Transfer rumours

Three weeks since the league finished, and Real Madrid have still not announced who their new manager will be. It does look lke being Schuster though, and the only thing that appears to be delaying matters is the fact that Getafe want Madrid to pay them €480,000 for his services. Laudrup is poised to take over at the Alfonso Pérez stadium and is already looking for a house near to Getafe, and everybody expects an announcement next Monday that Don Bernd will be on his way across town. Who he will sign though is still mere speculation although it looks as if history is starting to repeat itself, with Robben and now Cesc (two of Calderón's election promises) reportedly on Schuster's shopping list.

The big story though this week (with apologies to Fernando Torres) is about Chivu, who has at times virtually signed with Inter Milan, Barcelona and now Real Madrid. Roma and Chivu's agent keep upping the ante though, and even Madrid are getting cold feet. Gabi Milito was going to Madrid, then Juventus, and now looks like signing for Barça, and Andrade was going to sign for Barça and now is almost certain to join Juventus. Anybody still following? The musical chairs could end up with Madrid getting left out, although they have already agreed terms with Metzelder and have other alternatives. The sooner Schuster is on board the better! (07.07.07)