Weeks after initially saying that Franck Ribery wouldn't be sold at any price, Bayern Munich has now decided to set a price tag.
And it ain't cheap.
Bayern has set a €94 million ($131 million) asking price for the French star, increasing speculation that there still may be hope for Real Madrid to add another jewel to its already absurd collection of world stars. If that price tag sounds familiar, it should. THat's the price Real Madrid paid for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Here are some other stories to get you through the day:
Keirrison joining Benfica on loan
Just when you thought Benfica had enough young talents, now the Portuguese giants are scoring a major favor from FC Barcelona in the form of Brazilian starlet Keirrison.
Having already landed Brazilian national team youngster Ramires, Benfica is now stocked with midfielder/striker types that will make Freddy Adu's permanent departure from the club all the more likely.
CONCACAF Champions League kicks off
If you followed last night's running commentary you already know that D.C. settled for a 1-1 tie vs. Luis Angel Firpo in their CONCACAF Champions League qualifer, but that wasn't the only qualifier played. Pachuca rolled to a 3-0 first-leg victory against Deportivo Jalapa on Tuesday. Jose Francisco Torres did not play for Pachuca.
Toronto FC begins its Champions League campaign with a first-leg match against the Puerto Rico Islanders at BMO Field. San Francisco (Panama) faces San Juan Jabloteh and Liberia meets Real Espana in the night's other Champions League matches.
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World club powers clash in Audi Cup
If you have ESPN Deportes or ESPN360, and you have some free time this afternoon, there are some great friendlies taking place today. Manchester United is facing Boca Juniors (12:30pm) and Bayern Munich is playing AC Milan (2:30pm) in the Audi Cup in Germany. Both matches are being shown live so be sure to watch if you have a chance.
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That's all for now. Look out for some MLS All-Star Game coverage tonight, as well as Champions League coverage.
What do you think of Bayern setting a price for Ribery? Think Real Madrid would be insane to pay so much after having already spent so much? Excited to see what Keirrison will do with Benfica? Even more curious to see where Freddy Adu winds up?
Share yor thoughts below.
So you expect me to believe that Benfica said he could play the first two games but after that he must leave….not because we need him back for training…because that would start for 10 days or so….just because 2 games seems like a good number.
Listen, I realize that you believe the things people say in the media and that coaches always tell the truth…but I don’t. If you can’t at least admit that it is peculiar, then I am not sure what else I can say.
Why release him for South Africa and then 2 games of Gold Cup?
Why wouldn’t Benfica want their investment to finally get some minutes when they know he wasted away on the bench at Monaco?
Why wouldn’t they take advantage of the free Benfica marketing that they were getting in the western hemisphere?
Those are just a few more I would like you to shed some light on for me.
As was discussed by Bob Bradley (IIRC) the time for Adu to appear had been agreed to before the tournament was even begun. He decided not to call him in a second time since he had just released him. Adu’s team (SL Benfica) decided for him to train at the Bradenton Academy until his flight out of the country. I understand (Twitter) he has been working out w/ some NFL guys. It is also my understanding that he has/is taking a flight this week back to Lisbon.
So what is the situation?
What are the other ?’s.
Maybe a google search can answer maybe 50 of your “hundred” queries.
Nic D “The Texas 2 Stepper”
Please tell me why he left the Gold Cup early…..to go sit in Florida for over a week? We were told he left the US team go go back to his club. He did not. That is the issue I am insinuating. Why was he not used for the rest of the tournament? This situation brings up a hundred more questions about Freddy’s current situation with both club and country.
Considering who Keirrison got his nickname from, this song lyric is clearly appropriate for Freddy Adu re: Benfica:
This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend, the end
Of our elaborate plans, the end
Of everything that stands, the end
No safety or surprise, the end
Toumba wrote:
” And Freddy is on anything but an upswing. He is currently involved in a bit of controversy that has yet to make the papers…”
What controversy? The fact that his team had prearranged for him to come to Lisbon at a particular date (thus ending his Gold Cup) but changed their minds. Where’s the controversy in that?
Are you insinuating some other issue?
Speaking of Gulati, here is his spin on the loss:
http://tinyurl.com/lc4glb
matt,
I think Blanco does a lot more for Mexico than Rafa.
i’d also like to know when camp opens. I thought Gulati said they will fly there to Mexico City the day before the game. I don’t think this is smart. The only time we got a result was in 97, after Sampson had a long camp at altitude in Big Bear, California. This may be impossible, given that many of our Euro-based players have matches the weekend before this midweek game. I expect guys like Charlie Davies and Benny Feilhaber will fly straight to Mexico City or make a quick stop in the USA to link up with the team’s charter flight to Mexico City. I don’t know about the MLSers or Euros whose seasons have not begun. Now, unlike Gold Cup, is not the time to be deferrent to the clubs.
As for our foes, Aguirre has said he wants his team together for 7 days leading up to the game. And the base of his team, the Gold Cup-winning side, has been together for the past month already.
marquez has said he cannot play more than 45 minutes and maybe all he can do is cheer from the bench on 8/12. I don’t care either way — he has always played poorly against the usa as I recall. there were the two red cards, in the 02 world cup round of 16 and in the last qualifying defeat in february at columbus. In general,it is believed in Mexico that he does far less for the Tri than he has done for Barca.
Where is everyone today? On vacation with Ives? And here I am trying to start a U.S.A. vs Mexico debate.
@ThaDeuce
And missing Guardado. By the way, it seems that Rafa Marquez may not play at all because he still is out injured.
I can’t wait for the US camp… When is our roster announced and when do they begin camp Ives??
Really only missing three main players: Nery Castillo, Blanco, & Marquez.
I call it a Mexican “A-” team, not a “B” team that played in the Gold Cup final. But go ahead and enjoy your fun Mexican fans. The Yanks are Coming.
1. Francisco Guillermo Ochoa CHECK

2. José de Jesús Corona 
CHECK
3. EfraÃn Juárez 
CHECK
4. José Antonio Castro CHECK
6. José Jonny Magallón CHECK

10. Oscar Rojas 
CHECK
11. Gerardo Torrado CHECK

12. Israel Castro
 CHECK
15. Alberto Medina
 CHECK
16. Giovani Dos Santos
 CHECK

18. Carlos Vela
 CHECK (ARSENAL STRIKER)
19. Miguel Sabah CHECK

20. Guillermo Franco CHECK
I count 13 Mexican “A” teamers- players called in to the big games, no wasted roster spots….
vs..
Brian Ching
@Toumba
Pretty much so…
If you want someone who holds on to the ball too long then either turns the ball over or blasts it harmlessly over goal save money and get someone from MLS like Robbie Rogers.
I count 12 from the group that played or were available at the gold cup…I guess it was their A/B after all.
Adu should go to South America. Playing in Brazil or Argentina could revitalize his game.
$131 million for Ribery?!?! They obviously don’t want to let him go because that’s about $100 million too much. He’s good, but he ain’t worth that much.
How many is that from the gold cup team?
TheDuece – Here is Mexico’s list just posted for August 12th.
1. Francisco Guillermo Ochoa
2. José de Jesús Corona
3. EfraÃn Juárez
4. José Antonio Castro
5. Rafael Márquez
6. José Jonny Magallón
7. Ricardo Osorio
8. Aarón Galindo
9. Carlos Salcido
10. Oscar Rojas
11. Gerardo Torrado
12. Israel Castro
13. José Andrés Guardado
14. Cuauhtémoc Blanco
15. Alberto Medina
16. Giovani Dos Santos
17. Nery Castillo
18. Carlos Vela
19. Miguel Sabah
20. Guillermo Franco
Folks,
I love Ribery’s style and skills but he is not worth that much money. Just my opinion.
Fraudy’s goose is cooked. It is so obvious. His next move will be 5 clubs in 5 years. And the “Americanization” of the excuses that follow him are starting to be funny. Let’s just for arguments sake say he really is 19. (yeah right…I know)…Note to American soccer fans….at 19 you need to be on an upswing…and a big one. Europe is full of the next “Ronaldo” or “Baggio”…and the lord knows how many of the next “Pele” or “Maradona” are coming out of South America. So, at 19, if you are not on your way up you better already be close to the top. Because next year will be another wave of “The next Messi” that the big clubs will be eyeing and you will be yesterdays news. (Specific example this year…Kerrison) Americans just aren’t used to players getting passed by at the age of 19 because of the rest of our sports culture. But it is something we better get used to. And Freddy is on anything but an upswing. He is currently involved in a bit of controversy that has yet to make the papers…but why has he been in Florida for the past week or so when we were told he left the Gold Cup squad for Portugal. And it appears (according to twitter) as if today is his first day back in Europe. Why did Bob send him adrift? Whatever is going on with that can not be good. Like I said, goose is cooked.
@ Al:
Torres is available. But he just had eye surgery and missed pre-season.
http://www.yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=content&id=4939
The Arsenal vs. Hannover 96
LINK:
http://www.p2p4u.net/watch-live-sports.php?id=3409&link=Link%201&site=Yoursports%20%20%20%20%20%20or%20%20%20%20%20%20http://www.p2p4u.net/watch-live-sports.php?id=3409&link=Link%202&site=Yoursports
Cherundolo is playing.
Come on you Gunners!!!
WOW that is alot of money. Bayern just went all in and is basically looking for everyone to fold their cards. Is he that good? Does he have of field appeal? He ain’t no cover model so some of the marketing stuff might not be up his alley. It is like the scene in the movie League of their own. Close ups for everybody in the promotional film except Ribery.
Freddy needs to go someplace that he gets to play. Sweden, MLS, Holland, Belgium, Denmark…. whatever.
I hope Gooch gets in against Bayern today since I will be DVR’n it. It would be good if one of his clereances could hit Uli Houness… in the face. The guy bad mouths LD in the media as a terrible player when the defenders he and Klinsi played or bought lost Bayern the title.
Benfica is in Lisbon
According to the truth and rumours section of SI.com, Adu hasn’t even been with Benfica for preseason yet. He has been doing conditioning in Florida. My question is why was he released by Bradley if he wasn’t really headed to Portugal. You can’t tell me you would rather see Arnaud and Cooper get the Gold Cup experience instead of Adu. He would have been a nice player to have in the squad for the Mexico game. He could have created some chances I think. Despite his obvious rustyness in the first few games he was constantly in positions to do damage. All he lacked was game sharpness.
Adu could undoubtedly find a club to play for in Europe. A second tier Spanish club, any Dutch club, a smaller League *uhnnn* club.
MLS is NOT the answer, it will destroy his confidence to come back to USA. Since he is all ready over there, his agent must work out a deal with anyone over there. Even Scandinavia would be better than coming back home. If he comes back home, it will be seen as a failure, although he certainly made two huge mistakes before getting there. One-leaving DC United for Real Salt Lake, and two-going to Europe at such a young age for a big time club.
He is only 19, give him one solid year of consistent time on the field in Europe, and he will be light years ahead of where he is now. He certainly won’t be ready for South Africa unless he explodes out of his lack of form in record time.
He just needs to be at the right place at the right time, just like Tim Howard with Everton, Clint Dempsey with Fulham, Boca with Rennes, Edu with Rangers.
On his twitter it said “Lisbon”…
Maybe Adu is going to Sporting Lisbon.
Adu needs to come back to mls for year or 2 to sharpen his skills again n then give Europe an other crack. Sitting on bench, not getting any playing time is hurting him, he should just return for 2 Years to get better n more mature n then go back. He is so young and sitting on bench not playing is hurting him growing as a player
Ives – Do you think you can find out why Torres hasn’t been playing in any of Pachuca’s games (2 so far). He didn’t even make the bench (at least on the first game).
Has he fallen out of favor from the new coach?
any news on the Mexican roster for August 12?
I love that Bayern are making a farce out of the transfer market. If anyone thinks they will get 94 mil euros for him, they are dreaming. They are obviously keeping him at all costs, and I can’t blame them. It is ridiculous how players switch from team to team with no consiencous thought of their movement through clubs like an 18 year old boy through the streets of Amsterdam.
A salary cap on transfers should be the number one topic of talk for Platini and Blatter.
I don’t think he will feature at all in Benfica’s preseason–especially if they do intend to offload him soon. We’ll see sooner than lately.
…the *throw* a tantrum
Ribery is good, but definately no Ronaldo or Kaka. Bayern is an absolute joke! It is OK for them to poach or tap-up the rest of the Bundesliga but as soon as someone comes in for one of their players they through a tantrum or resort to throw out ridiculous figures.
Goalscorer24 I completely agree, Dutch league is where Adu should go, and where he could potentially gain PT.
Hey Ives, or anyone else out there,
Has Adu even figured in Benfica’s preseason games?
At least EJ was in Fulham’s preseason…
The only time overspending for a player is a problem is if it makes you unable to make other moves, and Real Madrid have clearly shown that is not the case. Even so, there are questions of playing time, how Ronaldo will feel having someone else be evaluated as worth the same amount as him, and how Kaka will feel having Real Madrid spend considerably more on two different players (though Kaka doesn’t seem like that kind of person).
Also, Audi Cup is on espn360.com today:
Man United-Boca Juniors right now.
AC Milan-Bayern Munich on at 2:30.
Useless as all the other ones, but football is football at this point.
Freddy can’t seem to hack it in Europe, so I agree with Ben. He needs a career do-over. I wasn’t a fan of his to begin with and the whole “he’s still young, he can develop” line is so extremely tired at this point.
Freddy…joining the dutch league is so hot right now, so hot.
Adu needs to leave asap. MLS wouldn’t be a bad option for him.
Freddy Adu should join a dutch team. I think he would thrive there.
Freddy should head back to the US or try his luck in a lower league, Belgium, Denmark etc…a league where he can actually, you know, play.
i would like to see ribery on the left and ronaldo on the right of the same midfield. sic.
yes, i am curious where adu is going, hopefully he is going.
the mexican federation post the roster yet?
Man. I love Munchen and I dig Ribery, but hes definitely not worth that. That price is set for one reason I think. To get Real Madrid off their backs. Frank’s good but he’s no Ronaldo, and I’m not even sure Ronaldo was worth that much (is ANY player?)
Its just crazy. If Real go for this, their out of their los mindos.
Can’t help but think if Freddy Adu is considering a return stateside as other young Americans have done recently. He just hasn’t seemed to land that starting role in Europe although there certainly are clubs out there that he could play at. Maybe he and Heath Pearce are gonna do some thinking about how important significant PT is compared to being barely mentioned in ‘Americans Abroad’ each week.
i think adu is going to end up a journeyman player. i have zero idea how his decision making works nor will i speculate, but i would think a do-over is well needed by him. start at ground zero and work his way up. he’s young, so time is on his side.
Real can’t be considering this, right? Why not take half of that and buy a better defense? Oh well, another title for Barca!