Alonso Hands In Transfer Request

Sky Sports is reporting that Xabi Alonso has handed in a transfer request following weeks of speculation about his future.

Liverpool have told Real Madrid that they want £30m for Alonso, but Real will not meet that valuation; however Alonso's transfer request will likely move Liverpool a little on the price.

Yesterday Álvaro Arbeloa moved to Real Madrid signing a five-year deal with Liverpool receiving a £3.5m fee. Now that that business is concluded Real will be certain to open negotiations for Alonso.

Liverpool's pre-season plans will now hinge upon how this saga plays out. Glen Johnson is the only notable new-comer to Anfield and with Mascherano, Babel Dossena all linked with the exit door, Benitez has a tough time ahead ensuring he has a squad willing and capable of challenging for the Premier League in the forthcoming season.

For sale: large north east club with loyal army of fans, Cost: equivalent one Portuguese brat

I know it's been covered but I'd thought I'd add my two cents

80 fecking Million!!!

That's obscene, Madrid break the transfer record twice in a week...and in a recession

Personally I view this as a brilliant bit of business from Fergie - he's got the best out of the boy and he's got way over the odds for him (is Ronaldo 70% better than Kaka?), and he loses a pain in the arse to boot - this continues a long line of big sales that have been lucrative - Beckham, Nistelrooy etc

My concern is two-fold - how will this affect Madrid? Is this level of spending tenable? I appreciate they're financially strong after they got a massive pay-out from the city under Perez but this must put them back into debt, and I doubt this will stop at a mere 136 million, even for one of the world's biggest clubs these are unprecedented new levels of spending and we don't know how it will affect such a club long-term, although I'm sure they'd get bailed out anyway

Secondly how will this impact on the wider footballing world? Will we see the giants race ahead in spending levels? - If that happens I can envisage somebody collapsing, especially considering the debts of Liverpool/United, maybe Man City will play along and 15 clubs will get left even further behind and football will become even more ridiculous

I know we say it all the time, but now clubs really are starting to feel the pressure and these new records may push them to the wall

But hey, maybe we'll see every premier league club become the plaything of an actually wealthy Arab oil tycoon

As for United - they'll live, as long as they keep Rooney they won't need a new superstar, but next season should be closer

Kaka Moves To Real Madrid

Kaka has broken the world transfer record and moved to Real Madrid for €68million (£59million). He has stated that AC Milan said that he would be helping the club in the recession by accepting the offer.

Kaka has also said that he spoke to a number of players, including David Beckham before agreeing to the deal, and that as a 27 year old he wants to maintain his chances of playing at the highest level for as long as possible.

Chelsea and Man City do not seem to have registered on Kaka's radar, even despite the +£100million offered for him back in January from City.

Is Kaka the missing link between the current Madrid team and Champions League success?

Will the signing of Kaka nullify interest in Christiano Ronaldo?

Has Kaka made the right decision by snubbing the Premier League?

Let me know what you think!

Kaka To Madrid?

Spanish Radio is reporting that a deal is done for Kaka and he is on his way to Madrid. Milan representatives have confirmed that a bid has been tabled but have said that a deal is a long way off. It seems that Madrid have tabled an early bid in an effort to lure Kaka to Madrid before Man City and Chelsea could table their offers.

City can double Madrid's offer in the blink on a eye so the Spanish club know they have to get Kaka's agreement before more sizable bids can turn the head of the Italian club. However, City are now used to long and tough negotiations and will likely already have acted.

It could be an interesting few days.

Fabregas May Leave Arsenal If Wenger Leaves

The Daily Mirror has a story that Arsene Wenger tops the Man City wish list for new manager, ahead of Jose Mourinho, Slaven Bilic and Diego Maradona.

And in a related article they quote Cesc Fabregas as saying that he would quit Arsenal if Arsene Wenger left in the summer. Cesc Fabregas has repeatedly been linked with Real Madrid and would have no problem finding a big money move.

Arsenal are out of the title race again this year and Arsenal fans are starting to question Wengers strategies for the first time. Contract negotiations are taking place with Robin Van Persie and Theo Walcott who may also have their heads turned if Arsenal fail to qualify for the Champions League next year.

Benitez - "I Will Not Quit"

Rafa has insisted that he is not going to walk away from the Liverpool job and talks are continuing over a new contract.

Bookmakers yesterday stopped taking bets on Benitez's future just a few hours before Liverpool went out and beat Real Madrid 1-0.

Benitez is thought to want greater control over the transfer policy at the club and the warring owners are reluctant to allow that to happen. However, Benitez says the lawyers have been talking and that he feels the problems will be overcome.

We will have to take Benitez at his word. However, I have spent some time today considering who I would want in charge if I were a Liverpool fan, and Jose may fit the bill. However, if not why not make, what would be an extremely popular move for this man?

++Faubert To Real Madrid++

Julien Faubert has moved to Real Madrid on a loan deal until the end of the season. Real are understood to have offered £1.5m in fees to West Ham to secure Fauberts services.

Real Madrid will weigh up whether to offer a further £4.5m in the summer to make the deal permanent.

Pennant to Pompey

Liverpool have accepted an offer for Jermaine Pennant, thought to be in the region of £2m. Pennant is no longer in Rafa's first team plans. He almost sealed an move to Real Madrid recently, but it reputidly fell through because of his inflated wage expectations.

I think, that come the end of the season, this could be seen as the best bit of business done in the Transfer Window (certainly thus far). Pompey are securing a player arguably of Champions League Quality for a "relatively" low fee, who will be desperate to play his heart out for his new club. It is the kind of transfer former boss Harry Redknapp would have been drawn to.

What Man City Are Getting For Their £110m

When you have as much money as Sheik Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan it is completely pointless debating whether their extravagances are warranted or not. So here is a glimpse of what they are going to get with the Sheik's money.



Note: I wonder if Man City have though this through. If City pay £110m for Kaka, they may inadvertently be helping United hold onto Ronaldo in the summer. After all if Kaka is £110m, surely Ronaldo is worth at least £150m ??

Breaking News - Cesc Fabregas Out For Four Months

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas will likely be out for four months with damage to his medial ligament.

The news is obviously a blow to Arsene Wenger and Arsenal fans. It also raises a number of questions.

Will William Gallas be asked to stand in as captain in his absence?

Can Arsenal achieve a top four place in the Premier League without their most influential player?

Will Arsene Wenger now spend some cash in January? Who is available? Or will Wengers youth policy supersede the need for a purchase and govern who will fill in?

Can Arsenal expect to progress past the first knockout phase of the Champions League against Roma?

And of course, in the event of Arsenal failing to qualify for the Champions League, will Fabregas be happy to stay at Arsenal next Season? - Especially as Real Madrid will inevitably launch their annual campaign to sign or unsettle the very best talents in the Premier League?

Diarra to Madrid

Real have confirmed that they have completed the deal for Lassana Diarra, subject to a medical.

It is a good deal for Diarra, but with a projected £18.5m/€20m price tag, is this a good deal for Real Madrid, or a better deal for Portsmouth? Could this now spark an exodus of players from Fratton Park that might cost them their Premier League Status come May?