Village Idiot

Marc Overmars.

He was option #2 after Valencia asked north of €50m for Villa. It was Laporta who talked to Moratti (they are close) and then relayed the proposal to Pep.

That's what's reported here too (what he said after leaving). I guess we'll know more details of what happened in the following days. What I know is that Guardiola has very little time for "babysitting" players, and that he is MON-esque when he gives up on a player (Hleb, Henry, Zlatan...). Guess it's one of his flaws.

Cigarini

I'll just pretend it didn't happen and that he decided to retire and consign his life to helping the poor in India or something like that.

It sounds like you're all in a school together. 'Will Zlatan please report to Mr Galliani's room.' Looks like we have been had. Teaches us not to deal with Italians.

Zlatan seems to be signing for Milan as we speak. He's been summoned to the office where Rosell and Galliani are meeting.

Valencia goes one up through Aduriz. Vicente still looking good after all these years and injuries.

Quincy Owusu starting for Málaga, I had not idea he ended up there. Didn't he sign for some Qatari team?

You have a brand new mental french winger now.

18 out of 20 La Liga clubs (that is, everybody bar the big 2) have approved a set of rules calling for a collective TV contract starting the 2014-2015 season. They have submitted it to Real and Barça, who will probably refuse it. However, it seems the smaller clubs are willing to go to war this time, and impede the broadcasting of Real/Barça games when they play away.

Congratulations magpies, seems he'll give entertainment both on and off the pitch

Oh noes :frantic:

How's Cesc playing?

Schalke has bid €13m for Atlético's Jurado.

http://www.newcastle-online.org/nufcforum/index.php/topic,40340.0.html This one? Weee thanks!

Agent 47 http://www.oleole.com/media/main/images/member_photos/group1/subgrp320/zinedine-zidane_73058.jpg Zinedine Zidane http://images.techtree.com/ttimages/story/71789_hitman1.jpg

Can somebody bump me the "footballers that look like celebs/whatever" thread? I can't remember the name of it for a search and wanted to post one I thought of...

On another front, anybody can tell me how did Fulham buy Salcido for a pittance and offload Konchesky for twice the cost to Liverpool?

My fear is that we won't be signing anyone with so little time left, which will leave us thin upfront. The Robinho link has surfaced but it feels like lazy paper talk. EDIT: Pep has just had a press conference and he's hinted that we will be in the market if Zlatan's finally sold.

Will also put some money on Milan winning Serie A if Zlatan's streak continues...

Ok, seems we'll close Zlatan's "transfer" this afternoon. Apparently we'll loan him for this year and Milan will be contractually obligated to buy him at the end for €30-40m (depending on source). We better get some decent cover in quick. Can't compete on all fronts with our current squad.

You're right. What has been said over here is that he's forfeiting some money Liverpool owes him (loyalty payments I guess), in order to make up the difference.

Gerrard is much more attack minded. Gerrard's an AM nowadays, really.

Linked to Madrid before the WC, although they seemed to get linked with every single Portuguese player in existence after they signed Mou.