The European soccer leagues are still a few months from the start of the 2009/10 season but the transfer market continues to be busy with rumors of players for sale. Here’s the latest news on some of the biggest starts including Samuel Eto’o and Frank Ribery.
The Latest on Xabi Alonso – Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso insists he would have ‘no regrets’ about staying at Anfield, but has refused to rule out a big-money move to Real Madrid.
The Spain international, who scored the winning goal for his country in Sunday’s Confederations Cup third-placed play-off win over hosts South Africa, has been strongly linked with a £25million switch to the Bernabeu over the past 12 months.
Alonso looked set to be sold last summer in order to make room for Gareth Barry, then of Aston Villa, before the deal collapsed and the 27-year-old is understood to have been offended by manager Rafa Benitez’s apparent desire to cash in.
Benitez maintains that he does not want to part company with the influential former Real Sociedad player, but Real are understood to remain keen to team Alonso with the likes of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo as they form a new era of ‘galacticos’.
And Alonso is refusing to dismiss any outcome on his future, telling Don Balon: “In respect to all this I have not closed any door and we will just have to wait and see what happens.
Positive
“It is always positive when various teams are said to want you because that is better than nobody being interested, but I cannot say much more.
“I know that I have to keep playing well and will be able to decide what happens next whenever it arises.
“I do not think a move to Real Madrid is impossible, but I would also have no regrets at all staying at Liverpool.”
Reports on Merseyside claim that Benitez is to hold clear-the-air talks with Alonso this week as the pair attempt to settle their rumoured bust-up.
No problem
The 61-time Spain cap insists he has no problem working with his current boss, who brought him to England in 2004, but has not expanded upon their association.
“My relationship with Benitez is professional, just like he has with any other player. I believe that is how things will stay too,” Alonso continued.
“I am happy in England and have adapted, but I do miss certain things from Spain. I cannot rule out a move or even staying in the Premier League.
“I am happy there (England) and although I was a bit home sick at the start, I am still there.
“This situation is normal for me because I know what is actually happening, away from what is being reported. For that reason I am perfectly calm.” – SkySports. - http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5406126,00.html
Eto’o likely to stay with Barcelona - Samuel Eto’o
is leaning towards rejecting an offer from Manchester City and staying with Barcelona, according to the striker’s agent.
Sky Sources understand Premier League club City have lodged a £25million bid for the Cameroon international.
However, Eto’o's agent, Josep Maria Mesalles, claims the attacker is more inclined to remain at Camp Nou for the remainder of his contract, which expires in 2010.
“If there is not a 180-degree turnaround then he will stay with Barcelona,” Eto’o's representative told ONA FM.
According to Spanish reports, Eto’o is unhappy with the way that he is seemingly being forced out by Barca and he could decide to stay in a bid to upset the club’s plans.
This scenario would then allow him to leave the Spanish giants on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling next summer. – SkySports.com http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5405942,00.html
Pato not for sale to Chelsea – AC Milan have reiterated they have no intention of selling Brazil striker Alexandre Pato to Chelsea.
Reports in England claim the Blues are preparing a bid of 60million euros to lure Pato to Stamford Bridge.
However, AC Milan club administrator Adriano Galliani believes Chelsea would be wasting their time as they recently turned down a “monster” offer made by an English club for Pato.
Galliani said: “We previously received a superior offer to this one (60million euros) and we already said no to that, so the answer would be no.”
Milan are keen to keep Pato at the San Siro having sold Kaka to Real Madrid this month.
Pato finished as Milan’s second stop scorer behind his compatriot in Serie A, with 15 goals in 36 league appearances last season.
He is under contract with the Rossoneri outfit until June 2012. – SkySports.com - http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=657976&sec=transfers&cc=5901
Ribery not for sale – Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness is insistent the club will not budge on their refusal to sell Franck Ribery.
France playmaker Ribery is a target for Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea and Barcelona but Hoeness is determined to keep the former Marseille man in Bavaria.
“Did you ever think that we would give in?” he asked. “Have we ever shown signs of weakening?
“Frank will be on our training field on July 1.”
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