ARSENE WENGER WARNS REAL MADRID OVER TRANSFER POLICY

The Arsenal boss has declared that Real Madrid's heavy summer spending may well backfire...


Real Madrid's returning president Florentino Perez appears utterly determined to continue making use of his chequebook as he wishes to strengthen his side with just top-notch material.

After splashing out nearly £150 million on Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, Real Madrid have spent a reported €15 million to sign Raul Albiol from Valencia and continue being linked to several other players.

Wenger, who was one of the names in the frame to be installed as Real Madrid boss, has now confirmed why he turned down the chance to guide the Spanish capital club.

"Real Madrid lean towards football-spectacle, but there is another dimension: the success of building a team with a style, a know-how, a club's own game culture, of youngsters," he told Dauphine Libere.

"That is what I have chosen. I am in a project of a construction of a young team. I want to stay until the end.

"I enjoy watching my team play the football that I love."

The French tactician has also warned Real that a summer of hefty spending may produce an undesired effect.

"Signing more than three players is to take a technical risk. We enter an area of incertitude.

"But if it works, they will make a lot of damage," he concluded.

REAL MADRID TO PRESENT KAKA AT 20:30 ON TUESDAY, JUNE 30

The Brazilian is coming to the Bernabeu...


Real Madrid have announced that they will formally present new signing Kaka to the press and the fans on Tuesday evening at 20:30 at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

The Brazilian superstar arrives in the Spanish capital from AC Milan, having also just won the Confederations Cup with his national team.

This event will bring to an end a chase for Kaka's signature that has taken Madrid years, but one that has finally borne fruit.

The Blancos are well-known in the sport for their love of pomp and circumstance, and with thousands of fans expected to turn up to see president Florentino Perez hand over the white shirt to his latest capture, there is bound to be no shortage of a sense of event.

Goal.com will bring you the latest coverage from the Bernabeu live as it happens, so join us on Tuesday evening for your first look at Kaka in Spain.

GERMANY HAMMER ENGLAND TO BE CROWNED EUROPEAN UNDER-21 CHAMPIONS

Germany Under-21 4-0 England Under-21

Germany won the European Under-21 title this evening in Malmo. Mesut Ozil inspired Horst Hrubesch's side to a 4-0 success with a virtuoso display of playmaking football.
Two of world football’s greatest rivals produced a hard-fought and entertaining European Under-21 final, with the tenacious Germans edging out England, mainly thanks to the offensive excellence of Mesut Ozil, who scored one goal and created others for Gonzalo Castro and Sandro Wagner. Wagner would then bag his second late on with a fine long-range drive as Horst Hrubesch’s side outdid Stuart Pearce’s men 4-0. For their part, England enjoyed a great deal of the ball and threatened resistance midway through the second half, but ultimately lacked a threat in front of goal.

It was a depleted England side, shorn of strikers Gabriel Agbonlahor and Fraizer Campbell, in addition to goalkeeper Joe Hart, due to suspensions, who started the game in the more positive manner. The verve that the Young Lions enjoyed in the opening stages produced early opportunities for Martin Cranie, who knocked a header from a dangerous James Milner free kick wide, and Theo Walcott, who drilled off-target from an inclement angle after making a sharp burst into the right channel.

Walcott and Milner would prove to be England’s most productive players in a first half that they would eventually lose, despite dominating possession of the ball. Too often the Young Lions had more style than substance to their play, frequently looking more technically able than their opponents, but lacking physical muscle up front to make serious inroads into the stereotypically well-organised German defence.

There were flashes of offensive inspiration from Stuart Pearce’s men, although Walcott was well marshalled by Mats Hummels, who produced three well-timed challenges on the Arsenal man just as he approached the danger-zone. A superb turn from Milner, who had already flashed a dangerous ball across the goalmouth, suddenly opened up the German defence after 28 minutes. A further touch took the Aston Villa man away from Benedikt Hoewedes , but Jerome Boateng was smartly across to clear the danger.

Transfer Rumors (27 June 09)

The big news of the weekend thus far is the completion of the formality that was Cristiano Ronaldo’s world-record £80m transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid. In case you hadn’t heard though, Ronaldo has signed a six-year deal with Real, and he’ll officially be unveiled as a Real player on July 6.

But, that’s not the only transfer news from the weekend thus far. With the sale of Ronaldo, United have quite the sizable summer transfer kitty, and a chunk of it could be spent on a 5′7” Argentine forward (but not one who can’t seem to leave well enough alone).

Of course, if you want all the specifics, you have to keep on reading, so hop to it! And just so you know, the summer transfers lists are all up-to-date with the latest signings, including Ronaldo’s move to Real and many other recently completed moves.


England

United In Contract Talks With Aguero?

According to Marca, Manchester United have been in discussions with the representatives of Atletico Madrid star Sergio Aguero to see (Tribal Football)

Analysis: The obstacle with any move for Aguero would seem to be the fee (or perhaps rival interest from Chelsea). I think we’ll find out within the next week or so how serious this one is, but it’d seem that United are going to have to pay and club record and then some if they want to get him.

Tottenham Bid For Obinna

Tottenham have made a £6m bid for Inter Milan striker Victor Obinna. The Nigeria international nearly moved to Everton last season, but he was unable to get a work permit. (Daily Mail)

Analysis: Obinna wasn’t able to get a work permit for a loan move to Everton last summer, but his chances could be a lot better this time around after representing Nigeria in the Olypmics last summer and making appearances for Nigeria in their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Tottenham Put £18m Price Tag On Bent

Tottenham have placed an £18m price tag on striker Darren Bent, who has been strongly linked with a move to Sunderland.

While a sale of Bent might not be as imminent as it appeared, midfielder Tom Huddlestone will be on his way out soon, as Tottenham have accepted three bids of £8.5m for the 22-year-old. (The Mirror)

Analysis: Bent won’t be leaving for that price in the end, but come on. I can understand that Levy doesn’t want to take a big loss on someone that cost 16.75m only two summers ago, but I can’t say

As for Huddlestone, I’d have to put my money on him signing with Villa, since they’ve been the name most prominently linked with him this summer, but it certainly won’t be Everton, as they’ve ruled themselves out of the running.

Fulham Interested In Jo

Fulham are interested in Manchester City striker Jo. (The Mirror)

Analysis: Jo didn’t have the best of spells at Manchester City last season, and with City signing Roque Santa Cruz and Carlos Tevez (and perhaps Samuel Eto’o) on the way to City, his future at the club rates as slim to none. But he did have more success at Everton in his loan spell, and he did prove that he can hold his own in the Premier League.

Bolton’s Bodde Bid Rejected

Swansea have rejected a £2.5m bid from Bolton for midfielder Ferrie Bodde. (Sky Sports)

Analysis: Swansea’s asking price is reportedly double that, and I’m not sure I see Bolton splashing out that much for him. Even if the bid is improved to 3-4m, that might not be enough, because Swansea no doubt fancy their chances to make a run at promotion next season, and losing Bodde would be detrimental (as was his injury layoff last season) to those hopes.

Burnley Bid For Fletcher

Burnley have made a club-record £2.75m bid for Hibs striker Steven Fletcher. (The Mirror)

Analysis: Can’t hurt to try, but that falls a little short of what Hibs want for Fletcher.
Spain

Barcelona Close On Kerrison

Barcelona are close to a £12m deal for highly-rated Palmeiras striker Kerrison. After he signs, the 20-year-old could be used to help sweeten Barcelona’s move for Valencia striker David Villa. (Tribal Football)

Analysis: Being able to get a free-scoring forward like Kerrison could certainly soften the blow of losing Villa. No telling how much they’d have to shell out for a permanent deal if Barca send him out to Valencia on an extended loan deal, but there could be some sort of ‘we sold you David Villa’ discount in there, no?
Italy

AC Milan Make Adebayor Approach

AC Milan have made an approach for Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor. (Daily Mail)

Analysis: Yes, they can have him, provided they can convince Edin Dzeko to get red and black colored hearts out of his eyes to join up with Arsenal as Adebayor’s replacement. Or hey, how about signing Adebayor and Dzeko and loaning Dzeko to Arsenal for next season?

All Dzeko-related moves aside, Adebayor doesn’t need to be at Arsenal next season, that much is true. As I said recently, the amount of interest this summer isn’t nearly what it was last summer, so Arsenal best cross their fingers and hope that AC Milan make a serious bid to sign him.
Portugal

Benfica To Sign Saviola

Benfica have reached an agreement with Real Madrid for striker Javier Saviola to sign the Argentine striker for €5m. (Goal.com)

Analysis: This is a good move for Benfica even if Blackburn target Oscar Cardozo moves this summer. Saviola has had some rough times over the last few seasons, but he’s only 27, and I think he’s still got plenty of goals left in the tank.