No doubt about this week's big news, with Cesc Fàbregas finally returning to the Nou Camp after three years of will-he, won't-he? The final fee was around 40 million including variables and the rest, and Cesc is now expected to make his debut some time during the Super Cup second leg against Real Madrid on Wednesday. Madrid themselves seem happy with their squad, especially as Neymar is more than likely to stay at Santos, although they could still sign on a striker before this month's deadline. Meanwhile Atlético Madrid have finally spent a bit of the cash they got for increasing the population of Manchester by two (Agüero and De Gea), snapping up Galatasaray's Turan, and rumours are that they could be adding Osvaldo and / or Falcao to their payroll if Thursday's Europa League play-off goes OK. If they get both, then Forlán may move on to make room. Otherwise things are relatively quiet, although once teams have got their first league game under their belts (strike permitting) they may spend a bit of time deciding if their squads are strong enough to survive another long and gruelling season. (16.08.11)
Player (Country) | Current club | New club | Position/Comments |
Cesc Fàbregas | Arsenal (ENG) | Barcelona | MF Another prodigal son returning home! Took a long time, but fees agreed at around 40 Mio including variables. |
Arda Turan (TKY) | Galatasaray (TKY) | Atlético Madrid | MF Paid 12 Mio + variables for him, a record fee for a Turkish player. Signs 4 year deal. |
Raúl García | Atlético Madrid | Osasuna | MF Overbooking in midfield means he has to move on to make room. Rejoins old club on one year loan. |
Valera | Atlético Madrid | Getafe | DF One of players discarded by Manzano, so agrees move across town to join Getafe. |
Michel | Birmingham (ENG) | Getafe | MF Michel the manager has gone, but his locker will remain as Michel the player returns to Spain after 18 months in Brum. |
Sardinero | Getafe | Hércules | FW Young striker was winning a place in first team, but has moved out on loan to get more match practice. |
Alfaro | Sevilla | Mallorca | MF Reluctantly decided to move on as little chance of first team football, and signs 5 year deal with islanders. |
Camacho | No club | China | MG Ex Spain coach takes on new challenge, trying to get China to next World Cup. |
Labaka | Real Sociedad | Rayo Vallecano | DF Experienced defender decides to leave and join newly promoted side. |
Trashorras | Celta | Rayo Vallecano | MF Talented midfielder will be plying his trade in top flight at last after rescinding contract with Celta. |
Jordi Figueras | Rubin Kazan / Valladolid | Rayo Vallecano | DF Was on loan at Valladolid last season, and will be staying in Spain after agreeing new loan deal with Rayo. |
Valdez (PAR) | Hércules | Rubin Kazan (RUS) | FW Turned down offers from Espanyol and others, and agrees to move to Russia for e4 Mio fee. |
Zuculini (ARG) | Hoffenheim (GER) | Zaragoza | MF Another loan signing to make up squad. Have buy out option at end of contract. |
Contini (ITA) | Zaragoza | Siena (ITA) | DF Moves back home on loan deal. Obligatory buy out clause if Siena stay up this season. |
Boutahar (HOL / MOR) | Zaragoza | Al-Wakrah (QTR) | FW Contract ended and has joined Middle East club, although no further information available. |
Jarosik (CZE) | Zaragoza | Sparta Prague (CZE) | DF Another who has been let go, and agrees terms to return to hid former club. |
Stuani (URU) | Reginna (ITA) / Levante | Racing Santander | FW Have signed tried and tested striker on loan after previous periods with Albacete and Levante. |
Martins (POR) | Benfica (POR) | Granada | MF Strengthen midfield with loan move from Portuguese player, who was with Recre 4 years ago. |
Emaná (CAM) | Betis | Al-Hilal (KSA) | MF Being sold to raise funds for new signings. Fee agreed of around 4.5 Mio, and signs for 4 years. |
Luna (URU) | Defensor (URU) | Espanyol / Nàstic | FW Only 3 non-EU spots available, so will start life in Spain on loan at second division neighbours. |
Xisco | Newcastle | Deportivo | FW Agreed terms to rescind contract and return to old side after last season's 6 month loan. |
Díaz de Cerio | Athletic Bilbao | Numancia | FW Bielsa happy to let striker go out on loan again to try and relaunch career after injury prone season. |
Julio Alvarez / Natalio | Tenerife | Numancia | MF / FW Taking on job lot from relegated side. Both players with 1st division experience. |
Robusté | Levante | Xerez | DFDrops down a division after failing to hold down first team spot. Joins on 3 year contract. |
Bruno Perone (BZL) | Xerez | QPR (ENG) | DF Out of contract and agrees move to join Neil Warnock on one year deal. |
Despotovic (SER) | Girona | Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) | FW Raised a bit of cash for new signings by selling striker to J-League side for reported fee of around 700,000. |