From Milan to Madrid (via London)
Monday, 08 June 09, 05:56 PM · Comments(1)
By Michael Sinnerton
So Real Madrid come again. Or rather for the moment Florentino Perez does. The ‘Galacticos President' has signalled his intentions to Barcelona, Spain and the rest of Europe with the likely capture of Brazilian maestro Kaka. Still touted as the best player in the world by many, Kaka would likely make most people's top five despite a season out of the media spotlight of the Champions' League.
With that deal seemingly in the bag, Perez will look to have his cake and eat it too with David Silva, David Villa, Frank Ribery, Cristiano Ronaldo and David Villa all potential targets. There are many who disagree with his way of business but probably none who would call an attacking four of Ribery, Ronaldo, Kaka and Villa anything other than a massive upgrade from Robben, Guti, Raul and Higuain. I say that with respect given to particularly Arjen Robben (on his day the best player in the world) and Gonzalo Higuain (who was sensational for Real last season). Obviously Perez's transfer system comes at a huge cost to the defensive side of the team but Madrid's re-emergence as a huge spending super-power could well kick-start a huge summer of transfer activity. For the record I think Ribery may well go to Barcelona. Either way with Perez almost certain to make two or three world-class marquee signings, and treble-winners Barcelona keen to add quality to depth to a phenomenal starting XI, next year's La Liga looks set to be a cracker already.
Who do you think Real should sign?
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Quick nod to West Ham who have been new owners having been the beneficiaries of the quietest take-over bid since Marcel Marceau's appearance on Bargain Hunt. Hopefully the new owners will practice what they preach and leave the footballing matters to Nani, Clarke and Zola - I pity the fools who tipped them for relegation at Christmas. I've been a bit anti-West Ham since Tevezgate and Alan Curbishley's continued complaints about an injury-prone squad, having bought Freddie Ljungberg and Kieron Dyer, but the good football they played under Zola has more or less won me over, and it seems slightly absurd to me that Newcastle's potential buy-out has received more media attention than West Ham's actual one.
If the media keeps treating Newcastle like a big club then it will continue to feel like one, some time out of the spotlight could do the club some good, just look at the Hammers.
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1 Comments · Add yours
Nice to know we've won you over Sinno.
Just thought I'd say that despite the media coverage and your good gag, the takeover was anything but quick. Gudmunsson's bank Landsbanki have been in moratorium for some months now with the creditors, Hansa seeking to get the best available value for all of the company's assets, of which West Ham are one of the biggest. It was generally accepted that in the current financial climate, selling West Ham at the current market value would not represent good value. Therefore the holding company, CR Holdings is going to hold on to the club, attempt to run it well and make it appear a stable asset, with a view to selling the club in a year or two when the market has restabilised.
As there are already signs of this stability returning to the market, I would not rule out another sale of the club within the current financial year. There are already a couple of interested parties from India and the Middle East who were hoping to pick up a bargain out of Gudmunsson et. als desperation. They will now closely monitor the club to ascertain what true value they believe it to have.
With a woefully run Championship club being valued at £100 million and Portsmouth attracting investment from a billionaire, I would guess West Ham will fetch a fee of around £125 million in the not too distant future.