The usual lull in the middle of the transfer window, with clubs having built up their provisional squads and now waiting to see how they do in the opening couple of games before deciding if they need to strengthen them further. Bargains can always be had as well towards the end of the transfer market, and the shrewder coaches and club presidents know how to bide their time until teams rush to discard their unwanted players.
Still no green light though on Real Madrid's record bid for Tottenham's Gareth Bale, and what looked like a certainty a couple of weeks ago is now less so as Spurs chairman Daniel Levy pushes his opposite number Florentino Pérez to the limit and beyond. Except maybe for another centre forward (e.g. Luis Suárez?), Madrid hardly need to improve what Ancelotti has already called the best squad he has ever worked with, and that spare number 11 shirt could end up in the hands of youngsters Jesé or Morata.
Meanwhile Barcelona's search for a central defender has also hit the rocks, with bids for David Luiz and Agger rejected by Chelsea and Liverpool, and they may just decide to stay with Marc Bartra and revelation youngster Bagnack as cover for Piqué, Puyol and Mascherano. Valencia did get their man though, Zaragoza's Postiga moving to the Mestalla stadium as replacement for Soldado, and Sevilla added further to their squad with the signing of Cristóforo, although hard man Gary "the Pitbull" Medel is leaving to join new Premier League side Cardiff, and the Andalusians arrived just too late to snatch Carlos "the Rock" Sánchez away from Elche as a replacement.
Still three weeks to go though until the transfer window closes once again, and with many clubs having cash in their pockets after some big summer signings, expect a flurry of movements as the end of the month approaches. (13.08.13)
PS As we were going to press news came in that Atlético had finally signed a second goalkeeper as cover for Courtois. With Courtois himself only on another loan spell, Joel Robles and Sergio Asenjo moving on, Roberto re-signed but then loaned on to Olympiacos, and B team keeper Bono lacking the necessary experience, Simeone had been asking for an experienced back-up between the sticks. Moyá appeared to be the man a couple of days ago, but Getafe pulled out at the last minute after failing to tie up a replacement, and the club immediately moved for Deportivo's Aranzubia, the Galicians themselves happy to let him go to save costs.
Player (Country) | Old club | New club | Position/Comments |
Marco Torsiglieri (ARG) | Metalist (UKR) | Almería | DF Strengthened defence signing experienced defender on loan for one season. |
Erik Moran / Saborit | Athletic B | Athletic Bilbao | MF Have been promoted from B side by Valverde, but Ramalho, Ruíz de Galarreta & Albizua will be loaned out. |
Ramalho | Athletic Bilbao | Girona | DF Youth international moving on one year loan to gain experience. Ruíz de Galarreta also loaned out to Mirandés. |
Zubiaurre | Athletic Bilbao | Racing Santander | DF Have signed 7 players in one day, including Athletic defender, Miguélez & Javi Soria! Do they know something we don't? |
Aranzubia | Deportivo | Atlético Madrid | GK Seems Getafe unwilling to release Moyá in the end, so Atleti move to sign ex Athletic Bilbao keeper from Depor. |
Moyá | Getafe | Atlético Madrid | GK Needed a back-up for Courtois after Asenjo, Joel & Roberto moved on, but deal cancelled at last minute as Getafe themselves had no replacement. |
Xavi Torres | Getafe | Betis | MF Have signed ex Barça B, Málaga & Levante midfielder on 4 year deal. Fee as yet undisclosed. |
Aurtenetxe | Athletic Bilbao | Celta | DF Move for Sporting's Canella seems to have fallen through, and reports they have signed left back on loan to replace Lago. |
Carlos Sánchez (COL) | Valenciennes (FRA) | Elche | MF Signing "The Rock" (not the wrestler!), who is out of contract for French side. Last minute effort by Sevilla to gazump them failed. |
Igor Lichnovsky (CHL / AUT) | Universidad de Chile (CHL) | Getafe | DF Chile's under 20 captain will be on his way to Spain after his club accepted USD 2 Mio bid from Getafe. |
Miguel Torres | Getafe | Olympiacos (GRE) | DF The other Torres also moves on, joining his old coach Michel in Greece on a 3 year deal, with option for 4th. |
Aloys Nong (CAM) | RAEC Mons (BEL) | Levante | FW Have signed the usual nippy African front man to get on the end of their punts upfield! Follows in the footsteps of Koné, Martins etc. |
Pedro Ríos | Villarreal | Levante | MF Not much chance of place in squad, so rescinds contract and returns to club where he was on loan last season. |
Roger | Levante B | Zaragoza | FW Have signed young striker on loan as replacement for Postiga. Played several times for Levante 1st team last season. |
Alberto Bueno | Valladolid | Rayo Vallecano | FW Ex Real Madrid B forward decides to leave Pucela, and signs two year deal with Paco Jémez's side. |
Cueva (PER) | Unión Española (CHL) | Rayo Vallecano | MF Reports from Peru that international midfielder will undego medical next Monday prior to signing loan move, although nothing official from Rayo. |
Rafa García | Rayo Vallecano / Xerez | Lugo | MF Still no place for him after 2 seasons on loan at Xerez, and have agreed terms for him to move to Lugo. |
Cristóforo (URU) | Peñarol (URU) | Sevilla | MF Player has announced on Twitter that he is on his way, although nothing signed. Fee around US$3 Mio? |
Medel (URU) | Sevilla | Cardiff (WAL) | MF "The Pitbull" is leaving us! Our "Villains" section will never be the same! Offer of 11 Mio + variables too good to refuse. |
Postiga (POR) | Zaragoza | Valencia | FW Took a bit of time, but eventually agreed fee of 3 Mio, + 0.5 variable. Maños keep 20% transfer rights. |
Albelda / Orbaiz | Valencia / Rubin Kazan (RUS) | retiring | MF Two old war horses turn down several offers and both announced they will be retiring this summer. |
Osorio (COL) | San Martín de San Juan (ARG) | Valladolid | FW Deal on and off several times, but they finally signed up the striker they wanted on 3 year deal. |
Cezary Wilk (POL) | Wisla Krakow (POL) | Deportivo | MF Have agreed terms with Polish midfielder, although still have to agree contract rescision at Wisla. |
Luisinho (POR) | Benfica (POR) | Deportivo | MF Another Portuguese player for Depor! Have signed left sided flanker, although few details as yet about the deal. |
Culio (ARG) | Galatasaray (TKY) | Deportivo | MF Have signed experienced winger who was out of contract after spells in Romania & Turkey. |
Galán | Xerez | Las Palmas | DF Ex Espanyol defender signs two year deal after brief spell at relegated Xerez. |
Juan Muñiz | Sporting Gijón | Mirandés | MF Loan deal to Córdoba fell through, but youth international will now be going to Mirandés. |
Dani Bautista / Dorca | Racing Santander | Murcia | DF / MF Have signed two experienced players who agreed terms to leave Racing after they went down. |
Kiko Olivas | Córdoba | Sabadell | DF Ex Villarreal central defender moves on to make room for new signings, and accepts 5 year contract at Sabadell. |
Luis García | Tigres (MEX) | Zaragoza | FW Ex Spanish international returns to Spain after loan, and agrees to drop salary to stay. Porcar will also remain in Zaragoza. |
Ignasi Miquel | Arsenal (ENG) | Leicester (ENG) | DF Spanish youth international centre back moves on loan within the UK to gain experience. |