Monaco striker Radamel Falcao will move to Manchester United instead of Real Madrid on a season-long loan deal. The Colombian has been a long-term target for Real, but will now play for United subject to a medical at Old Trafford. Having joined the French club for €50 million, it looked as though the only club able to buy the striker would be Real Madrid, but the option of a year-long loan deal has now come up. It is expected that the Colombian's wages and loan fee will be sky-high, but United boss Louis van Gaal wants extra firepower to correct the club's poor start to the season. Van Gaal … [Read more...]
All the goals from La Liga Matchday 2
A round-up of the weekend action as Real Madrid lost in spectacular fashion in Sociedad, and both Barca and Atletico struggled past stubborn opposition. There were also wins for Valencia, Sevilla and Getafe in the final week of La Liga before the international break. Friday 29th August Getafe 1 (Vazquez) Almeria 0 http://youtu.be/6mcOqbJISWQ?list=UUTv-XvfzLX3i4IGWAm4sbmA Valencia 3 (Alcacer, Piatti, Parejo) Malaga 0 http://youtu.be/CyG7uTqowEU?list=UUTv-XvfzLX3i4IGWAm4sbmA Saturday 30th August Athletic Bilbao 3 (Aduriz, Iturraspe, Muniain) Levante … [Read more...]
Valencia interested as Chicharito exit looms
Valencia are one of the clubs interested in Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, as the club look to offload the Mexican striker. Juventus are the other club rumoured to be in for Hernandez, with United likely to accept an offer from the highest bidder. Hernandez has wanted a move away from Old Trafford for over a season after being frustrated by the lack of playing time. This summer, he and Danny Welbeck have been linked with transfers away from United as Louis van Gaal puts his own stamp on a transforming team. United are said to have accepted bids of around £12m from both clubs for … [Read more...]
Xabi Alonso heading to Bayern
Bayern Munich are in the process of signing Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso, with the midfielder set to undergo a medical today. Alonso, who announced his retirement from the Spanish national team this week, will be allowed to leave after five seasons at the Bernabeu. The news comes just days after Manchester United completed a £59m move for Angel Di Maria, as another of Carlo Ancelotti's trusted players looks set to make way. Alonso and Di Maria were key players in Madrid's rejuvenation last season, as the club embarked on a long unbeaten run. Madrid have brought in Toni Kroos and James … [Read more...]
Ones to Watch in La Liga – Real Madrid to Villarreal
Rounding off the ones to watch are four of La Liga's biggest teams as Real Madrid look to wrangle the title back from their rivals Atletico as it could be a defining year for Gareth Bale. Real Madrid If asked to name members of the Real Madrid squad, there are few who would struggle to list the majority in Carlo Ancelotti's Galactico squad, so in terms of a surprise package, there are few candidates. Madrid's spending in recent years has been so frequent, parting with £70m or £80 million is now almost a thoughtless action. New stars Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez pack an already saturated … [Read more...]
Ones to Watch in La Liga – Getafe to Rayo Vallecano
Part III of our look ahead to the new season focuses on some goalkeepers, Colombians and loan stars from the Premier League looking to impress. Getafe Getafe struggled for goals last season as they eked out their place in La Liga for another year, but boss Cosmin Contra has again promised that the goals will return to the club. He might be right too if Alvaro Vazquez's pre-season form is anything to go by. The former Swansea loanee bagged an impressive brace in Getafe's 3-1 win over Cagliari last week and could be the talisman the club needs to ensure another season of safety. Angel Lafita, … [Read more...]
Ones to Watch in La Liga – Cordoba to Espanyol
Continuing the round-up of players to watch this season, we now feature a couple of players looking to impress whilst on loan, and three clubs having come up from the Segunda. Cordoba An astonishing piece of business was done to bring Valencia starlet Fede Cartabia to the newly promoted club during the close season. The 21-year-old Argentine was tipped to have a better season for Los Che in 2014/15 after fans expected more from the youngster in his debut campaign. However, the bewildering decision to let the youngster continue his development in a team widely tipped to struggle this season … [Read more...]
Ones to Watch in La Liga – Almeria to Celta Vigo
With the new season just days away, we have assembled a list of players who are most likely to cause an unexpected stir in La Liga this season. La Liga has been the breeding ground for the Premier League for a few seasons now, and some of these future stars could be bound for England next summer. Almeria There was no mistaking which area Almeria struggled most with last season as they survived in La Liga by a whisker, despite conceding a whopping 71 times. If anything, credit must go to the attacking department, for without their contributions, Almeria would have been sent straight back down … [Read more...]
Musacchio close to Spurs move
Tottenham are closing in on Argentine defender Mateo Musaccio after Villarreal took Victor Ruiz on loan from Valencia on Tuesday. Musacchio has been courted by Spurs for a number of weeks now, and could finally make the move with Villarreal having found a replacement. Mauricio Pochettino has been keen on 23-year-old Musacchio, who has impressed the likes of Barcelona with his strong defensive displays on Villarreal's return to La Liga last season. The player himself has also been said to be keen on the move, which explains why he was left out of the club's pre-season friendly against … [Read more...]
Liverpool get Atletico’s Manquillo on loan
Liverpool have completed a deal to sign full-back Javier Manquillo on loan for two seasons. The Spanish youth international joins from Spanish champions Atletico Madrid, and will remain at Anfield until 2016. The Reds have fought off competition from Arsenal, who were thought to be interested in Manquillo, before signing Callum Chambers from Southampton. It now means Brendan Rodgers has taken his tally of summer signings to seven, and could bring in yet more ahead of their return to the Champions League. The club has welcomed Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Emre Can, Lazar … [Read more...]