re: 2013 Summer Transfer Thread

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Porto

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or Benfica?

there´s been some talk about a Serbian midfielder they´ve got. Matic?

BVB make Pierre-Emerick official, 4 year deal, fee around 13-15mm

Also Joselu is going on loan to Eintracht, looks like they're out of the Beowulf race.

frick THAT shite BEOWULF 4 LYFE

Illarramendi article in English:

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The story goes that whilst he was waiting for PSG to find his replacement, Carlo Ancelotti sat down to watch a Spain U-21 game. He initially intended to focus his attention on Isco, Morata and Verratti, but what he discovered that day was Illarramendi. It was the youngster's tactical nous and professional approach that interested him in particular.

So, some days later, when he was having a conversation about how to strengthen the squad with Zidane, the Frenchman explained that reinforcing the team at centre-mid was a priority, and Asier Illarramendi's name was one of the first that they both agreed on.

This, together with the player suiting the profile that Florentino is looking for – due to his quality, his influence on the game and the added bonus of him being Spanish – means that the Real Sociedad midfielder is being considered as a strategic reinforcement, one that would provide natural cover for Xabi Alonso. The opinion in Real Madrid HQ is that "Bale would be the finishing touch, but a centre-mid is a necessity".

So in the end Real's sights aren't centred on Verratti, Vidal, Pirlo or Paulinho. Unless the verbal agreement with Ilkay Gündogan to join next summer can be expedited by a year, which is not likely to happen, Real Madrid is going to start channelling its efforts into convincing Real Sociedad to open negotiations for 'Illara' instead.

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He´s pretty expensive, I think his clause is €30M.




ETA €30M, confirmed.

Is he worth that? I have seen his name thrown around here and there, but I don't have any real knowledge of him. From what I have been able to gather, he is similar to a Pirlo, in that he plays deep, but doesn't necessarily carry a ton of defensive responsibility as a Xabi would.

Didn't say he was, but he has a responsibility to track back and be a shield to the back four.

Good player. Enjoy him.