Transfers, transfers and you guessed it…more transfers! As the new year approaches, teams across Europe are looking to shuffle their rosters to improve for the second half of their season. Here is Wednesday’s Daily Kick Around.
La Liga
Spanish newspaper Marca, which is not always the most reliable source for football news, claim that Barca super star David Villa may be made available for a January transfer. Manager Pep Guardiola denied the report and I can see why, given Villa has scored 32 goals in 75 appearances since his move to the club in summer 2010.
Real Madrid seem to have recovered from their defeat against Barcelona over the weekend. On Tuesday, they beat Ponferradina 2-0 in the 4th round of the Copa del Rey.
English Premier League
Czech Republic native Tomas Rosicky may make a move to Bundesliga Club Wolfsburg in January. The 31 year old is currently with Arsenal but has only made three appearances with the Gunners. His manager has played down the rumors, which have been circulating since summer.
Roman Pavlyuchenko, currently of Tottenham, has failed to secure a regular role in the starting 11 for his team. His frustration led him to seek out other opportunities, which include a possible return to his former club Spartak Moscow. Reports indicate he has been offered to Queens Park Rangers.
The biggest rumor out this week, although probably not too surprising, is that Chelsea are looking to rid themselves of the out-of-form striker Fernando Torres. Chelsea stole the spotty Spaniard from Liverpool last January in a whopping £50million move, yet supposedly Chelsea is set to let him go for a mere £20 million. Ouch!
Unfortunate news for Manchester United’s Darren Fletcher, who has been diagnosed with a chronic bowel disease. The midfielder was out from March to September, due to complications from the illness, which has no cure. His ailment went into a brief remission and allowed the midfielder to get back into the lineup. However, Fletcher is out once again, adding to United’s already growing list of injured players, and is aggressively seeking a way to keep the disease from affecting his ability to remain an active player.
Major League Soccer
NY Red Bulls player Tim Ream has been training with EPL clubs West Brom and Bolton since the end of the MLS season. Both teams are showing an interest in the young starlet for a possible spring transfer. Erik Soler, sporting director for the Red Bulls, has clearly stated that Ream is not available.
Argentine midfielder Mauro Rosales is staying with the Seattle Sounders after signing a multi-year contract with the club.
Women’s Professional Soccer
Big news today as the U.S. Soccer Federation has given a provisional approval to WPS as a first division league come 2012. The rules require a minimum of eight teams, but they are making an exception considering WPS has only five teams. The approval will become final once undisclosed conditions have been met.
Serie A
Inter Milan has moved up to 7th place, mostly due to Japan international Yuto Nagatomo’s spectacular performance. His second half goal clinched the match against Genoa, pleasing the Nerazzurri manager Claudio Ranieri.
FIFA Club World Cup
Neymar, whose growing reputation as a formidable striker continues to impress, as he helped Santos defeat Kashiwa Reysol and advance to the finals.
