Transfer rumours

A bit of a flurry on the last day before the transfer window closed, with 23 of the 86 mid-season signings taking place right at the end. The clubs in the lower reaches of the table were the most active, with Real Sociedad signing on Mark González and Viáfara, Alavés taking Pacheco on loan, Racing agreeing terms with Garay Lee Ho Jin and Juanjo Valencia, Málaga tying up Ribeiro and Mallorca signing on Braulio after a move for Iversen fell through.

In fact the biggest news was about the transfers that didn't happen in the end, Gabri finally opting not to go to West Ham (although the London based club did snap up Scaloni from Deportivo), Riki's move to Parma falling through due to problems with Lorenzo Sanz's purchase of the club, and Deportivo's Víctor and César both not able to agree terms with their respective suitors before time ran out (not to mention a rumour that Solari had been offered to Espanyol). Caparrós did make one signing though, bringing in Gallardo from his old club Sevilla to replace Scaloni.

While all this was going on, there were three managerial changes as well, two in the first division (Málaga and Real Sociedad) and one in the second (Elche). Curiously the men taking over at the two top flight sides from Tapia and Amorrortu are both brothers of famous players, Málaga's Manuel Hierro getting his first managerial position, and Real Sociedad's B team manger Gonzalo Arconada moving up to the first team. Elsewhere Elche's new president José Sepulcre didn't take long getting rid of Yosu Uribe, bringing back Julián Rubio for a third term. (28.01.06)