Arsenal in Ozil swoop

Arsenal are expected to complete the signing of Mesut Ozil later today.

Mesut Ozil could be headed to North London

The Real Madrid attacking midfielder is currently undergoing a medical in Munich whist away on international duty in preparation for their World Cup qualifier against Austria on Friday.

The £42.5 million pound deal is is now thought to be just a formality after Manchester United confirmed that they were not interested following rumours that Ozil preferred a switch to Old Trafford – an interesting comment from United following yesterdays frustrating loss to Liverpool where midfield creativity was seriously lacking.

The 24 year old will be a fantastic, if not surprising, addition to Arsene Wenger’s Gunners.  Following Bale’s confirmation as a Real Madrid player following his medical this morning, it appears Wenger was waiting for Bale to move before pouncing.

It is reported that Wenger hopes to tie up Argentinian playmaker Angel Di Maria also.  Bales move seem to have unsettled a few big name players at Madrid and are ready to move on to guarantee regular first team football – especially with the World Cup just round the corner.

Angel Di Maria to follow in Ozil’s footsteps?

Should Wenger sign Ozil and Di Maria before the window closes at 11pm tonight, it will certainly silence the critics Wenger has had over the past couple of months.  Fans and pundits alike were worried that Arsenal were not going to strengthen a very thin squad, short on serious quality that Ozil and Di Maria will provide.

Related articles

• Real Madrid Playmaker set to have medical at Arsenal (bayyou11.wordpress.com)
• Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger targets Real Madrid pair Mesut Özil and ?ngel di María (telegraph.co.uk)
• Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil transfer hopes boosted as the Real Madrid star throws a strop (mirror.co.uk)
• Arsenal Join Race To Sign Real Madrid Midfielder Mesut Ozil (totalfootballmadness.com)

Fernando Alonso sparks Red Bull transfer rumours

Fernando Alonso has sparked rumours that he may be on the verge of signing for Red Bull.

In a Tweet he made from his official page, he has stated “I have important news coming these days. Stay tuned here on Twitter and on the Web…” A rather cryptic post to say the least.

After his manager was spotted holding talks with Christian Horner at the Hungarian Grand Prix, rumours have surfaced of a switch to Red Bull next season – as Mark Webber’s replacement.

However, it seems very unlikely that the announcement “in the next few days” will be to announce he is leaving Ferrari, with the Italian Grand Prix fast approaching this weekend.  If an announcement of this magnitude was to be made, I’m sure Ferrari would prefer to hold off until after the Grand Prix on Ferrari’s home turf.

……..Or maybe he’s actually formed a pop duo with his old friend Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton/Alonso double act?

Related articles

• Fernando Alonso plays down Ferrari rebuke (dnaindia.com)
• Ferrari on the brink of losing Alonso (chrisonf1.com)
• Niki Lauda warns Red Bull against Alonso (motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com)
• Alonso linked to surprise Red Bull move (motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com)

Gareth Bale undergoes medical ahead of Madrid switch

Gareth Bale was today undergoing a medical ahead of the completion of his transfer to Madrid.

Gareth Bale undergoes Madrid Medical

Unless Los Blancos deem the 24 year old flying winger unfit to play football, he will be unveiled at the Bernabeu in front of 80,000 fans at 12pm GMT.

That completes the long running saga that has dominated this summers transfer dealings, with Real Madrid submitting a bid for the young Welsh wizard as early as June 3rd.  The original bid was said to be about £105 million.  An astronomical amount for a 24 year old who has only had one outstanding season – I dread to think what Ronaldo and Messi are worth in today’s over inflated market.  The final fee is said to be £85.3 million pounds (100 million Euros).

Tottenham have held out as long as possible in order to find a suitable replacement for their best player.  And replace him they have.  Tottenham have been one of the busiest teams in the summer transfer market, signing 7 players totalling just over £100 million.  Totenham could be a team to watch this season once all players have settled in.

It remains to be seen just how Bale is going to fit into the Madrid side with such superstars already in the squad.  A player in the same mould as Cristiano Ronaldo is hardly going to sideline the Portuguese superstar, with rumours that the huge fee for Bale has unsettled a number of members of the Madrid dressing room, including Ronaldo.

With Bale’s dream move all but complete, I doubt very much he will be too bothered about the dressing room feeling towards him.  There is no doubting that the young Welshman has immense talent and potential.  With a lot of hard work on the training ground, Bale may just silence his doubters and justify the world record amount he cost Madrid to become the newest Galactico.

Related articles

• Real Madrid sign Gareth Bale (liamheadd618.wordpress.com)
• 100 Million Bale Out (cleanpairofshorts.com)
• BREAKING: Real Madrid Sign Gareth Bale For 100 million Euros (muzicupdate.wordpress.com)
• Gareth Bale Spurs-Real Madrid Move Confirmed (news.sky.com)
• Tottenham claim new club has joined Real Madrid in pursuit of Gareth Bale (telegraph.co.uk)
• Bale to Madrid – Bale becomes world’s most expensive transfer (wheelsandgoals.wordpress.com)