Found this gem in today’s BBC gossip column:
Real Madrid want Manchester United to utilise their £15m buy-back clause for Benfica’s Alvaro Carreras, 22, so they can pay about £27m to take the Spanish left-back to the Bernabeu rather than spending the £50m demanded by the Portuguese club. (AS - in Spanish)
Did somebody say “Entitled”?
If I were Man U, I would buy him back for £15m and then ask Real for £60m for him.
News coming out of Spain that Xabi Alonso has agreed to take over from Carlo.
Update
It’s confirmed.
I guess the big question now is how many of the side follow him out of the door?
From Hincapie, Tah, Grimadlo, Frimpong, Wirtz, Boniface, Schick it wouldnt be a surprise to see as many as 5 of them go.
Tah is leaving on a free.
Frimpong has a release clause.
Wirz will sign with Bayern. This summer or next is yet to be seen.
Huge fan of Alonso, and always want him to do well, but not in this job.
Will be interesting to see how he handles the big egos. A far different proposition to Leverkusen. I’d also be keen to see how long he lasts there, but even if it did go horribly wrong, he and his family can stay in Spain for a bit. I’d imagine Bayern will come knocking at some point too. I don’t want to see him at any English club.
I said last year that he’s one of the most cunning and intelligent people in football. He probably had his whole career planned out years ahead of him and he knew he’d take over at Real Madrid once Ancelotti was done there, whenever that might be.
I expect him to be a resounding success there but I admit that there’s a big part of me that wants him to fail there. Not sure if it’s because I’m immature, envious or because I don’t think his “love” for Liverpool is sincere. Maybe it’s all three but I think he’s a man doing it all for himself and not for some higher, common cause, for want of a better word, while presenting himself as the utmost diplomat who truly “cares” for some football club.
Neat turn by Bajetic.
More defensive responsibility with Essugo subbed
Raft of changes after going down by a goal with Bajetic dropping into central defence
Fuster on for Bajetic
How’s Bajčetić doing lately, by the way? I still have hopes for him, to be honest, but I feel this summer is going to be crucial for his Liverpool prospects.
Sorloth hattrick in 11mins vs Sociedad…
Haha Zubimendi
One of the best central midfielders in Spain over the second half of the season.
The key thing for me, having watched all his games for Las P, including yesterday’s loss to Rayo, is that he’s rediscovered his game- the coverage, tackling, the cheekiness…
He’s been used as deep as in central defence, DM, AM, RB.
His composure under pressure comes thru and he’s very good in small spaces; able to execute quick touch and go passes.
His preseason I suspect will determine if LFC go into the market for CMs
A truly strange footballer IMO
Would not surprise me were he to go on and struggle to settle in England…
Even with my LFC bias, there’s reason to question his mentality and professional ambitions. Always thought he had the technique to truly challenge Rodri in the DM role, which the LFC transfer would’ve given him…
Zubimendi is too interested in the mountains of Madrid.
And Sorloth scores 4 against Sociedad