Transfer rumours

The opening rush is now over, and the big clubs at least have the basis of their squads complete. The problem now is how to offload the players who are surplus to requirements, and the bargain hunters have been busy in the last few days, with Real Madrid in particular transferring Helguera to Valencia, Pavón to Zaragoza and Mejía to Murcia, Barcelona selling Giuly to Roma, Atlético allowing Petrov to move to Manchester City and Valencia finding homes for Jorge López (Racing) and "the boxer" David Navarro (Mallorca). Madrid are still trying to fill the hole on the left flank though, with Reyes, Robben and Drenthe reportedly all close to signing deals, although Drenthe is apparently a self-confessed Barça fan and would love to move to the Nou Camp instead!

Elsewhere Zaragoza have tied up Matuzalem (the man who scored the "scorpion kick" goal against Sevilla last season), and Pandiani agreed a surprise move from Espanyol to Osasuna. Old warhorse Urzaiz will be leaving us to play out his last days at Ajax, but as we go to press we hear that ex Barcelona winger Simao will be returning to La Liga following a big money move to Atlético. It looks like being an exciting season to come, and we still have more than a month to go before it all starts again! (26.07.07)