Wait for the muppets to explode
FROM SPORT.CO.UK
Real Madrid eagerly anticipate the unveiling of former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho as the new man in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu speculation has already mounted as to which stars the self-styled 'Special One' will axe from his squad. It has been widely touted in the Spanish press that upwards of twelve first team members could leave Los Merengues with the reports alerting Premier League heavyweights Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City are monitoring developments at the Bernabeu. Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp is also thought to be ready to pounce with experienced Madrid legend Raul tipped to help the Lilywhites with their debut Champions League campaign.
The high profile stars who are interesting the Premier League quintet of Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City include Karim Benzema, Fernando Gago, Lassana Diarra, Rafael Van de Vaart and in-form Argentinean striker Gonzalo Higuain. Spurs are looking at the aforementioned Raul while veterans Jerzy Dudek and Guti are likely to be surplus to requirements under the the new stric era of Portuguese rule.
Fringe players Royston Drenthe, Ezequiel Garay, and Esteban Granero are also likely to be made available this summer. Defensive midfielder Mahamadou Diarra has struggled with injuries in the last year and the Malian could be another who is sacrificed in the window by Mourinho.
Manchester City are already confirmed admirers of Higuain and Gago, while Manchester United and Chelsea have been linked with the Argentine, whose talks over a new contract have reportedly broken down with the club's hierarchy.
Former Pompey, Arsenal and Chelsea star Diarra has been linked recently with a move back to the Gunners as well as Old Trafford, while Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he was interested in signing French forward Karim Benzema.
Arsenal's Dutch star Robn Van Persie last week called for Arsene Wenger to sign his friend and team mate Rafael Van de Vaart, while the midfielder himself confirmed that he weighed up a move to the Emirates in January after hearing of interest from the French coach.
The media in Spain suggest Mourinho is set to tear up the Galactico blueprint which failed to bring any silverware this season, and is eager to bring his own stars to the club with former Chelsea duo Didier Drogba and Ashley Cole reported targets. Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is another English star rumoured to be on the shopping list after the dynamic attacking midfielder nearly signed for Mourinho in 2005.
PLAYER ESTIMATED VALUE (£) INTERESTED CLUB
FROM SPORT.CO.UK
Real Madrid eagerly anticipate the unveiling of former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho as the new man in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu speculation has already mounted as to which stars the self-styled 'Special One' will axe from his squad. It has been widely touted in the Spanish press that upwards of twelve first team members could leave Los Merengues with the reports alerting Premier League heavyweights Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City are monitoring developments at the Bernabeu. Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp is also thought to be ready to pounce with experienced Madrid legend Raul tipped to help the Lilywhites with their debut Champions League campaign.
The high profile stars who are interesting the Premier League quintet of Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City include Karim Benzema, Fernando Gago, Lassana Diarra, Rafael Van de Vaart and in-form Argentinean striker Gonzalo Higuain. Spurs are looking at the aforementioned Raul while veterans Jerzy Dudek and Guti are likely to be surplus to requirements under the the new stric era of Portuguese rule.
Fringe players Royston Drenthe, Ezequiel Garay, and Esteban Granero are also likely to be made available this summer. Defensive midfielder Mahamadou Diarra has struggled with injuries in the last year and the Malian could be another who is sacrificed in the window by Mourinho.
Manchester City are already confirmed admirers of Higuain and Gago, while Manchester United and Chelsea have been linked with the Argentine, whose talks over a new contract have reportedly broken down with the club's hierarchy.
Former Pompey, Arsenal and Chelsea star Diarra has been linked recently with a move back to the Gunners as well as Old Trafford, while Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he was interested in signing French forward Karim Benzema.
Arsenal's Dutch star Robn Van Persie last week called for Arsene Wenger to sign his friend and team mate Rafael Van de Vaart, while the midfielder himself confirmed that he weighed up a move to the Emirates in January after hearing of interest from the French coach.
The media in Spain suggest Mourinho is set to tear up the Galactico blueprint which failed to bring any silverware this season, and is eager to bring his own stars to the club with former Chelsea duo Didier Drogba and Ashley Cole reported targets. Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is another English star rumoured to be on the shopping list after the dynamic attacking midfielder nearly signed for Mourinho in 2005.
PLAYER ESTIMATED VALUE (£) INTERESTED CLUB
- Jerzy Dudek FREE Legia Warsaw / Retirement
- Royston Drenthe 10 MILLION Chelsea / Juventus / Benfica
- Ezequiel Garay 10 MILLION Benfica / Villareal / Valencia
- Mahamadou Diarra 6 MILLION Lyon / AC Milan / Marseille
- Lassana Diarra 20 MILLION Manchester United / Arsenal / Manchester City
- Fernando Gago 15 MILLION Manchester City Guti FREE Al-Ittihad / Blackburn
- Esteban Granero 10 MILLION Getafe / Atletico Madrid
- Rafael Van de Vart 15 MILLION Liverpool / Arsenal / Manchester United
- Raul 5 MILLION Tottenham Hotspur
- Gonzalo Higuain 30 MILLION Manchester City / Manchester United / Chelsea
- Karem Benzema 30 MILLION Manchester United / Manchester City / Chelsea
