Confirmed Moves Involving Other Clubs

[Shaggy]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13984029.stm

Arsenal full-back Gael Clichy has signed a four-year deal with Premier League rivals Manchester City.

The 25-year-old moves to Eastlands for a reported fee of £7m.

The defender, who joined the Gunners from French club Cannes in 2003, is City boss Roberto Mancini's first signing of the summer.

"I'm really happy to be joining such a great club. I hope I can add to the quality we already have here because we have a fantastic squad," he said.

"I can't wait to get started and I think anything is possible with this team."

The defender, who joined the Gunners from French club Cannes in 2003 and has 10 France caps, will contest the City left-back position with Aleksandar Kolarov.

Clichy reportedly told Arsenal he wanted to leave last month, and had been linked with Liverpool and Roma.

The Frenchman spent the first half of his career with Arsenal as cover for Ashley Cole, but became a regular in Arsene Wenger's side over the past five seasons following Cole's move to Chelsea.

Clichy will be officially unveiled during City's forthcoming tour of the USA and Canada.

His move comes at a tricky time for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, with playmaker Cesc Fabregas again being linked with Barcelona.

Midfielder Sami Nasri has also been tipped to leave the club, and is thought to be a target for both Manchester City and Manchester United.

[Craig_H]

I'm really happy to be joining such a great club

Who's he trying to kid?

[Fivex]

Substitute great for rich.

[Mostar]

@guardian_sport
Goalkeeper Ali al-Habsi joins Wigan Athletic for £4m from Bolton http://t.co/GBPz7f8

[ronanm]

Utd have done some excellent business imo - c*nts

[Shaggy]

Luis Garcia moves from Panathinaikos to Peubla in Mexico.

[ronanm]

Fabio Contreao (or whatever) €30 m to Real Madrid

[Nick77]

Fabio Contreao (or whatever) €30 m to Real Madrid

Stupid money for a left back - then again he's going to a stupid club!

[RedReet]

Fabio Contreao (or whatever) €30 m to Real Madrid

Confirmed?

[dww]

Stupid money for a left back - then again he's going to a stupid club!

I think spending big on a fullback can be a decent option for a team that is very strong elsewhere (look at what Alves brings to Barcelona).

[ronanm]

Confirmed?

No - fee agreed according to the irish times site:

Real agree €30 million fee for Coentrao
Soccer: Real Madrid have agreed to sign Portugal left back Fabio Coentrao from Benfica for a fee of €30 million. The completion of the deal is subject to the player passing a medical and agreeing personal terms with the Spanish club.


Coentrao, 23, had a contract with Benfica until 2016 and is regarded as one of the most promising left backs in Europe. He impressed at last year's World Cup and has been one of Benfica's best players since returning to the club in 2009 after three loan spells.

Coentrao joined Benfica from Rio Ave in 2007 as a winger but failed to make an impact in his first season and went on three consecutive loan spells, including a short and unimpressive one at Spain's Zaragoza.

Benfica coach Jorge Jesus recalled Coentrao in 2009 and converted him into a speedy and tricky left back who became a key member of the team who won the Portuguese title in 2010 for the first time in five years.

If the transfer goes through, Coentrao will becoming Madrid‘s fifth signing of the summer following on from Turkey international duo Nuri Sahin and Hamit Altintop, Espanyol winger Jose Maria Callejon and Frenchman Raphael Varane.

[Pablo]

I think spending big on a fullback can be a decent option for a team that is very strong elsewhere (look at what Alves brings to Barcelona).

I've said the same elsewhere before.

[RedReet]

No - fee agreed according to the irish times site:

Real agree €30 million fee for Coentrao
Soccer: Real Madrid have agreed to sign Portugal left back Fabio Coentrao from Benfica for a fee of €30 million. The completion of the deal is subject to the player passing a medical and agreeing personal terms with the Spanish club.


Coentrao, 23, had a contract with Benfica until 2016 and is regarded as one of the most promising left backs in Europe. He impressed at last year's World Cup and has been one of Benfica's best players since returning to the club in 2009 after three loan spells.

Coentrao joined Benfica from Rio Ave in 2007 as a winger but failed to make an impact in his first season and went on three consecutive loan spells, including a short and unimpressive one at Spain's Zaragoza.

Benfica coach Jorge Jesus recalled Coentrao in 2009 and converted him into a speedy and tricky left back who became a key member of the team who won the Portuguese title in 2010 for the first time in five years.

If the transfer goes through, Coentrao will becoming Madrid‘s fifth signing of the summer following on from Turkey international duo Nuri Sahin and Hamit Altintop, Espanyol winger Jose Maria Callejon and Frenchman Raphael Varane.

Confirmed moves involving other clubs




Nah, in all seriousness, the only reason I asked because I thought I’d seen on SSN not long before reading that that he was one of Villas-Boas main targets, then thought I’d imagined it after reading your post. Think I might have read it in the paper anyway.

[danperkins]

Real Madrids squad is absolutely ridiculous. The gulf between Real & Barca and the rest of the league, is just plain laughable.

[ronanm]

Confirmed moves involving other clubs




Nah, in all seriousness, the only reason I asked because I thought I’d seen on SSN not long before reading that that he was one of Villas-Boas main targets, then thought I’d imagined it after reading your post. Think I might have read it in the paper anyway.

Aha - fair point, not quite confirmed