REAL MADRID - AT BILBAO - ILLARAMENDI CONNEXION

The "Winter Transfer Market" has shut for Spanish Football. The figures indicate that around 45M€ (+/-) have been spent by Clubs to strengthen their squads. However, while we will see soon all the new faces in action in upcoming Liga games, there is one name that has been mysterious, Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illaramendi, who most thought would end up at Athletic Club Bilbao. The reality is, he will line-up today with Real Madrid against his old Club Real Sociedad. 

Local Football observers acknowledge that Athletic Club Bilbao made a 24M€ offer for Illaramendi. The youngster is not being a regular at Real Madrid were his position is highly contested, & to add, Real Madrid has signed 21 year old Brazilian Lucas Silva. The Real Madrid Directives looked favourably in selling to Bilbao & recouping some of the 32M€ plus investment, apart from filtering a "non-existent" Arsenal FC offer to spice up things. So what happened?

1. Asier Illaramendi said NO. He simply did not wish to move, especially to the eternal rival of his beloved Real Sociedad,
2. Real Madrid Coach Ancelotti did not wish to sell, or at least face the rest of the upcoming season without a player that will help in case of emergencies.

Said this, the future of Asier Illaramendi is still uncertain at Real Madrid. He may have avoided this first sell attempt but things indicate that he may face a similar situation at the end of the season. This time the Club which is really interested is English Club Liverpool FC & they are expected to "pressure" this summer.

Will Illara say yes this time around ? Stay tuned!

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BRAZILIAN LUCAS SILVA TRANSFER TO REAL MADRID

The Brazilian Football Club Cruzeiro has officially announced the transfer of their 21 year old midfielder Lucas Silva to Spanish Football Club Real Madrid.

The President of Cruzeiro, Gilvan de Pinho Tavares, confirmed today the transfer of their player in a press conference adding that the final details of the agreement are still being discussed with the Spanish Club; but they are "details". It was revealed that Lucas Silva "pressured" Cruzeiro to accept the transfer to Real Madrid, although this could just be "talk" to calm some local fans critical with selling "the local talent".

It is being speculated that Real Madrid has spent 13-14M€ on the signing. 

Lucas Silva is one of the most promising midfielders of Brazilian Football & with Cruzeiro he has won two consecutive league titles, in 2013 and 2014. Real Madrid still has to make the signing official, but local "insiders" are talking about a next Monday, or Tuesday, presentation to media in Madrid.

Lastly, the debate is on which current midfielder at Real Madrid will exit to make way. Firstly, there is no imperative that a player needs to exit, however local media speculate with Illaramendi. The young midfielder claims that no one at the Club has talked to him & that he is happy at Real Madrid. The other possible - more than likely - exit is German International Khedira who finishes contract this season & has not renewed with the Spanish Football Club.

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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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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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FERNANDO TORRES GOES ON LOAN TO ATLETICO DE MADRID

Back from the Xmas break & the big news is that Fernando Torres has returned to the Club that put him on the World Football stage, Atletico de Madrid. The return of the "prodigal son" has been made official by the Spanish Football Club. 

Complicate negotiation between three Clubs & another player involved, Atletico de Madrid Italian winger Cerci. In the end the mutual interests of all parties coincided with logic as:

• Chelsea FC wanted to get off their list of players Torres & in the process get some money, 
• AC Milan wanted to get off their list of players Torres & wished Cerci of Atletico de Madrid,
• Cerci wanted an exit as he had no regular place in the Atletico team,
• Fernando Torres was delighted to return to Spain & attempt his last opportunity to regain lost form & prestige.

Fernando Torres goes to Atletico on loan from Milan for the remaining part of the season , plus the next. Atletico de Madrid Italian player Cerci goes to AC Milan.

Everyone knows that Fernando Torres is no longer the player that tantalized the Football World. However, there is faith that he may regain "lost sensations" back home, & Atletico Coach Simeone believes in Torres & that he can contribute positively to the squad. We will see. 

For now, welcome back Fernando Torres, lots of luck.

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FERNANDO TORRES BACK TO ATLETICO DE MADRID ?

Interesting piece of news coming out of Spanish Sports press concerning Atletico de Madrid & the soon to open "Winter Transfer Season". According to Sports paper "AS" the Spanish Football Club has 3 names on the table: Fernando Torres, Shaqiri & Podolski. Atletico de Madrid is thinking of signing a forward to complement Mandzukic & give the Croatian some needed rest with so many games scheduled in all competitions.

AC Milan has offered a straight swap between their forward Fernando Torres & disgruntled Atletico de Madrid winger Cerci. The latter is not having the minutes that he would like & has voiced his nervous situation to the Club. Cerci is valued in Italian Football & Milan could be an option. Fernando Torres is not the player that put him in the Football elite seasons back & his performance at Milan is below expectation. The fact is that Torres is being hammered by Sports press by both Italian & British media as being a "flop" , & worst, "useless" by English Press.

The return of Torres would excite the fan-base, but the player would have to expect to currently play a more "secondary" role for the moment, plus his huge salary is also an important obstacle.

Atletico de Madrid has been talking to representatives of Swiss player Shaqiri. Much liked by Club Directives for his speed, Coach Simeone has put the break on for the moment with talks.

Lastly, German International & Arsenal FC forward Podolski seems to be another option. The player ends contract soon & wishes to leave in January. The transfer is priced around 20M€ , but this figure could fall because Arsenal is interested in Cerci. Including the Italian in the operation could make it all more viable & attractive for Atletico to attempt Podolski. 

Stay tuned for possible further developments.

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FC BARCELONA POSSIBLE EXITS

The "Winter Transfer Market 2015" - starts 1st of January - is soon upon us & European Clubs are circling possible objectives already. Spanish Football Club FC Barcelona has a juicy list of "wounded players" that could turn into a feast for the big Clubs "scouting vultures". 

From England,  & Italy,  news is appearing about the interest of Chelsea FC for defender Gerard Pique who is going through some difficult moments at Barça, personally & professionally.  

However, he is not the only player sitting more on the bench than playing, or being criticised for their poor form. From England news is that Arsenal may make a 38M€ offer for both Dani Alves & Pedro. But Arsenal may have some competition for French Club Paris St Germain which is also said to have interest on the mentioned players. 

Another Barça player having a difficult moment at Barça is young defender Montoya. News is that English Club Liverpool & Italian Clubs Napoli & Inter Milan are watching closely developments. Some observers say that Montoya may have already sat down to discuss his conditions & exit with one of the mentioned Clubs, waiting for Barça to pronounce themselves.

Stay tuned!

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REAL MADRID | WINTER MARKET 2015 RUMOURS

Double news coming out of Portugal & England from their local press with reference to Spanish Football Club Real Madrid speculating about the possible future of two key players. 

The defensive problems facing Manchester City this season has resulted in the English Club seeking a signing of importance for the month of January 2015 in the "Winter Market". According to the Portuguese newspaper "A Bola" Real Madrid defender Pepe is the chosen option for Manchester City. The English Premier League Club would be willing to make an offer of 10M€ to Real Madrid for the services of the Central Defender. In my option a bit too low for the Spanish Club to consider.

Staying with Real Madrid, more rumours from British newspaper "Daily Express" that ensures that Real Madrid has French International & Tottenham Hotspurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris on their agenda just in case in January 2015 - "Winter Market" current goalkeeper Iker Casillas decides to make a move elsewhere. Real Madrid values a 24M€ bid as a starter to make with the signing of the French footballer. 

In both the Pepe & Iker Casillas cases it is highly unlikely that they will make a move in the upcoming "Winter Market". However, this is totally different in both cases for the end of the season. There are real possibilities that each could leave, especially Iker Casillas who is rumoured to already have a pre-agreement with Monaco, a pre-agreement flexible enough to break if another Club makes a better offer. 
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ARSENAL FC TO TARGET PEDRO FROM FC BARCELONA

News out of England, concretely "Daily Mirror", suggests that Premier League Club Arsenal FC is preparing a move on Spanish International & FC Barcelona 27 year old winger Pedro Rodriguez. Not surprising as rumours were hot this last summer that the winger was studying offers from elsewhere, Arsenal FC included.

The news further cites that Arsenal is preparing a 30M€ offer that perhaps may appear as early as the New Year, in the upcoming "Winter Transfer Market". The idea is to hook up again Pedro with ex-Barça tam-mate Alexis Sanchez to make up a formidable attacking pair over in London.

A viable option as the Barça player is not participating as much as desired this season. Young sensation Munir has taken up a more active role over Pedro on the field, while the return from sanction of Luis Suarez virtually keeps Pedro in a more complementary role. Pedro (& FC Barcelona) will obviously have the last say, the player may also want to listen to other offers locally & from around Europe.

Stay tuned!

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SPANISH FOOTBALL RUMOURS | MUNIR & SAMI KHEDIRA

Interesting news coming out of Spain in reference to possible signing interests for players from Spain s two biggest Football Clubs, FC Barcelona & Real Madrid.

The first news piece comes from France - "Le10Sport1" - picked up locally by Spanish Sports media. According to the French source Paris St Germain & Bayern Munich have set their aim & target on young Barça sensation Muñir. Apparently the players Club value is around the 12M€ mark thus making the Footballer a bargain. Obviously FC Barcelona has the option of bettering the players contract & economic conditions which would make it harder for interested third parties to swoop away the youngster. In fact, the news piece could be a "planned strategy" from within the Munir "inner circle" to force FC Barcelona to negotiate & better the conditions of the player. Stay tuned!

The other news piece comes from England. The unofficial statement is that Arsenal FC has reached agreement with Real Madrid to transfer German International midfielder Sami Khedira in the "Winter Market". The transfer fee being said is 14M€ & its an expressed petition from Arsenal Coach Wenger. Stay tuned!

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CHRISTOPH KRAMER LINKED TO REAL MADRID

News out of Italy, which was picked up in Spain, mentions that Real Madrid is following very closely Christoph Kramer 23 year old midfielder of Borussia Monchengladbach (on loan from Bayern Leverkusen). The source goes further & says that Real Madrid has made a 15M€ offer & would want to get the German over for the "Winter Market". Kramer is seen as the "midfielder" to complement Toni Kroos & fill the "gap" left by Xabi Alosno, while Khedira has not renewed for Real Madrid & is suspected will leave next season. 

This news is speculative & still a rumour, but it is not the first time that Kramer & Real Madrid have been associated. Independent observers in local Sports media have also mentioned that the connection is real & a true possibility. Said this, Real Madrid has already a player of similar characteristics which may be a viable & the perfect alternative, Asier Illaramendi, young Spanish International which Real Madrid paid 30M€ Real Sociedad to do precisely what Kramer is thought for & assumed needed.

Meanwhile, from the English Premier League comes the news that Liverpool FC & Manchester United have also placed the midfielder on their wish-list. Thus there could be some strong competition for Real Madrid or, a bidding "war" in coming months. Stay tuned!

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