Transfer rumours

So finally the fate of the big four Italian clubs is known, and the doors are open for the sale of the century. Real Madrid will be heading up the queue, especially for the Juventus players who new coach Capello knows very well. Cannavaro, Emerson and Zambrotta are favourites to move to the Bernabeu, although Madrid will be competing with many other clubs who are waiting in the wings, including Barcelona who are on the look out for a good bargain, especially in the defensive area.

It is still anybody's guess though who will be joining Madrid, with one sports based newspaper inviting readers to vote for any one of 33 candidates! Van Nistelrooy is the current favourite ahead of the three Juventus players, but new president Ramón Calderón's three pre-election promises Cesc, Kaká and Robben are now way down the list after their respective clubs rejected bids.

Money could be a problem too, with only around €50 million available for new players (subject of course to income from sales), which even at bargain basement prices can only buy two or three top names. Whatever the case, the next couple of weeks or so should be very interesting. (14.07.06)