LA LIGA TRANSFER CENTRE – Falcao flies in as Kaká moves on?

By Jamie Halden
Updated: 19 August, 2011

By Jamie Halden

The proverbial merry go round of ins and outs has almost come to a conclusion for another summer but that hasn’t stopped managers from trying to get some last ditch buys this week.

From Pep to Aguirre, from Bilbao to Mallorca everyone is working away trying to secure their targets.

So far we have seen Cesc and Alexis arrive with suitcase in hand, but we have also lost the golden boy of Spanish football as Sergio Aguero and the bearded one, De Gea both both departed Atleti.

But behind these big names you’re probably wondering ‘whos next to grace Spanish shores?’ well wonder no more, below I’ll do a roundup as best I can of the in’s and out’s surrounding La Liga clubs until the final curtain closes on another busy summer window on September 1st.

The big story this week has been Atletico Madrid having offers accepted for Falcao and Micael of Porto.

Are Atletí about ton invest some money in Falcao?

Many are wondering whether this is a statement of intent by re investing the fee’s received for De Gea/Aguero but alas no, it’s simply political signings so the owners don’t have to face the backlash of Atleti fans for essentially taking the money for themselves.

They’re hoping to use Micael as some sort of makeweight in a move for Gabi by sending him on loan for a season, I’m sure they’ve broke the news to Ruben already though because clearly he will want to join Atleti to be shipped out on loan…

Ustaritz and Guiza have joined the ranks at Betis, who are also looking at Iaquinta of juventus, both on three year deals.

But the Betis fans are surely disheartened by the loss of their star player Emana to the Qatari abyss?

They are yet to replace him, but with Matilla, Ezequiel and Montero in their ranks Betis will certainly not be lacking creativity in their midfield next season.

Mariga has joined Sociedad on loan, joining Arsenal forward Carlos Vela who also signed on loan recently.

Add to those loan signings Zaragoza signing Zuculini on loan and then added to that last season’s third placed team Valencia signing Canales it certainly looks like the way forward for transfers to be structured.

Zaragoza signed veteran war horse Fernando Meira this week to add experience to their back line, but not to be over shadowed Mallorca have signed Alfaro and Levante has signed El Zhar to help secure their teams respective La Liga futures.

Kaka looks set to join up with close friend Leonardo at PSG after the French club reportedly lodged a bid to Real Madrid this morning and without doubt Jose would sell him if he could.

Another never ending saga is that of De Guzman who has long been chased by Villareal for their midfield but they are unwilling to meet his £10m clause.

Not quite of the magnitude of the Cesc saga but I’m sure Islanders would say it feels like an eternity since it started.

With Barcelona adding Sevilla star youngster Rodri to their ranks for a nominal fee it appears along with Kiko that they are gathering all the best talent cheaply and essentially locking them in their basement that is ‘Barce B’.

Not to be outdone Real Madrid signed seven year old Argentine Leonel Angel Coira who it’s thought is the closest thing in style to Messi since…What was the last one they said that about?…Gai Assulin, that was the last one.

Chelsea are upping their bid for Mata once again, I understand a bid was formally lodged to Valencia this morning structured as follows; €18m this summer, €12m next and €6m in add ons including how many International honours Mata wins whilst being a Chelsea player and also payments stretched over the course of Champions League/Premier League appearances.

With Piatti/Pablo/Canales Valencia will hardly struggle to replace Juan if they decide to cash in.

Pablo Osvaldo looks set for a return to Serie A after Roma met Espanyol’s demands after ending their long running pursuit of Nilmar at Villareal, I for one will be said to see him go he really lit up La Liga last season and helped Espanyol to at least attempt to challenge the top six once again.

Lassana Diarra is still expected to leave Madrid after being told he will play at the Castilla is by some miracle he can’t be sold.

A return to the Premier League with Manchester United or Tottenham looks most likely at this stage.

That’s the latest transfer news from La Liga this Friday evening as the merry go round continues across Europe.

With clubs scrambling to get the signings in with only 12 days until the window shuts, we are guaranteed a few twists and turns yet.

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