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News Archive

Latest transfers

It's a sign of the times that the mid-season transfer window opens tomorrow with virtually no sign of activity whatsoever. Even last year there were several moves on the opening day, but this time the economic crisis has bitten even deeper, and nobody has any money for new players. Barcelona for example will be turning to their talented B team to replace the injured Villa, and Real Madrid are only touting with the signing of a possible right back (although the price of their main target, Gremio's Mário Fernandes, has sky-rocketed). Atlético Madrid's unsettled Reyes is impatiently awaiting a return to Sevilla, although the Andalusians are hoping to sell Cáceres to Juventus first to raise a bit of cash, and Villarreal are looking to bring back Uche from his loan at Granada to cover for Rossi, who will probably not be back until near the end of the season. Otherwise though the main news in our opening transfer report is about the recent cull of managers, with Simeone (Atlético), Molina (Villarreal) and Jiménez (Zaragoza) all set to take up their new positions in January, and Juanjo González confirmed as Racing's new coach after a couple of good results as caretaker. Once teams are back from the Christmas break though there may be some movements, and with the transfer window open until the end of January, many will be waiting to see how they fare in the first few games of the year before making any decisions about whether to break open their piggy-banks. (31.12.11)

Player (Country) Current club New club Position/Comments
Simeone (ARG) Racing Avellaneda (ARG) Atlético Madrid MG Number two choice to replace Manzano after Rafa Benítez turned them down again. Cholo is back though!
Manolo Jiménez No club Zaragoza MG Couldn't agree terms with Michel, so ex Sevilla & AEK coach takes over from Aguirre to end of season.
Molina Villarreal B Villarreal MG Elimination from CL & cup signalled end for Garrido, and Molina promoted to take over, with Velázquez up from C team to B team.
Juanjo González Technical director Racing Santander MG Several names mooted to take over from Cúper, but in the end caretaker will stay on.
Ogunjimi (BEL) Genk (BEL) Mallorca FW Transfer came through after summer deadline closed, so have had to wait until now to take him on.
Feng Renliang (CHN) Shanghai Shenhua (CHN) Villarreal MF Chinese international arrives on 3 week trial period. Will train with B team at first. Was linked with Spurs in summer.
Hleb (BEL) Wolfsburg (GER) Barcelona MF Loan spell at Wolfsburg didn't work out, and now have to find somewhere else for him to go. .
Fran Mérida Sporting Braga (POR) Atlético Madrid MF Was part of swap deal with Pizzi, but appears that Braga are returning him already.
Uche (NIG) Granada Villarreal FW Had lent him on after summer signing from Zaragoza, but bringing him back early (subject to confirmation) as cover for injured Rossi.
Mollo (FRA) Granada Nancy (FRA) MF Another who hasn't featured much since joining from Mónaco in the summer, and moves back to France on loan deal.
Tosic (SER) Betis Red Star Belgrade (SER) DF Has hardly played since joining on loan, and have agreed for him to return home six months early.
Carlos Ríos No club Cartagena MG Ex Recre coach takes over from Javi López, third manager already this season!
Vicente Moreno Technical staff Xerez MG Assistant coach replaces Juan Merino, who was fired after string of poor results.
Dani Abalo Celta Nàstic MF Wide player is D'Alessandro's first signing at Nàstic. Joins on loan to end of season.
Oscar Díaz Xerez Girona MF Have signed midfielder, subject to medical check, and have also bought defender Dani Erencia from Terrassa.