Transfer rumours

Every summer we get the usual round of "culebrones", the soap operas which drag on and on seeminglessly without end. This year there are several, which Portuguese players will be signing for which clubs, whether Barcelona can offload some of their Dutch contingent and sign up Ballack, Trezeguet etc, the infighting between Betis, Sevilla and Atlético over Makukula, Edu, Luccin, Gronkjaer and others, and last but not least Samuel Eto'o. Everybody knows that the African player of the year is moving on, but where to.....

Meanwhile things are starting to hot up in the transfer market, with most clubs only a few days away from starting their pre-season training. The final managers are in place in the first division, Benito Floro replacing Spain's new manager Luis Aragonés at Mallorca, and Getafe and Numancia signing up Quique Flores and Francisco respectively. That makes thirteen changes in the top flight, which although a new record is nothing compared to the second division A, where no less than 19 of last season's 22 clubs will have a new coach in charge..... (07.07.04)