Village Idiot

Don't think there's any team in the world (and that includes us) that wouldn't want Torres in their squad.

His contract was expiring in 12 months, so it's not like they had a choice. To be fair to Sergio, he could have refused and just run it out or force a sale on the cheap.

This deal actually *decreases* his release fee. From 60 to 45.

Drenthe claims Juve have put a loan offer for him and asks to be allowed to join.

Its not exactly difficult to say no. They make it sound like hes running around with Carroll in a bag hoping Kenny doesnt find him and steal him. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQW9UBFei5c

Spurs have tabled a bid for Forlán.

To be fair, he does look like a lesbian. That's Xavi.

David Villa is 29. Have a huge man-crush on him, mind

30m is a fucking lot of money. I would reject it only because you have no time to replace him now and would greatly compromise the rest of your season. But I would think again in the summer depending on where you end up in the table.

Is that not the point though, to tell people in Spain about Premiership and to tell people in England about La Liga? I've only seen him a few times on TV here and he's been talking about potential moves for La Liga players to England. Yeah, but 75% of the time the news he reports are stuff that anybody with a cursory interest in the other league would already know. The other 25% made-up "exclusives" that are just plainly untrue. His last PL article in "As" is about Liverpool signing Laudrup as AssMan and buying Negredo.

Some day people will realize Balagué is full of s***, he is a "Premier League expert" in Spain by reporting stuff everybody in England already knows and a "La Liga expert" in England by reporting stuff everybody in Spain already knows.

Atlético's Quique Sánchez Flores has been given the board's backing, which as we all know means he'll be getting the sack in the next weeks unless he turns the club around dramatically.

Atlético bought Caminero from Valladolid when they were in Segunda, dunno what they paid but it's the biggest profile player I can think moving from a Second to a First division club in Spain. Have in mind that a player not in the top flight will have a bag of crisps as release clause, so big money moves are very unlikely. On that note, what players have been signed from the Segunda Division and been a big success in La Liga? David Villa obviously, Caminero, Güiza (guess he counts as a success)...

According to our labor law, a worker can always cancel his contract and move to another employer. A release clause is - in fact - a penalty the footballer agrees to pay in case he tears up his contract. They aren't mandatory, but if they weren't included in footballer contracts they would be able to move freely.

Atlético bought Caminero from Valladolid when they were in Segunda, dunno what they paid but it's the biggest profile player I can think moving from a Second to a First division club in Spain. Have in mind that a player not in the top flight will have a bag of crisps as release clause, so big money moves are very unlikely.

I need to work something about black power without sounding racist here.

Big bucks for Villarreal. I think Man United have got first dibs on him should they sell IIRC. Yes, they have a first option.

My aunt is about to marry a Milan fan. He's already told me to come over and go to San Siro Will plan some Italian holiday next season.

Rossi signed a new contract with Villarreal just two weeks ago, too.

Our football culture is rather entrenched... I guess something has to do with the fact that we are a rather short and small bunch (shortest nation in the EU actually) and thus have a hard time basing football teams around athleticism. Bilbao is the only club to have succeeded this way.

Rate Alexis Sánchez better than Valencia, to be frank.

http://estaticos02.marca.com/imagenes/2011/01/30/futbol/equipos/real_madrid/1296420015_extras_portada_1.jpg That gaze... El Rifle, what a legend

Depor have a transfer embargo on them, so the move can't be completed. They say they will solve it tomorrow though.

Get in, Giuseppe. Make this a perfect day. What a player.

No. Their manager issued a hands off warning this afternoon, though. Handoff is tough s*** with a release clause though Not really, explained it a few pages ago but when a Spanish club is said to be triggering a release clause it's usually not the case but the selling club agreeing to a bid equal to the clause. The taxes attached to the release fee are stratospheric and could add up to 50% to the cost (which would go to the state, hence the selling club not really having an interest in upholding the clause if the sale is inevitable). There's a gentlemen's agreement between Spanish clubs to always accept bids equal to the amount of the release fee, but that doesn't apply to foreign clubs.