Real Madrid insist Fabregas is not a target
July 15th, 2009
Real Madrid are not interested in signing Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal, according to the club’s sporting director Miguel Pardeza.
The Spanish giants insist they will not bid for the Arsenal playmaker even if they fail in their quest to land Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso.
Real have consistently been linked with a move for Fabregas but it seems former club Barcelona are favourites to snare him if he does leave the Emirates.
“He is a great player, there’s no doubt about that. But at this moment he is not an target for Real Madrid. The club are working on other alternatives,” he said.
Pardeza also confirmed negotiations with Liverpool over Alonso had reached an impasse, but that they still hadn’t given up hope of resolving the situation.
“Madrid must not discard an option until it’s totally gone. Now there is an insurmountable financial barrier, but it’s something that could change. We’re looking for alternatives, although there aren’t many.”
Madrid have already spent close to £200million on four new signings – Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Raul Albiol – this summer but are still looking to add a couple more players as they seek a return to winning ways after ending last season empty-handed.
Two of those new arrivals, Ronaldo and Benzema, were part of the Madrid squad that started pre-season training today.
Also taking to the pitches at Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground this morning were new coach Manuel Pellegrini, who replaced Juande Ramos in June after five seasons at Villarreal, as well as Ezequiel Garay and Alvaro Negredo.
Centre-back Garay was signed from Racing Santander last summer but remained on loan at the Cantabrian club, while highly-rated striker Negredo has spent the last two seasons on loan at Almeria.
A selection of youth team players were amongst the 29 players who trained today, while Mohamadou Diarra and Ruud van Nistelrooy, who both missed most of last season with injury, also took part in the session.
However, the club’s other two big summer signings to date, Kaka and Albiol, along with Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Javi Garcia and Dani Parejo were all absent as they are still holidaying due to their international commitments this summer.
On Monday, Madrid will travel to Ireland for a training camp that lasts until July 22.
Once Madrid complete that trip, during which they will face Shamrock Rovers in a friendly, the team return to the Spanish capital to take part in the Peace Cup from July 26 to August 2, after which they are scheduled to head to North America for matches in Toronto and DC United on August 7 and 9.
Madrid have also organised a match against Borussia Dortmund on August 19, before facing AC Milan in the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy on August 25 ahead of the start of the new Primera Division season.
Madrid’s season will open with a home game against Deportivo La Coruna.
Barcelona To Include Hleb And Gudjohnsen In Bid For Arsenal’s Fabregas
July 12th, 2009
Barca are hoping to reduce the fee for Cesc Fabregas, by throwing the unwanted pair into the mix.
Barcelona could use a former Arsenal midfielder in their bid to prise Cesc Fabregas away from The Emirates.
Arsenal are rumoured to want around €46million for Fabregas, and the Blaugrana are now looking for ways to get around paying such a vast sum.
According to The Daily Mail, Barca are set to offer Aliaksandr Hleb in part exchange. The Belorussian international hardly got a look in during his first season at the Camp Nou, and despite stating his intention to stay and fight for a place, would be tempted by the chance to return to more familiar surroundings.
However, whether Arsene Wenger would be willing to bring Hleb back is another matter.
Apparently Barcelona are also considering throwing Eidur Gudjohnsen into the mix, as the Icelandic international looks set on a move to England.
Arsenal unveil new third strip
July 1st, 2009
THE stars will be out in stripes for Arsenal this season.
Today the club reveals its third kit for 2009-10 and it’s a return to the white away shirt.
But a major difference to last term is a redcurrant pinstripe and white polo collar and cuffs.
On the back of the shirt is a panel of horizontal stripes, while engineered into the side seam is a small red label featuring two Arsenal cannons either side of the club motto.
The shorts for this third choice strip are anthracite grey with a redcurrant stripe along the side.
A graphic showing an Arsenal cannon is on the back of the waistband, while the draw cords feature Arsenal’s name on the tips.
The look is completed with white socks, again featuring a vertical redcurrant pinstripe pattern with an anthracite stripe on the top band and Arsenal printed on the calf.
