Fabregas to Real Madrid very likely
European soccer looks set for another dose of money madness later this year, with Arsenal in line to receive a monstrous $80 million fee for Cesc Fabregas.
Spanish giant Real Madrid has already put moves in place to sign Fabregas once the summer transfer window opens, with sources close to the club revealing that president Florentino Perez has given his full approval.
Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho has identified Fabregas as his top target and it is widely expected that Arsenal would find it impossible to turn down such a fee, even for its most influential player.
Such a deal would inevitably ignite the European transfer market once again, just like in the crazed closing days of the January window, when Fernando Torres' move from Liverpool to Chelsea sparked a frenzy of spending.
While losing Fabregas would be a serious blow to Arsenal, the funds realized would give Arsene Wenger tremendous leverage with which to strengthen his squad and minimize the impact of the 23-year-old's departure.
However, the French boss may not find it easy to get great value for money. The $56 million Liverpool was forced to pay Newcastle for Andy Carroll – Torres' replacement – was evidence that clubs flush with a fresh influx of cash find prices driven up on them heavily.
Madrid's determination to sign Fabregas has been instigated by the continuing dominance of its hated rival Barcelona in the Spanish league. Barca has established a seven-point gap at the top this season and looks poised to clinch its third straight title. The Catalan club has built its success largely on the back of a world-class midfield featuring Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets, plus the magic of Lionel Messi.
Real knows it needs to establish a similarly strong core to compete and in Fabregas knows it can get a proven player with years at the top level ahead of him.
Rumors linking Fabregas with a switch to La Liga have rumbled on for the past three seasons, and a transfer now appears inevitable. Arsenal has fought hard to hold on to him up until this point and has him under contract until 2015, but knows now is the time to cash in.
Wilshere tweets England joy
Jack Wilshere's enthusiasm and excitement about making his first appearance for the England national team on Wednesday earned him rave reviews from the press and public.
England team members have been regularly criticized for showing a lack of pride and passion in recent times, but even the morning after the 2-1 victory against Denmark, Wilshere was still buzzing.
He posted a photo of his team shirt, signed by all his teammates, on Twitter, and told his army of followers he was going out shopping for a giant frame to house it in.
Beckham still not with Galaxy
February 10 passed with still no sign of David Beckham returning to the Los Angeles Galaxy. The Galaxy's preseason plans are now fully underway and the team will depart Sunday for a 10-day training camp in Arizona.
Beckham, though, will remain in England – where he is training with Tottenham Hotspur – until February 24.
Tim Leiweke, president of Galaxy owner AEG, acknowledged this week that the club has a strategic alliance with Tottenham but that the desire to have Beckham healthy for the final season of his MLS contract was the reason for the club's refusal to sanction a full loan deal.