Copa America Catchup

If you've missed any of the action so far then fear not, click on the Youtube links below for the goals from each of the six games played so far in the competition.

Group A
Peru 3 - 0 Uruguay
Venezuela 2 -2 Bolivia

Group B
Chile 3 - 2 Ecuador
Mexico 2 - 0 Brazil

Group C
Paraguay 5 - 0 Colombia
Argentina 4 - 1 USA (sorry about the horrible English overdub on this one, best I could find)

Enjoy!

Friday Transfer Rumours

First off, Celto Vigo's Brazilian forward Nene seems to be keen on a move to the English Premiership, as reported by Sky Sports. Blackburn seem to be the side most heavily linked with the player, with a transfer expected to happen once Nene has received confirmation of his Spanish citizenship.

Another Brazilian linked with a move is Barcelona defender/midfielder Edmilson, who the Daily Star are linking with a free transfer move to Newcastle.

The BBC is reporting that Carlos Tevez has rejected a move to Inter Milan after they elected to put a time constraint on his decision whether to join them. Tevez's representive/owner Kia Joorabchian is quoted as saying that "Carlos' heart is really in the Premier League", which also seemingly rules out the possibility of a move to Real Madrid for the talented Argentine.

Valencia are reportably lining up Barcelona's Brazilian full back Juliano Beletti as a replacement for Miguel, who is expected to leave the club over the summer, as reported by Marca (Spanish link).

Following the Ole report on Monday that Mariano Pavone's move to Real Betis was close to completion, it appears that Betis are likely to announce the transfer today, according to Marca (Spanish link).

Finally, Marca report that Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli has confirmed that the club are in discussions to sign Real Zaragoza's Argentine center-back Gabriel Milito. It seems there is currently a difference between their and Zaragoza's valuations for the player and Gigli doesn't expect the issue to be resolved easily.

Copa America Day 3

The Copa America goalfest continued last night with ten goals between the two games, bringing the tournament average up to four a game.

Paraguay opened the evenings proceedings with a 5-0 demolition of Colombia, whose defensive inadequacies were there for all to see. Bayern Munich striker Roque Santa Cruz scored a hat-trick, with subsitute Salvador Cabanas adding another two late on to compound the Colombian's misery.

Tournament favourites Argentina got off to a perfect start, thrashing the USA 4-1. A Hernan Crespo double along with second half goals from subsitutes Pablo Aimar and Carlos Tevez cancelled out an early penalty from Eddie Pope to give Argentina victory. Both Juan Riquelme and Juan Sebastian Veron started for Argentina having been recalled to the national squad for the tournament and their creative input played a large part in their side's triumph, Riquelme being involved in three of their four goals.

Argentina and Paraguay are now clear favourties to progress to the knockout stages, whereas Colombia and the USA will be left scrambling for one of the two best third place finishes.

Thursday Transfer Rumours

First off, it seems that dimuitive Brazilian midfielder Juninho Paulista could be making a return to Britain after Sky Sports reported that Championship club Hull are expected to hold talks with the player over the next 48 hours.

Marca (Spanish link) report that Diego Forlan is not interested in a move to Atletico Madrid to be a back-up for Fernando Torres. With Torres' own future at Madrid in doubt, one would assume that Forlan would be brought as a replacement for the Spaniard, but it is all purely speculation at the moment.

Marca (Spanish link) also report that Inter Milan and Real Madrid could be about to enter into a deal including players for the transfer of Brazilian forward Adriano to the Bernabeu. Mahamadou Diarra and Antonio Cassano are the two players mentioned as possible makeweights in the negotiations.

The Carlos Tevez tug of war continues today. Javier Mascherano has pleaded with his fellow countryman to join him at Liverpool according to the Daily Star, whereas the Daily Mail reports that West Ham are to offer Tevez £115,000 a week to continue with them for next season.

Finally, AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has denied that the club are interested in Internacional striker Alexandre Pato, as reported on ClicRBS (Portugese link). This could clear the way for Chelsea to make a widely predicted move for the player.

Copa America Day 2

Another upset, goals galore and referee decisions to confuse even the best of us (and of course the Sky commentary team) on day 2 of the Copa America.

Tournament second favourites Brazil endured a torrid night, going down 2-0 to Mexico thanks to first half goals from Nery Castillo and Ramon Morales. Despite a second half resurgence from the Brazilians they were unable to beat Guillermo Ochoa in the Mexican goal.

My tournament tip Chile got off to a winning start in a five goal thriller with Ecuador. The Ecuadorians twice held the lead through Antonio Valencia (who was on fine form in the first half) and Cristian Benitez, but a double strike from Humberto Suazo and a 87th minute goal from substitute Carlos Villaneuva sealed a 3-2 win for the Chileans.

Brazil must now bounce back with a victory in their second group game against Chile, or the holders could be facing an extremely embarassing first round exit.

Wednesday Transfer Gossip

Not much gossip around as most of the pre-eminent Latin American players are now involved in the Copa America.

First off, clicRBS (Portugese link) report that Internacional's defensive midfielder Edinho is content at the club, despite recent stories that he was on the way out.

Marca (Spanish link) is quoting Juan Riquelme as saying that he will have to return to Villarreal after the Copa America and that any further developments will not be made until after the competition.

Finally, not strictly transfer related, but Real Betis have offered former Mallorca, Valencia and Inter Milan manager Hector Cuper their managers job for next season. His choice is thought to be between the Seville side and Red Star Belgrade according to Marca (Spanish link).

Copa America Day 1

A 39 year old making his tournament debut, a disputed disallowed goal and Gerry Armstrong pretending to have an intimate knowledge of the Peruvian center-back who scored the first goal. And that was just the opening 45 minutes!

The Copa America got off to a great start yesterday, with no fewer than seven goals spread between the two opening matches.

Peru caused an early upset by defeating Uruguay 3-0 in the opening match. Miguel Villata opened the scoring with a first half header, with substitute Juan Marino, and Jose Guerrero adding two goals after half time to seal a famous victory for Julio Cesar Uribe's side.

Hosts Venezuela opened their campaign with a 2-2 draw with Bolivia. They led twice, through Giancarlo Maldonado and Ricardo Paez, but were unable to hold onto their lead on both occasions thanks to a Alejandro Cichero own goal and an 84th minute equaliser from Jean Carlos Arce for the Bolivians.

The results make Group A an interesting proposition going into the second round of games, with group favourites Uruguay needing to improve dramatically if they are to reach the knock out stages.

Copa America Preview

With the Copa America kicking off this evening, I thought I'd post a link to a preview for the competition that I recently wrote for the site Atomic Sports Media.

So here it is

Enjoy the Copa America and come back here for news, analysis and highlights from the tournament as it happens.

Tuesday Transfer Gossip

First off, The Sun is reporting that AC Milan are contesting Chelsea for the signature of Alexandre Pato from Internacional. Pato's agent, Gilmar Veloz has suggested that any move cannot be completed until the player has reached the age of eighteen, thereby ruling out any chances of the player moving until January next year.

The Sun is also claiming that Carlos Tevez would be open to a move to Arsenal to replace Thierry Henry. He is quoted as saying "I know people are now talking about Arsenal and obviously that is something I am excited about. It’s another big club and the good thing is I wouldn’t have to move out of London. I also already know English football and I like it".

However, Spanish newspaper Marca (Spanish link) is reporting that Tevez, whilst flattered by interest from Arsenal and Real Madrid, has his heart set on a move to Italian side Inter Milan. With West Ham owner Eggert Magnusson recently stating that he expects Tevez to stay at the club next season, it will be interesting to see how this transfer tug of war develops.

Another ongoing transfer saga is that of Tevez's compatriot, Javier Saviola. It seemed Middlesborough were in pole position for his signature, but now Lionel Messi is saying in Marca (Spanish link) that he will be sad to see Saviola in the shirt of Real Madrid next season.

One transfer that has finally been concluded is that of Honduran forward David Suazo, who has completed his move from Cagliari to Inter Milan today. Sky Sports is reporting that he will be presented to the Italian media as an Inter player tomorrow.

Sao Paulo's Brazilian defender Alex Silva has received offers to join various European clubs, though to be from the German and Italian leagues, according to RBSclic (Portugese link). Having seen his first team opportunities limited this season, it seems Silva is going to use a clause in his contract to instigate a move to Europe for next season.

RBSclic (Portugese link) also report that Brazilian Thiago Motta is to leave FC Barcelona following their signing of Yaya Toure. There is no word yet of any interested parties, but I would expect to see many Spanish and Portugese teams interested in signing the versatile midfielder.

Greek club Olympiakos seem to be going Argentine crazy at the moment, having made a £2.4million offer for Deportivo's defender Fabio Coloccini according to Sky Sports. Coloccini seems destined to leave Depor over the summer, but having already turned down offers from clubs in Qatar and Russia, it will be interesting to see his reaction to this latest interest in his signature.

Finally, Sky Sports reports that Scottish club Gretna have confirmed the signing of Fabian Yantorno on a one year deal from Urguayan club Miramer Misiones, beating off competition from sides in Uruguay and Mexico for his signature.

Monday Transfer Gossip

First off, Sky Sports is reporting that Greek side Olympiakos are near to completing a move for Atletico Madrid's Argentine winger Luciano Galletti. Their technical director is expected in Madrid tomorrow to finalise the details.

If the deal for Galletti goes through it will be their second Argentine signing in a matter of days, with the purchase of Argentinos Junior's young striker Leonel Nunez completed yesterday. It is only a modest fee of £1.5million for a player who was in hot scoring form last season, most famously for his goal from behind the half way line against Belgrano during the Clausura.

Atletico Madrid's Mexican coach Javier Aguirre has made a move for compatriot Rafael Marquez, who currently plays for Barcelona, according to Marca (spanish link). With the impending arrival of Yaya Toure, Marquez's first team opportunities may be limited at Barca, giving more credence to the possibility of a move.

Sevilla's Daniel Alves has seemingly opened the door for a move to Real Madrid, after comments made on Spanish radio network Punto Radio, as reported by Marca (spanish link). Whilst saying that he is happy at Sevilla he commented that if he were to leave it would be "by the great door", referring to Real.

Marca (spanish link) are also reporting that RCD Mallorca are refusing to take Barcelona's Argentine forward Maxi Lopez on loan for next season due to his poor output for them in a similar arrangement this season just finished.

Finally, Argentine sports paper Ole (spanish link), is reporting that spanish club Real Betis are close to agreeing a deal for Estudiantes striker Mariano Pavone. A fee of $6.8million has been agreed, with the method of payment now the only stumbling block. Estudiantes appear to be using the money from the deal in order to purchase Chilean club Colo-Colo's captain David Herinquez.

Sunday Transfer Gossip

Only a few rumours today regarding Latin American players.

First off, the News of the World is reporting that Chelsea are close to agreeing an £18million fee with Internacional for Brazilian wonderkid Alexandre Pato, nicknamed 'Alex The Duck'. This rumour was also reported a couple of days ago by Brazilian news network clicRBS (Portugese link), although Internacional's Vice-President Giovanni Luigi denied that Chelsea had made contact with them at that time. Chelsea have been linked with Pato for some time, but I wouldn't expect any deal to be concluded until after the upcoming Under-20 World Cup in Canada, at which Pato is predicted to be the break-out star of the tournament.

Spanish daily Marca (spanish link) is reporting that Villarreal have turned down an offer of £11.5million + Spanish forward Mista from Atletico Madrid for their Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan. Villarreal spokesman Jose Manual Llanez confirmed that Villarreal are holding out for their valuation of the player:

"Villarreal are not in favour of the negotiations. He is €23million."

Valencia, Arsenal and Liverpool have all been linked with the player, and Llanez believes that if Atletico don't improve their offer soon, one of those teams will step in and meet Villarreal's valuation.

Marca (spanish link) also report that a group of Argentine industrialists are starting a collection to raise the necessary money to pay for the transfer of Juan Riquelme back to Boca Juniors from Villarreal on a permanant basis.

Fabio Capello has expressed his doubt that Real Madrid will be able to tempt AC Milan to part company with Brazilian playmaker Kaka, according to Sky Sports. Real president Roman Calderon has recently reiterated his dream to bring Kaka to the Bernabeu, but it seems unlikely that Milan will be open to offers for their Brazilian talisman.

Finally, The People are exclusively reporting that Middlesborough are close to completing the signing of Argentine forward Javier Saviola from Barcelona. Many English clubs including Bolton and West Ham have been linked with the player over the last couple of months, but it seems like Middlesborough may have done the necessary to attract him to the Riverside.

Riquelme Back In Argentina Squad for Copa America

(This news is a couple of days old now, but is certainly relevant, hence the posting)

Despite announcing his retirement from International Football last September, Juan Riquelme has been named in Argentina manager Alfio Basile's 22 man squad for the Copa America, commencing this coming Tuesday (26th).

Riquelme's inspired form for Boca Juniors in the latter part of the season, culminating in their Copa Libertadores success on Wednesday of the week just gone, along with intense pressure from the mainly Buenos Aires based Argentine press, left Basile with no choice but to name the playmaker in his squad.

Whether he will be in the starting eleven or not remains to be seen. The previous national boss Jose Pekerman built his team around the mecurial number ten, so it will be interesting to see how Basile will incorporate him into a team where Lionel Messi appears to (rightly or wrongly) have been given the role of playmaker.

Whether he starts or not, I, for one, am glad to see Riquelme back in the national fold. As well as adding a little something extra to the Copa America, it is also a move that will put him in the shop window for a transfer back to Europe after the competition has concluded, allowing many more people to witness his exquisite skills on a weekly basis.

LLA

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