Transfer rumours

So that's it then. Spain's big two are the first to take advantage of Juventus's fall from grace, with Cannavaro and Emerson joining Capello at Real Madrid and Zambrotta and Thuram on their way to Barcelona. Both clubs are reported to have paid fees totalling around €20 million for their new signings, something of a bargain despite the advancing age of the protagonists.

Valencia meanwhile continue to look to the UK to strengthen their squad, prodigal sons Morientes and now Del Horno returning from perfidious Albion to bolster Carboni's armada. They start off their Champions League campaign next month in the qualifying round, as do Osasuna, who have just agreed terms to take youth international striker Soldado on loan from Madrid. (23.07.06)