Atletico grab Godin

Atletico Madrid have sealed the signing of Uruguay defender Diego Godin from Villarreal.

Godin, who helped his country finish fourth at this summer's World Cup, has been with Villarreal for the past three years.

But Villarreal brought in Carlos Marchena from Valencia earlier this week, paving the way for Godin's departure.

He has now joined Atletico on a five-year contract after the clubs agreed an initial fee believed to be worth around 8million euros (Ј6.6m).

Godin, 24, is the latest defensive recruit to join Atletico after Brazilian full-back Filipe tied up a move from Deportivo La Coruna last week.

He remains thankful to Villarreal for the role they played in aiding his development.

"It is time to jump to a team with more aspirations," Godin had told Uruguayan newspaper Ovacion while on his break after the World Cup.

"I always like to grow and I recognise that the Yellow Submarines have helped me. I came to a club which allowed me to adapt to European football."

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Wenger wanted Barca - Gaspart

Former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart claims Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and England boss Fabio Capello were forced to turn down the chance to coach the Spanish giants.

Barca have been frustrated this summer by the desire of Wenger and Arsenal to hold on to their want-away captain Cesc Fabregas.

And Gaspart insists it was much the same back in 2001, when he tried to lure Wenger and Capello to Camp Nou following the dismissal of Llorenc Serra Ferrer and prior to the permanent appointment of interim coach Carles Rexach.

The ex-Barca chief claims both Wenger and Capello wanted to take over but were prevented from doing so by their clubs, with Wenger going on to lead the Gunners to the double in 2001/02.

Paris meeting

"When I was president, in agreement with Rexach, when Serra Ferrer left we negotiated with Arsene Wenger and Fabio Capello to coach Barca," Gaspart told Com Radio .

"I met Wenger in Paris. He wanted to come to Barca but Arsenal didn't let him. The Arsenal chairman ordered him to fulfil his contract.

"Capello also wanted to come, but they (Roma) didn't let him either."

Fabregas spent six years in Barca's youth team before joining Arsenal in 2003 and although the 23-year-old has expressed his desire to rejoin the Catalan outfit, he has five years remaining on his contract with the Gunners.

The English club have already turned down a Ј30million bid for the Spain midfielder, with the transfer saga having run all summer.

Rosell fear

Departed president Joan Laporta has left Sandro Rosell to continue Barca's bid to sign Fabregas.

And Gaspart believes the new chief has nothing to fear, saying an agreement can be struck with Wenger if Rosell travels to meet him.

"My advice, and that's what I've told him, is that this will end by catching the plane to London and sitting down face to face with Wenger," he added.

"Not by telephone, not with intermediaries - this has to be resolved with a meeting in person.

"Rosell must not be scared. If he fails, the whole world will understand, but no-one will be able to say that he didn't try until the end. This fear that he is going to fail - he shouldn't have it.

"It's very difficult for Arsenal to want to keep a player who doesn't want to stay.

"The English are very English, very hard at the time of negotiating. Moreover, Mr Wenger, as a good Frenchman, knows how to play his cards.

"I have seen him in negotiations and he has ended up selling. You have to meet him face to face to know if he is bluffing."

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Ibra warning for Mourinho

Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes his former coach Jose Mourinho will find it tough at Real Madrid this season.

Ibrahimovic, who joined Barca last summer, spent a year under Mourinho at Inter Milan before making the switch to Camp Nou.

Portuguese boss Mourinho, who won the treble of Serie A, Coppa Italia and UEFA Champions League titles at Giuseppe Meazza last term, also made the move to Spain when he joined Barca's fierce rivals Real in May.

And Ibrahimovic feels he will face a difficult task on his debut season with the La Liga club, who finished second in the standings behind Barca last term.

Challenge

"It's a big challenge for Mourinho," said Ibrahimovic.

"He is the best or one of the best coaches in the world. I don't believe in Madrid, but I believe in Mourinho."

Ibrahimovic himself has reportedly attracted Real's interest this summer, but the striker is adamant he is happy at Barca.

"I'm at the best club in the world," he said.

"Last year in Italy I had won just about everything. I needed big challenges and that's why I took the step (to join Barcelona)."

Ibrahimovic won the Primera Division title on his first season with the Catalan giants, but faces a fight for a spot in the first team this term following the signing of Spain striker David Villa.

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We all want Cesc - Iniesta

Barcelona star Andres Iniesta insists everyone at the Catalan giants wants Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas to come back to the club.

Fabregas quit Barca as a teenager for the North Londoners and has gone from strength to strength under Arsene Wenger's stewardship.

The 22-year-old is now one of the world's best young midfielders and played his part in Spain's World Cup triumph over the summer.

Iniesta insists Fabregas can take the Spanish champions to yet another level as he is the complete player.

However, Barca still have to reach an agreement with Arsenal, something that seems unlikely given the Gunners' hard-nosed stance on retaining the star.

"We all want him to come because he will help us to go up a level - he's very complete," Fabregas told Barca TV .

"However, he belongs to Arsenal and the two clubs must understand each other (in order for a deal to be done)."

Barca have already added to their squad in the shape of David Villa and Iniesta believes their free-flowing approach will suit his game.

"He will be very happy here - Barcelona's style of play is very well suited to him," he continued.

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Almeida aware of rumours

Hugo Almeida is delighted to hear that Lazio and Real Madrid are monitoring his situation at Werder Bremen.

The Portugal international has spent the last three years in Germany, establishing a reputation as a regular source of goals during that time.

Powerfully built and good in the air, the 26-year-old is also regarded as one of Europe's top target men, marking him out as a useful addition to any side.

Reports continue to suggest that interest in his services is growing by the day, with clubs across the continent keen to bring him on board before the window slams shut.

Serie A outfit Lazio and Primera Liga giants Real are believed to be leading the race for his signature and Almeida admits it is difficult not to pay attention to such reports.

"I know there is interest in me from Lazio," he told Corriere dello Sport .

"They are a great club and would be fantastic for me.

Pride

"It is a team made up of very important players and I would love to play in Italy, especially in Rome.

"I will talk with my agent but until then I cannot say any more.

"Real Madrid? They are a club that anyone would love to play for.

"There have been rumours in the papers and I am proud about that.

"(Jose) Mourinho was one of the most important coaches in my career, as when I was 17 he took me out of the youth team and put me in the Porto first team.

"He's a great coach and I have a lot to thank him for. He allowed me to make a leap forward. The success he has achieved speaks for itself, he is a born winner."

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Villarreal swoop for Marchena

Villarreal have completed the signing of Valencia defender Carlos Marchena on a three-year deal.

The 31-year-old Spain World Cup winner passed a medical on Sunday and will be presented at El Madrigal on Monday.

Marchena will link up with his new squad on Tuesday and join Spain team-mate Joan Capdevila in the Yellow Submarine's defence.

Marchena has been at Valencia for 10 years and during his time at the Mestalla won two La Liga titles, a Uefa Cup, a Copa del Rey and a Super Cup.

The centre-half, who can also play in defensive midfield, has a European Championship title to his name and brings a wealth of experience to his new club.

Formerly of Sevilla and Benfica, Marchena has earned more than 60 caps for Spain and will hope to help improve Villarreal's seventh-place finish last season.

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Spartak pounce for Pareja

Russian giants Spartak Moscow have completed a swoop for Espanyol centre-half Nicolas Pareja, who joins for an undisclosed fee.

The 26-year-old Argentine has spent the last two years in Spain, having moved to Catalunya shortly after helping his country to a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.

He went on make 58 appearances for Espanyol, scoring three goals and has also turned out for Argentinos Juniors and Anderlecht, where he won the league title, Belgian Cup and Belgian Supercup.

Challenge

He admits it was a tough choice to leave Espanyol, after thoroughly enjoying his time with the club, but feels the opportunity to join Spartak was too good to turn down.

Pareja said: "It is a step forward in my career, because I am going to a league that is growing and to a top club playing in the Champions League next season. It is a challenge.

"I feel great sadness for all that I leave here: family, friends and a team that I doubt is like any other.

"All employees of the club have treated me wonderfully. I spent two incredible years here."

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