Ronaldinho completes $30 million transfer to AC Milan
July 16, 2008
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Barca confirm 51-million-dollar Ronaldinho offer from City
July 15, 2008
BARCELONA, Spain (AFP) - Barcelona has received a 32-million-euro (51-million-dollar) offer for two-time world player of the year Ronaldinho from English Premiership side Manchester City, the Spanish club’s president Joan Laporta said on Monday.
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Chelsea make big-money bid for AC Milan´s Kaka
July 8, 2008
ROME (AFP) - Chelsea have put a big-money offer on the table for Brazilian playmaker Kaka, AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said Sunday, without giving further details of the proposed deal.
"An astronomical offer has come in from Chelsea for Kaka," Galliani told Italian newspaper La Stampa, adding that club have also expressed interest in the club’s World Cup winner Andrea Pirlo.
Despite failing to qualify for the Champions League, Galliani insisted the Rossoneri have been continuing to strengthen their squad and increase players’ salaries.
"This means we’ll be 50 million euros (78 million dollars) in the red," he said, adding: "All we would need to do in order to wipe out our debts is sell Kaka and Pirlo."
AC Milan have been linked with various players in the close season, including Barcelona duo Samuel Eto’o and Ronaldinho, and Arsenal’s unsettled star Emmanuel Adebayor.
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Jo joins Manchester City for record fee
July 3, 2008
MANCHESTER (AFP) - Brazilian striker Jo joined Manchester City from CSKA Moscow on Wednesday for what the English Premier League side said was a "club record" undisclosed fee.
The 21-year-old forward, capped once by Brazil, signed a four-year contract and in the process became Mark Hughes’s first major signing at Eastlands since he replaced Sven-Goran Eriksson as City manager.
Jo, full name Joao Alves de Assis Silva, is a left-footed forward who joined several fellow Brazilians at CSKA in 2006 when he moved from Corinthians.
It had been reported that City expected to pay around 19 million pounds (38 million dollars) for the striker, who scored 44 goals in 77 matches for the Russian club.
"I decided to come to Manchester City because it is one of the clubs who showed more interest in me, although I had other offers as well," Jo said at a press conference announcing his signing.
"After I spoke to the manager (Hughes) I was very pleased.
"I was told Manchester City is a club going forward at the moment. We can go places, that is our objective. We thought about it and I decided to come to Manchester City for that reason."
Jo added Valencia were City’s main rivals for his signature. "The club who showed interest officially was Valencia," he said. "I know from the press there were other clubs who showed interest."
Hughes added: "He’s a big talent and a young man with a big future.
"A lot has been said about him and there was a big expectation on him coming out of Brazil. So with the success he’s had I think it’s a real coup that we’ve been able to bring him to the club.
"He’s a big guy, in stature and in ability, so I think everybody will enjoy watching him play."
During his time with CSKA, Jo won the Russian league and cup double in 2006 and also made numerous Champions League appearances for the Moscow club.
He may not be the only Brazilian joining City, with Hughes confirming the side were in the hunt for Barcelona’s Ronaldinho.
The striker has been told he can leave the Nou Camp, with City, Chelsea and Italy’s AC Milan all suggested as potential destinations for Ronaldinho.
"Basically that’s a process that is ongoing," Hughes said. "I don’t think the process has slowed or accelerated."
Hughes added: "He’s a huge world star and these things, if they are going to happen, are likely to take a bit of time.
"In the discussions he’s had with the club I think he’s been very positive about the idea of coming to the club."
Last season City finished ninth in the Premier League but that wasn’t enough to prevent club chairman Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Thai premier, getting rid of ex-England manager Eriksson after what was widely agreed to have been a successful first year in charge at Eastlands for the Swedish boss.
Eriksson, now in charge of the Mexico national side, was replaced by former Wales and Blackburn Rovers manager Hughes last month.
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Manchester United close to signing Thierry Henry
May 25, 2008
Amazing transfer news are out and it is reported that Barcelona striker Thierry Henry was reportedly on the verge of a move to Manchester United two weeks ago but changed his mind since after talks with new boss Pep Guardiola.
It is widely known that the France striker had a disappointing first season at the Nou Camp following his £16million switch to Barcelona from Arsenal last summer.
It is believed that the main reason for his poor form was being asked to play in an unfamiliar left-wing role by Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard, who has since left the club after a trophy-less season.
Guardiola has taken the reins at the Catalan giants, and is believed to have talked Henry out of a sensational £10million switch to Old Trafford.
The British newspapers have reported that Thierry was told by the new coach he didn’t want him to leave, that he was going to be a big player for Barcelona next season and would have an important role to play for them.
It is believed that the brief conversation has reassured Thierry Henry even though it is believed that Manchester United were ready to buy the talented striker.
Cameroon International striker Samuel Eto’o and Brazilian play maker Ronaldinho are widely expected to leave Barcelona this summer and this means that Henry could become their first-choice striker for the new season.
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