http://www.footballfancast.com/blog/...ing-lose/13828


A deal where Spurs have everything to gain and nothing to lose



Football FanCast guest columnist Todd White feels that Harry shouldn't hesitate in bringing Ruud to WHL, if there is a potential deal to be had.

As Perez took the reins at Real Madrid, at the same time, he arguably started the biggest fire sale the Bernabeu has seen in years. The new Real President wants to see the club return to its old ‘Galacticos' ways, therefore it is time to strip out the deadwood and those deemed surplus to requirements. There will be some real bargains to be had and according to reports it looks like Harry is already having a sniff around already.

Ruud van Nistelrooy is the latest name to be linked with a move to the Lane and why the majority of rumours are normally pie in the sky, you do sense that there could actually be some weight behind this one. The Dutchman is set to leave Spain after what has been yet another prolific chapter to his goalscoring career in which he has netted 63 goals in 95 games in all competitions for Madrid, however with Huntelaar having signed in January and it being likely that David Villa and Kaka will be joining in the coming weeks, the likelihood of the Dutchman being first choice will be remote. At 32yrs of age Ruud will certainly not want to be hanging around on the bench, therefore a move away is likely to be appealing.

Since news of our interest it is fair to say that the view of Spurs fans have been mixed over the possibility of bringing him to the Lane. Nobody seems to doubt his goalscoring prowess but his age and past injuries does bring its concern, however I fail to understand the validity of them if I'm honest. At the end of the day if we were to spend millions in bringing him to the Lane then I'll share those worries, but the fact that Madrid are only after a paltry £1.25m for his services tells me that he is a gamble worth taking where we have little to lose, but potentially a hell of a lot to gain, especially when you weigh that up with his goalscoring record. We may only get two seasons max out of him, but surely he would represent a far better option than splashing out millions on the likes of the injury prone Cruz or the inconsistent Crouch to complement Defoe or Keane in attack.

Wow.

Tottenham could use him well.

http://www.footballfancast.com/blog/...ver-move/13827


Liverpool ace mustn't let his heart rule his head over move


Football FanCast guest columnist Ross Bridges feels that Xabi Alonso should be wary of letting his heart rule his head.

It seems to be becoming something of a daily to chore to read the continual reports linking Xabi to Real Madrid and today was no different. Perez came out once again talking of his desire to see Alonso at the Bernabeu and prepared to pay what it takes to secure his services. It isn't the correct way to conduct business, but then again when have Real Madrid ever worried about morals?

While Liverpool's standpoint has been perfectly clear unfortunately Xabi's hasn't and his failure to rule out a summer exit from Anfield has done little but fuel these fires. Some would say that he has no obligation to; given the way he was treated by the club last summer and who knows maybe he is being tempted by the lure of Real Madrid. For any Spaniard the prospect of playing for one of Spain's premier clubs must appeal greatly, although I would hope that Xabi will use his head here and not be swayed by his heart.

I'm not going to dispute that these are changing and possibly exciting times at the Bernabeu as Perez looks to recreate past glories by smashing transfer records in order to create a Harlem globetrotter feel to the Madrid team. With a seemingly bottomless pit of money to work from they are in a position to tempt all and why this would be an exciting time for Alonso to move to Spain he should be cautious at the ramifications of it. This club isn't rebuilding in the same fashion that Barcelona did, with the mixture of youth and experience, but will instead look to buy instant success in the hope that the coach can fit them altogether and create a winning side. It will be very much a cut throat situation and if they were to fail then they will be quickly replaced.

My fear for Alonso is that should he leave us for Madrid then potentially he could find himself in a far worse off position. There will certainly be no guarantee that should he join Real that he will automatically be a first choice starter, given the overload of players that are likely to be brought in and I worry that it could bring an end to the excellent strides he has been making in the last twelve months, where his game has been taken to a new level. I appreciate that these are likely to be exciting times at Madrid and next season they are unlikely to be a patch on the side that we destroyed over the two legs in the CL, but Xabi should be conscious of the possibility that he may not be a first team regular or in a team that will play to his strengths. There is a saying that the grass isn't always greener on the other side and I really feel that Xabi should think about that strongly, if he is tempted to leave Anfield for Madrid.

To much hype over Alonso this summer

AC Milan playmaker Kaka moved a step closer to joining Real Madrid after undergoing a medical, according to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).

I know.


Guarantee he will stay..


And KaKa will be record breaking, well until Ibrahimovic moves lol.

Playing in the number 5 nobody has worn since Zidane the old most expensive signing.

Yeah he will stay

KAKA UNDERGOES REAL MEDICAL

AC Milan midfielder Kaka has undergone a medical at the request of Real Madrid, the Brazilian Football Federation have confirmed.

The 27-year-old is currently on international duty ahead of Brazil's World Cup qualifier against Paraguay on Wednesday but was released for the medical tests in Recife earlier on Monday.

Spanish media are speculating Kaka will join Madrid in a 65million euro deal, where he will become the first of the new wave of 'galacticos' brought together under the leadership of returning club president Florentino Perez.

A statement on the Brazilian Football Federation website read: "The technical committee of the Brazilian national team attended the request of Kaka and the board of Real Madrid and released the player to perform the routine examinations in a clinic in Recife.

"The CBF had to make all the arrangements for the test through its Medical Department head Jose Luiz Runco, who accompanied the player during the tests."

The CBF later confirmed Kaka had returned to the hotel after his medical and would join up with his Brazilian team-mates for training later in the afternoon.

There are also plans for the player to hold a press conference at 2100 local time (0100 BST).

Sorry if any of these have been posted

BERBATOV COMMITTED TO UNITED

Dimitar Berbatov's agent has stated that his client will remain playing with Manchester United next season.

There had been some suggestions that the Bulgaria international could leave Old Trafford this summer following an indifferent debut season with The Red Devils.

The £30.75m capture mustered just nine Premier League goals for the champions despite making 29 league starts, prompting talk in some quarters the club may part with the former Spurs ace.

However, Berbatov's agent Emil Dantchev has poured cold water on the speculation, stating the club's management is happy for the experienced hit-man to stay.

"Despite speculation that he may leave, I want to declare that Dimitar will play next season in Manchester United," Dantchev told Dnevnik.

"There is no desire from the management for any separation.

"He will stay and we hope that he will win what he missed out on this year."

O'NEILL DISMISSES OWEN TALK

Martin O'Neill has rubbished suggestions that Aston Villa have offered a two-year contract to Michael Owen.

Owen's future has been the subject of intense speculation since Newcastle suffered relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season.

The striker has been linked with several top-flight sides after rejecting reports that he could quit football this summer.

Villa are one club to have been connected with Owen and newspaper stories claimed on Monday they were ready to bring him in.

However, Villa have released a statement on their official website to make it clear that there is no truth in the reports.

"Martin O'Neill has this evening dismissed stories suggesting Villa have offered Michael Owen a two-year contract," read the statement.

UNITED SET TO SIGN DODO - REPORT

Manchester United are reportedly poised to sign Brazilian youngster Dodo in a move that has stirred up controversy.

The 17-year-old centre-back currently plies his trade with Corinthians and is regarded as an extremely exciting prospect for the future.

Dodo has been quoted as saying that he expects to join the Red Devils over the summer in a transfer that would see him link up with compatriots Rafael and Fabio da Silva and Rodrigo Possebon.

United have yet to indicate whether they will swoop for Dodo but the thought of such a move has angered 1970 World Cup winner Carlos Alberto.

Alberto finds it infuriating that big European clubs are able to sign Brazilian youngsters and has called on FIFA to change its laws.

"It is disgraceful United are allowed to do this to Brazilian football," Alberto said in the Manchester Evening News.

"The big teams have the money and can take our best players. It is a big problem in Brazil.

"The clubs cannot keep good young players because they can make much more money in other countries. They should change the law so, at least until the age of 20 or 21, the best players play in Brazil and get experience before moving to Europe.

"FIFA must do something."

ZOKORA FEE TOO HIGH - SEVILLA

Didier Zokora is on Sevilla's list of possible midfield reinforcements for this summer - but Tottenham's asking price is too high.

The Andalucian outfit's sporting director Monchi is credited with being the architect of the club's success in recent years and he is planning another rebuilding project this year.

According to reports, Zokora is vital to that project as the club want a new central player with pace and power and Monchi admits that he is a fan of the Ivory Coast international.

One stumbling block that is preventing Sevilla from making their interest official, though, is Tottenham's £8million asking price.

"Zokora is a great player," AS quoted Monchi as saying. "I have followed him since we first saw him and could not pay for him.

"We know that we have to be realistic in this current economic climate.

"We cannot comment on everything that is published in newspapers, but we have the profile of the midfielders that we want."

CASSANO WILL STAY WITH SAMP - GARRONE

Sampdoria are confident Antonio Cassano will remain at the club next season.

Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho is a big admirer of the former Real Madrid star and is reportedly considering Cassano as Zlatan Ibrahimovic's replacement should the Swedish striker decide to leave the Nerazzurri this summer.

However, Sampdoria president Riccardo Garrone believes that the temperamental Cassano is unlikely to be heading to the San Siro or any other destination in the transfer market.

"I think Cassano will remain in Genoa," said Garrone. "I've heard that Inter want him but in recent hours I have read that Ibrahimovic could stay at Inter.

"Antonio is a prima donna and with his character he can express his game better in a team in which he has no competition."

Cassano's agent Giuseppe Bozzo admits his client has not received any offers so far.

"As far as I am aware there are no offers," said Bozzo. "But if any offers arrive they will be evaluated."

Cassano scored 12 goals for Sampdoria in the season just ended.

FLORES SET FOR BENFICA EXIT

Quique Flores is set to stand down as Benfica coach after a disappointing season in which they could only finish third in the Portuguese first division.

Flores had a contract that ran through until the end of next season, but according to sports daily A Bola he has accepted to leave early by mutual consent.

Jorge Jesus, who took Sporting Braga to fifth place in the league and the last 16 of the UEFA Cup, is the frontrunner to replace him.

CANNAVARO - PLEASE GO ZLATAN

Fabio Cannavaro wants Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to seal a move to Spain - in order to boost Juventus' title hopes.

The Italy captain believes Ibrahimovic is a difference maker for Inter, and his rumoured move to Barcelona would seriously dent their chances of retaining their Serie A title next season.

"Without Ibrahimovic, Inter are a different story," said Cannavaro, who has returned to Juve after three seasons at Real Madrid.

"We hope they (Inter) will sell him.

"But if he leaves, I don't think he will do it for money but for other reasons.

"In any case the Nerazzurri team will still remain competitive."

Ibrahimovic, 27, proved pivotal in helping Inter claim a fourth straight Scudetto, scoring 25 goals to finish as Serie A's top scorer.

All this stuff about Alonso is getting quite annoying now. The papers just make up anything just to make a good story but Rafa has said he's staying it was in todays echo.

Laugh if Dodo flopped like Dong did.

Dodo LOL

Like the extinct bird

LUQUE IN THE DARK

Ajax striker Albert Luque is still uncertain where he will be playing next season.

Although he is under contract with the Amsterdammers, he has heard nothing from the club since returning from a loan spell at Malaga last season.

"I haven't even been called by Ajax for an appointment to talk about the future," the 31-year-old told Sportweek.

"I know absolutely nothing, not even when we start the new season.

"That is strange. Last year Marco van Basten began a new era but now everything is different again. It's all quite unstable. Ajax is a club full of surprises."

Luque has not, however, ruled out the possibility of staying at Ajax, and believes new coach Martin Jol, who replaces Van Basten, could give him an opportunity.

He said: "Now there is a new coach, there could be new chances for me. But first we'll have to talk to each other. I keep waiting for an invitation."

RIBERY UNCERTAIN OVER NEXT MOVE

Franck Ribery is unsure whether his future lies at Bayern Munich amid speculation he could join Real Madrid this summer.

New Real president Florentino Perez has made Ribery one of his priority signings for the close season, while the France winger has also been linked with several other leading European clubs including Manchester United and Chelsea.

Ribery refused to dampen the transfer talk when he appeared on French TV programme Telefoot on Sunday.

"I will see how my situation is going to develop. Honestly, I don't know - my situation isn't easy to deal with," the former Marseille winger said.

"I am under contract until 2011 with Bayern, I am fine over there. I'm not someone who likes to clash - I have spent two good years at Bayern.

"We will see how everything turns out."

Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness has sent out mixed signals by first claiming Ribery was not for sale at any price, then expressing his willingness to speak to Perez.

Today, Bayern president Franz Beckenbauer called for Ribery's future to be decided one way or another to prevent a long-running soap opera this summer.

"I can see only two solutions: Ribery extends his contract so the issue is dealt with or we release him," Beckenbauer told the Bild newspaper.

"I rate Ribery alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and (Lionel) Messi as the best footballers in the world at present," he added in the Bild newspaper.

"If he were to leave, it would be the second huge loss for the Bundesliga after Diego (who left Werder Bremen for Juventus).

"However, if Ribery wants to leave, then it will be hard for us to keep hold of him."

Nevertheless, Beckenbauer does not believe Bayern's world would fall apart without the 26-year-old.

"So many so-called irreplaceable players have gone yet football has still moved on," he said.

"Obviously it would be a shame, though, and it is hard to imagine Bayern being better without Ribery."

Real are believed to be preparing a bid which would tempt Bayern's new Dutch coach Louis van Gaal by offering his two compatriots Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder offered together with a sizeable sum for a man who, according to Hoeness, has just one of his legs valued at 50 million euros.

Alonso will be playing for Liverpool next season.

Just like Fabregas... Barca sayign every day how there was conracts in place etc... Fabregas said hes bored of all the rumours he isn't leaving Arsenal, not until he has won silverware at least.


Like Ronaldo... it was every week even daily, its looking more likely now though.

Thing is Barca and Real just get reports from anywhere.

Manager, Chairman and player can say they ent going and they will still have a rmour saying they still could.

I reckon he could still do to Chelsea.

Could go everton