Football Rumours

With Real Madrid setting the benchmark for big money transfer deals this summer, quite a few deals with “obscene money” involved are expected to go through in the coming weeks. Real Madrid themselves have stepped up the pursuit for Frank Ribery. Zinedine Zidane, who is an adviser to Madrid commented – “I am for Ribery coming to Madrid and I will do everything to make that happen”. Inter Milan have thundered that they will sell their star striker Ibrahimovic only for 80 million pounds, as they believe that his value is no less than Ronaldo or Kaka. Samuel Eto’o will bag a huge paycheck if he transfers to Eastlands, with figures of 192,000 pound weekly salary after tax being reported in the media. Javier Mascherano could still make a move to the Catalan giants but Liverpool are holding out for 45 million pounds, which would be the highest fee paid ever for a defensive midfielder. Also, rumours about Robinho going on loan to Barcelona have been squashed by City executive Gary Cook – “The story is completely without foundation.”

Coming back to some not so larger than life transfers. Aston Villa look to Tom Huddlestone as Gareth Barry’s replacement. Nigel Reo-Coker will be offered to Tottenham as part of an exchange deal. Andrea Pirlo has welcomed a move to Chelsea. He was quoted as saying – “Perhaps it’s possible that I could join (Blues boss Carlo) Ancelotti. Maybe it’s time for a new chapter in my career.” Bayern Munich seem to have won their battle to sign Jose Bosingwa from English Cup champions Chelsea. Thomas Vermaelen is set to seal a 10 million pound switch to Arsenal. And finally in a deal that would get tongues wagging, Manchester United are poised to make an approach for Arsenal forward Robin van Persie. van Persie has been frustrated with the lack of trophies at Arsenal and fancies United as a good career move.