Maradona Speaks

Diego Maradona has spoken in Ole (Spanish link), mainly about Argentina's loss to Brazil in the Copa America final.

He is disappointed that Argentina have once again failed at the crucial point in an international tournament, remarking that they had no "physical nor psychic answers to Brazil". He feels that Argentina need to look at the way European teams like Italy, Germany and Spain play and maybe incorporate some of that into their play if they are to be succesful in future tournaments.

On the retirement of Roberto Ayala from international football, Maradona thinks that he was a great player and that no blame should be attested to him for the Copa America final defeat. He also seems to hint that Ayala felt a lack of support from national team boss Alfio Basile, which is why he has decided to retire.

Maradona states that Juan Riquelme had a great tournament, and that he wishes for Riquelme to stay with Boca Juniors next season, despite various offers from European sides.

He remarks of Lionel Messi, "whenever he touched the ball, it felt that he was going to do something important" and goes on to describe him as a "phenomenon" for whom the sky is the limit. Maradona is also proud that Messi carries round a signed picture of him in his wallet and idolises him.

When asked who else in the Argentina team impressed him during the Copa America, he singles out Javier Mascherano, saying that "Mascherano is always where the ball is" and likening him to Matias Almeyda.

He is then asked what he thought of Ever Banega's performances during the U-20 World Cup, Maradona responds that he was very impressed with the way Banega played. He says that he always seems to know what to do in every situation, although he does perhaps need to calm down a bit.

Finally, when asked who he would support out of Barcelona and Real Madrid next season, he responded that he couldn't seperate them, as he is fans of both Javier Saviola and Fernando Gago at Real and Lionel Messi at Barcelona. He feels Barcelona will prehaps be a little stronger due to the purchase of Thierry Henry.

Thursday Transfer Gossip

First off, Javier Saviola has completed his move on a free transfer to Real Madrid from Barcelona. Marca (Spanish link) report that he will be presented to the media as a Real player on Friday.

Sky Sports report that Daniel Alves is waiting on Chelsea to agree a fee with Sevilla for his services, according to the players agent Jose Rodriguez Baster.

The Sun report that Deportivo La Coruna's Argentine midfielder Aldo Duscher is in England today for a trial with Newcastle United ahead of a possible free transfer move. They lead the article with the typically sensationalist headline: "Big Sam in for Beck butcher".

Barcelona have finally agreed a fee with Real Zaragoza for Argentine defender Gabriel Milito according to Sky Sports. With personal terms having already been agreed for the Copa America, the deal is now pretty much finalised.

The Sun report that both Chelsea and Manchester City are interested in Mexico striker Nero Castillo, who has been on electric form during the Copa America. City apparently tried to sign the player previously when he was sixteen.

Marca (Spanish link) report that Real Madrid may challenge city neighbours Atletico in their bid for Juan Riquelme, provided they cannot sign Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal.

Finally, Ole (Spanish link) report that Estudiantes are looking to replace Betis-bound Mariano Pavone with Osasuna forward Bernando Romeo. They are expected to face competition from San Lorenzo for the signature of the Argentine.

Tuesday Transfer Gossip

First off, Marca (Spanish link) report that Real Madrid have completed the signing of FC Porto's Brazilian defender Képler Laveran Lima Ferreira, better known as 'Pepe'. Real fought off competition from rivals Barcelona for Pepe, who has signed a five-year contract with Los Merengues. The transfer fee is thought to be in the region of 28million Euros.

The Daily Mirror report that Blackburn boss Mark Hughes is interested in bringing Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz to Ewood Park.

The Mirror also report that Newcastle have joined Liverpool in the race for Manchester United's Argentine defender Gabriel Heinze.

Marca (Spanish link) report that Deportiva La Coruna are still awaiting for an acceptable written offer from Real Zaragoza before they will open negotiations over the transfer of Fabio Coloccini. Tottenham Hotspur have already had a 4.5million Euro offer turned down, with Deportivo holding out for somewhere closer to 10million. The players agent Marcelo Lombilla is expected to meet with Deportivo officials shortly to discuss his client's options.

Ole (Spanish link) report that the arrival of Bernd Schuster as Real Madrid manager should now clear the path for Argentine forward Javier Saviola to join the club on a free transfer. Schuster has apparently spoken highly of the player, so a move seems imminent.

As mentioned yesterday, River Plate and Lazio officials will meet today to discuss the transfer fee for River's Argentine goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo. Ole (Spanish link) today add that Manchester United, AC Milan and West Ham were all interested in the keeper, but baulked when they saw the price tag that River attached to him.

Finally, the BBC report that the transfer of Carlos Tevez to Manchester United is likely to take a few weeks to be finalised by the Premier League, due to the uncertainty over the current ownership of the player.

Tuesday Transfer Gossip

First off, various English papers are reporting that Argentine defender Gabriel Heinze is close to agreeing a move to Liverpool. Although Manchester United are reluctant to sell the player to a rival club, Heinze seems to favour staying in England rather than moving abroad, which may force United's hand into allowing the move.

There are also reports in various papers that Chelsea are to make a £14million bid for Sevilla's Brazilian fullback Daniel Alves.

We reported last week that Celta Vigo winger Nene has his heart set on a move to England. According to the Daily Mail, it seems that Tottenham Hotspur are going to renew their interest in the player they nearly signed in January. Blackburn and Birmingham are expected to battle it out with the North London club for the signature of the Brazilian.

Marca (Spanish link) report that Maxi Lopez, unwanted by both Barcelona and RCD Mallorca, has sealed a move to Sporting Lisbon for an initial one year loan period. The loan is thought to contain a clause allowing Sporting to purchase the player for between 3-4 million Euros at the end of the season if he is successful in Portugal.

Javier Saviola is expected to seal a move to Real Madrid once he returns from holiday and Bernd Schuster is appointed as their new manager, according to Marca (Spanish link).

Real Madrid have muscled in on Barcelona's attempts to sign Romanian full back Chivu from Roma and are though to be offering a couple of Brazilians as possible part exchanges for the deal. Marca (Spanish link) report that right back Cicinho and attacking midfielder Julio Baptista are the players likely to be offered.

Finally, Everton fans were rejoicing yesterday after their official website announced they had signed Juan Riquelme on a three year deal. It turned out that the club's web designers were just putting up some test data as they tried out a new layout and that there was no truth to the news, which was pulled from the website an hour after posting.

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.

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.