The Yellow Submarine have already signed the likes of Joseba Llorente this summer, but president Fernando Roig is apparently eager to augment his squad with a big-money, big-name player, too.
President Fernando Roig, who believes that a central, creative player is called for, is said to be willing to splash the cash, but the trademark cautious nature of Villarreal will also come to the fore.
As CEO José Manuel Llaneza put it, Villarreal have "less right to make mistakes in order to compete with the big clubs." In other words, if they make a significant signing, they have to get it right.
To this end, Porto's Argentine ace Lucho González has been alighted upon as a possible choice. Villarreal were interested in him last season but Porto were unwilling to sell; the current off-pitch crisis engulfing the blue-and-white club now, though, could see them make a deal.
This may also see Porto lower their earlier asking price of €20m - a significant factor for a Villarreal side that's never spent more than €12m on a single player.
Jose - Special One no bad thing
Boro To Sign Gera?
Paulo Assunção Leaves Porto
Friday, June 6, 2008
Who Will Win Euro 2008? La Liga Says Italy
Spanish sports daily El Mundo has today branded Italy as the favourites to win Euro 2008 in its supplementary section dedicated to the competition.
El Mundo launched a survey among the 20 coaches of La Liga. Twelve indicated Italy as the likely winner of Euro 2008, either alone or jointly with one or two other favourites.
Spain only received the second most amount of votes, followed then by France and Germany.
The favourites with most bookmakers to win Euro 2008 are Germany, while Italy’s odds have generally lengthened following the injury to inspirational captain Fabio Cannavaro, who has been ruled out of the tournament.
The Azzurri play their first match of Group C on Monday against Holland in Berne. Also playing earlier that evening are Italy’s other group opponents France and Romania.
Platini: Italy, France & Germany Favourites
“You need fire to be number 1″
The Fans Deserve It - Guti
Schneider ruled out of Euro 2008
El Mundo launched a survey among the 20 coaches of La Liga. Twelve indicated Italy as the likely winner of Euro 2008, either alone or jointly with one or two other favourites.
Spain only received the second most amount of votes, followed then by France and Germany.
The favourites with most bookmakers to win Euro 2008 are Germany, while Italy’s odds have generally lengthened following the injury to inspirational captain Fabio Cannavaro, who has been ruled out of the tournament.
The Azzurri play their first match of Group C on Monday against Holland in Berne. Also playing earlier that evening are Italy’s other group opponents France and Romania.
Platini: Italy, France & Germany Favourites
“You need fire to be number 1″
The Fans Deserve It - Guti
Schneider ruled out of Euro 2008
Agero-Stankovic Part-Exchange Mooted?
While Inter are looking at the 'untransferable' striker, Atleti apparently have their eye on the veteran Serb.
Agüero, for his part, has enjoyed perhaps his best season yet in Spain since arriving from Independiente of Argentina, and has recently penned a new deal with the rojiblancos that sees his release clause raised to a mammoth €55m.
With Inter interested, then, they may only be able to cut that fee down by including Stankovic in any potential deal.
Still, such a deal seems unlikely for all manner of reasons, not least the key ones that Atleti have repeatedly said that 'Kun' is not for sale, and the man himself has frequently stated his desire to remain in Madrid.
But that does not rule out the prospect of Stankovic going the other way. While the 29-year-old is under contract until 2010, there have been rumours that he may be moved on in summer as new boss José Mourinho re-shapes the team.
Zanetti Reveals Messi Dream
Inter deny Mourinho deal
Agüero, for his part, has enjoyed perhaps his best season yet in Spain since arriving from Independiente of Argentina, and has recently penned a new deal with the rojiblancos that sees his release clause raised to a mammoth €55m.
With Inter interested, then, they may only be able to cut that fee down by including Stankovic in any potential deal.
Still, such a deal seems unlikely for all manner of reasons, not least the key ones that Atleti have repeatedly said that 'Kun' is not for sale, and the man himself has frequently stated his desire to remain in Madrid.
But that does not rule out the prospect of Stankovic going the other way. While the 29-year-old is under contract until 2010, there have been rumours that he may be moved on in summer as new boss José Mourinho re-shapes the team.
Zanetti Reveals Messi Dream
Inter deny Mourinho deal
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Hleb's Agents Meet With Barcelona
Hleb has long since been rumoured to leave the club he joined back in 2005 for £11.2m, and Barcelona are one of the clubs most interested in him.
Indeed, it seems that Barça are now heading the queue for the Belarussian in light of the fact that Inter have pulled out of the race.
Ferber said, "We have had talks with Barcelona but nothing has been signed.
"I'm sorry that we won't be able to take him to Italy, he liked Inter a lot but obviously Mourinho has made some different choices and has gone for some other names."
The ex-Stuttgart man, who has one year left on his contract, is also wanted by Real Madrid.
Real to enter Hleb hunt
Hleb Heading For Barcelona - Agent
Hleb’s Agents Meet With Barcelona
Indeed, it seems that Barça are now heading the queue for the Belarussian in light of the fact that Inter have pulled out of the race.
Ferber said, "We have had talks with Barcelona but nothing has been signed.
"I'm sorry that we won't be able to take him to Italy, he liked Inter a lot but obviously Mourinho has made some different choices and has gone for some other names."
The ex-Stuttgart man, who has one year left on his contract, is also wanted by Real Madrid.
Real to enter Hleb hunt
Hleb Heading For Barcelona - Agent
Hleb’s Agents Meet With Barcelona
Eto'o Apologises For Head-Butt
Phillipe Boney and several other journalists had opted to boycott a press conference held by the Indomitable Lions in protest at the restricted access they had to the team, a decision that enraged the Barcelona forward.
In the ensuing scuffle, Eto’o reportedly head butted the journalist who suffered fractures and severe bruising as a result of the encounter.
The 27-year old has, however, offered an apology to his teammates having already met with Boney to make amends for his behaviour.
"In the name of all my team-mates I want to apologise," he said on a Cameroon television broadcast.
The journalist himself has confirmed that Eto’o did indeed meet with him after the clash, adding: "Yes, we met up and he has asked my forgiveness.
"He promised me a few things, let's see if he sticks to his promise."
The striker is reportedly set for a move away from the Nou Camp, with AC Milan and Chelsea registering an interest should Barcelona decide to sell.
Real to enter Hleb hunt
Hleb’s Agents Meet With Barcelona
Hleb’s Agents Meet With Barcelona
In the ensuing scuffle, Eto’o reportedly head butted the journalist who suffered fractures and severe bruising as a result of the encounter.
The 27-year old has, however, offered an apology to his teammates having already met with Boney to make amends for his behaviour.
"In the name of all my team-mates I want to apologise," he said on a Cameroon television broadcast.
The journalist himself has confirmed that Eto’o did indeed meet with him after the clash, adding: "Yes, we met up and he has asked my forgiveness.
"He promised me a few things, let's see if he sticks to his promise."
The striker is reportedly set for a move away from the Nou Camp, with AC Milan and Chelsea registering an interest should Barcelona decide to sell.
Real to enter Hleb hunt
Hleb’s Agents Meet With Barcelona
Hleb’s Agents Meet With Barcelona
Morera Talks Transfers
Media speculation in recent weeks has suggested that Valencia may be forced to sell a number of their star players in order to ease their financial difficulties, but Morera indicated that he would not discuss such claims as it may effect the market value of their players.
"Valencia are only going to notify the press when contracts are signed," he told reporters in attendance.
"If we take any other line then it will just increase of lower the market value of the players as it did when you journalists were saying that all of our players were for sale."
Villa And Silva
David Villa and David Silva are two of the most high-profile names that have been linked with a move away from Mestalla, but Morera is content to leave any decision as to their futures to sporting director Juan Sanchez and his cohorts.
"Our technical body are the ones who will make the decision and will then notify me of their choice so I can sign it off," he explained.
"For me they are fundamental players, but I am not the one to say who should play. If important offers arrive then [the technical body] will study them and decide whether to sale or not... I will accept whatever decision is best for the club."
Transfers In
Recent reports have linked Valencia with a move for Zaragoza striker Diego Milito, but Morera again indicated that he would have no control about whether or not Milito comes to the club.
"I like a lot of players, but it is the technical body that make those decisions. I will support them to get the players they require," he affirmed.
One player who Morera is hopeful of seeing at the Mestalla next season is Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop, with the president describing the potential transfer as "a perfect move assuming all parties are in agreement."
Sevilla And Valencia Track Jonás
No Schwarzer talks for Boro
Valencia Track Zapater And García
"Valencia are only going to notify the press when contracts are signed," he told reporters in attendance.
"If we take any other line then it will just increase of lower the market value of the players as it did when you journalists were saying that all of our players were for sale."
Villa And Silva
David Villa and David Silva are two of the most high-profile names that have been linked with a move away from Mestalla, but Morera is content to leave any decision as to their futures to sporting director Juan Sanchez and his cohorts.
"Our technical body are the ones who will make the decision and will then notify me of their choice so I can sign it off," he explained.
"For me they are fundamental players, but I am not the one to say who should play. If important offers arrive then [the technical body] will study them and decide whether to sale or not... I will accept whatever decision is best for the club."
Transfers In
Recent reports have linked Valencia with a move for Zaragoza striker Diego Milito, but Morera again indicated that he would have no control about whether or not Milito comes to the club.
"I like a lot of players, but it is the technical body that make those decisions. I will support them to get the players they require," he affirmed.
One player who Morera is hopeful of seeing at the Mestalla next season is Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop, with the president describing the potential transfer as "a perfect move assuming all parties are in agreement."
Sevilla And Valencia Track Jonás
No Schwarzer talks for Boro
Valencia Track Zapater And García
Petit: Ronaldo's Focused On Euro 2008
The football world is ablaze of talk regarding whether or not Ronaldo will leave Manchester United in summer in favour of a move to Real Madrid - or even Barcelona.
So relentless has the speculation become that Portugal's impending Euro 2008 campaign is turning into something of a sideshow, with reporters constantly asking about the young winger's decision.
Armando Petit told the Associated Press, "Ronaldo is 100 percent focused on performing well in the Euro."
Stopper Paulo Ferreira added, "Now he is here with us. He has people working on the other things for him. All he wants is make a good competition. He is a winner and wants to do well."
Pepe, a 'potential' teammate of Ronaldo's, slammed down all talk of Real Madrid speculation.
"We are here to defend a country," he snarled. "Cristiano knows this and he doesn't want the (speculation) to influence him."
Scolari Denies Man City Appointment
Ronaldo’s Godfather: He’s Choosing Madrid
Schneider ruled out of Euro 2008
So relentless has the speculation become that Portugal's impending Euro 2008 campaign is turning into something of a sideshow, with reporters constantly asking about the young winger's decision.
Armando Petit told the Associated Press, "Ronaldo is 100 percent focused on performing well in the Euro."
Stopper Paulo Ferreira added, "Now he is here with us. He has people working on the other things for him. All he wants is make a good competition. He is a winner and wants to do well."
Pepe, a 'potential' teammate of Ronaldo's, slammed down all talk of Real Madrid speculation.
"We are here to defend a country," he snarled. "Cristiano knows this and he doesn't want the (speculation) to influence him."
Scolari Denies Man City Appointment
Ronaldo’s Godfather: He’s Choosing Madrid
Schneider ruled out of Euro 2008
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