SPANISH FOOTBALL TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP: CESC, KAKA, ROBBEN, TORRES & RAUL

Read the local sports press & its more like "pink press", thus
you wonder about the credibility behind the stories. There are
transfer rumours , gossip & all sorts of "inside exclusives"
that swear they have the lastest on the transfer market. Here
is a resume of today´s top stories, some ongoing for weeks.

The bulk of the news runs out of the REAL MADRID presidency
candidate Ramon Calderon comments & his would be "Football
Director" , Pedja Mijatovic work to tie players if their "ticket"
win next Sundays elections. Here are their promises, which they
say are 100% TIED.

CESC FABREGAS: according to "AS", Mijatovic has shut
a deal,with his representative Joseba Diaz, for 5 seasons if
the Calderon candidacy wins. They say the player is eager to
play in REAL MADRID & has given his OK. ¿Believe it?

Remember, each candidate is "spitting out big names" to
attract votes & we cannot be sure how true the news is.

KAKA: The same candiadte, Ramon Calderon & his would be
"Football Director" Mijatovic, swear that they have tied up
the AC Milan star, if they win.
AC MILAN has announced on their "web" that Kaka has
extended his contract until 2011, thus it seems killing this
rumour.
However, it is not a 100% "official note & Milan is currently
involved with Italian authorities in legal actions over the match
fixing scandal that could see it go down to Serie B with other
clubs like Juventus, Florentina...etc.
¿Does Mijatovic know something we dont?¿ Is Milan staging
a stern fight to calm & avoid a backlash by its fans?

The other player who has given his
word & ok to the Calderon/Mijatovic
"ticket" is Chelsea & Holland
winger ROBBEN. This is the most
believable of the lot already mentioned.
The incorporation of Schevchenko &
Ballack to Chelsea has made Robben´s
stay more complicated & finds the
REAL MADRID option a great solution.

Talking about ongoing daily rumours & gossip, the FERNANDO
TORRES story heats up. Spanish daily "AS" has run a story that
practically says that "THE KID" is
1º step closer to accepting the
MANCHESTER UTD offer.
The problem seems to be that his
club ATLETICO DE MADRID wishes
the player - & symbol of the club -
to publically announce that he wishes
to leave, thus "saving" the club from
having to answer to its 000s of
supporters & their possible backlash.

Its also reported that Torres is excited
at the idea of forming part of the Man.
Utd. attack with Rooney & C.Ronaldo.
Thus this explains his preference for
the "Red Devils" over Chelsea & AC
Milan.

I personally suspect Man Utd wish to incorporate "The KID" &
launch a global marketing campaign with Ronaldo & Rooney, who
have pulling power in Europe & Asia, & more specifically amongst
the female target. It smells that "football" will therefore be relegated
to a 2º level below the marketing imperative. ¿Is this the ideal club
environment?

Having said all this, it is still to be seen the truth behind all this &
if Torres will finally accept. The rumours concerning Torres are
yearly & often later run out of steam. The player has not said anything
& all that is written is speculation at this moment.

Lastly, Spanish & Cataluña daily "Sport" ( pro - Barcelona & anti -
Madrid ) has put on the cover this story about RAUL.

"They´ll Retire" from the Spanish Squad, coach Aragones
& the Captain Raul are both mentioned.
The resume is basically that Raul should leave the squad
to open up to a "new generation" of players. His contribution
in Germany was minimal & with 29 years he should stick to
club level football. ¿A bit harsh you may say?

Not at all. Behind that smile lies a man who has stirred up
controversy, questioned his coach & has not accepted that
he is not the player he used to be. In Germany while on the
bench, he complained that he should be in the starting line
up because he was better than Garcia & Villa.
Against France , coach Aragones, changed the side so as
Raul could start & prove his words. ¿Results? Zero!
Raul did nothing, did not even touch the ball. I rest my case.