FC BARCELONA SIGNS NELSON SEMEDO FROM BENFICA

FC Barcelona has announced the signing of Nelson Semedo from Benfica. The right-back defender costs 30M€ plus 5M€ in variables to which the International signs for the next 5 years.

Its the second highest payment made, behind Dani Alves, for a right-back by FC Barcelona in its History. The signing comes after the first choice Spanish International U/21 Hector Bellarin had the exit door shut by his current Club Arsenal FC.

The 23 year old defender is fast & strong & will compite with Alex Vidal for the position. Semedo was liked to Premier League Club Manchester United but preferred Barça.
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AT MADRID MAKE OFFICAL NICOLAS GAITAN SIGNING

Spanish Football Club has made official the signing of Argentine International midfielder Nicolas Gaitan. The 28 year old Benfica player has been a personal wish from Coach Simeone for the new season 2016 - 2017 squad.

The Argentinian player signs for the next 4 years & has cost At Madrid around 25M€ in transfer fee. Other names sounding as possible reinforcements for next season are Diogo Jota & defender Sassuolo Vrsaljko. Stay tuned!

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AT MADRID TARGETS GAITAN BENFICA PLAYER

Argentinian International & Benfica player Nico Gaitan has been a rumour to hit Spanish Football from sometime. Spanish Club Atletico de Madrid is the most interested in gaining the services of the midfielder, having tried last summer to get him over. 

According to Spanish Sports radio, Atletico de Madrid has once again put future plans on the table with Gaitan being a key element. Current Coach Simeone has long insisted that Gaitan is the player needed to give some extra creativity to the midfield.

Atletico de Madrid defender Siquiera is not finding playing time & has asked to leave in the Winter Market. Benfica could be his new destination, returning to back to were he has great Football memories & had plenty of playing time. At.Madrid could take advantage of the players desire to move to Benfica to put Gaitan into a hypothetical transfer operation. 

The idea is for a next season move but anything could happen & Gaitan - although unlikely - could move in the Winter Market. Stay tuned!

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VALENCIA CF SIGNS MIDFIELDER ENZO PEREZ

Valencia CF has reached an agreement with Portuguese Football Club Benfica for the transfer of Argentine International player Enzo Perez. The agreement is obviously conditioned by the corresponding medical exam - which should be OK - & this procedure should sealed the signing on January 2nd 2015.

It is expected that the player will arrive sometime today at Valencia. Valencia CF already showed their interest in the Argentine player last summer, but their attempts were frustrated at that time. This complements the express desires of Coach Nuno who considers the midfielder a vital piece for his Football project.

Enzo Perez has cost Valencia CF 25M€ & has signed for the remainder of this season plus four more.

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ATLETICO DE MADRID "LOCKS" DEFENDER GUILLERME SIQUEIRA

The name of current Benfica Brazilian left-back Guillerme Siqueira has been associated with the Spanish Football Club Real Madrid in the past months. I posted here that the defender was seen as the replacement for Coentrao at Real Madrid.

However, Football has its quick turns & new angles. The Brazilian is now more closer to Atletico de Madrid than elsewhere. The reason is that current Atletico de Madrid left-back Felipe Luis is very close to going over to English Premier League Club Chelsea FC were Coach Mourinho desires that he take over the position left vacant by Ashley Cole. 

Spanish Sports paper "Marca" informs that Atletico de Madrid has come to an agreement with Spanish Club Granada (owner of the player which loaned out to Benfica) for a figure around 10M€ for Siqueira. This way Atletico de Madrid secures itself a "top class" defender to substitute Luis Felipe, who as mentioned above, looks very close to landing at Chelsea FC next season for around 25M€.

It is expected that Siquiera will fly in from Brazil, where he is on vacation, in the coming days to pass the medical check & sign his contract with At.Madrid.

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SEVILLA FC UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE CHAMPIONS 4 - 2 AFTER PENALTY SHOOT OUT

Spanish Football Club SEVILLA FC won its third UEFA / EUROPA LEAGUE Title after defeating Portuguese Club Benfica in the penalty shoot out ( 4-2) after extra-time. A match the was taken to the limit by both teams & unfortunate for Benfica for its their 8th European Final in which they have lost, giving more fame to the so called Curse of Bela Guttmann. 

The match swayed in favour from one team to the other as it went on. Both sides created numerous goal opportunities, some were scandalously missed by both sides, with Benfica perhaps now haunted by some as they were the eventual losers. The Seville misses will now be forgotten in their particular case.

Benfica played an extraordinary match, & looked at coldly & with hindsight could perfectly have been the winners of this Europe League Championship ( putting aside possible penalties not called). Obviously the hurt of the loss will be great & words of praise will mean nothing at this stage but they can go back home proud of what they have achieved & the great Club they are in European & World Soccer. In Sport someone or a team has to lose, tonight it went to Sevilla FC.

But as Football has shown us on numerous occasions the differences that tip the balance are marginal & most times down to the fine details. More determination, perhaps more willingness, maybe that extra effort & a more clearer & colder head to think under pressure.

The penalty shoot out is a lottery, but Benfica players Cardozo & Rodrigo missed their penalties & Sevilla FC goalkeeper Beto made the important saves. Two buckled perhaps under the immense pressure while the other grew in strength & with inspiration for history. That is Football.

The first European Football Title for season 2013 - 2014 falls to a Spanish Football Club with the soon to be played UEFA Champions League Final already guaranteed to fall to another Spanish Football Team with Real Madrid & Atletico de Madrid finalists. Sevilla FC are deserved winners & deserve a congratulations as Spanish Football deserves a big congratulations as well. Happy & festive night locally & especially in the city of Seville.

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PREVIEW EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL | SEVILLA FC POSSIBLE LINE-UP

The first of the two big European Football Finals will be played tonight when Spanish Football Club Sevilla FC meets Portuguese Club Benfica in the Final of the Europa League. Sevilla FC have won this tournament twice, back to back, in 2006 & 2007 while Benfica has a believed "black legend" on the Club - "Curse of Bela Guttmann" - losing its last 7 European Finals that sub-consciously seems to play a part & that they desperately wish to bury tonight. The Portuguese, apart from mystical notions, are considered favourites. 

Therefore, beforehand an expected top match of European Football that Football fans must see, scheduled for 20.45 (Italy time) from Turin. 

courtesy of "sport"

The speculated possible starting XI team line-up for Sevilla FC is:

Beto, Coke, Fazio, Pareja, Navarro, M´Bia, Carriço, Reyes, Ratikic, A. Moreno & Bacca.

There is a "cloud" over Gamiero & Vitolo, but last information suggest they are fit & may be surprise inclusions, or at least get a run if needed.

Good luck to Sevilla FC & may the better team win. 

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ATLETICO DE MADRID PLAYER SALVIO SIGNS WITH BENFICA

The Argentine International EDUARDO SALVIO has never found a place,  or himself as a player at ATLETICO DE MADRID. Perhaps its because he arrived too young from Argentine Football or simply because he was not given the chance & playing time to show his true qualities.

The 22 year old player was given on loan to BENFICA back in season 2010/2011 & was a star of Portuguese Football, which lead to Atletico recalling him back for duties. However since then Salvio has not been given the opportunities & has spent more time on the bench than on the field

Salvio

Portuguese Club Benfica has not forgotten the Argentine & has made a formal offer of 11M€ to Atletico de Madrid & a 5 year contract offer to Salvio. The Clubs are in agreement & the player is now in Lisbon to pass the medical exam which is the pre-requisite before signing the official contract.

Salvio thus returns "home" to a place where he is appreciated & admired. We wish him all the luck in the World,  & personally as an Atletico fan for all his services. Thank you Salvio!

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TRANSFER RUMOURS | REAL MADRID OFFERS 40M€ FOR WITSEL?

News coming out of Portugal ( via the paper "A Bola" ) is that REAL MADRID has returned to put its "signing eyes" on BENFICA 23 year old Belgium midfielder AXEL WITSEL. They go further & announce that negotiations are advanced & that the Spanish Football Club has put on the table a cool 40M€.

Witsel

However, lets all hold our horses. The story coincides right at the moment when the Real Madrid - Tottenham Hotspurs negotiations for Luca Modric have gone into a stalemate. Real Madrid will not move from 35M€ & Tottenham asks for 50M€. But there is another "odd" piece, is Real willing to pay 40M€ for Wistel when they won´t pass 35M€ for Modric? Does´nt it sound odd?

Hey, don´t take any notice of me, Real could want to have both. Stay tuned!

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NOLITO - BENFICA | SPANISH FOOTBALL HUMAN STORY

Great to see SPANISH FOOTBALL player NOLITO is doing very well at his new Club BENFICA & doing precisely what he does best: score goals. With Spanish Football news down to minimum levels in these hot summer & holiday days, I thought a good human story would fit in nicely as a post.

Spanish Football player NOLITO for Benfica

From a humble social background, born in Southern Spain (Cadiz) the player went to FC BARCELONA signed fot their "B-side" in 2008. There he gained himself an excellent goalscoring reputation & even managed to play with the A- Team under Guardiola,  & scoring goals. However, as happened with other young promises ( eg Bojan ) at "Camp Barça" getting a regular place is extremely difficult. The players contract was coming to an end & he had to decide whether to extend his contract with no guarentee what so ever of ever making or playing with the  A Team or finding his future elsewhere.

Nolito decided to go to Portugal & sign for Benfica where his life his turning right around in a positive manner. The player left Barça in tears & now is smiling with goals for Benfica, were he has a regular place & has won over the support & love of local fans.

So, nice to see this happening, great to see Nolito happy & better still know that his great Football talent is not being wasted & is making people happy. Keep scoring Nolito!

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BENFICA CLOSE TO SIGNNING VILLAREAL SPANISH FOOTBALL INTERNATIONAL CAPDEVILA

Portuguese Club BENFICA has "tweeted" this interesting picture. Its Benfica President Luis Felipe with Spanish International & VILLAREAL Spanish Football Player CAPDEVILA. Mates? Was in Lisbon & I thought I would drop in to say hello?

No, apparently putting the final touches to a transfer agreement were Capdevila is the chosen defender to take the place of the now Real Madrid player Fabio Coentrao. The transfer is not official as neither Villareal nor Benfica have made any announcements, but this picture speaks a thousand words.

Congrats to Benfica who picks up a veteran, but a very experienced & very good Football player.

LATEST: confirmed, Capdevila new Benfica player
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REAL MADRID SIGNS FABIO COENTRAO FOR 30M€ (20€)

News circulating locally & awaiting an final official announcement from REAL MADRID indicates that 23 year old Portuguese International & BENFICA player FABIO COENTRAO will be signed at any moment. In fact,  media announce total agreement from all parts as the player passed the obligatory medical exam this morning. Benefica has also informed the Portuguese Stock Exchange that they have an agreement with Real Madrid to transfer the player. 

Coentrao

The agreement is 30M€ plus the transfer of Real Madrid defender Ezequiel Garay, the last being valued at 10M€ plus the loan of Drenthe ( this last according to "Marca"). This makes it a 20M€ in cash 10M€ with Garay ( + Drenthe on loan) = 30M€


The final details are currently being shut at the "Santiago Bernabeu Stadium" offices & the official announcement is just a matter of hours, barring a last minute disaster that media assures will not occur.

Welcome to Spanish Football Mr. Coentrao!

LATEST: 17.30: Real Madrid announce officially the transfer. The player signs for 6 years.

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REAL MADRID TRANSFER GOSSIP | CHELSEA FC WANTS COENTRAO - PEPE

spain football
A " visual surf" through the local Spanish Football Sports press this morning brings out this story that originally hit the headlines last Friday & today gets a more detailed analysis. According to Portugues Sports paper "Record" BENFICA defender COENTRAO had a heavy verbal debate with his Coach & stormed off the training session last Thursday. This has been interpreted as an act of "rebellion" by the player who is frustrated because his desire to be transferred to REAL MADRID has gone into "stalemate" mode this pass week.

Real Madrid offers 15M€ plus a player,  while Benfica wishes 30M€, here is the obstacle & Coentrao is nervous & unsettled as he sees time go by & both Clubs unable to soften postures.

Coentrao

However, news from Spanish Football Sports paper "AS" adds light today claiming that another important factor explains the players "aggressive" attitude in that it appears that Benfica has accepted the CHELSEA FC offer which does puts the 30M€ as asked by the Club. New Chelsea Coach Villa- Boas wishes to incorporate Coentrao in his future plans, but the player has only eyes for Real Madrid,  thus Benfica & Chelsea cannot shut the operation.

The players strategy is to force Benfica into accepting the Real Madrid offer,  & he has until the 31st of August to keep turning the screws. Stay tuned.

Pepe

Staying with CHELSEA FC, Spanish Football Sports paper "Marca" publish today that REAL MADRID defender PEPE is on the list of new Chelsea Coach Villa-Boas. According to the paper the English Club will be prepared to offer Pepe a 5 year contract earning 5M€ per season.

Beforehand, one suspects that it will be very difficult to get Pepe over to London. What I suspect is that Chelsea is "fishing" with the "over-booking" situation of defenders at Real Madrid & that the Spanish Club may consider the English option if the offer is sufficiently attractive money wise. Plus it is reported ( although I cannot confirm) that Pepe came to an agreement to renew his contract with Real Madrid this season but has yet to sign the official document, thus leaving a door open.

Although as mentioned, looks more a thought from Chelsea´s part than reality. Plus I don´t discard a players agent manoeuvre to "pressure" a bit more Real Madrid. Said all this, anything is possible in Football. Stay tuned.
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REAL MADRID 2011 | FABIO COENTRAO NEXT IN SIGNING LINE

SPANISH FOOTBALL & SPORTS daily newspaper "AS" publish that the arrival of BENFICA & Portuguese International FABIO COENTRAO is an almost done deal. The paper goes on to inform that REAL MADRID is waiting to transfer French midfielder LASS DIARRA & then with the money gained do the operation with Benfica for their player. The contract release clause for Coentrao is 30M€, but talks have "soften" that situation & Real Madrid may include defender Garay or midfielder Gago into the operation to lower the price.

Fabio Coentrao

Coentrao shares representative with Mourinho, Ronaldo, Carvalho, Pepe & Di Maria; the influencial Portuguese Football agent Jorge Mendes.  There are too many visible signs, public comments & "inside" interests that favours the idea that it is only a matter of time that Fabio Coentrao becomes Real Madrid´s fourth signing ( Sahin, Altintop & Callejon) for the new season.
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REAL MADRID | POSSIBLE FABIO COENTRAO TRANSFER SOUNDING STRONGER EVERYTIME

Spanish Sports paper "AS" reports that Portuguese International & BENFICA player FABIO COENTRAO could solve his future this week with Spanish Football Club REAL MADRID. This transfer rumour gets stronger & stronger as the days go on which makes one think that there could be some real truth behind it all. The player has publically said that he wishes only to be transferred to Real Madrid & his National team-mate, Cristiano Ronaldo, has pressured with favourable comments that he would be a grand signing. The other hint is Coentrao representative Jorge Mendes, also representative of Ronaldo, Di Maria, Carvalho, Pepe & Coach Mourinho, seen around the Benfica club office. 

Fabio Coentrao

The rumoured negotiation is being talked about approximately 25M€ to which Benfica only wants in cash. However, Real Madrid desires to lower the costs by including defender GARAY in the deal. Last news is that their is plenty of work these days at the offices of both Clubs. Stay tuned!
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REAL MADRID | ANGEL DI MARIA SIGNS FOR 6 YEARS

Spanish sports daily “AS” makes the announcement: Argentine International & BENFICA player ANGEL DI MARIA has signed for REAL MADRID for the next six years. The 22 year old winger has been transferred after Benfica agreed to a 25M€ offer by Real Madrid for the player to incorporate himself as of next season. The announcement has been made public on the Real Madrid website this afternoon around 21.15hrs Sp local time.

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REAL MADRID | DI MARIA CLOSE ACCORDING TO PORTUGUESE MEDIA

Source : Spanish Football Sports Blog /
The saying goes the following way in giving credibility to a sure winning bet… “It Comes Straight From The Horses Mouth”. In this case the “horse” ( metaphorically speaking ) is the country Portugal where its Champion Team BENFICA is located in its capital city Lisbon & where Argentine International & already mentioned Club player ANGEL DI MARIA is ongoing hot news.

Speculation has been ripe for weeks concerning the interest that REAL MADRID has towards the young Benfica winger. Today the Portuguese paper “Record” publishes that there is a principal agreement between Benfica & Real Madrid for the transfer of Di Maria for next season. The contract release clause is of 40M€ but the Spanish Club considers this to be too high & has added the possibility of including some players in the operation (a list from Drenthe, M Diarra, Garay & Gago). The paper goes further to add that Real Madrid wishes to shut the deal 100% before the start of the World Cup. The interest of Italian Club Juventus in these last days has also accelerated the negotiations between the Spanish Club & Benfica which explains the “sudden rush”.

Lastly, if all this is really true & Di Maria does finally sign for Real Madrid, one may conclude that the David Silva (Valencia CF) & Jesus Navas ( Sevilla FC) options will be shut. That would be the logical assumption...in an illogical Football World...or vice versa Tweet

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REAL MADRID | FABIO COENTRAO | DI MARIA

Source : Sp Ftball Sprts Blog /
The still INTER MILAN Coach José Mourinho is days away from becoming the new Coach of REAL MADRID. The news is that he will personally be responsible for developing next season’s team with full powers to sign & sell players. He has accepted the already planned players on the list of new signings in place before his arrival, BUT asks for some players which he considers strategic & vital for the new look Real Madrid.

Apart from Inter Milan Brazilian defender Maicon, one of those supposed players is young 22 year old Portuguese International revelation & BENFICA player FABIO COENTRAO . The player was originally a winger that with time evolved into a left back with plenty of endurance & attacking flare.

Another player which is hot with rumours is another Benfica player, the Argentine International DI MARIA, whom the Portuguese press assure is a done deal with REAL MADRID. The local press adds that the final price that will be paid is around 40M€.

I would just say that theses names are purely speculative at this point & should be considered as such before confirming anything. Tweet

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REAL MADRID: MANCHESTER CITY ENTERS THE DI MARIA PICTURE

Source: Sp Ftball Sprts Blog/
News coming out from neighbouring country Portugal, concretely from their Sports daily “A Bola”, is that REAL MADRID has "intensified" their interest in Argentine 22 year old International & BENFICA player ANGEL DI MARIA. This piece of information has been picked up locally by Spanish daily “AS” who add that the also shown interest by English Premier League Club MANCHESTER CITY not only has set in the renewed “urgency” in the matter but has inflated the price of the player.

The Portugues source claims they have evidence that Manchester City has already put on the Benfica table 40M€, while Real Madrid had originally & previously suggested 25M€, the difference is important. The advantage that the Spanish Club may have over the English team is that the representative of Di Maria is Jorge Mendes, the same agent as Cristiano Ronaldo, the similiarities in lanaguage & culture & lastly the fact the Real Madrid has more prestige, respecting Manchester City & its long tradition.

Mentioned this, as always in Football & around this time of the year, one should take these “news flashes” in their speculative stage & consider them still rumour. Stay tuned for developments in the coming months as not only this name with get media space but many others will as well especially after the World Cup. Tweet

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ATLETICO DE MADRID: LUISAO A SOLUTION FOR ATLETICO DEFENCE?

Source: Spanish Football Sports Blog /
News out of Portugal, & concretely the Sports paper “A Bola”, comments that Atletico de Madrid Coach Quique Sanchez Flores has BENFICA 29 year old Central Defender LUISAO in mind for next season. The Atletico Coach hasn’t yet received a contract renewal prposal but all indicates that this is just paperwork & thus needs to begin planning the 2010-2011 season.

Atletico has big defensive problems & has had them all season which has halted them from winning the important games. Luisao is seen as a solution for his heading prowess & correct tactical positioning on the field. The player has scored 7 goals this season for his Club which is not bad for a Central Defender.

As always with theses types of news, one thing is what Coaches wish & another what the Club of origin feel about losing a key player. We will have to wait & see if this idea turns into a reality within the coming months. Stay tuned! Tweet

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