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Mid-Day Ticker: Inter to sign Forlan, Arsenal to compensate fans and more

Diego Forland 1 (Getty Images)

By FRANCO PANIZO

Inter Milan is getting ready put some of its Samuel Eto'o money to use, as it is on the brink of signing Uruguay star Diego Forlan as a replacement for the African striker.

Forlan will join Inter after spending four years with Atletico Madrid, where he scored 96 goals in 198 games and won a Europea League title in 2010. The 32-year-old Uruguayan international, who was named best player at last year's World Cup, is reported to have a agreed to a two-year deal with Inter Milan.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

Here are more stories from around the soccer globe:

ARSENAL TO COMPENSATE TRAVELING FANS

Arsenal's 8-2 dismantling to Manchester United this past weekend was one of the lowest points in recent history for the Gunners, and the club is looking to repay its fans who suffered through it in person. Arsenal is ready to compensate fans who traveled to Old Trafford by giving them a free ticket to a future away match. The club will be writing to its fans with more details about the offer. The defeat to Manchester United marked the first time Arsenal gave up eight goals since 1896.

ARSENAL AFTER CHELSEA'S ALEX

Arsenal is hoping to bolster its squad by spending some of the money it got from the sales of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, and the Gunners have set their sights on Chelsea's Alex. Looking to find a reliable center back to pair with Thomas Vermaelan, Arsenal is aiming to sign a no-nonsense defender after multiple failed experiments with players who can distribute out of the back. Alex is who the club has set its sights on, although Arsenal has been linked with other center backs, such as Gary Cahill and Chris Samba.

SANTA CRUZ LOANED TO REAL BETIS

Roque Santa Cruz has joined Real Betis on a season-long loan after falling down in the forward pecking order at Manchester City. Santa Cruz, which spent the second half of last season with Blackburn Rovers, joins a Real Betis side which opened the season with a 1-0 win over recently-promoted side Granada. The Paraguay international is aiming to rediscover his scoring touch with Real Betis, having only scored four times for Manchester City in the past 18 months.

NEWCASTLE NEGOTIATING WITH SANTON

Newcastle United has begun talks with Inter Milan fullback Davide Santon, according to the player's agent. The 20-year-old Santon is being looked at as a potential replacement for Jose Enrique, which joined Liverpool earlier this month. Santon, which is also drawing interest from Roma, made 16 appearances across all competitions during the first half of last season for Inter before going on loan to Cesena to finish out the campaign.

BENAYOUN TO JOIN LIVERPOOL OR LILLE

Yossi Benayoun's time with Chelsea looks to be all but over, and he could soon be joining Lille or his former club, Liverpool. The Israeli international could become part of a player-plus-cash deal between Chelsea and Liverpool, as the Blues are keen on signing Raul Meireles from the Reds. But Lille, the defending French champions, could also acquire Benayoun if a deal between the two Premier League clubs fails to materialize.

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What do you think of Forlan joining Inter? Should Arsenal offer more than just free tickets to its fans after its abysmal performance versus Manchester United? Would Arsenal signing Alex be a good move?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I mean solely a financial benefit. Something tells me Inter gave him more money than we could/would. Although, he would have been a star here. The hard working “good” guy is always praised in Seattle.

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  2. Hmmm…excited about Bradleys move. Hope it works out. And pumped out of my mind that Inter got Forlan! Simply, because I miss Eto’o. Forza Inter!

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  3. What do you mean purely for our benefit, NOT for his benefit ?

    IF there was an opportunity to come play here in Seattle, he should jumped on it.

    Good luck Forlan, you blew it.

    SEEEAAAATLE SOOOOUUUUNDERS !

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  4. I would agree that he should be a starter ahead of Henderson, but once Gerrard is back (expected in two-three weeks), where is Meireles going to play? His best role is in the center of the park in an attacking role. He looked out of place partnering Lucas last year, and he isn’t going to displace Adam.

    Yossi, on the other hand, can play center, wide, or even as a support striker.

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  5. Quick question for anyone: is there a reason why sometimes financial deals are not disclosed, and other times they are? Is this a club decision? Or mandatory in some instances? I’m curious.

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  6. He got injured in their 3rd competitive game, a Carling Cup game in which they rested some of their starters.

    Their first two premier league games … all of the newcomers started ahead of him. That was my point, why was he on the bench behind these new guys.

    g-loff… didn’t know he was injured in preseason, that makes sense then.

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  7. I don’t understand your post. You just said he’s injured, but don’t know why he isn’t starting. And yes, they are doing just fine without him at the moment…

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  8. I don’t see this happening. Meireles missed a lot of preseason with an injury, but he has been seeing time, and started the Carling cup before injuring his shoulder. He is an important part of this side and probably started, where as Yossi would be 2nd or 3rd guy off the bench.

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  9. Fans were amazing! I watched this match with a buddy who likes soccer but doesn’t really follow any teams. He mouthed off at me saying “listen to all those fans cheer about beating your teams a$$”. Mmmm the look on his face was priceless when I told him the song being sold was Arsenal we love you!

    +1000 for traveling gooners

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  10. Forlan’s easily one of my favorite players and he is now playing for easily one of my most hated clubs. He should have come to Seattle! (For purely our benefit, not his 🙂

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  11. Ugh… why would the Reds sell Mereiles, and why hasn’t he been starting this year? He was practically the MVP of the second half of last year when they ran back up the table. (though I know he’s injured now)

    I haven’t been able to see all of the games, and maybe they’re playing well, but Dalglish seems to prefer his new British recruits.

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  12. I was really impressed with the Arsenal fans at Old Trafford yesterday. They showed $amir Na$ri just how passionate the Gooners can be. But on the other hand, I think instead of those fans being reimbursed for the ticket, they would rather AFC spend the money on…oh I dont know, new players.

    Reply

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