Good morning folks. As we inch closer to the Olympics (and I’ve got some SBI-related news regarding the Olympics for later today) things are beginning to really heat up in the European transfer market. As is the case every day in August, there is plenty to discuss in the soccer world so let’s get started with these tidbits to begin the day:
Tottenham to swoop for Euro stars
If you found it a bit odd that Tottenham would go to the trouble of buying a boatload of top midfielders only to sell off star strikers Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane, you can rest assured that manager Juande Ramos has a plan.
That plan is coming into focus now as reports surface linking the Spurs with a triple transfer move for David Villa, Andrei Arshavin and Vedran Corluka. If you watched the Euro 2008 tournament you know that all three players enjoyed strong showings in Austria/Switzerland.
Oh, and the cost of the three players? Try in the neighborhood of $120 million (yes, that’s a pretty respectable neighborhood).
Roma targeting Benayoun
Serie A runners up Roma have set their sites on Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun, a move that could help Liverpool raise the funds needed to finally acquire Gareth Barry from Aston Villa. While Benayoun has publicly stated that he wants to stay at Liverpool, the Reds are in need of some transfer cash to sign Barry and might have to part with Benayoun to get some. There are reports suggesting that Sebastian Leto’s failure to secure a work permit, and subsequent loan move to Olympiakos, will force Liverpool to keep Benayoun. We should find out soon enough.
Still no word on Olympic verdict
It’s 10am Eastern Time and still no word on the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s ruling on FIFA being able to mandate that Under-23 players must be allowed to go to the Olympics. As much as I hope and believe that the CAS will rule in FIFA’s favor, part of me is hoping that it rules against FIFA, which then leads Atletico Madrid to call back Sergio Aguero, who subsequently drops a hat-trick on Schalke 04 in the upcoming Champions League qualifiers, providing the ultimate punishment for Schalke’s part in this whole fiasco.
Think about it. Schalke is missing Rafinha to the Olympics and Atletic Madrid is missing Sergio Aguero, yet we haven’t heard a peep out of Atletico Madrid about this issue. Anybody not think that’s a good trade off for the Germans?
I’ll be sure to post the verdict once it comes forward.
What do you think of Tottenham’s reported spending spree? Do you think Liverpool would be wise to deal Benayoun to help get Barry? Where do you side on the Olympic fiasco?
Share your thoughts below.