Good morning folks. As we get a day off from Olympic soccer, it is time start looking toward the busy European transfer market as the European season creeps closer and closer. How close? The EPL season is just a week away.
Here are some stories to get your day started:
Chelsea bids for Robinho
It was long believed that Real Madrid would sell Brazilian star Robinho once it acquired Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Now, the Spanish champions may wind up with neither player after Chelsea officially made a bid for Robinho. Robinho’s agent has revealed that his client is not happy at Real Madrid and wants to move (I’m sure the likely salary increase has nothing to do with that.)
What will Real Madrid do now? Ronaldo has already stated he is staying at Manchester United and with Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder already sidelined with a knee injury, losing Robinho could lead to a very difficult start of the La Liga season. Some (including myself) would call this scenario a bit of karma after Ramon Calderon’s blatant attempts to tamper with Ronaldo. Somewhere, Alex Ferguson is laughing out loud.
Arshavin to Zenit: Let me go
Russian star forward/midfielder Andrei Arshavin has watched his transfer prospects go from sky-high to in danger of disappearing as his current club, Zenit St. Petersburg prices all suitors out of the running. Arshavin has grown frustrated by the process and has told Zenit to let him go to Tottenham.
The real question is whether Tottenham will buy him now that the Berbatov to Man U move looks dead in the water. Without that transfer revenue you won’t see Spurs pay the big asking price for Arshavin. Tottenham might still find a taker for Berbatov in Spain, but with three weeks to go before the end of the transfer window, time is running out.
Future still unclear for Eto’o
You would think that Samuel Eto’o has played well enough this pre-season to stick with FC Barcelona after a summer of rumors surrounding his likely departure.
Think again.
Barcelona is still entertaining offers for him and Eto’o looks likely to transfer, a move that could clear the way for Barcelona to buy Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor.
So why the haste to dump Eto’o? That’s a very good question. He has been a beast during Barcelona’s pre-season, with his two-goal display against the Red Bulls leaving little doubt about his form. The question now is where might he wind up. AC Milan? Chelsea? Manchester United?
What do you think of Robinho’s potential move to Chelsea? Would Real Madrid be crazy to sell him now? Do you see Arshavin going to Tottenham? Which club do you see buying Eto’o?
Share your thoughts below.