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Friday August 15 2014
Lim & Bankia reach Valencia deal
By Football Espana staff
Peter Lim will soon be the official owner of Valencia after his company, Meriton Holdings, reached an agreement with Bankia.
AS report Bankia finally came to terms with Meriton over the restructuring of Los Che’s debt, which stands at €230m, €90m of which is owed to the Valencia Foundation.
Lim and Bankia settled on a deal yesterday, some three months after the Valencia Foundation first accepted the Singaporean’s offer to buy the club, and shortly before the deadline for an agreement expired.
A sum of €70m has been guaranteed to pay for 70% of shares in the club owned by the Valencia Foundation and Bankia wanted further guarantees totalling €200m.
The two sides compromised on a figure of €140m and the contracts are now being drawn up that will confirm Lim and Meriton as owners of Valencia.
It’s claimed Lim will invest a further €50m in transfer fees, with Enzo Perez to sign from Benfica, and two players, Joao Cancelo and Felipe Augusto, to sign from Rio Ave, the former club of newly-appointed Coach Nuno Espirto.
At least four players are expected to leave by Sunday, the day the squad is to be presented, with sporting director Rufete working on exits for Ever Banega and Helder Postiga, among others.
The goalkeeper suffered a back injury earlier this week and is now not expected to be fit until the end of the month
Marc-Andre ter Stegen will have to wait to make his competitive Barcelona debut after being ruled out for two to three weeks through injury.
The Catalan giants confirmed on Friday that the 22-year-old goalkeeper will miss the start of the season, with tests having revealed the extent of the back injury he sustained on Monday.
Having arrived at Camp Nou during the close-season from Borussia Monchengladbach expired, Ter Stegen is viewed as the long-term replacement for Victor Valdes.
However, his injury means fellow newcomer Claudio Bravo is likely to start in goal when Barca open their Liga campaign against Elche next Sunday.
A Barca statement read: "The first team goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, following persistent pain in his lower back caused by a blow received in training last Monday, August 11, has been subjected to new medical tests this morning which have revealed the existence of a small fracture in the transverse apophysis of vertebra L3.
"The club's medical services reported that the player will be out for between two and three weeks. The player will carry out recovery work during this period.
Ter Stegen made his first appearance for Barca in a friendly against Recreativo Huelva last month and started the 1-1 draw with Nice on August 2.
The club´s CEO says the Spanish champions are pursuing a different type of player following reports linking them with a bid for the German
Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus has never been a transfer target for Atletico Madrid, according to the Spanish champions' CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin.
Reports emerged in Spain this week claiming Atleti had lodged a bid for the Germany winger as they look to bolster their forward line following the sale of Diego Costa and injury to Arda Turan.
However, Gil Marin has made it clear the club are pursuing very different targets to the 25-year-old.
"Reus has never been on Atletico's agenda and his profile does not fit with what the team currently need," he told TVE.
Reus has been the centre of transfer speculation this summer, with reports over a possible bid from Bayern Munich causing friction between the two clubs, despite Pep Guardiola's insistence that he did not deem the player a necessary signing for the German champions.
The attacker has also been linked with a possible switch to the Premier League, with Arsenal and Manchester United credited with an interest.
Reus' current contract with Dortmund expires in 2017.
Luis Enrique: Messi will not be moved to accommodate Suarez
By Mark Doyle
Aug 17, 2014 13:58:00
It was thought that the Argentine might be asked to play deeper to allow the Uruguayan to lead the line, but the coach is unwilling to place any restrictions upon his No.10
Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has revealed that he afford Lionel Messi the freedom to play where he pleases this season.
Speculation has been rife ahead of the 2014-15 campaign that the new Blaugrana coach will ask his No.10 to accept a more withdrawn attacking role this term - as the Argentina international did during this summer's World Cup - so as to allow summer signing Luis Suarez to play in his preferred position of centre-forward.
However, Luis Enrique has now confirmed that Barca's attack will once again be based around Messi.
"Leo has so many options that we can't close off any to him," the former Spain international told reporters on Sunday. "He will have total freedom to move in attacking situations.
"He is the best in the world, without a doubt, and we adapt to his mobility."
Luis Enrique also refused to confirm whether he intends to primarily employ the versatile Javier Mascherano as a centre-half or in front of the back four this season.
"I love him as a defender and a midfield pivot," the coach enthused. "We'll see him in both positions."
Luis Enrique added that Mascherano could feature in Monday's friendly against Mexican outfit Club Leon, but that neither Messi nor Neymar will feature.
"We're not at 100 per cent, which is no surprise at this stage," the Barca boss stated. "But the squad have trained harder than I expected.
"They have made sacrifices and I am 100 per cent optimistic. The fans will like what they see [on Monday]."
The 21-year-old was officially unveiled as a Manchester City player earlier this month but will spend this season on loan at Estadio Mestalla as he looks to gain experience
Valencia have confirmed the signing of Bruno Zuculini on a season-long loan deal from Manchester City.
Zuculini officially signed for City from Racing Club earlier this month and featured heavily in the club's pre-season tour of the US, scoring in a 4-1 win over Sporting Kansas City.
But with Yaya Toure, Fernando, Fernandinho, James Milner and fellow summer arrival Frank Lampard ahead of him in the pecking order, the 21-year-old will spend the campaign at Estadio Mestalla.
At his unveiling as a City player, Zuculini told the club's official website: "I’m very excited about the future.
"I am looking forward to the experiences which this move will bring and to improving myself as a player.
"I’m also very proud to be the fourth Argentine to sign for City. The club is very popular in Argentina because of Sergio Aguero, Pablo Zabaleta and Martin Demichelis."
Zuculini made his debut for Racing in February 2010 at just 17 years of age and has represented Argentina at Under-20 level on eight occasions.
Barcelona will allow Alex Song to leave the club on a free season-long loan, alerting teams in England.
The Daily Telegraph report this morning that the Blaugrana are happy to let the Cameroon international go for the upcoming campaign.
The former Arsenal man has failed to establish himself at Camp Nou, and the Catalan outfit are willing to see the midfielder go without receiving a fee.
Everton, Tottenham and Manchester United are all thought to be keen to sign Song, but they could face competition from Galatasaray and sides in Italy.
The player himself though, wants a return to the Premier League.
The Champions League holders have revealed that the influential midfielder has signed a new four-year contract
Real Madrid have announced on their official website that they have reached an agreement with Luka Modric over a contract extension until the summer of 2018.
The Croatia international's previous deal was due to expire in June 2017, but he has now signed a new and improved contract that will keep him at the club for one additional season.
"Real Madrid C.F. announce the extension of Luka Modric's contract, linking him to the club for the next four seasons," a Madrid statement reads.
The 28-year-old joined the Santiago Bernabeu side from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2012 and has since developed into a key player at the Champions League holders.
Modric has made over 100 official appearances in all competitions for Madrid, winning the Supercopa de Espana, Copa del Rey, Champions League and European Super Cup during his spell at the Bernabeu so far.
The midfielder previously wore the jerseys of Dinamo Zagreb, Zrinjski and Inter Zapresic before signing for Spurs in 2008.
Barcelona to turn to CAS after Fifa rejects transfer ban appeal
Aug 20, 2014 11:29:00
World football's governing body has upheld their sanction related to the transfer of minors but the club have confirmed they will continue to fight the punishment
Barcelona have confirmed they will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after Fifa declared they must serve a two-window transfer ban on Wednesday.
The Catalans were punished back in April after they were found to be in breach of art. 19 of Fifa regulations - which states international transfers of players are only permitted if the player is over the age of 18, bar three exceptions - in the case of 10 minor players, while they were also found guilty of further infringements.
Fifa released a statement on Wednesday to confirm they had rejected Barca's appeal, meaning they would now be forced to see out two consecutive transfer windows, beginning in January 2015, without being able to complete any signings.
"The Fifa Appeal Committee has decided to reject the appeals lodged by Barcelona and the Real Federacion Espanola de Futbol (RFEF) and to confirm in their entirety the decisions rendered by the Fifa Disciplinary Committee in the respective cases relating to the protection of minors," a Fifa statement reads.
"As such, Barcelona are to serve a transfer ban which will see the club prevented from registering any players at both national and international level for two complete and consecutive transfer periods, starting with the next registration period (January 2015) given that the appeal of the club had been granted suspensive effect by the chairman of the Fifa Appeal Committee.
"Barcelona have also been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 450,000 (€371,000) and been given a period of 90 days from August 20 in which to regularise the situation of all minor players concerned."
Barca, however, have insisted they will continue to fight the sanction by referring the case to CAS.
"Following the resolution announced today by the Fifa Appeals Committee on violations of regulations regarding the transfer and registration of children aged under 18 years, FC Barcelona announces that it shall continue defending its interests before the highest sporting authority, in this case the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)," a statement reads.
"FC Barcelona may not in any way share a resolution that is an affront to the spirit of our Masia, a world renowned example of academic, human and sporting education."
The Camp Nou side's appeal against the ban was initially granted suspensive effect, allowing them to secure the signings of Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Jeremy Mathieu, Thomas Vermaelen, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Claudio Bravo and Alen Halilovic this summer.
Meanwhile, Fifa's Appeal Committee has also upheld the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF)'s punishment in the same case.
With regard to the RFEF, the Disciplinary Committee previously determined that the association had also violated art. 19 of the regulations and other provisions in the context of the transfer and first registration of certain minor players.
"The RFEF has been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 500,000 (€413,000) and granted a period of one year in which to regularise their regulatory framework and existing system concerning the international transfer of minors in football," the Fifa statement continues.
"The terms of the decisions taken by the Fifa Appeal Committee were communicated to Barcelona and the RFEF on Wednesday."
Wednesday August 20 2014
Messi: Thanks to La Masia…
By Football Espana staff
Lionel Messi says he would not have become the player he is today had he not been through the La Masia academy.
The Argentine was speaking in reaction to the news that Barcelona’s 2015 transfer embargo has been upheld, owing to irregularities in the club’s signing of players for their famed youth system.
“When I arrived I went through difficult moments because I had six months without being able to play,” Messi told the Barca Fans app.
“The club were waiting for the transfer and I couldn’t play until all the documents were in order.
“It was hard to train with my teammates without being able to play.
“Everything surprised me and pleased me at the beginning because it was very different to what I knew, even though it made me shy having to get changed in front of the other boys in the changing room.
“I am what I am thanks to La Masia and what I learned there.”
Simeone: Barcelona & Real Madrid even stronger than before
By Stefan Coerts
Aug 21, 2014 13:19:00
The coach fears Atletico have little chance of pulling off another shock league win in the new season because of the signings of their close rivals
Diego Simeone believes Atletico Madrid face a near-impossible task to defend their league title as he feels Barcelona and Real Madrid have become even stronger than last term.
The Vicente Calderon side finished three points clear of both traditional Spanish giants last season, winning their first league title for 18 years and even reached the Champions League final.
Simeone, though, fears it might be too much to ask a repeat of that success following the arrival of Luis Suarez and Ivan Rakitic at Barca and that of Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez at Madrid.
"Atletico are not like Barcelona and Real Madrid. They have a structure that allows them to spend €80 million on one player, while we have spent about €100m in total," Simeone told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar are three of the five best players in the world. Barcelona signed Suarez and Ivan Rakitic, while selling Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas. They have improved.
"And then there's Madrid. They signed Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez, while Gareth Bale will be even stronger than last season. They are better than last year, too, and quite a bit...
"It will be hard for us to compete with them. It's easy to understand that people wonder whether we can repeat last year's success. We should remember that it had been 18 years since the last title. What happened last term was something special.
"Atletico are champions, but the players aren't the same. We're in a different league than Madrid and Barca."
Atleti start the new Liga season away against Rayo Vallecano on Monday.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that sought-after winger Angel di Maria has asked to leave the club.
The Argentina international has been the subject of widespread media speculation during the transfer window, with the likes of Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain heavily linked with the 26-year-old.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi claimed a fortnight ago that their interest in the player had ended due to Real demanding a hefty fee.
In a press conference on Thursday, Ancelotti revealed that Di Maria had stated his wish to move on, which will alert his potential suitors.
"Di Maria has asked to leave and rejected an offer from club," he said. "[But] if he does not find a future solution he stays, no problem."
Sami Khedira has also been linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu and Ancelotti confirmed that the Germany international has decided against agreeing a new contract, possibly opening the door for a transfer in the near future.
"Khedira has one more year and has rejected new deal," said Ancelotti.
"It is different than Di Maria as he has not asked to leave."
With Real preparing for their Supercopa de Espana second leg against Atletico Madrid on Friday, Ancelotti believes star man Cristiano Ronaldo should be available, after being withdrawn at half-time in Tuesday's first leg, which ended 1-1.
"Ronaldo has trained well," he said.
"He had a normal session and is available. He could start.
"To win at the [Vicente] Calderon, we must play with intensity and faster than the first leg. Atletico has the advantage of the positive results obtained and will play as in the Bernabeu."
Atletico out to gatecrash Barca, Real party once again
21 August 2014
Atletico Madrid face Rayo Vallecano on Monday looking to disrupt La Liga's duopoly of Barcelona and Real Madrid for a second season running.
Diego Simeone's side sprung a real surprise in 2013-14 as they held off their richer, more illustrious rivals to lift Spain's top-flight title for a 10th time.
Atletico's blend of exciting, attractive football, coupled with an undeniable underdog status, helped win admirers around the world as they took advantage of an under-par Barca side and a Real team seemingly more focused on European glory.
However, Simeone has arguably a tougher test on his hands in 2014-15, not least due to a host of key departures.
Diego Costa and Filipe Luis have both moved to Chelsea, where they will feature alongside former Atleti loan star Thibaut Courtois, while David Villa has left for New York City in the MLS.
While Simeone has acted swiftly to replace such departures with the likes of Mario Mandzukic and Antoine Griezmann, the club's close-season recruitment was dwarfed by the scale of arrivals at the Santiago Bernabeu and Camp Nou.
Real added James Rodriguez, Toni Kroos and Keylor Navas to their star-studded squad, while new Barca coach Luis Enrique can now call on the likes of Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Jeremy Mathieu and Thomas Vermaelen.
Carlo Ancelotti's Real will be eager to present a stronger challenge in La Liga after seeing their gaze diverted by La Decima last term. Luis Enrique will be tasked with helping return the title to Catalonia.
Not since Athletic Bilbao in the early 1980s has a team other than Barca or Real lifted the title two seasons running - a record Ancelotti and Luis Enrique will be eager to maintain.
Ahead of their opener against new boys Cordoba this weekend, Ancelotti has added significant strength to a squad that fell just short of the treble last season, although Barca's fortunes remain far from clear going into Sunday's visit of Elche.
Boosted by Xavi's decision to stay and the popular appointment of former great Luis Enrique, the 22-time champions have been the subject of criticism for some underwhelming business in the transfer market and will be without Suarez early in the campaign due to his ban for biting at the World Cup.
It sets up what promises to be a fascinating title race in a league campaign that will also see Eibar make their La Liga bow.
Having raised sufficient funds to secure a place in the top flight, the relatively small club from the Basque Country begin their campaign against Real Sociedad. Former champions Deportivo La Coruna travel to Granada.
Valencia, another club to briefly threaten Barca and Real's dominance, will likely have new billionaire owner Peter Lim at the helm when they take on UEFA Europa League holders Sevilla - themselves buoyed by a host of new arrivals including Barcelona pair Gerard Deulofeu and Denis Suarez.
Malaga welcome Athletic Bilbao, Almeria host Espanyol and Villarreal and Getafe travel to Levante and Celta Vigo respectively.
The Brazil international, who has only just recovered from a back problem, will be out of action for an indefinite period of time after sustaining an ankle sprain in training
"Following the Thursday training session Neymar Jr. complained about some pain in his left ankle and tests have confirmed that the player has a Grade 1 ankle sprain," a statement on the official Barcelona website reads.
"The club's medical team has indicated that his return to training will depend on how the injury treatment evolves.
"It’s worth recalling that, last Monday, Neymar Jr. received his medical discharge from the back injury that he suffered during the World Cup in Brazil."
Neymar made 26 La Liga appearances last term, scoring nine goals in the process, but his campaign was plagued by fitness problems.
Sevilla coach Unai Emery expects defender Federico Fazio to leave the club amid reported interest from Premier League side Tottenham.
The Argentina international made his debut for the Spanish club in 2007 and went on to helped Sevilla to UEFA Europa League glory last season.
However, the 27-year-old looks set to be the latest to leave the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan following the close-season exits of Ivan Rakitic and Alberto Moreno.
Tottenham are said to be keen on signing Fazio and Emery revealed he did not expect to have the centre-back available for their La Liga opener against Valencia on Saturday.
"[Fazio] belongs to our squad, but he has very little, or almost no, chance of being with us tomorrow," Emery said on Friday.
"We cannot deny the reality - his evolution has been such that he played the last game, the [UEFA] Super Cup, where he showed a very high level.
"And this last shop window has led to teams being interested.
"It is clear that we would all prefer him to stay but thinking about tomorrow's game, we will have to look for someone else.
"Players leaving at the last minute has been a constant at Sevilla. I only want to wish him the best."
Carlo Ancelotti says he did not include Angel Di Maria in his matchday squad against Atletico Madrid as he didn’t need him.
Los Blancos lost 1-0 to their cross-city rivals, a result which saw the Rojiblancos crowned as Supercopa winners.
“I think we lost control of the match,” Ancelotti explained. “We needed more possession, which we did very well at in the first half.
“In the second half it was more complicated and we let them defend how they wanted to.
“Ronaldo couldn’t have played 90 minutes, I thought to put him on in the second half when the tempo was lower.
“It was a technical decision. We didn’t need Di Maria.”
The Italian also says Sami Khedira is free to leave the club.
“Khedira had permission and I gave him permission to leave. I’m not interested in knowing where he goes.”
Finally, the tactician said no one within the Madrid camp ever spoke about the possibility of the team winning six trophies this season.
“No one ever spoke about the Sextuple. We will play and we intend to win more trophies but the previous season now finishes with three titles and let’s see.”
Griezmann: I'm already gaining confidence at Atletico Madrid
By Vaishali Bhardwaj
Aug 23, 2014 09:12:00
The France international believes the Supercopa triumph is just the start of another successful campaign but has stressed the team will not become carried away
Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann has admitted he is growing in confidence and is looking forward to the challenges at his new club.
Los Rojiblancos sealed a €25m deal for the France international from Real Sociedad earlier this summer after the 23-year-old helped his nation reach the quarter-finals at the World Cup in Brazil.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone was full of praise for Griezmann, along with the club's other new signings, after they beat fierce rivals Real Madrid in the Supercopa de Espana on Friday.
And following the victory at the Vicente Calderon, Griezmann admitted that he was starting to slowly find his feet in the Spanish capital.
"I'm understanding the game. Little by little, I'm going to gain confidence," Griezmann said.
"Hopefully I can give more. I'm very happy, happy to be at this club."
Griezmann also acknowledged the "incredible" nature of the Atletico fans, which he witnessed during the 1-0 win over Madrid - a result secured by Mario Mandzukic.
"Tonight they [the fans] have shown [how incredible they are] again," he said.
Atletico kick off their title defence when they play their first game of the new Primera Liga season away to Rayo Vallecano on Monday.
Despite having lost several key components – including Diego Costa and Filipe Luis – from their title-winning team of last season, Griezmann insists that Atletico are focused on playing well and racking up the wins in a bid to defend their La Liga crown this term.
"We'll see, we have just played two games, now we are quiet with our feet on the ground and moving forwards."
The attacking duo have provided the Catalans with a boost ahead of their opening La Liga fixture of the season
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique is hopeful that Neymar and Pedro will be fit for the Catalan club's La Liga opener against Elche on Sunday.
Brazil forward Neymar was rated as doubtful for the encounter after suffering a sprained ankle in training on Thursday.
The former Santos man had only just returned following a fractured vertebra picked up during the World Cup but Enrique has revealed the 22-year-old has trained ahead of the weekend.
Winger Pedro's participation in the clash was also in doubt as he was suffering from gastroenteritis, but the Spain international could also line up against Fran Escriba's side.
"Neymar? We'll see tomorrow if he will play. Pedro? Same, he trained normally today. In principle, I count on both of them," Enrique said at a press conference on Saturday.
The new Barca boss expects his side to play with flair and be the great entertainers in Spanish football this season, but sees champions Atletico Madrid as favourites, despite the fact they have sold key players.
He said: "No team will beat us in excitement and motivation.
Luis Enrique added: "Atletico are the champions, so they are the favourites this season. Maximum respect."
The 44-year-old also hopes to see more new faces arrive at the club before the transfer window closes.
"We have made great signings so far, but we keep on monitoring the transfer market and can still strengthen the squad," he said.
