Real Madrid fullback set for Chelsea?

Chelsea Football Club are believed to be interested in Cicinho.

Manager Jose Mourinho is keen to solve his long-standing right fullback problem, with the Portuguese coach remaining unconvinced by compatriot Paulo Ferreira.

Glen Johnson has returned to the Stamford Bridge squad this season following a lengthy loan spell at Portsmouth, and although the Blues will give him a chance, Cicinho has emerged as a genuine target.

The Brazilian international has endured an injury-ridden time at the Bernabeu since his move from Sao Paulo in 2005, and may relish the chance to prove himself in The Premiership.

From Spain, Cassano-Solari swap?

Spanish newspaper Marca writes Inter and Real Madrid are discussing the possibility of a swap deal between Inter midfielder Santiago Solari and Real’s Antonio Cassano. In Solari’s case it would be a comeback to his former club, whereas Cassano, at odds with the merengues, would be more than happy to return to Serie A and work with a manager who has always been a fan of his.

Transfer Rumors related to the Big Clubs of Spain.

Player/Country	Current club	New club	Rating	Position/Comments	Pointer
Pepe (BZL / POR)	Porto (POR)	Real Madrid	5	DF Also got fed up waiting for Chivu and went for younger alternative. Fee €30 Mio?	new

Boulahrouz (HOL)

Chelsea (ENG)

Sevilla

5

DF Versatile defender joins on loan with €8 Mio buy out clause at end.

new

Helguera / Salgado

Real Madrid

Manchester City (ENG)

3

DF Surplus to requirements at Bernabeu and could join Sven. Valencia also keen on Helguera.

new

Eto'o (CAM)

Barcelona

Arsenal (ENG)

1

FW Have to give this a "1" right now, but story could develop?

new

Keita (MAL / FRA)

Lens (FRA)

Sevilla

5

MF Leaves French club to sign 4 year contract at Sevilla.

new

Pedro Léon

Murcia

Real Madrid

3

MF Have offered €1 Mio for youth international, although gcould go on loan if he signs.

new

Javi García

Real Madrid Castilla

Deportivo La Coruña

3

MF U20 World Cup star could go out on loan if Schuster has no place for him.

new

Lafita

Zaragoza

Deportivo

4

FW Young forward will have to go out on loan this season. Terms already agreed.

new

Luis Fabiano (BZL)

Sevilla

Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)

3

FW Have received formal offer of €11 Mio from Ukrainian club.

new

Belletti (BZL)

Barcelona

Roma (ITA)

3

DF Wouldn't object to him moving on, although Roma only want him on free transfer.

new

Aitor Ocio	Sevilla	Athletic Bilbao	5	DF Agreed 3 year deal with new president, so will return to old club in next few days.	+
Alves (BZL)	Sevilla	Chelsea	3	DF Bid €20 Mio and have issued ultimatum. Sevilla want €30 Mio though.	+

Baptista (BZL)

R Madrid / Arsenal

Galatasaray (TKY)

3

FW Returning after swap deal with Reyes, but may have to move on.

+

Cassano (ITA)

Real Madrid

Inter Milan (ITA)

3

FW Both Milan's have asked about him, but only want him on free transfer.

+

Cesc	Arsenal (ENG)	Real Madrid	0	MF Has told Madrid he wants to stay at Arsenal for another year at least.	-
Chivu (ROM)	Roma (ITA)	Real Madrid	0	DF All deals fell through after player and agent priced themselves out of market.	-

Del Horno

Valencia

Athletic Bilbao

3

DF Quique says he has no place for him, so may have to move on. Could go back to Athletic?

Deco (POR)	Barcelona	Newcastle (ENG)	2	MF No more talk about Lampard swap, but Big Sam may be making a move?	+
Diego Tristán	Mallorca	Xerez	3	FW Is prepared to play for local club to relaunch career if no better offers received.	+

Drenthe (HOL)	Feyenoord (HOL)	Real Madrid	4	MF Close to agreeing terms, but could be loaned back to Feyenoord for one season?	+
Dudek (POL)	Liverpool	Real Madrid	5	GK Was close to joining Recre, but Madrid made better offer after Toldo deal fell through.	+

Ezquerro

Barcelona

Athletic Bilbao

4

FW Will be moving on, and could return to old club now that elections over.

+

Gaby Milito (ARG)

Zaragoza

Barcelona

5

DF Got ahead of Madrid and Juve to sign him on 4 yr deal. Fee agreed around €18 Mio.

+

Giuly (FRA)

Barcelona

Mónaco (FRA)

4

MF Not expected to play much and wants to return to old club. Man City asking too.

+

Gudjohnsen (ICE)

Barcelona

Man Utd / Newcastle

2

FW Not sure if he will stay after mediocre season. Has offers from England.

Hugo Viana (POR)	Valencia	Osasuna	5	MF Got ahead of Murcia to sign him on loan, with €4 Mio buy out clause.	+
Huntelaar (HOL)	Ajax (HOL)	Real Madrid	0	FW Already has too many forwards, so deal not likely.	-

Kanouté (MAL)

Sevilla

Portsmouth (ENG)

2

FW Redknapp has offered €7 Mio, but Sevilla won't sell unless bid at least doubled.

+

Maxi López (ARG)	Barcelona / Mallorca	Sporting Lisbon (POR)	0	FW Thought new loan deal was tied up, but hit snags and now seems to be off.	-
Mejía	Real Madrid	Mallorca	4	DF Several teams interested in signing him, but islanders current favourites.	+

Motta (BZL)	Barcelona	Mallorca / Zaragoza	3	MF On transfer list and many clubs asking, including Sven's Man City.	+
Negredo	Real Madrid Castilla	Osasuna	4	FW Depor and Almería want him amongst others, but now close to move to Pamplona.	+

Pablo García (URU)	Real Madrid / Celta	Murcia	5	MF No place on return from loan, and will move on after Murcia made big offer for loan deal.	+
Palacios (ARG / ESP)	Boca Juniors (ARG)	Barcelona	4	MF Boca have bought out 100% of rights from Huracán to sell him on, although may nor be this season?
Pavón	Real Madrid	Panathin- aiikos (GRE)	4	DF Still has not taken up any offer, but now has an interesting one from Greece.

Raúl Bravo	Real Madrid	Olympiakos (GRE)	5	DF Will pay €2 Mio for full back, who signs 4 year contract with Greek side.	+
Reyes	Arsenal	Real Madrid	4	FW Schuster wants him to stay on after loan, and only question now of fee.	+
Riquelme (ARG)	Villarreal / Boca Jnrs	Atlético Madrid	3	MF Will probably decide future once Copa America finished. Several clubs asking.	+
Robben (HOL)	Chelsea (ENG)	Real Madrid	4	MF Pushing hard to sign him, and may tie up deal at around €20 Mio.	+
Saviola (ARG)	Barcelona	Real Madrid	5	FW As expected, has agreed four year contract and will move between old enemies.	+

Soldado	Real Madrid / Osasuna	Villarreal	0	FW Returns to Bernabeu after loan, and looks like he will staying after extending contract.	-
Toldo (ITA)	Inter Milan	Real Madrid / Betis	0	GK Too expensive for both in the end, and Dudek and Ricardo signed instead.	-

Raul: Reborn Real to reinforce.

Real Madrid captain Raul believes the Spanish champions will continue to strengthen over the summer as they look to win La Liga in style next season.

Real claimed the Primera Liga title on the last day of last season, but even a dramatic victory over bitter rivals Barcelona was not enough to save coach Fabio Capello as he was accused of deploying negative tactics and an uninspiring side.

Bernd Schuster has since been installed at the Bernabeu and Real have reinforced their squad with the captures of Pepe, Christoph Metzelder, Jerzy Dudek and Javier Saviola.

With David Beckham's departure signalling the death throes of the Galactico era, Raul now expects the club to bring in further fresh blood as they look to build a team capable of thrilling fans in a manner befitting of their predecessors.

"The club say that the team is not full, that other players can come, as they are looking to build a more competitive team," Raul told Marca.

"In attack, the four strikers can go all season (Raul, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Gonzalo Higuain and Saviola). There are a lot of people in defence and in the midfield of the pitch, a player can be missing.

"The most important is winning and if we can do it with nice football, then it is far better.

"At the end of the day, when you have won titles, you must have done something good for it.

"Today, it is very difficult to play spectacular football. I think that thanks to unity, sacrifice and the talent that we have, we can win titles."

KAKA RULES OUT MADRID MOVE.

AC Milan playmaker Kaka has ended speculation over his future by declaring the "door is closed" on a move to Real Madrid, even though he has admitted to meeting with the Spanish champions.

The Brazil ace has reportedly been the target of a world-record bid from Madrid, but insists he sees his future with the Champions League winners.

"I have never asked to leave, terminate my contract or have any get-out clauses at Milan," he said.

"I see myself being a symbol of a great squad and I hope that this can be Milan."

The 25-year-old was instrumental in Milan's road to Athens glory last season and the fans - several thousand of whom arrived to greet him at the start of pre-season training on Monday - can look forward to seeing more of his magic in years to come.

He said: "They [the fans] don't have to worry. I have a contract until 2011 and the door to Real Madrid is closed.

"Only Milan can reopen it if they decide to sell me."

And Real would already be at an advanced stage with the player if the Milanese club did decide to take an offer seriously.

"Just like Milan look to strengthen by searching out other players, Real did so by searching me," admitted the South American.

"There was a meeting with Real Madrid, but the first to know about it was Milan.

"Real Madrid are a huge club but, as even Pele said, money is not everything. I have learned from friends who left Milan and are suffering away from this club."

Sergio Ramos Ready To Move To The Right.

Sergio Ramos looks set to become Real Madrid's full-time right-back following the arrival of Pepe and Christoph Metzelder to play in the centre of defence.

The Spain international has returned to the position where he made his name at Sevilla and admits that he will happy playing anywhere across the back-line.

"They haven’t told me anything specific yet, but I am ready to play wherever Schuster tells me to.

"It seems like I may be a right back because of how I’ve been positioned during training. I’ve been lucky enough to play both there and as centre back on this team.

"The only thing I know for sure is that I will do my best at all times because I want to play."

As reports continue to grow that Madrid are preparing to return to the transfer market to bolster their squad, Ramos admits that he has been impressed with the new arrivals so far.

"That’s not up to us to decide," he continued. "Two excellent centre backs have joined the team this summer and we may get even more reinforcements."

While los Merengues continue their search for a star signing, Barça have already hit the headlines with their summer recruitments, but that does not worry Ramos.

"Every team does what it can to strengthen itself," he stated. "We are happy with our new players and we will welcome more if they are to arrive.

"We believe we achieved our main goal last year and we will now have to start from zero again."

New Madrid boss, Bernd Schuster, has changed the dynamic of training at the club, but has not allowed his players to escape with an easy pre-season.

"It is normal to undergo such hardships in the pre-season, we have both physical and tactical sessions," Ramos said.

"Every coach is different and players like to combine both things during training. We are very happy with Schuster."

Guti happy with Real's new recruits.

Real Madrid playmaker Guti believes the Spanish champions do not need to make any more additions to their squad this summer.Although a host of players have left the Bernabeu this summer, Madrid have also been busy drafting fresh blood in, with Pepe, Javier Saviola, Jerzy Dudek and Christoph Metzelder all new arrivals.

Roberto Soldado and Julio Baptista have also returned from their loan spells, but despite those reinforcements Real are still being linked with further signings, such as Arjen Robben, Jose Antonio Reyes, Kaka and Roysten Drenthe.

Guti, one of Real's three club captains last season, insists he would still welcome any new players into the fold, but feels that Real now have enough strength in depth without needing to make any extra signings.

"The team has a good squad and there are some players who aren't here with us (at Real's training camp in Austria) that have a lot to give, such as Julio Baptista," he said.

"There are many players in the squad and we will all enjoy several minutes of playing time this season. Nevertheless, I will welcome any new signings, even if they are for my position, but I personally feel we have enough players as it is.

"We are a strong team with players capable of playing for many minutes during one game.

"The important thing is that the club is signing players we need as opposed to signing stars. This is what we need in order to be strong challengers for every title," added the 30-year-old, who insists he is not concerned about Real being linked with new signings who play a similar role to him.

"If they come it would mean the team has more chances of using a rotation system. I have no problems with this because I believe I can bring a lot to the team and I will make things difficult for any newcomer," he said.

Real Madrid give up on Riquelme?

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has given up on trying to sign Argentinean midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme, currently at Villareal. Calderon said: “He is a great player but he is not part of our plans.” El Mundo Deportivo newspaper writes that the player’s agents offered him to Real Madrid, who are looking for a great signing after failing to get their hands on Kaka. The merengues, are actually still trying to sign Riquelme, as manager Schuster is a big fan of his, and also because he does not have much faith in young midfielder Gago. Should the club fail to sign Riquelme, Schuster will most likely play Guti in the central midfielder role.

Cassano not part of the squad.

Antonio Cassano is not among the 23 players called up by Real Madrid manager Schuster for pre-season training, which will take place in Irdning (Austria). No official explanation has been given by the club, not even by captain Raul, who said: “You would have to ask the sporting directors about this. He did not show up for training today and that’s all we know, that he won’t travel with us.” After today, the player’s departure from the club seems closer than ever.

Zidane's last goa video for Real Madrid.

Zidane's Last Goal - Funny video clips are a click away

MADRID JUST FAB FOR CANNAVARO.

Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro claims he will stay with Real Madrid.

The 34-year-old reigning FIFA World Player of the Year joined the Spanish giants shortly after leading the Azzurri to World Cup glory last year, winning the Primera Liga title in his first season with the club.

Some had linked the defender with a return to former club Juventus, who

are back in Serie A after being relegated for match-fixing 12 months ago.

But Cannavaro said: "In Italy they are saying I will come back but it's not true.

"I have always said I am happy at Real Madrid and Spain generally and I am proud to play for this club.

"I will definitely stay at Real Madrid."

Dudek completes Madrid move.

Liverpool’s Champions League penalty shoot-out hero Jerzy Dudek has signed a two-year deal with Spanish champions Real Madrid.

The 34-year-old Poland international was released by Liverpool at the end of last season after failing to dislodge Pepe Reina from the first-choice spot at Anfield.

He will be the reserve keeper at Real, behind Spain international number one stopper Iker Casillas.

After Dudek’s Real medical, Dr. Del Corral told Real Madrid's website: "He is 34 but he is as fit as a young player. He is a true athlete."

Dudek joined Liverpool from Dutch club Feyenoord for nearly £5 million in 2001, but his relationship with coach Rafael Benitez has became strained over the last season.

Heinze move to Liverpool is vetoed.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out the possibility of letting defender Gabriel Heinze join Premier League rivals Liverpool.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez made a £6 million ($12 million) bid for the 29-year-old Argentine on Monday but it was rejected by United. Heinze has also been linked to both Real Madrid and Inter Milan.

But Ferguson has made it clear he will not allow Heinze to head to Merseyside, a route travelled only once since the War, when Phil Chisnall joined United's bitter rivals in 1962.

"I can assure you Liverpool will not be getting Gabriel Heinze," said Ferguson. "We have had a couple of offers and we have turned them down."

Heinze reportedly told Ferguson earlier this month that he wanted a move but because he was playing for Argentina in the Copa America they did not have the opportunity to speak since.

"Heinze's agents are rolling the ball all the time but no matter what his agent thinks, we are in the driving seat," said Ferguson.

"I don't exactly know what Gaby thinks because it is all coming from his agent but this has been going on for a year-and-a-half now."

The deadline for Heinze to invoke a buy-out clause has now expired. Had the Argentine stated his intent to pay up his two-year contract, United could not have stopped him joining Liverpool.

Real and Barca in Spanish money merry-go-round

Newly-crowned Spanish champions Real Madrid and runners-up Barcelona have killed the proverbial fatted calf this summer in an attempt to establish preeminence in La Liga next season.

Valencia have not been far behind as they also seek to challenge the top two, who have spent more than 100 million euros (130m dollars) between them.

Real have captured German international defender Christoph Metzelder from Dortmund and Pepe from Porto while landing Javier Saviola - on a free transfer - from Barca, as well as taking Spanish international forward Roberto Soldado back from his loan at Osasuna.

New coach Bernd Schuster hasn't finished there as Real also try to secure a transfer for Jose Antonio Reyes, who was on loan last season from Arsenal, as well as pluck winger Arjen Robben from Chelsea.

With such an influx defenders Michel Salgado and Ivan Helguera, who has Fabio Cannavaro, Sergio Ramos, Metzelder and Pepe ahead of him in the central defensive peckingorder, will be seeking new employers.

Alvaro Mejia is already set to join promoted Murcia for two million euros, according to Marca sports daily, and the club are as yet without bidders for misfit Italian striker Antonio Cassano.

Barca, beaten to the wire in the title race, have landed four players to date after agreeing to sign Argentine international Gabriel Milito from Zaragoza for a reported 20 million euros, ten million less than Real paid for Pepe.

Barca had earlier splashed 24 million euros on Thierry Henry, having chased the former Arsenal man for more than a year, though it remains to be seen if he can fit into a forward line already comprising Samuel Eto'o, Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho.

Also coming in is French defender Eric Abidal from Lyon for some 15 million euros and Ivory Coast youngster Yaya Toure.

Barca sporting director Txiki Begiristain explained: "We have fulfilled our objective of strengthening the team and now we have to work on who is leaving so we can end up with the desired squad on August 31 (season starts)."

French midfielder Ludovic Giuly, who won the Champions League with Barca in 2006, has agreed to join AS Roma for an initial 3.2 million euros, rather than the six million the Catalan club hoped for, though another 1.2 million could come if he helps the club qualify for the Champions League.

Barca also want to offload Santi Ezquerro to former club Athletic Bilbao, along with Brazilian Thiago Motta and Maxi Lopez, a striker who spent last season on loan with Mallorca.

Valencia have gone with youth in signing 21-year-old defender Alexis and 23-year-old striker Javier Arizmendi along with German keeper Timo Hildebrand, 28, from Stuttgart, with 37-year-old Santiago Canizares now in the twilight of his career.

Coach Quique Sanchez Flores is set to offload defenders David Navarro, Asier del Horno, formerly of Chelsea and Curro Torres as he plots an improvement on last year's third place.

UEFA Cup winners Seville have signed up Mali midfielder Seydou Keita from French side Lens and taken Dutch defender Khalid Boulahrouz on a year loan from Chelsea.

Real Madrid offer Cicinho for Chelsea's Robben!!!

Real Madrid are willing to include fullback Cicinho in their offer for Chelsea winger Arjen Robben.
The Blues are holding out for £15m, having already rejected £13.5m bid for Robben.

The Dutch winger's father Hans and lawyer Tom Smith are negotiating with both clubs to try to rush through the deal for Robben to fly home from Chelsea's training camp in Los Angeles and join Real's pre-season in Austria.

Real sports chief Pedja Mijatovic said: "Chelsea have never indicated they want a player.

"We would be happy to change if they did, but this transfer will probably only involve cash."

Comments:
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I think Real Madrid must not sell Cicinho because he is very talented Right Winger Back and it could be like Beckham. Because he is great player and can change a match witin a second.

Robben is important, must Cicinho is also not less important. He is one of the best Right Wing Back in the World this time I think.

Reyes: Only Real Madrid for me.

Arsenal winger Jose Antonio Reyes admits he's eager to see his move to Real Madrid wrapped up as quickly as possible.

"That is what I want more in the world right now. I already have done everything that I could from my end," said Reyes.

"I made it clear to [Arsene] Wenger that I want to continue wearing the Madrid shirt.

"I'm very calm, that's the truth. I know what it is happening through my representatives. I do not have anything left other than to hope."

Cannavaro 'turned down Chelsea'

Fifa World Player of the Year Fabio Cannavaro has rejected the chance to join Chelsea, according to his agent.

The Real Madrid defender, 33, has been the subject of speculation since Real dismissed coach Fabio Capello.

Cannavaro's agent Gaetano Fedele said Chelsea made an offer "but we postponed everything due to Real Madrid's wish".

"New Madrid coach Bernd Schuster has said that Fabio is untouchable. It's highly unlikely that Fabio will leave Real Madrid at least this year."

Cannavaro joined Real from Juventus shortly after skippering Italy to World Cup glory last summer, and is under contract with the Spanish champions for a further two seasons.

"Fabio is in Madrid where he has adapted very well," said Fedele.

"They have won a championship and hence I don't think there is a possibility he will leave Madrid.

"Fabio's wish is to win the Champions League and the only team that can let him do that is Real Madrid."

Zaragoza pounce for Pavon.

Real Zaragoza have snapped up Real Madrid defender Francisco Pavon just 24 hours after confirming the capture of Argentina international Roberto Ayala.

Pavon has agreed a four-year deal with Zaragoza after being deemed surplus to requirements at the Santiago Bernabau following the signings of Christoph Metzelder and Pepe.

The 27-year-old, who was linked with a move to Bolton Wanderers earlier this year, came through the youth team ranks at last season's La Liga champions, making more than 100 appearances for the club.

Zaragoza have moved quickly to strengthen their defence after allowing Gabriel Milito to sign for Barcelona earlier this summer.

Mejía Set To Make Real Murcia Move.

Álvaro Mejía has ended his long battle to win a place in Real Madrid's first team after accepting a move to newly-promoted Real Murcia.

The 25-year-old defender has been at the Bernabéu for nine years despite the fierce competition for place, but this summer's new arrivals have forced him out.

Bernd Schuster has been busy reorganising his squad since taking over from Fabio Capello last week and Mejía was told he was surplus to requirements.

Since being promoted to the first team at Madrid in 2003, the locally-born player has made only 40 appearances for the club.

Despite several offers from abroad and interest from other top flight clubs in Spain, Mejía is set to put pen-to-paper on a four-year deal at la Nueva Condomina.

Mejía will join Pablo García in Murcia after the Uruguayan international agreed to move to the club from Madrid on a year-long loan deal.

Coach Lucas Alcaraz has been busy since guiding the club to promotion from la Segunda A at the end of last term and has made considerable changes to his squad.

Along with the two Madrid players, Murcia have also brought in Mario Regueiro from Valencia, Paco Gallardo from Sevilla, Enrique De Lucas from Alavés and Arzo from Villarreal.

Robben agrees personal terms with Real Madrid!!!

Report Says that-

Chelsea's Dutch international Arjen Robben has agreed personal terms over a move to Spanish champions Real Madrid, the BBC said Wednesday.

A transfer fee is yet to be agreed upon by the two clubs but according to reports from Spain the Chelsea winger's deal is expected to fetch around 20 million euros (26 million dollars).

The 23-year-old Robben, who has two years left on his contract with the London outfit, has been touted for weeks as a Real Madrid target and the Spanish club's president Ramon Calderon believes it is just a matter of time before they capture his signature.

"It is a negotiation which will take place in coming days or weeks," Calderon told Spanish radio station Onda Cero.

"If the situation is favourable financially, I think that he is a player who could be brought in."

Robben has been in long drawn-out negotiations with Chelsea over a contract extension until 2012 but has not always been in favour with the club's Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho.

With the Blues having last week signed France international winger Florent Malouda from Lyon on a four-year contract for some 20 million euros Chelsea may opt to take Real's cash for Robben having covered their flank.