Real Madrid And Barcelona To Leave La Liga

Former Real Madrid general director Jorge Valdano expects the capital outfit and Barcelona to leave La Liga at some point in the future, with a European league proving to be more interesting for them.

Sevilla president Jose Maria Del Nido recently ridiculed La Liga for its lack of competitiveness due to the domination of the big two and Valdano thinks it’s only a matter of time before Barca and Madrid have had enough.

“In the future Madrid and Barcelona will be forced to look elsewhere for clubs that develop at the same speed. That will eventually move to a European league,” Valdano was quoted as saying by Cadena Ser.

“The gap between the big two and the rest is only getting bigger in the next few years. You can’t help but feel that it will only get worse over time.

“Barcelona and Real Madrid have the entire world as their market, while the others only have their local community.”

This would be a rather shocking, and seemingly unlikely, development which aligns the Spanish league to a similar issue that has been felt in the SPL for quite some time. Jorge Valdano talks of the lack of competition without taking some of the responsibility for this issue.

For instance the cut of TV revenue handed to Barcelona and Real Madrid exceeds the other sides in La Liga and it is also worth noting that whilst either Real Madrid or Barcelona have won the last seven titles, three of the five titles before that were taken by Valencia and Deportivo La Coruna, and in many ways that record is not unlike Man United and Chelsea’s dominance in the Premier League but then you don’t hear those two clubs asking to leave.

Players To Call Off Serie A Strike

Sources within the AIC claim the collective bargaining contract will be signed on Monday, calling off the players’ strike.

The opening weekend of the Serie A season was postponed when the Players’ Association (AIC) called a strike in protest at the union of clubs (Lega) refusing to sign the collective bargaining contract.

The AIC released a statement late on Friday confirming there was “moderate optimism” around the proposed interim agreement.

“The contract will be signed either late morning or early afternoon on Monday September 5. The only things missing are small technical details,” an AIC source told the Ansa news agency.

“We only need to review a few things tied to the regulations and our lawyers are working on finalizing everything.”

This means the Serie A season will finally kick off next weekend. The first game will be Milan-Lazio on Friday evening at 19.45 UK time.

The Saturday night match is Cesena-Napoli, while Juventus-Parma opens Sunday at 11.30.

Palermo-Inter conclude Week 2 at 19.45 on Sunday September 11.

Man United Plan January Playmaker Move

Chelsea and Manchester United will battle it out for the signature of Luka Modric in January despite Tottenham refusing to sell the midfielder this summer.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy rejected Chelsea’s £40million offer for the Croatia midfielder in the closing days of the transfer window but the Blues are in no mood to give up their pursuit of the player.

However, they are set to face competition from United when clubs are allowed to trade again next year.

Levy displayed rock-solid resolve in refusing to grant Modric his wish to join Chelsea but sources at White Hart Lane fear the playmaker might get his way during the next window.

United were interested in Modric, who had made his preference for Chelsea clear because he would like to stay in London, during the summer but he was not their first-choice midfielder.

However, the 25-year-old has now moved up the pecking order. United’s principal target in that position was Samir Nasri, who chose instead to join their rivals City.

They were also chasing Wesley Sneijder but when Inter Milan sold Samuel Eto’o to wealthy Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, there was no pressure on owner Massimo Moratti to cash in on the Dutchman, whose weekly wage is above £200,000.

Tottenham Plans To Bring In David Beckham

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is planning a move to sign LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham in November, when the former Real Madrid and Man United man will be out of contract and therefore available on a free transfer. The veteran England international has helped his MLS side to a commanding position at the top of the standings and is keen to keep playing competitive football, not least as he is hoping to compete in the 2012 Olympics.

Beckham has been in good form stateside this term, currently ranked as the second most prolific assist maker and as soon as his season comes to a close, which could be as a late as November 20th, when the MLS Cup takes place, Tottenham will look to make a short term offer to sign the 36 year old.

Though the one time Old Trafford hero has stated in the past that he would only consider a move back to the Premier League to return to Man United, the fact that Sir Alex Ferguson is unlikely to make such a offer may lead the midfielder to consider other options.

Beckham is now in his fifth season at LA Galaxy and will hope to bring his time in the MLS to a successful conclusion with a championship win in LA in November. As yet the England man has not decided if he will accept a new deal to stay at the club and as such there is much speculation that he could look to move back to Europe ahead of the 2012 Olympics.

Levy may feel that the high profile of David Beckham may be a money spinning opportunity too good to pass up and the fact that the midfielder is showing good form may also serve to hand Redknapp another option to his squad which saw a number of players leave last month.

The North London club offloaded Jamie O’Hara, Robbie Keane, Jermaine Jenas, Wilson Palacios and Peter Crouch but failed to land a ‘marquee’ signing due to spending restrictions imposed by chairman Levy. Redknapp will be glad that he managed to keep Luka Modric from joining Chelsea but the only outfield signing of note came in the form of Scott Parker. Emmanuel Adebayor arrived on a season long loan deal to help beef up the club’s attack.

Arsenal Keep Tabs On £20m Brazilian Playmaker

Arsene Wenger will reportedly monitor Lazio midfielder Hernanes over the coming months with a view to a possible bid for the Lazio man in January as the Arsenal boss continues to search for long term replacements for Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas. Although the Gunners boss brought in Mikel Arteta from Everton and Yossi Benayoun on loan from Chelsea it is worth noting that at 29 and 31 years of age respectively, it would appear that the North London club is still looking for long term additions.

25 year old Hernanes had a very successful first season in Serie A last term, finishing as the club’s top scorer netting 11 goals from midfield and helping the Rome based club to their first top six finish in four seasons. The adaptable attacker can ply his trade as an advanced midfielder or out on the wing.

The former Sao Paulo man is now a regular part of the Brazilian national team set up but may feel that a high profile move could further push up him the pecking order and garner the attention of coach Mano Menezes.

Wenger was linked with a number of possible additions to his squad following the departure of key players and whilst moves for Eden Hazard and Marek Hamsik failed to come to fruition it may be that come January, after much scouting of the Lazio man, a bid may be made for the £20m rated Stadio Olimpico star.

Arsenal have funds available having sold players to the tune of over £60m and by the time the next transfer window opens will be fully aware of just where additions may need to be made in order to maintain any title challenges that are still relevant come the turn of the year.

Manchester United Expect To Confirm Double Loan Exit

Manchester United is expected to offer goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak and striker Mame Biram Diouf on loan to Football League clubs in the coming days.

With the transfer window shut for Premier League clubs, it is only teams in the nPower Championship or below able to give either player the first team football they both desperately crave.

The alternate option for either would be a surprise switch to Turkey, where the domestic leagues and transfer window delayed due to the match fixing scandal that has gripped the country.

Polish custodian Kuszczak has been unable to convince Sir Alex Ferguson he is worthy of a place in the team, with young Spaniard David de Gea recruited to replace the retired Edwin van der Sar rather than promoting from within.

Diouf was unusual signing at Old Trafford in summer 2009, and has never looked like troubling the first choice strikers.

A loan spell at Blackburn only yielded six goals in 29 appearances, and Man United will be happy to get both players off their books with hope they can secure permanent transfers later down the line.

Leandro Damiao Eyeing European Switch

Internacional forward Leandro Damiao revealed he is relishing the prospect of playing in Europe.

The Brazil international has caught the eye of several clubs across Europe after establishing himself as one of the most prolific strikers in his homeland, netting 30 goals in all competitions this season.

Tottenham and Porto were both credited with an interest in the 22-year-old, with Spurs having a €13.6 million bid rejected by Internacional.

And while Damiao says he is interested in trying his luck in Europe, he stressed he was not contacted about a potential transfer.

"No-one from Porto approached me about leaving Internacional. I did not talk to anyone about that, nor was I told anything about that possibility," he told A BOLA.

"If there is an opportunity to play in Europe, of course I would like it."

QPR To Attempt Incredible Transfer

Queens Park Rangers will prove they have returned to the big time with a sensational swoop for Los Angeles Galaxy star and former England national team captain David Beckham.

The Sun claim new Malaysian owner Tony Fernandes will aim to persuade Beckham that regular Premier League football is the best way to ensure selection for the British Olympic squad in 2012, which the Englishman is known to be keen to be a part of.

Though Beckham's wages would be far from cheap, the fact that his contract with LA Galaxy is close to expiring and that costs would likely be retrieved with QPR shirt sales and increased attendances.

"Tony promised Neil Warnock plenty of support in the transfer market and proved that in the recent window," a QPR source revealed to the Sun.

"But bringing Beckham back to England next month would top the lot and it's not a pipe-dream."

Palermo Question Pastore Deal

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini will take legal action against Javier Pastore's agent following the midfielder's sale to Paris St Germain.

The Argentina international moved to the Ligue 1 side for 42 million euros in the summer, but part of the transfer fee went to the playmaker's adviser Marcelo Simonian, and his company Ten Football Corporation.

According to Repubblica, the eccentric club owner has filed a complaint to the Prosecutor of Palermo regarding the amount of money that the South American's representative gained from the deal.

As Simonian owned part of the player's rights, Ten Football Corporation gained 12.5m euros of the sale, but Zamparini has complained, alleging that the agent wanted more of the fee, which almost stopped the deal going through.

Prosecutor Maurizio Scalia will work alongside the Core Tax Financial Police to investigate the legalities of the 22-year-old's move to France.

Schalke Looking To Offload Jermaine Jones & Jose Jurado To Turkey

Schalke is looking to offload midfield pair Jermaine Jones and Jose Jurado who are surplus to requirements, and are hoping for interest from Turkish clubs who have two days to go until their transfer window closes, according to Bild.

The Bundesliga club has slashed their squad from 58 players to 41 this summer and is looking to sell both Jones and Jurado who are high-earners at the Gelsenkirchen side.

Jones has three years left on his current contract that is believed to be worth €4 million a year while Jurado only joined the club from Atletico Madrid last campaign and signed a contract worth €3.5 per annum.

Neither player has featured regularly under coach Ralf Rangnick this season, with the former Hoffenheim tactician choosing a more youthful midfield.

Jurado cost Schalke €13m but is believed to be available for around €8m, while club sporting director Horst Heldt is said to be willing to listen to all offers for Jones, who spent the second half of last season on-loan at Blackburn Rovers.

Schalke resume Bundesliga action next Sunday when they travel to Wolfsburg.

Juventus Ship Out Ziegler

Juventus have confirmed summer signing Reto Ziegler has joined Turkish side Fenerbahce on a season-long loan deal.

Ziegler only signed a four-year contract at Juventus a couple of months ago to join from Sampdoria, but has been shipped out by coach Antonio Conte.

The Switzerland international had yet to make his Serie A debut for Juventus and the loan has cost Fenerbahce a fee of €600,000 (£525,000).

The former Tottenham Hotspur player has reportedly failed to convince Conte that he is the solution to Juventus's problematic left-back spot.

AC Milan To Monitor Bendtner

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner says he will not return to the Emirates after his loan spell with Sunderland ends - and AC Milan are already interested in him on a permanent deal.

Bendtner, who once claimed he was one of the best strikers in world football, has failed to live up to his own lofty opinions of himself.

As a result of his failure to become a regular starter for Arsenal, the Dane was sent out on loan to Sunderland on transfer deadline day.

The 23-year-old has been at Arsenal since 2005 but is likely to be moved on next summer.

If his loan move on Wearside goes well, Steve Bruce may decide to make a permanent bid but they will face competition from AC Milan.

Sources in Italy suggest that the Serie A giants wanted Bendtner when the transfer window was open, but they failed to act quickly enough.

Sunderland stepped in but AC Milan remain keen and will make tentative enquiries to Arsenal in January regarding a move next summer.

Gunners Wanted Gourcuff

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas claims that Arsenal made a late bid for Yoann Gourcuff before deadline day.

The Frenchman was just one of the players chased by the Gunners in the final days of the transfer window as Arsenal searched for replacements for Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas.

Gourcuff, who is currently recovering from injury, is regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders in France and is thought to be a long-term target of Arsene Wenger's.

Lyon rejected Arsenal's enquiry for Gourcuff with the player having a big part to play at Stade Gerland.

"I got a call on the penultimate day of the transfer window from Gilles Grimandi asking for a loan," Aulas told RMC Sport.

"We believe in re-establishing Yoann. He has been operated upon. He has just resumed training.

"We have chosen Gourcuff, like last year. It was hard last season. Hopefully he will demonstrate his capabilities this term."

Gourcuff scored three goals in 27 Ligue 1 appearances last season for Lyon but is currently ruled out through injury.

PSG Plan To Install Jose Mourinho As Next Boss

Jose Mourinho will leave Real Madrid at the end of this season for cashed-up PSG.

TV3 Esport Club says Porto president Jorge Pinto da Costa, a close friend of Mourinho’s, let slip the news while in Monaco.

It’s claimed the former Chelsea manager will see out this season at Real before taking charge of PSG in June so to have a full summer to do his squad building.

PSG are being bankrolled by the Qatar Investment Authority and as such have seemingly limitless funds and that may well encourage big name boss’s to consider moving to the Parc des Princes, but would Jose Mourinho make such a move? Well a lot would depend on what occurs this season.

If Real Madrid once again fail to beat Barcelona to either the La Liga or Champions League then the Portuguese manager may find himself ousted anyway and then he would be clear to consider such a position, it should be noted however that Arsene Wenger has also been strongly linked with the position that is currently taken by Antoine Kombouaré.

PSG brought in Inter Milan boss Leonardo to act as director of football and clearly anyone who opts to take the position as Les Parisiens boss would have to have a workable relationship with the Brazilian.

Brighton Sign Former Spain Midfielder Vicente Rodriguez

Brighton has confirmed the signing of former Spain midfielder Vicente Rodriguez.

The 30-year-old left Valencia in the summer and has joined the Seagulls on a one-year deal.

Vicente has been capped 38 times by his country, and also has two Primera Division titles and a UEFA Cup winner's medal to his name.

Albion manager Gus Poyet told the club's official website: "Vicente is the special player we wanted.

"He has great qualities in terms of his ability and flexibility to play in a range of different positions.

"He also brings a great experience having played at the top level for the last 10 years with Valencia.

"This is a major coup to bring him to the Amex."

Pandiani Pens Espanyol Deal

Walter Pandiani has rejoined Espanyol, with the club confirming that he completed a move late in the transfer window.

The 35-year-old striker has penned a one-year contract with the Catalan side.

Espanyol have swooped for the veteran frontman after losing Pablo Osvaldo to Roma.

Pandiani previously turned out for the club between 2005 and 2007 and enjoyed a productive spell.

He helped them to the Uefa Cup final in his second season, before moving on to pastures new.

The Uruguayan has also turned out for Deportivo La Coruna, Real Mallorca, Birmingham and Osasuna during his career.

Pandiani will join fellow new recruits Romaric and Vladimir Weiss at Espanyol this season.

Zaragoza Signs Postiga And Luis Garcia

Financially stricken Zaragoza signed Portugal striker Helder Postiga and Luis Garcia before the close of the transfer deadline.

The Spanish club says on Thursday it signed Postiga from Sporting Lisbon for the next three seasons while former Spain forward Garcia joins from rival Espanyol for the next three years.

Zaragoza also loaned Nigeria striker Ikechukwu Uche to Villarreal for the season.

Zaragoza reportedly has debts of 134 million ($192 million) and is one of six Spanish clubs in the topflight in bankruptcy protection. A private investment fund previously provided most of the transfer fee to sign goalkeeper Roberto Jimenez Gago.

Zaragoza opened the season with a 6-0 loss to Real Madrid.

James Beattie Touted For Newcastle Or Everton Move

Veteran forward James Beattie could be set for a shock return to the Premier League, with former clubs Everton and Blackburn - as well as striker-shy Newcastle United - all alerted to his availability following his release by Rangers.

Beattie, 33, was loaned out to Blackpool by the Scottish outfit last season and has now been declared surplus to requirements at Ibrox.

However, despite failing to find the net for the Tangerines in nine league appearances, he still believes he can cut it at the top level - prompting his representatives to circulate his name to a number of clubs.

While there are still limited indications of interest, possible suitors for Beattie include Everton, who are looking for short-term support for new loan signing Denis Stracqualarsi and cover for the departed Yakubu.

Another of Beattie's former clubs who could move for the out-of-contract former England man is Blackburn Rovers, as boss Steve Kean is still on the lookout for depth on the bench and may see Beattie as a potential impact player.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are already being linked with a pay-as-you-play deal for the former Gers star and QPR could do with another hitman - should injury strike either DJ Campbell or Jay Bothroyd.

On transfer deadline day on Wednesday, Rangers confirmed the forward had departed from the club, which has left his management scrambling.

In a statement, the Scottish Premier League outfit said: 'A deal has been agreed with Beattie which terminates his contract and makes him a free agent.

'Beattie was signed at the beginning of last season by [manager] Walter Smith and made a small contribution early on but then suffered injury and was loaned to Blackpool.'

Rhodolfo Could Join Juventus In January

Sao Paulo's Luiz Rhodolfo still has options to join Juventus in the January transfer window following a failed move this summer, his agent Gustavo Sabino has told Goal.com.

The 25-year-old centre-back has cemented his position at the heart of Sao Paulo's back four following the departures of Miranda and Alex Silva, and his performances have not gone unnoticed in Europe.

Italian reports suggested Juventus made an €8 million bid during the transfer window which was turned down by the Brazilians who are keen on keeping him.

But, his agent believes something could take off with the Serie A giants in 2012.

"We had found an agreement on personal terms with Juventus, but Sao Paulo turned it down," the agent revealed.

"Rhodolfo really wanted to join Juventus and we were happy for him to do this.

"In any case, we are working so that Sao Paulo can accept an offer in January from Juventus."

The Italians currently have Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci as the centre-back pair, but it is said Bonucci could leave for Zenit St Petersburg after being close to moving there during the summer window.

Liverpool Tried To Sign Italian Starlet

Liverpool was keen on signing Parma striker Fabio Borini on-loan before they made a move for Craig Bellamy.

The Reds were impressed with the 20-year-old during his temporary spell at Swansea City last season and wanted to give him a chance in the Premier League.

The Italy U21 international eventually joined Serie A giants Roma, but according to his agent, Marco De Marchi, Liverpool expressed an interest.

“Parma did well to believe in him when his contract at Chelsea ran out,” De Marchi said.

“Then Roma invested heavily on him which confirmed that the player has some extraordinary ability, as you can see from his performances for the Italian Under-21 side.

“The player was liked by a lot of other clubs, sides such as Liverpool and Hamburg came after him too.”

The Reds finally signed Craig Bellamy on a frantic deadline day but had to fight off a deal from Cardiff City.