Ribery angling for Real Madrid deal – media

January 22, 2010

Bayern Munich’s French star Franck Ribery is angling for a new deal that would allow him to join Real Madrid if the Spaniards put 40 million euros on the table, AS daily reported.

Ribery “would only renew his (Bayern) contract with a 40 million pro-Real clause” included, according to AS, which added that otherwise “Ribery will not sign”.

The paper, citing “sources very close to the player,” said that talks were under way between the two clubs regarding an eventual move and that the sum “would be around 40 million euros”.

That would be less than the purported 55 million figure bandied around last summer for the former Marseille man, whose contract expires next year.

Ribery has endured a difficult time recently with injuries having kept him sidelined since early October and Bayern coach Louis van Gaal indicated earlier on Friday that he would not start Saturday’s match against Werder Bremen but might be brought on from the bench.

Owing to a serious knee problem Ribery, 26, has only made six league appearances this season. He was due to return in December but a foot injury suffered in training prevented him from doing so.

Then in a winter training camp in Dubai he suffered from inflamed toenails that meant he could not even put his boots on.

AS, meanwhile, added that Real were hoping to snap up Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi, reporting that the Italians were ready to sell for financial reasons.

Real are also rumoured to want Racing Santander youngster Sergio Canales but Marca sports daily reported that Real were not prepared to get into an auction for the 18-year-old, who the paper said also interests Manchester City and Chelsea.

MADRID (AFP)

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Injury blow for Van Persie

November 15, 2009

Robin van Persie could be sidelined for weeks after injuring his ankle during the Netherlands’ 0-0 draw with Italy this weekend, the Dutch press reported on Sunday citing sources close to the player.

The Arsenal striker was stretched off the pitch after being tackled by Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini 14 minutes into the game at Pescara.

Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk believes the player has torn ligaments, which the ANP news agency estimated could sideline the player for weeks or even months.

“It’s a hard blow for him because he was in the form of his life,” said van Marwijk.

THE HAGUE (AFP)

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Real Madrid swoop for Villa – report

June 13, 2009

MADRID (AFP) – Valencia striker David Villa, one of the stars of Spain’s victorious Euro 2008 squad, has signed for Real Madrid for close to 40 million euros, a Spanish newspaper said Saturday.

Marca, citing sources at Real Madrid and Valencia, said both clubs were hammering out the fine details of the deal before officially announcing the transfer.

If confirmed, Villa would become the third big name to join the club under new president Florentino Perez, after Brazilian playmaker Kaka and Portuguese winger Ronaldo from AC Milan and Manchester United respectively.

Perez has established a 200-million-euro war chest for players, vowing to create a “spectacular team” capable of overtaking arch-rivals Barcelona next season.

The top scorer at Euro 2008, the 27-year-old Villa scored 28 goals in the Spanish championship this season.

But Valencia is reportedly ready to sell some of its top stars in a bid to ease its financial difficulties.

Perez returned as president of Real on June 1.

During his first stint, from 2000 to 2006, he oversaw the era of the “Galacticos” when world stars such as Zidane, England’s David Beckham and Brazil’s Ronaldo were attracted to the club.

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FIFA agents, players targeted in Spain cocaine probe – reports

February 26, 2009

MADRID (AFP) – Two FIFA agents and several current and former football players with Spanish clubs are under investigation as part of a probe into cocaine trafficking, Spanish media reported Wednesday.

The operation, carried out in Madrid and the Mediterranean port of Valencia, led to the seizure Wednesday of 600 kilos (1,320 pounds) of cocaine hidden in shipping containers, the online edition of sports daily AS said, citing sources close to the investigation.

The reports did not name which footballers were under investigation but AS said some were from first division side Atletico Madrid as well as from second division side Rayo Vallecano and Poli Ejido which is in the third division.

Spain, with its historical and linguistic ties to South America, is Europe’s main entry point for cocaine from the continent, especially from Colombia, the world’s top producer of the drug.

Spanish customs agents seized 21.8 tonnes of cocaine in 2008, according to provisional figures, down from 25 tonnes in the previous year.

Over 8,000 people were jailed in Spain last year for cocaine trafficking.

Written by: AFP