BBCSports:


Blackburn eye Van Nistelrooy move
Van Nistelrooy scored 95 league goals in five seasons at Old Trafford
Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce wants to bring Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy back to the Premier League.
Allardyce is looking for a new forward after the departures of Matt Derbyshire and Roque Santa Cruz this month.
And, after persuading Nicolas Anelka to join him at Bolton in 2006, Allardyce believes the former Manchester United forward, 33, can be tempted by Rovers.
"Who'd have thought Bolton would get Anelka? Nobody," he said. "It would be a major coup if I could pull it off."
Van Nistelrooy spent five seasons at Old Trafford, scoring 150 goals in fewer than 200 games over five seasons.
The Dutch striker moved to Real in the summer of 2006, but he has fallen down the pecking order at the Bernabeu following the Spanish side's signings of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo in recent weeks.
And Allardyce has money to spend after selling Santa Cruz to Manchester City for £17m and Derbyshire to Greek side Olympiacos for £3m.
Van Nistelrooy, who is also thought to be a target of Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, is rumoured to be available for £1.5m.
However, Allardyce conceded that the his wages could prove a stumbling block.
"The sort of salary he would be on at Real Madrid may be beyond us," Allardyce said.
"But maybe he wants to come and play in England again and take less of a salary - then we'd be interested."
Meanwhile, Allardyce has ruled out a move for Michael Owen, who he managed at Newcastle during the early part of the 2007-08 season.
The England striker's contract expires at the end of June and the 29-year-old, who is available on a free transfer, has made it clear he wants to leave the Magpies for a Premier League club.
However, Allardyce said: "I just question the injury scenario.
"I need a striker that's going to be available for 30 games next season. That's not happened for Michael over the last four years."

Will the horse face dutch poacher be tempted back to the North West of England?

Jameslegend:

Guy, do Futo do negative marking?

Did somebody screw you sideways or is just acute glaucoma that is worrying you?

aieromon:

How come nobody is bidding for Huntellar?

Rummenigge seeks level playing field


The objective of the concept is to maintain competitive structures over the long term and limit financial excesses, especially levels of debt.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, chairman of the ECA, the UEFA committee for club competitions and of FC Bayern Munich AG, declared himself very satisfied with the Nyon talks:

“I would explicitly like to thank UEFA President Michael Platini for this highly positive and constructive meeting. I believe, for the good of football and with specific reference to European competition, we need to return to greater equality of opportunity. Furthermore, UEFA has informed us that at the present time, the German Bundesliga is one of very few European leagues in which almost all the clubs are profitably and sensibly managed.”

dayokanu:

http://www.fcbayern.t-home.de/en/news/news/2009/19860.php?fcb_sid=3639f668ab5ff7142009eeb4c1e90097

dayokanu:

With all Bayerns Spending we did not borrow a single penny from anybody and we dont have a rich sugar daddy.

Thats what Platini is preaching spend within your means

biina:

Eto shouldnt sign a new contract. He should simply see out the last year and leave on a bosman. Barca have been very ungrateful trying to sell him off to buy villa.
Several clubs would be happy to sign him.

biina:

Eto shouldnt sign a new contract. He should simply see out the last year and leave on a bosman. Barca have been very ungrateful trying to sell him off to buy villa.
Several clubs would be happy to sign him.

MrCrackles:

I actually think Barca are trying to cash in on him
I dont see them keeping him on till after his contract expires. . . . .
If he doesnt go to City, he will be touted to other top flight clubs. . . . .

[b]Manchester United have today made their first major capture of this summer's transfer window, and signed Ecuador international Antonio Valencia from Wigan Athletic.

The 23-year-old joins for an undisclosed fee, and has signed a four-year contract at Old Trafford.

United manager Alex Ferguson was delighted to have secured the player's signature, telling the club's official website, "Antonio is a player we have admired for some time now, having spent the last two years in the Premier League with Wigan.

"I am sure his pace and ability will make a significant contribution to the team."

The player himself echoed that delight, claiming that the prospect of plying his trade in front of United's massive crowds was a decisive factor in persuading him to move from the DW Stadium, as well as playing alongside some of the biggest names in world football.

"Joining Manchester United is a dream come true for me. I have enjoyed my time at Wigan, but I am thrilled to have the chance to challenge for the biggest honours in club football here," he said.

"Playing in front of 76,000 fans alongside players like Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs will be an amazing experience. I can’t wait to get started."[/b]

Ibime: Not necessarily. . . . payments for Ronaldo are staggered over 5 years. . . meaning that in monetary terms, Perez has only paid for one galactico this year (Kaka). . . . which is his business model. . .

FBS:

@Ibime[b], looks like your theory is rubbish. [/b]
Manchester United have completed the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Spanish giants Real Madrid for a world record transfer fee of £80m.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Already a hit in Spain
A statement from United confirmed the Premier League club have received the phenomenal one-off fee from the Primera Liga club and the deal is now official.

I was thinking the payments will be made instalmentally too. . . . . . .
There is something dodgy here jare. . . . .What if United is not telling the truth about the payment details?
What if there was agreement in place to shush on the payment terms agreed?

crazylegs:

Madrid is looking fearsome. Ronaldo, Kaka and now Benzema. All paid in hard cash. Pigs

Etoo should go to Man City. After the whole wahala he can't stay in Barca now. He should follow the money jo. He has three la ligas and two champions league titles. He's not getting younger. Barca could also do with the cash.

Just hours after denying that a deal had been agreed with Real Madrid for Karim Benzema, Olympique Lyon have confirmed that a deal has in fact been done.

A statement on the offiical Lyon website announces that the striker will cost Madrid €35 million initially and that with performance related bonuses the deal could rise to €41 million.

The message also explains the situation with Benzema and that he asked the president if he could move to Madrid sooner than expected.

"Some days ago, Karim Benzema informed president Jean Michel Aulas of his wish to join Real Madrid, always his preferred club after OL, sooner than he expected," read the statement.

"The player wished to seize the chance that Real Madrid offered to be one of the major elements in a team that has world-wide players.

"Olympique Lyon accepted the decision of Karim Benzema and negotiated the conditions for a transfer that satisfied both parties."

MrCrackles:


I was thinking the payments will be made instalmentally too. . . . . . .
There is something dodgy here jare. . . . .What if United is not telling the truth about the payment details?
What if there was agreement in place to shush on the payment terms agreed?

FBS:

What if indeed its a one-off payment?

What if they got him on the free

MrCrackles:

What if they got him on the free

FBS:

.
What if CR7 had to pay to go to Real?  

Benzema. . . . . . me thinks thats a pretty over-rated buy - good player no doubts, but d price is just too much; kinda glad he didn't end up @ OT on that price tag.

Eto'o 's a wily character and got pretty good head on his shoulders, am sure he'll know how to manipulate his way and give Barca a good dose of what they deserve for treating him so.

Like to see him in UTD's colors though

tkb417:


Eto'o in our colors
so he can slap Ferguson one day shey?