REAL MADRID’S TRANSFER EFFORTS FOR VILLA HIT A SNAG

Real Madrid made headlines in recent weeks with two record breaking transfer acquisitions of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo.  And while they made clear that they weren’t finished with their ‘shopping spree’, it seems that other teams might be taking media claims that they have a ‘blank check’ to acquire too literally.  As of Monday, negotiations to acquire Valencia striker David Villa and Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery have bogged down.  The reason?  Both teams want more for these players that Madrid feels they’re worth.

The Villa transfer was reportedly all but a done deal, with a basic framework for a transfer agreement in place.  In the past 48 hours, however, everything has fallen apart with money only one of the contentious issues.  Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano had these comments to the Spanish sports media:

"We have been in talks to buy Villa the past week but there has been no agreement. What appeared to be well on the way to happening looks now to be falling through. If there is no accord we still have two or three more alternatives."

Of course this could be merely a negotiating ploy by Real Madrid—it wouldn’t be the first time that stalled negotiations were revived thanks to a media jumpstart.   Valdano, who is nominally the team’s ‘general manager’, has been charged by new team president Florentino Perez to acquire the talent necessary to rebuild the franchise.  He’s had several other potential transfers hit the skids recently as well.  Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery was next on the list and this is a case where his current team wants more than fair market value for his services.  Valdano is doubtful that they’re serious about wanting to part with him at all:

"They don't want to sell him and that's why they quoted us an astronomical price.”

A similar situation exists with Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso—there’s been some ‘back and forth’ between the two sides but Valdano is of the opinion that they really don’t want to sell the rights to his services.  Lyon striker Karim Benzema is another player of interest, and negotiations for his rights are still ongoing.

At the same time, Real Madrid is also in the selling market as well.  They’re looking to move Dutch players Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder but the team hasn’t received a high enough offer.  Madrid has received a number of other inquiries, but due to the excitement surrounding the team’s future Valdano suggested:

"There are interesting offers for some players but many of them do not want to leave.”

In any case, look for Real Madrid to sign at least three or four more high profile players before the end of the off season transfer period.