GOODBYE CRISTIANO RONALDO

Its official, CRISTIANO RONALDO gets transferred to Italian Club JUVENTUS FC for 105M€ (or 112M€ with commissions & extras). So its GOODBYE Cristiano Ronaldo & thanks for your 9 years in Spanish Football. Said this, its a relief, now we can move on to bigger & better things. 

The fact is, that there was no fan manifestations hailing Real Madrid President Perez to stop the transfer. Most ( not all ) have become tired of the Ronaldo antics & yearly ego-trips & demands (demands always given by the Club). Yes, everyone is grateful & thanks the opportunity to have witnessed such Football talent. Real Madrid fans will have to recognise that the last few UEFA Champions League titles are thanks to CR7 in great part. The Portuguese star has craved a place in Real Madrid History as one of the Clubs greatest players.

Said this Cristiano Ronaldo says farewell with only a letter... a solitary letter. Coward.

What was really needed was to face the press & show your face to explain to everyone why you have decided to leave the Club. The fans & supporters deserve at least an explanation. However, many are not surprised, again the character of Ronaldo shines through brightly me , only me & me again. 

The "Goodbye Letter" transmits emotions & the desire to find new goals. Ronaldo admits he asked the Club to let him go & says thank you to everyone. This is the official line, the truth is that:

• his legal tax problems locally - 15M€ due to the tax office - weight heavily,
• the salary of Messi (40M€), Neymar (36M€) & Grizmann (23M€) outweight his of 21M€
  This lead to a "mini revolt" that lead later to alleged promises that were broken by Club etc & etc. The lastest is that Real Madrid equalled the Juventus FC offer of 30M€... you make up your own opinion.
• The possible coming of Neymar JR "hurt the ego". Ronaldo felt that his time was up as the most brightest star & that the possible coming of younger stars was not making him comfortable.

The truth, the real truth is that there is no single individual bigger than the Club. Real Madrid has members (paying members) as the true owners. This institution has survived more than 100 years & seen hundreds of Footballers , huge Stars, come & go. Cristiano Ronaldo will probably be surprised to see how Real Madrid continues operating the same or better after his exit.

So thanks & goodbye. Good luck with your next Club. Lets move onto newer & exiting developments in Spanish Football in coming days & weeks

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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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REAL MADRID | JESUS VALLEJO PRESENTATION

Spanish Football Club REAL MADRID continues rejuvenating & adding the Best talent possible to their squad with the official presentation of young 20 year old Central Defender JESUS VALLEJO. The Spanish U21 International has the Nº 3 dorsal taking over from Pepe who has left the Club for Turkish Football. 

The young Football talent Vallejo was already the Captain of Real Zaragoza with just 18 years of age. Real Madrid signed the player & loaned him to German Club Eintracht Frankfurt were he has grown further as a Footballer. His performance in the recent U-21 European Championships has made Real Madrid bring back Jesus Vallejo to replace Pepe & begin his "era" with the current Spanish League & European Champion title holders. The defender will begin the pre-season from the start & will begin to find his position within the squad managed & Coached under Zidane.

It is expected that Real Madrid will continue to announce new signing in coming weeks. Ex-Atletico de Madrid ( Alaves) left defender THEO will be presented next in coming days, along with Marco Llorente who will also be called back from loan,  while Real Betis youngster & sensation Dani Ceballos is said to be very close.

Internationally, French International & Monaco 18 year old star MBAPPE is said to be a serious target as well. Things here a bit more complicated as PSG & Arsenal are also entered the bidding. However before launching after Mbappe Real Madrid wants to transfer Alvaro Morata & has asked for 90M€ as the transfer price. At this moment Manchester United is very interested but only offers 70-75M€. Real Madrid wants Mbappe to fill the space left by the a possible departure of Morata & reinvest the transfer money given for the French star.

Stay tuned!

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REAL MADRID SIGNS YOUNG BRAZILIAN STAR GALVAN

Spanish Football Club Real Madrid has announced this week the signing of Brazilian youngster 17 year old Augusto GalVan from Brazilian Club Sao Paolo. The young midfielder is considered to be one of Brazilian Football great promises with an anticipated brilliant future.

Galvan will travel to Madrid this Summer & initially play in the Real Madrid B ( & youth) team, "Castilla". The idea is that the player adapt himself to European Football & more importantly to the new culture & lifestyle.

The price of the operation is rumoured to be around 3M€, a bargain if you consider that if it is correct that Galvan is destined to be the next "great thing", his market price could sky-rocket in coming years.

Real Madrid has not been too lucky with their Brazilian signings in the last seasons. Many have not lived up to expectations & failed when coming over to Spanish & European Football, last case Lucas Silva. We will need to see how Galvan evolves in coming seasons.

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JESE RODRIGUEZ GOING TO PARIS ST GERMAIN

Spanish Football Club Real Madrid & Paris St Germain have reached an agreement today for the transfer of Real Madrid striker Jese Rodriguez. 

French Sports paper "L'Equipe" announces that the PSG will pay 25M€ for the transfer, but the truth is that both clubs are now discussing the formulas to finsih off the signing. 

Real Madrid wants a laon agreement while the PSG wants the player traded. Real Madrid desires to keep a hold on the player in case of a FIFA sanction. If FIFA confirms the sanction & punishs Real Madrid with two seasons without the ability of signing players, Real Madrid would want to recall Jesse. However, Paris St Germain insists on a full out transfer with a 4 year contract and an optional 5th year. When both entities come to an agreement, both will make the operation official.

Stay tuned!
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SPANISH FOOTBALL | TRANSFERS - SIGNINGS 2016-2017

The Spanish Football Liga, along with their Clubs, have yet to announce huge signings for season 2016-2017. The English Premier League & the Italian Serie A is causing more a stir with rumours of huge transfers about to occur like Pogba to Manchester United (120M€) or Higuain to Juventus (95M€).

However, while the transfer deadline is the 30th of August there has been some very interesting signings to date with FC Barcelona being very active for far. Here is a summary of the signings - transfers for Spanish Football to date:

• Roberto - signed by RCD Espanyol from Olympiakos
• Vrsaljko - signed by At. Madrid from Sassuolo
• Umtiti - signed by FC Barcelona from Olympique Lyonnais
• Amorebieta - signed by Sporting Gijon from Premier League
• Digne - signed by FC Barcelona from PSG
• Kranevitter - loaned to Sevilla FC from At. Madrid
• Ganso - signed by Sevilla FC from Sao Paolo
• Andre Gomes - signed by FC Barcelona from Valencia CF
• Nani - signed by Valencia CF from Benfica
• Alvaro Morata - signed by Real Madrid from Juventus FC
• Gaitan - signed by At. Madrid from Benfica

These are just a few names. Sure some other - bigger - names will be announced in coming weeks.

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AT MADRID | SIGNS SIME VRSALIJKO

News out from Italian paper "Gazzetta dello Sport" announces what has been rumoured all week, that Croatian International defender Sime Vrsalijko is a new Atletico de Madrid signing for next season. The defender has gone medical exams in Paris & Clubs, Sassuolo & At Madrid are soon to make official.

The deal is said to be around 16M€ plus 2M€ in incentives, that takes the deal to 18M€. The Croatian has been signed to give Spanish International Juanfran rest & obviously stiff competition for the right-back position.

Other European Clubs were interested like Napoles, but the player preferred Atletico over all others. 

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SPANISH FOOTBALL TRANSFER - RUMOURS

One is fact, the other is rumour. 

Firstly, FC Barcelona has made official that they are transferring their Spanish International defender Marc Bartra to German Club Borussia Dortmund for 8M€. Bartra takes the place of Mats Hummels who goes over to Bayern Munich.

The defender was having difficulties finding a regular place in the Barça team this last season, & the Club has allowed the player the opportunity to play elsewhere.

Secondly, this is a rumour doing the rounds & coming out of England. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is currently a free-agent & is looking for Club. Many point that Mourinho now with Manchester United has asked the ex-PSG player to come over.

However, some Football observers now point that Spanish Club Atletico Madrid could be the new destination for the 34 year old forward. The only negotiating point here is his salary as he would come free of transfer fee. But the salary could be a sticking point as it may be too high for the Club. Said this these same sources state that the Swede looks favourably at returning to Spanish Football & Atletico is to his liking. 

We will need to see. Stay tuned!

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ATLETICO DE MADRID CLOSE TO SHUTTING AUGUSTO FERNANDEZ

The "Winter Transfer Market" opens the 1st of January 2016 & Clubs are already making moves. Spanish Football club Atletico de Madrid has made it a priority to sign Celta de Vigo & Argentinian Augusto Fernandez.

Negotiations are advanced with Argentinian club Velez owning 50% of the players rights, while Celta asks for around 6M€ in transfer fee. Atletico de Madrid Coach Simeone has asked the Club to sign the player asap so that Augusto can begin training the 28th of December & prepare to play right after the New Year.

The Transfer Operation is now depended on Velez. Stay tuned!

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REAL MADRD | THE DAVID DE GEA TRANSFER MIX-UP

The Spanish (& World) Football media are still baffled & some laughing at the David De Gea - Keylar Navas transfer mix up or "fu*k ups". The reality is that today with the "Transfer Market" shut, Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea is still a United player because Real Madrid failed to send the "transfer documents" to the Spanish Liga HQ (LFP) before the midnight deadline. 

Here begins the song & dance between all the parts:

• The LFP claims the documents arrived at 00.28 (28 minutes late),
• Real Madrid claims Manchester United sent the documents just before the 00.00 deadline (23.59!!!!) ,
• Thus observers comment that the delay was because Manchester United sent the documents to Real Madrid so close to the deadline time, not giving Real Madrid lawyers enough time to go over things (clauses).

Real Madrid will now present their case to FIFA claiming that they "arrived" in time. Thus we all,  & De Gea, will have to wait the outcome. But it will be a difficult case to win & it looks as if De Gea will not play in Real Madrid this season.

The real tragedy is how the Spanish Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has been played for months, mainly by his Coach Van Gaal. All this would have been avoided had Van Gaal facilitated the exit of De Gea earlier, instead of playing mind games & distorting realities within his fan base. The Manchester United Coach will now have to explain to Manchester United Club owners & shareholders how the lost 30,000,000 € in transfer fee income, as De Gea will become a free agent as of the 1st of January 2016. That is, David De Gea will be able to go to Real Madrid free next season.
Lastly, Real Madrid do not get off free from criticism as they too have played & messed around with Keylor Navas.

A poor & tragic example of how two Clubs - Manchester United & Real Madrid - which claim to be the biggest in World Football can express complete incompetence & in the process sink emotionally a Football player. Which adds to what is obvious to us observers, Football players are "meat" in the Football meat market.

We will now see how Manchester United Coach Van Gaal reacts after losing 30M€ & if he takes his embarrassment out on De Gea. Plus if De Gea can lift emotionally & take this punch well to perform again with United as the professional that he is & let run this season out.

Stay tuned!

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REAL MADRID SHUTS DE GEA - NAVAS TO MANCHESTER UNITED

With only hours available before the "Transfer Market" shuts at midnight, Spanish Football Club Real Madrid is close to shutting a transfer deal with Manchester United for their Spanish International goalkeeper David De Gea. 

Latest from local media is that a deal has been struck between Clubs with some details still to be tied. The transfer price is speculated to be around 30M€, while current Real Madrid goalie Keylor Navas enters the operation (valued at around 12-15€) to substitute De Gea at Manchester United.

The initial problem was that Keylor Navas did not wish to move & go to United. However, the English Club has offered to double his salary (to around 5-6M€) & basically assure him a starting place on the team. This has apparently soften up Navas & his position to finally accept the change of Clubs. Navas knows that there is no room for him & De Gea competing for the one goalkeeper position, & that the arrival of De Gea would lead him to spend bench time, something Navas wishes to avoid at all costs.

From a personal view, the best option would have been to wait a further year to have De Gea arrive to Real Madrid free of transfer fee, however Real Madrid gave De Gea their word for this season & the Club wishes to keep it. The problem is De Gea comes terribly below form & will need time to adapt, added with the huge pressure on the young mans shoulders to live up to the expectations. Keylor Navas has left a good impression at the Club & with fans & his shoes will be hard to fill initially.

It is expected an official Clubs announcement in coming hours. Better to read that it is all official as anything can still happen. Stay tuned!

Latest : As warned above the De Gea - Navas transfer made an unexpected turn late tonight. Due to the late arrival of the transfer documentation of both Clubs at the Spanish Liga Headquarters, the De Gea operation (for now... barring UEFA-FIFA intervention) WILL NOT GO THROUGH. Said differently, the needed documentation arrived pass the 00.00 deadline thus keeping DE GEA at Manchester United & Keylor Navas at Real Madrid. Comical or tragic there has been a mix-up, or not, with the whole operation.

Therefore, De Gea - if nothing changes - will stay one more season at Manchester United & arrive FREE next season to Real Madrid. Thanks to Van Gaal Manchester United has lost out on 30M€ which will possibly make shareholders at the Club somewhat angry. Manchester United claim they sent documentation to Madrid before the 00.00 deadline & that Real Madrid failed to place papers at Liga HQ before 00.00

More details in coming days.

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ATLETICO DE MADRID SIGNS FERREIRA CARRASCO FROM AC MONACO

Spanish press announce that Atletico de Madrid & Monaco have come to an agreement to transfer 21 year old Belgium midfielder Ferreira Carrasco to the Spanish Football Club. The speculated transfer price coming out from France is around 20M€, while the player signs for the next 5 seasons. It is expected that both Clubs will officially announce the operation soon.

Ferreira has been chosen over the other candidate Benfica player Gaitan whose price was higher around the 30M€. The player joins the other 2 new Club signings for the upcoming season : Vietto & Jackson Martinez. 

Do not discount further new incorporations in coming weeks. 

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SPANISH FOOTBALL | NEW SIGNINGS 2015

Today a couple of important new signing presentations to media by Real Madrid & Atletico de Madrid. Both Clubs begin the new season with exits & arrivals; below are pictures of new players, plus players presented in the last days by other Spanish Football Liga Clubs. 

Real Madrid presented officially Brazilian International right-back Danilo from Porto to media at the "Santiago Bernabeu Stadium". While Capitan & Goalkeeper Iker Casillas is expected to go in hours to Porto, Real Madrid are working on a substitute goalkeeper: either David De Gea (Man Utd.) or Kiko Casilla (RCD Espanyol).

Atletico de Madrid officially presented 20 year old Argentine forward Vietto from Villarreal. Atletico has also signed Jackson Martinez from Porto who is on holidays & will be presented soon.

Sevilla FC presented Sergio Escudero & French defender Ramis. The latter comes back to Spanish Football after playing at Valencia CF before signing to AC Milan.

Valencia CF has signed Spanish Football promise Santi Mina from Celta de Vigo.

Villarreal CF signs Castillejo & Samuel from Malaga FC. Two top players which join Batistao on loan from Atletico de Madrid.

RCD Espanyol signs Hernan Perez & Burgi.

Real Betis, back into Liga, is signing hard & Amro Tarek is one of their new incorporation. Weeks back Rafael Van Der Vaart & Petros were also presented as new Betis signings.

More names in coming weeks & months!

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DANI ALVES SIGNS WITH PARIS ST GERMAIN

Spanish radio has advanced the news that Brazilian International & FC Barcelona right-back Dani Alves has signed with Paris St Germain. The defender ends contract this season with Barça & the latter has not wished to renew the player.

The Brazilian was free to negotiate his future without Barça & travelled to Paris after the Sunday Liga match against Rayo Vallecano to sign his contract. The agreement is for three seasons at a salary of 9M€/season, good contract to sail into the twilight of his career. 

At Paris St Germain Alves will join fellow countrymen David Luiz, Marquinhos, Maxwell & Thiago Silva.

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ATLETICO DE MADRID GETS CANI ON LOAN FROM VILLARREAL

Atletico de Madrid surprised us with the return of Fernando Torres who is on loan from AC Milan. The Spanish Football Club again surprised everyone yesterday announcing that Villarreal midfielder Cani was to be loan out to Atletico for the rest of the season.  

The 33 year old player has fallen out at Villarreal due to his "clashes" with Club Coach Marcelino. Beyond this, the Madrid Club gives the player another opportunity to prove his worth in Spanish Football. Very good & experienced midfielder who can give rest & substitute if needed current midfielders Koke or Arda without causing to much "Football disruption" tactical to the squads field play.  Tweet

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SPANISH FOOTBALL LIGA | SIGNINGS NOT MAKING THE GRADE

Not much relevant & differing content from Spanish Football these days with the Liga on hold as the Football Calendar makes room for International commitments. However, Spanish Sports daily "Marca" publishes an interesting article worth a post. The paper looks at some of the big name signings for Liga Clubs this last summer & compares their playing time. Some names & their lack of team contribution will surprise.

Some notable examples, this summer FC Barcelona made a considerable economic effort to strengthen their defensive line. Two names Vermaelen &
Douglas were signed but have been virtually unseen, with the former with zero playing time due to injury & the latter just 73 min & a bad prformance in his only game to date. Another surprising name is Mexican International goalkeeper Ocha who has not played an official match as yet. This is surprising as he was a "revelation" in the last World Cup in Brazil. Lastly, another name to note - from the many - is Cerci who has only played 77 mins with Atletico de Madrid, he is currently a regular "bench warmer", but paradoxically has been called up to the Italian National Team.

Most of these names will have to lift their game & Club contribution as the "Winter Market Transfer" window opens the 1st of January & some may find themselves on the market as transfer opportunities or loan candidates.

Stay tuned. 

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REAL MADRID ANGEL DI MARIA WILL GO TO MANCHESTER UNITED

The future of Argentine & Real Madrid midfielder Angel Di Maria has been settled. English Premier League Club Manchester United will be - awaiting official announcement - the new destination & Football home for the player.

The transfer figures vary between those media sources that say 75M€ plus 15M€ more in variables & others who go higher with a 80M€ figure. In any case it the biggest transfer figure in the History of the Spanish Football Club & Di Maria finally gets his desire to earn 8M€/season. 

The player called everyone's attention last Thursday when he was surprisingly left out of the Real Madrid squad for the 2 leg Super Cup game against Atletico de Madrid. This caused a run of speculation & rumours all leading down the Manchester United path. Yesterday, the suspicion was practically confirmed as a reality when Di Maria went to the Real Madrid training session to say goodbye to all his team-mates. Quickly Real Madrid players expressed their "best wishes" via their social media accounts, with Xabi Alonso & Marcelo being the more talked about wishing Di Maria good luck at his new Club. 

It is expected that the Argentine flies to Manchester today for the habitual medical exam & later contract signing with presentation. The official announcement between Clubs on the Di Maria transfer is hours away. 

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ATLETICO DE MADRID SIGNS MEXICAN RAUL JIMENEZ

Its official, Spanish Football Club Atletico de Madrid has signed 23 year old Mexican International & America de Mexico forward Raul Jimenez. This in theory finishes off the Spanish Clubs reorganization of its Liga Championship winning  squad after important & key players have left this summer to other Clubs.

The terms of the transfer is a 10,5M€ fee to America de Mexico while the player signs for the next 6 years for Atletico de Madrid. The news of Jimenez signing has been doing the speculation circles the last couple of days & it has finally become a reality.

The Mexican comes over to Atletico with some controversy after publishing on his social media channels & in a TV interview that he is a Real Madrid fan & follower. Atletico de Madrid President Cerezo took some heat off the situation saying that the player may follow their arch city rival but once you play for & feel the Atletico de Madrid family you will quickly forget the rest.

Welcome!

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FC BARCELONA SIGNS JEREMY MATHIEU FROM VALENCIA CF

After weeks of speculations & "cross-fire" between Clubs, FC Barcelona announced that they have come to an agreement to sign Valencia CF defender Jeremy Mathieu. The negotiations went down to the wire as Barça finally succumbed to the Valencia CF demands of 20M€ as transfer fee. The payment will be 10M€ upfront in cash & the rest in instalments.

The French player was literally pulled off the plane that Valencia CF was boarding this morning to go to Peru for pre-season matches. Mathieu signs for the next four seasons with a possible option of a fifth.

With the incorporation of Mathieu, Barça finally manages to fills a strategic field position, a Central Defender. The position has been a sour spot for years at Barça never being able to find the right profile, along with being able to accompany Pique next season & fill the huge gap left by the retired Carles Puyol.

Jeremy Mathieu is on his way to Barcelona to shut all the details of his new contract & will be officially presented to Sports media in the coming hours or days.
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REAL MADRID TO PRESENT JAMES RODRIGUEZ AS THEIR NEW PLAYER THIS AFTERNOON

The Football World never stops to amaze me. Four weeks back Colombian & Monaco Forward Radamel Falcao was the hot favourite to sign for Real Madrid, today the reality is that fellow countryman & team-mate James Rodriguez is now in Madrid passing the medical exam.

The fact is that JAMES RODRIGUEZ will be presented this afternoon by REAL MADRID CF as their new signing after they have shut a deal with Monaco. The details suggest a 75M€ transfer fee plus 5M€ more if the player succeeds with Champions League, other titles & objectives. The player signs for the next 6 years & will receive a salary close to 8M€ per season.

James Rodriguez in Madrid passing the medical exam

The news is not as yet official but everything indicates that it will be in hours. The players schedule today is to go over to the "Santiago Bernabeu Stadium" to sign his contract & then be officially presented to Spanish & World media around 19.00-20.00. The player will later dress his players uniform (with Nº10) & be greeted by the Real Madrid fans to later attend an expected packed Press Conference. 

James Rodriguez joins German Toni Kroos as the new Real Madrid signings, with a third expected soon to be goalkeeper Keylor Navas. Apart from James Rodriguez being a World Soccer Star on the rise, the player has an enormous marketing attraction that should open up further markets in Latin America, USA & Asia. The Real Madrid model again is in full motion & the cashier keeps sounding. 

NEWSFLASH:
James Rodriguez has been officially presented by Real Madrid this afternoon in front of 45,000 fans at the "Santiago Bernabeu Stadium".

Welcome to Spanish Football!

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