By DAN KARELL
With just four days remaining in the summer transfer window, Real Madrid midfielder Kaka has reportedly decided it’s time to leave.
After considering leaving last winter but changing his mind at the last minute, the Brazilian former World Player of the year announced his intentions after Real Madrid’s 4-0 friendly victory against Deportivo La Coruña, in which Kaka scored twice.
“I want to leave. I think now is the right time for me and the club to part company amicably. I have spoken to Carlo Ancelotti and the club, everyone knows. My father is having talks with the club to find a solution,” Kaka told Spanish publication Marca. “Things are difficult for me in the team and the club knows what I want. It is my duty to work and keep on training, but my father is currently trying to see what might come up. Once again, I think this is the best thing for both myself and the club.”
Since moving to Madrid in the summer of 2009 for a reported €65 million, Kaka has had a difficult time becoming a key member of the squad, going from “the man” at AC Milan to just one of the guys with Los Blancos. Last season, Kaka made just 19 La Liga appearances for the club and six more in the UEFA Champions League, being left on the bench 20 times and nine times, respectively, in those competitions.
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SCHALKE ANNOUNCE SIGNING OF BOATENG
Just two days after his two-goal performance secured AC Milan a place in the Champions League group stages, Kevin-Prince Boateng has decided to move back home to Germany.
Schalke 04, who also this week earned a place in the Champions League group stages, announced the signing of the Ghanian international Boateng on Friday for a reported €10 million, handing the West Berlin-born attacking midfielder the No. 9 jersey for this season. The player completed his medical on Friday morning after arriving in Gelsenkirchen the night before.
“I’m delighted to join a club like Schalke 04,” Boateng said to Bundesliga.com. “The Bundesliga’s the best league in the world and the best players belong there. It was an easy decision for me. I’m happy to be home.”
Boateng moved to Milan in 2010 after spending three seasons in England, two of them with Tottenham and one with Portsmouth, with a loan spell to Borussia Dortmund in the middle. Prior to the move to England, Boateng played for his hometown club, Hertha Berlin, where he came up with his brother Jerome Boateng, currently with Bayern Munich.
Last season at Milan saw Boateng play the most matches he had since the move to Italy, 29 in Serie A, though he also was subject to racist abuse, and famously walked off the field in a January friendly with Pro Patria.
EVERTON REJECT SECOND MAN UNITED BID FOR DUO
Just like when David Moyes was in charge of Everton, the club are ready to play hardball against Moyes’ Manchester United.
Man United raised their bid by £8 million to £36 million for Everton pair Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines, but the bid was soundly rejected again by Everton chairman Bill Kenwright. Roberto Martinez, who took over for Moyes at Everton this summer, said that he does have a contingency plan ready in case Fellaini and Baines leave, but that the duo won’t leave Merseyside easily.
Neither Fellaini or Baines have submitted a transfer request to leave Everton, though Martinez said he understood that he could be dealing with a couple of frustrated and unhappy players if the transfer for them doesn’t go through.
QUICK KICKS
Just a season after leaving the club for Hoffenheim, Bayern Leverkusen has reacquired Eren Derdiyok, a Swiss forward, on a season-long loan deal. (REPORT)
Manchester United have made a bid for Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera, although it’s below the player’s buy-out clause. (REPORT)
On Thursday afternoon Arsenal confirmed the signing of midfielder Mathieu Flamini on a free transfer. (REPORT)
Juventus have sold forward Alessandro Matri to rivals AC Milan for a reported €11 million. (REPORT)
Chelsea are nearing the signing of FC Porto winger Christian Atsu for £3.5 million. (REPORT)
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What do you think of these reports? Do you see Kaka leaving Madrid before the transfer window closes? Do you see Boateng being a star with Schalke 04? Do you see Fellaini and Baines moving to Man United?
Share your thoughts below.