Transfer rumours

Only one week to go now to the transfer window deadline, but the market is still fairly slow and there are several issues to resolve. Many of the bigger clubs though had been waiting to see if they made it through the Champions League qualifiers, and Valencia for example signed Joaquín this week the day after they won their tie against Salzburg (even though Regueiro refused to move the other way in part exchange). Osasuna are less likely to strengthen their squad however after being knocked out by Hamburg. Meanwhile Real Madrid finally got their man, Diarra moving from Olympique Lyon for a reported fee of around €26 million, some €2 million more than the Chés paid for the Betis winger. Madrid could miss out on Arsenal's Reyes though after their neighbours Atlético stepped in with a late bid. (24.08.06)