, a "rude" non-appearance to pick up the runners-up plate in front of the King of Spain, a divided dressing room with player rebellions & a "media war", all further darkening the image of the Club again. I say again because there has been a long string of infamous acts in the last three years with "Mou" ( eye poking Barça Vilanova for example) that have blemished the Club & its History; all in the name of victories, knocking off FC Barcelona & attempting the desired 10th Champions League title. All was fair in war...but why not now?

Everyone blames Mourinho, but what about the Club President that hired him? That same Real Madrid President Florentino Perez that said publicly ..."Mourinho is the Best Coach in the World, a Coach that represents that values of Real Madrid months back?

Today, local media speculate that the Club may actually announce the sacking of Mourinho this Monday or Tuesday. Others say that Mourinho will carry on until the last two Liga matches before announcing a mutual goodbye. Some players will pop Champagne corks along with their allied media partners which have worked so hard to "crush Mourinho", but again, what about the President of Real Madrid? Squeaky clean Florentino Perez , is about to face Club Presidential re-election without opponents. How is this possible under such "devastating" institutional Club turmoil?

Here is my humble theory.

Mourinho let known to President Florentino Perez early this year that he would leave. Both then made a "secret pact" of, you rub my back & I´ll rub your back. President Florentino Perez with Presidential elections in June had to avoid at all costs being seen as the "bad guy" & thus "suggested" to Mourinho the he become his protective shield, "the public bad guy" in case of a non title season. Accepting this role Real Madrid would facilitate the departure for Mourinho without much drama & if in the course Mourinho would have won a title, better for him as he could leave with some pride & honour. Although the last was not possible Mourinho continues with his "Oscar performing role" to shield the President of Real Madrid Florentino Perez.

How do you become the bad guy overnight? How do you make things so to ease the decision to leave or even sacking? You turn against a local idiol, the Spanish International Captain & Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas. This & add Cristiano Ronaldo in the equation who is the masthead of the Club & all the fans. Add the ingredients of some "non appearances" in front of a King , a red card to stay off the bench in coming games, & you have a tsunami that has levelled the Club & the public claiming his head. Its simple.

The Iker Casillas affair will one day see the true light. There are rumours that Casillas was a "supergrass" to the press wanting to "destabilize" his Coach which is unacceptable & unprofessional, if this is true it is correct to punish & I would go further to say leave the Club. Plus the goalkeeper was failing in form so he needed to be motivated. Cristiano Ronaldo gave two "shits" at the start of the season for Real Madrid with his "I am sad" comments as he - if correct as speculated - wished to leave the Club & go to Paris St Germain & thus had his head elsewhere which lowered his performance. Sergio Ramos was simply playing bad Football & was part of the blame in important defeats in Liga, the man needed a "serious call & notice". The local media which had been "rubbed up the wrong way" since the arrival of Mourinho now had the fuel needed to build an anti-Mourinho campaign & thus finally served their revenge. But is Mourinho really the blame for everything ? If Mourinho was so bad & damaging why did not the President of the Club take action earlier?

Mourinho will go & another Coach will arrive. If things goes well & important players are´nt messed with, everything OK, but if things go bad the players will again dictate the future & affairs of the Club. Yes, the players. Club Presidents as politicians work to stay in power & make sure that the "shit" flys off to hit others. Club Presidents are always "squeaky clean" & very popular.

SPANISH SOCCER | LIGA | ROUND 36 SATURDAY GAMES RESULTS

Spanish Football this weekend with three matches yesterday - Saturday - as part of Round 36 of Liga. Although the Spanish League title has been determined ( to FC Barcelona ) & second (Real Madrid) & third ( At Madrid ) places allocated, there is a great battle for the last Champions League position, & to avoid relegation to the second division.

Valencia CF continued to pressure Real Sociedad for the 4th position & last Champions League place with a 0 - 1 away victory over Madrid Club Getafe. The latter with this loss said goodbye to their Euro options.

The goal & winner came in the 44th min from French defender Mattieu.

Granada won 3 - 0 Osasuna & are closer to the objective of securing their place next season in the Spanish First Division. Important jump & three points with goals from El Arabi in the 23rd min, Siqueira with a penalty in the 80th min & Buonanotte in the 93rd min.

Real Sociedad take back the 4th position of the classification table after defeating Sevilla FC away 1 - 2. Sevilla went ahead first with a 10th min goal from Rakitic, but Real Sociedad equalized six minutes later from Rakitic again, but with an own goal. Real Sociedad then went ahead thanks to Agirretxe in the 24th min & kept the score line & took the three points.

Intense "battle" for the fourth position ( Champions League place ) between Real Sociedad & Valencia CF with two Rounds left of Liga. A slip by either will break the status-quo with Sociedad holding on for the moment.

SPANISH CUP FINAL | ATLETICO DE MADRID - REAL MADRID TEAM PHOTOS

Magnificent Spanish Cup Final last night with Atletico de Madrid defeating Real Madrid 1 - 2. The city is today half full of joy & the other "cursing" their bad luck ( 4 posts ) & missed opportunities. But that's Football, not like some - like Mourinho - who commented that Atletico did not deserve to win, & Cristiano Ronaldo who was sent off did not even go up to get his runners-up medal. Bad losing the local observers are commenting & if looked at coldly not an attitude expected from a Club like Real Madrid.

However, history will recall the winner & today Atletico de Madrid will celebrate their Kings Cup - Copa del Rey - title with the fans at the traditional foundation of "Neptune" in central Madrid this late afternoon.

For all the Spanish Football Sports readers found theses two team photos of the starting 11 Atletico de Madrid & Real Madrid which may interest.

Courtois, Mario Suarez, Luis Felipe, Gabi, Miranda, Godin, Arda, Falcao, Juanfran, Koke & Diego Costa

Diego Lopez, Sergio Ramos, Xabi Alonso, Khedira, Albiol, Essien, Coentrao, Modric, Ozil & Benzema.

La Liga 2020-2021 Fixture & Results

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