Transfer Rumours

[Jimbo]

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has announced the signing of former Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez via Twitter.

The former Blues interim manager, who won the Europa League this season, is set to take over from Walter Mazzarri who left the Partenopei to join Inter after coach Andrea Stramaccioni was sacked for a disappointing ninth-placed finish this term.

De Laurentiis revealed through Twitter that he was delighted to land the 53-year-old.

He said: "Rafa Benitez is the new coach of Napoli. A man of great international experience. A leader."

The Spaniard has coached in Italy before, but had a rather unsuccessful spell at Inter lasting just six months in the job after inheriting Jose Mourinho's treble-winning side.

The club released an official statement on their website saying: "Rafa Benitez is the new coach of Napoli. An agreement was signed [on Monday] in London.

"Napoli are happy to welcome a coach so prestigious to our own family. A welcome also to his collaborators."

http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2013/05/27/4008913/napoli-sign-rafa-benitez?ICID=CP_96

 

[Big Sam]

I don't think this move has been mentioned yet but it was agreed to in January and will take place in a few days.

Llorente to join Juventus from Athletic Bilbao in June

• Spain striker has signed a four-year contract
• Desire to leave not appreciated by Athletic fans

guardian.co.uk, Friday 25 January 2013 01.42 AEST

Athletic Bilbao's Spain forward Fernando Llorente will join Juventus at the end of the season after signing a four-year deal, the Italian club said on Thursday.

"The future of Fernando Llorente is black and white," declared a statement on their website.

The 27-year-old Llorente, whose deal with Bilbao expires in June, has signed a contract with the Serie A side until June 2017, but will stay at Bilbao until the end of the season.

The powerful centre-forward, nicknamed the Lion King for his mane of blond hair, turned down the offer of a new contract with Bilbao during the closed season and said he wanted a transfer.

Bilbao initially refused to negotiate with interested parties and coach Marcelo Bielsa relegated last season's top scorer to the bench, despite him having helped them to the 2012 Europa League and King's Cup finals by scoring 29 goals.

The Pamplona-born Llorente is a product of through Bilbao's youth academy, making his first-team debut in January 2005 and becoming their leading figure over the following seasons.

His relationship with some home fans has soured since his desire to leave became public, and he has had to watch new signing Aritz Aduriz leading the line this season.

Llorente was a member of the Spain squad that won the World Cup in 2010 and Euro 2012, and has scored seven goals in 21 international appearances.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/jan/24/fernando-llorente-juventus-transfer-athletic-bilbao

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

Dortmund hijacked Leverkusen's deal for Sokratis Papasthopolous and Voller has gone mental about it. Weakening their rivals as they do so they can continue a stranglehold on CL spots. I believe he called Dortmund hypocrites but hey who's counting. First Gladbach now Leverkusen, anyone who gets too close to them suffers.

http://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/s...-borussia-dortmund-perfekt-30585486.bild.html

 

[AusKnightRKO]

They doing what bayern are doing, taking advantage of the CL money, its what close to 60+ mill for semis and final? sucks for the other teams, but i guess Dortmund don't want to fade away as quickly.

Does this mean Hummels to Barca for 20+ Mill?

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

Hoarding defensive talent with Hummels, Subotic, Santana and Lasse to return from loan and Papasthopoulos. God damn vikings they are.

 

[AusKnightRKO]

Reposted, thought it was Bayern who bought him, It has to mean one is out, Hummels to barca or madrid.

Maybe even for khedira or ozil.

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

This should be in the rumoured thread I know but it continues on from the last transfer.

Guess who Hummels has been linked with :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Big Sam]

SCHALKE SIGN SANTANA

Bundesliga | 28.05.2013 09:41:20

Gelsenkirchen - FC Schalke 04 have bolstered their defensive ranks for the 2013/14 Bundesliga campaign with the signing of Felipe Santana from Revier rivals Borussia Dortmund.The 27-year-old Brazilian has signed a three-year deal at the Veltins Arena, lasting until 30 June 2016. He will wear the No5 shirt and replaces the recently-retired Christoph Metzelder.

New challenge

"We're delighted that Felipe Santana has chosen FC Schalke 04," said sporting director Horst Heldt. "He's aggressive in the tackle, reliable and he pops up with goals. He also has five years of Bundesliga experience."

Santana himself is looking forward to a fresh start in Royal Blue: "I've had five great years in Dortmund but they weren't always easy, so I'm looking forward to a new challenge at Schalke"

Hero against Malaga

Felipe Santana began his football journey in his homeland with Figueirense FC, joining Dortmund in 2007. He made 95 Bundesliga appearances for the Yellow-Blacks, as well as six in the DFB Cup and 10 in the UEFA Champions League. He also celebrated Bundesliga titles with BVB in 2011 and 2012, as well as a DFB Cup triumph, and will forever remain in the hearts of the Signal-Iduna-Park faithful for his injury-time winner against Malaga CF in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

http://www.bundesliga.com/en/liga/news/2012/0000255805.php

Hang on - I thought players in the BL went up the food chain from lesser clubs to BVB and then to FCB. What's going on here?

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

He has gone up the food chain

 

[AusKnightRKO]

Thats why they bought Papa, still think Gummels is gone though.

 

[Twizzle]

From Weder Bremen's FB page

Bye bye, Sokratis! The Greek national football team changes for the new season to the Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund. We say thank you for two great years on the river Weser, and wish you all the best!

also TT who is Emre Can ?

Spurs have inquired about a loan deal

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

He's got huge promise. Starred at the last under 17 tournament and I believe he's been named captain of a very strong under 21 German Euro team at 19.

He can play centrally in a deeper role or as a 10 where he did a few weeks ago against Freiburg I think it was. Tall, strong, a bit deficient at ball winning at the moment from reports but not seen much of him due to lack of amateure coverage and sitting on first team bench.

He needs a loan move. Interesting Spurs are keen on him though it's usually the lower teams making these enquiries.

 

[Twizzle]

From what I am hearing he seems to think he wont break into BM team any time soon as there is way to much depth.

Levy will only do a loan deal with a player if there is an agreed buy out clause at the end of the loan period so he will only go back if he is not considered worth the agreed deal.

All I know is that we recently made an inquiry, no idea as to whether its likely to happen or not or even if the player is interested.

Early days.

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

I doubt they will sell him. Bayern usually loan these players out for 2 years, a lot can happen in that time. Tymo is going and I can't see Luiz Gustavo staying for much longer. Looking at Spurs would he even command a regular spot anyway? He should be careful about leaving too soon, Sahin has stalled.

Keep an eye out for him at the Under 21 Euro - and Holtby. Germany, Spain, Netherlands and Russia together :shock:

Levy and Bayern, love to be a fly on the wall for those negotiations :lol:

 

[Twizzle]

same here

we are looking for a creative midfielder, a Modric replacement if you will

Holtby is an AM and Sandro out first string DM so Dembele is pretty much out only central midfielder, Hudd would be next so it falls away pretty quick from there and Hudd is for sale atm

we are looking to bring in a class central mid so I assume this kid would be a "one for the future" signing at his age

probably nothing in it as I said, all we have done is enquire in the last 24 hours and I had not heard of this kid before

cheers for the heads up

 

[Tweek]

same here

we are looking for a creative midfielder, a Modric replacement if you will

Holtby is an AM and Sandro out first string DM so Dembele is pretty much out only central midfielder, Hudd would be next so it falls away pretty quick from there and Hudd is for sale atm

we are looking to bring in a class central mid so I assume this kid would be a "one for the future" signing at his age

probably nothing in it as I said, all we have done is enquire in the last 24 hours and I had not heard of this kid before

cheers for the heads up

he was a gun in FM13

http://footballmanagerstory.com/scout/2013/05/fm-2013-player-profile-emre-can/

 

[AusKnightRKO]

Ask TT what i think about Can, I honestly think he will displace Martinez or Bastien at Bayern if given the chance.

I know Bayern wouldn't sell him but id love to see Arsenal pay 7-10mill for him easily.

The Guy is the most complete centre mid ive ever seen at his age. 15 years from now we will be saying how this guy is on par with Matthaus.

Watched him in the U17 World cup in 11, and he was a level above the other players in his team, in a team that inclued Koray Gunter, Samed Yesil ( Will be a star at liverpool if given the chance) and Okan Aydin. who are all future stars.

 

[Twizzle]

He apprently has 2 years to go on his current contract, we are trying to do a 2 year loan so he runs out when he is with us.

Stephen Freund (AVBs assistant) is apeshit over him and he has convinced AVB and Levy to lash out.

May never happen but thats the story so far.

 

[Jimbo]

Mark Hughes taking over at Stoke

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22686204

 

[AusKnightRKO]

He apprently has 2 years to go on his current contract, we are trying to do a 2 year loan so he runs out when he is with us.

Stephen Freund (AVBs assistant) is apeshit over him and he has convinced AVB and Levy to lash out.

May never happen but thats the story so far.

Hes a beast, but i cant see him leaving, hes desperate to play for Germany, so leaving will destroy that dream.