Galician side CD Lugo, currently in the Segunda Division B (Spain's 3rd tier), have unveiled their wacky away kit which might not be fit for those under 18. Their away kit for the 14/15 season is of a pint glass, a heavy reference to their sponsorship association with the brewing company Estrella Galicia. Have a look at this strip! The side finished 11th last season, and are hoping their glass is half-full this year if they are able to mount a promotion bid. If you think that is mad however, have a look at their third choice strip, surely intended to gain some viral publicity as an octopus … [Read more...]
World Cup star James is Madrid bound
Colombia and Monaco's young sensation James Rodriguez is reported to be arriving in Madrid imminently to sign for Los Blancos in a transfer that could become a world record fee. However the deal could hinge on the sale of one of Real's midfielders, with either Isco or Angel Di Maria being tipped as the ones to depart. According to reports in Spain and France, James' arrival looks to be a certainty, with all but the transfer fee to be decided, estimated to be around £80m. The youngster, 23, was asked whether he preferred Real Madrid or Barcelona following one of Colombia's matches at the World … [Read more...]
Kroos makes Real Madrid switch
Real Madrid have completed the signing of German international Toni Kroos from Bayern Munich today for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around €30m. Kroos joins the club on a deal that will make him a Madridista until 2020. The 24-year-old, who played every minute of Germany's triumphant World Cup campaign in Brazil last month, will wear the number 8 shirt after joining the European Champions. Rumours had been flying around concerning Kroos' future at Bayern Munich, with Manchester United also interested in the midfielder. Instead Kroos preferred to make the move to Spain and join Madrid … [Read more...]
Arsenal target Atletico’s Manquillo on loan
Arsenal have interrupted Marseille's attempts to sign Atletico Madrid defender Manquillo in a bid to bring the Spaniard to London instead. It is thought that Arsene Wenger wants Manquillo to provide competition to incoming signing Mathieu Debuchy. Manquillo, 20, was due to sign with Marcelo Bielsa's Marseille but for Arsenal's interventions. The move has now been paused as news of Arsenal's interest filters through to Manquillo's representatives. Arsenal want the youngster on a season-long-loan deal to provide Debuchy with competition upon his arrival at the Emirates Stadium. A deal for the … [Read more...]
Dos Santos brothers to reunite at Villarreal
Jonathan dos Santos will link up with his brother Giovanni once again after he completed a €2m move to Villarreal from Barcelona. The Mexican pair came up through the Barca academy but will now represent the Yellow Submarines in La Liga next season. JDS has agreed a five-year-deal with Villarreal, ending 12 years at Barcelona where he found first-team football tough to come by. He made just 28 appearances for Barcelona in a period of his career blighted by serious injury. A cruciate knee injury in October last year left the 24-year-old on the sidelines for many months during the previous … [Read more...]
Napoli in for Swansea’s Michu
Rafael Benitez could be about to lure Swansea City striker Michu away from South Wales to Napoli on a season-long loan deal. The striker suffered an ankle injury which disrupted much of last season, and has not travelled with the squad for their pre-season tour of the United States. Swansea were reliant on goals from Ivorian striker Wilfried Bony in Michu's absence, and have since further strengthened their attacking line-up by bringing in Marvin Emnes and Bafetimbi Gomis. It now appears as though former Liverpool manager Benitez will offer Michu an escape by bringing him to Italy for a … [Read more...]
Atletico to replace Diego Costa with Mario Mandzukic
Bayern Munich Sporting Director Matthias Sammer has revealed that there is a 'verbal agreement' between the club and Atletico Madrid over the sale of striker Mario Mandzukic. The Croatian forward will cost around £18.5m and replace the void left by outgoing strikers Diego Costa and David Villa. Mandzukic, 28, made his desire to leave Bayern public earlier in the summer after the club announced they had signed Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski. Atleti have fought off competition from various teams, including reported interest from Manchester United and Arsenal, for the striker. He … [Read more...]
Atletico move for Benfica’s Oblak
Atletico Madrid have spent big to bring in a replacement for Thibaut Courtois by paying Benfica around €20m for goalkeeper Jan Oblak. The Slovenian international had an incredible season with the Eagles last year and will replace the void left by the now departed Courtois. Having already brought in Miguel Angel Moya from Getafe, Diego Simeone has been able to spend a large proportion of Diego Costa's transfer fee to bring in Oblak. According to local sources, Oblak was in Madrid on Monday completing a medical ahead of the imminent transfer. It is expected that an official announcement will … [Read more...]
Bernat makes move from Valencia to Bayern
Bayern Munich have completed the signing of highly-rated Valencia full-back Juan Bernat on a five-year deal. Bernat, 21, joins Pep Guardiola's side for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around €10m, after an impressive season with Los Che in 2013/14. The Spanish Under 21 starlet made 49 appearances for Valencia last season having come up through their academy system, as they made it to the semi-finals of the Europa League. He now joins compatriots Thiago Alcantara and Javi Martinez in Bayern's multi-talented and multi-cultural squad. Bernat only switched to full-back in 2013 but has since … [Read more...]
Valdes a target for United and Arsenal
Victor Valdes could be heading to the Premier League after failing a medical with Monaco this week. Both Manchester United and Arsenal are keen on the Spanish goalkeeper, who left Barcelona this summer after spending almost 20 years with the club. Valdes was due to move to the principality after announcing he would not be renewing his contract with Barca, but a knee ligament injury made matters difficult. He failed the medical this week and now could be the subject of a head-to-head battle between two English giants. New United boss Louis van Gaal would apparently be keen on Valdes, having … [Read more...]