Significant moves in world football · 2007-01-31 18:36
David Beckham’s move from Real Madrid to LA Galaxy in a package that could be worth up to $250 million to the player dwarfed every other transfer in the January window which closes on Wednesday.
Although Beckham, 32 in May, could remain at Real until the end of his contract in June, the sporting, cultural and financial aspects of the deal made headlines worldwide.
Other significant moves included Brazilian striker Ronaldo, also leaving Real, for AC Milan and Swedish scoring machine Henrik Larsson arriving on loan at Manchester United.
The moves of Beckham and Ronaldo ended the “galacticos” era at the Madrid club during which Real bought some of the world’s most famous players – but won nothing significant with them.
Real will not get a transfer fee for Beckham and only received 7.5 million euros for Ronaldo, less than half the sum Milan offered them last August.
As usual Real were also the biggest spenders as they splashed out some 45 million euros on rejuvenating their squad with three South American youngsters – Argentine duo Fernando Gago and Gonzalo Higuain and Brazilian fullback Marcelo.
Of the other top Primera Liga sides, Sevilla look to have made another astute purchase in Russia’s Alexander Kerzhakov, while Atletico Madrid have strengthened their already miserly defence with Brazilian centre back Fabiano Eller, Reuters informs.
• After vaginal births one in four babies has brain bleed
• Ancient village is found not far from Stonehenge
|