General Football News Thread

[TAREK®]

BN: Drogba Banned For 4 Games!!!

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has been handed a four-match ban for his furious reaction to his side's elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Barcelona.

The Ivory Coast international faced up to Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo at the final whistle of the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, after Barca had scored a dramatic late equaliser to reach the final of away goals.

Ovrebo had denied the Blues a penalty on several occasions during the game and Drogba allowed his frustrations to boil over at the end of the game, with his punishment also including a further two-game ban which is suspended for two years.

Drogba's team-mate, Jose Bosingwa, has been banned for three games for his post-match outburst, having referred to the match official as a cheat before retracting his comments.

A statement from UEFA confirmed: "Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has been suspended for six UEFA club competition matches, the last two of which are deferred for a probationary period of two years.

"In addition, Chelsea defender Jose Bosingwa has been suspended for four UEFA club competition matches, the last of which is deferred for a probationary period of two years.

"Drogba and Bosingwa were facing charges of being in breach of the principles of sportsmanship by insulting the referee by making offensive comments.

"Drogba's suspension applies to the next four UEFA club competition matches for which the player would be eligible, while Bosingwa's suspension applies to the next three UEFA club competition matches for which the player would be eligible.

"Chelsea FC have been fined 100,000 euros for the improper conduct of their players and the throwing of missiles by their supporters at the match."

[Los Blancos]

Cruz Signs For City

Roque Santa Cruz has at last joined Manchester City from Blackburn Rovers today, making it seventh time lucky for Citizens gaffer Mark Hughes, who had launched six unsuccessful previous bids for the Paraguay international with whom he worked in his previous job at Ewood Park.

The club's official website has confirmed that the player has now signed, but there has been no official announcement of the fee involved, which has been rumoured to be somewhere in the region of £15 million, though figures as high as £18 million have also been mooted.

The striker is City's second major transfer capture of a summer in which many observers predicted their recently acquired financial clout would begin to be felt, after Gareth Barry joined from Aston Villa at the beginning of the summer.

Hughes certainly seems keen on boosting his striking options, with Santa Cruz adding some much-needed height to the Sky Blues' forward line, and moves reportedly afoot for both unsettled Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez, as well as apparently Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o, for whose signature they reportedly find themselves in competition with the Red Devils.

The 27-year-old Santa Cruz made his name in Europe with Bayern Munich, where he spent seven years, before joining Blackburn in 2007. He has won 60 caps for his country.

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Well that's good news for Manchester City, Santa Cruz is not bad for a Forward.

With the Arab-Patrol-Dollar owners at the club, they should be able to form a solid team for next season.

[Los Blancos]

Liverpool Confirm Fee Agreed With Portsmouth For Glen Johnson

Liverpool have released a statement this evening confirming that they have agreed a fee with Portsmouth for England right-back Glen Johnson, the man who was also a reported transfer target for Chelsea this summer, with both clubs apparently agreeing to meet Pompey's valuation of the player - a figure of £17.5 million, according to Sky Sports News.

However, Johnson always looked more likely to join the Reds, after enduring a fairly unhappy time at Stamford Bridge prior to his switch to Fratton Park, to where he moved from Chelsea for £5million last summer.

The player had been on loan at Pompey prior to the move, as he had found first team action difficult to come by in London.

The statement, issued via the club's official website, read:

"Liverpool FC confirmed this evening that they had reached an agreement with Portsmouth Football Club and with Glen Johnson for the transfer of the player to Anfield."

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After weeks of speculation over Arbeola's future at Anfield, he looks set to a close exit.

The arrival of Glen Johnson surely means that Arbeola does not have a place any more at Liverpool, with Real Madrid likely to be his next destination.

Arbeola expressed his desire to return to Real Madrid one day. That one day seems closer than he imagined.

[Los Blancos]

OFFICIAL: Real Madrid Sign Raul Albiol From Valencia

Real Madrid have officially confirmed the signing of defender Raul Albiol from Valencia on a five-year contract.

The centre-back, who has been on duty with Spain in the Confederations Cup, will be officially presented next week after undergoing a medical and formally signing his deal.

Los Merengues made the news official with a statement on their club website and Valencia quickly followed suit with a similar announcement that a deal had been agreed.

"Real Madrid and Valencia CF have reached an agreement for the transfer of the player Raul Albiol, an accord that will come into effect next week after the usual medical and the signing of a contract by the player," Madrid's notice read.

"The international defender, aged 23, will sign for the club for the next five seasons and will be presented next week."

Valencia's statement was similar in tone, but los Che did wish the player good luck in his new surroundings at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"The club want to highlight the exemplary behaviour that Albiol has had throughout his time at Valencia and the club would like to wish the best of luck in the new chapter in his career."

Born in the Valencia region, Albiol rose through the ranks at Mestalla and broke into the first team after recovering from a car accident in 2004.

A loan spell at Getafe went well and he stepped up to become a regular in the Che outfit, while representing Spain at Under-19, Under-20, Under-21 and now full international level.

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For all those criticizing Real Madrid because they have not signed any defenders this summer, are you happy now ?

[Los Blancos]

Bayern Munich Reiterate That Franck Ribery Stays

Bayern Munich have reiterated that Franck Ribery is going nowhere this summer because Louis van Gaal wants the Frenchman in his side, amid reports that a deal with Real Madrid will be done.

The Bundesliga club's president, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has insisted that Los Merengues know that there can be no deal as he stated that the Frenchman would not be sold.

Rummenigge firmly believes that Bayern can offer Ribery everything that he wants and that there will be no talks with Real Madrid about a sale this summer.

"Ribery is irreplaceable," the Bayern chief is quoted as saying by L'Equipe. "Real Madrid know our position and he is not for sale.

"It is no surprise that Ribery wants to go to Real — they are a fascinating club and attractive on a financial level.

"But Bayern are not a bad club either. At our club the doors are solid and very resistant and we're not going to push up the bidding.

"Ribery figures among the best players of the world and when you have a player of this quality among the squad you don't separate.

"We want to build around this player who Louis van Gaal absolutely wants under his command."

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Well Bayern, you can't simply keep a player at your club against his will.

[Los Blancos]

OFFICIAL: Benfica Sign Real Madrid's Javier Saviola


Benfica have confirmed the signing of Argentine forward Javier Saviola, paying Real Madrid a total of €5m for his services.

The Rabbit had been linked with a loan move to the Estadio da Luz but Benfica have instead opted to make this a permanent move.

The Eagles have released a statement to the Portuguese stock market to confirm the signing of Saviola, as well as the fee.

The 27-year-old will fly to Lisbon in the next few days and will sign a three-year contract upon passing a medical with the club.

Saviola will now reunite with Pablo Aimar, with whom he enjoyed great success during their time at River Plate.

El Conejito is hoping that this new challenge will put his career back on track after failing to impress at Real Madrid during his two-year stint.

After arriving in the Spanish capital on a free transfer from Barcelona, Saviola spent most of his time on the bench under Bernd Schuster before heading to the stands under Juande Ramos.

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Well that's good for Saviola.

I hope he can re-ignite his career over at Benfica, as he does not have a place in the revolution Perez, Zidane, and Valdano are creating at Madrid.

Good luck Saviola, I wish you all the best.

[The Killer]

Papers: Karim deal closer

United close in on Benzema
Sir Alex Ferguson took another step towards the £30m capture of striker Karim Benzema yesterday. But Manchester United could yet face fierce competition from bitter transfer market rivals Real Madrid. Fallen French champions Lyon opened the door to the sale of prize asset Benzema by making a £15m move for Porto striker Lisandro Lopez. It is a clear indication that Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas is preparing to cash in on his 21-year-old star. Lyon were knocked back in a bid for Paris Saint-Germain’s Guillaume Hoarau. But their rapid response was a move for Portugal ace Lopez. That is good news for United boss Ferguson, who is aware Benzema is in no hurry to leave Lyon until after the World Cup next summer. The Old Trafford chief’s main problem could be big-spending Spanish giants Real, who have taken £80m Cristiano Ronaldo from United and also want Wigan winger Antonio Valencia. Real are now likely to target Benzema, leaving United to hope that the Galactico policy at the Bernabeu will persuade the young Frenchman his prospects will be better at Old Trafford.
Bill Thornton, Daily Star
The Daily Mirror says Sir Alex Ferguson will quickly slap in a £40million bid for Spain's David Villa, after Barcelona opened the bidding for the Valencia star. However, the article does include Villa's assertion that: "Next season I will play in Spain because it is the league that is best for me." The same paper speculates that Nani could be used as a makeweight in a deal for Wigan's Antonio Valencia.
The transfer tittle-tattle keeps coming. United will have to fork out £25million - without an initial three-week trial - for Gremio starlet Douglas Costa, according to The Daily Mail.
Tomasz Kuszczak may be following Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez out of Old Trafford, with The Sun tipping Zenit St Petersburg to make a £2million move for the Polish goalkeeper

[TAREK®]

Agent: United want Benzema


Manchester United want to sign Karim Benzema this summer, according to the agent of the Lyon and France star.

The 21-year-old striker has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford to fill the void created by Cristiano Ronaldo's world record £80million transfer to Real Madrid.

Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea are also believed to be interested in one of the hottest properties in European football.

United though are officially interested in the frontman despite Lyon recently stating he was likely to remain in French football for at least one more season.

"(Sir Alex) Ferguson wants Karim this summer," claimed Karim Djaziri.

However, Djaziri has warned United that they will need to stump up a British record transfer fee to land the coveted frontman.

He added: "His transfer fee will not be over 40million euros.

"He is only 21, the only time a transfer of a 21-year-old went so high it was the Robinho transfer to Real Madrid.

"Karim can't be more valued than David Villa, who will cost more than 40million euros.

"The question is not if he will sign for one of the big clubs, but when."

[Los Blancos]

Karim Benzema always reiterated that his dream is to play for Real Madrid.

Lyon president assured that a couple of weeks ago, by saying the following.

“Karim has long expressed his desire to remain with Olympique Lyonnais. The club wants him to stay and restructure around him. Now it’s true that the transfer market is very surprising and the news from Real [Madrid], Chelsea and Manchester United makes me very perplexed. No-one is intransferable, but knowing Karim, if he did leave, it would be to Real Madrid."

[Los Blancos]

OFFICIAL: Cristiano Ronaldo Signs Six-Year Deal At Real Madrid


Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid from Manchester United has this evening been confirmed by the Red Devil's official website, with Sky Sports News reporting that the Portuguese superstar has signed a six-year contract at the Bernabeu.

The deal is set to be completed on July 1, with United having accepted a bid of £80 million (93 million Euros).

A statement on los Blancos' official website reads:

"Real Madrid CF and Manchester United have confirmed a definitive agreement for the transfer of the player Cristiano Ronaldo, to take place on July 1st.

"The player will be tied to Real Madrid for the next six seasons and will be presented on the 6th of July at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium."

Manchester United have made no official statement on the deal, preferring to remain tight-lipped about the world record breaking transfer.