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Just when we thought the transfer market was being cleared for the last-minute shoppers, up pops a cracker from Spain.

It is being reported in several of the country's many sporting papers that Real Madrid have offered to take Michael Ballack, as well as Arjen Robben, from Chelsea – which is all very strange as it is a strong grapevine rumour that Real’s new manager, Bernd Schuster, and Ballack aren’t exactly the best of German buddies.

'A couple of weeks ago Schuster said he wasn’t looking to take his fellow countryman to the Bernabeu. Well, women don’t have a monopoly on mind changing!'


Chelsea and Real have been haggling over Robben for weeks, but now the Spanish champions have tabled a cheeky £27m bid for the pair. A couple of weeks ago Schuster said he wasn’t looking to take his fellow countryman to the Bernabeu. Well, women don’t have a monopoly on mind changing!

It’s just as well Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce plunged £6m on Manchester United striker Alan Smith. Then again, he was in a position to have inside information! It seems poor old Michael Owen has been struck down by yet another injury that is going to keep him out of action (Daily Mail). He’ll certainly miss the opening Premiership game at Sam’s old club, Bolton, next Saturday. Sounds like Smith debut time.

Owen only managed three starts for the Magpies last season and his latest  muscle-tear problem is proving difficult to heal. "The tear in the muscle hasn't healed as quickly as we would like, so there's no point in making any rash decisions just to get him fit for the start of the season,” explained the St James' Park boss.

The one bit of good news for Allardyce is that the club are close to securing the signature of Serbian defender Ivica Dragutinovic from Sevilla (Sportinglife.com). There has been competition from Manchester City, but that’s not particularly unusual. Sven-Goran Eriksson is running around the transfer market like a headless chicken.   

Martin O’Neill is keen to add to his Aston Villa squad and hopes to add two new names to the team sheet before the big kick-off. But in the meantime he’s got three signatures without stepping outside Villa Park.

New deals have been accepted by two of his most promising youngsters, Craig Gardner and Luke Moore, and he’s also talking to representatives of Olof Mellberg and Thomas Sorenson, established stars who are in the final year of their contracts.

Reading manager Steve Coppell reckons he isn’t too worried that defender Nicky Shorey has rejected a chance to extend his contract with the Royals. If I were Steve, I’d take the phone off the hook and forget to turn on the mobile, because the wires are going to be buzzing once news gets out.

Shorey’s name must have been on the top of at least six most-wanted-player lists in the Premiership and it is fairly common knowledge that West Ham, Manchester City (on no, not again!) and Newcastle are looking to strengthen their defences.. Shorey’s appearance in an England shirt in the friendly against Brazil last season will have guaranteed another £2m on his market value.

Although he still has two years to run on his current contract, Shorey is leaving his options open, which in football parlance often means: ”OK guys, start the bidding!” England Under-21 striker Leroy Lita is another Royal who refuses to be tied to a longer deal.

And yes, just to place it on record, Fernando Torres has scored his first goal for Liverpool. The £20m striker finally got off the mark with a superb chip over the goalkeeper as Liverpool beat Shanghai Shenhau 2-0 in the Rotterdam tournament. Steven Gerrard scored the other.