Kranevitter moves to Sevilla on loan

Prospect of first team football tips balance given competition for places at Atletico

Article by me in MARCA

Atletico Madrid and Sevilla have concluded a deal for the Argentina midfielder Matias Kranevitter to join the Andalusian club on loan for the season.

Sevilla's new boss, fellow Argentine Jorge Sampaoli, was the driving force behind the move, though it generated some internal debate at Atletico given that it would strengthen a direct rival.

Kranevitter is highly regarded but Atletico boast a wealth of options in the centre of the pitch.

The former River Plate man has had to compete with the likes of Gabi, Augusto Fernandez and Tiago since arriving in January and the club has ultimately decided that first team football with the Europa League holders would be the best thing for the player's development.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE AT MARCA IN ENGLISH

Dortmund considering signing Real Madrid's Kovacic

Midfielder in demand across Europe

Article by me in MARCA

Mateo Kovacic is a man with many suitors this summer and already interest has been lodged with Real Madrid regarding the player's availability.

The Croat arrived from Inter last summer and despite failing to nail down a regular starting berth, he is clearly held in high esteem, with Juventus and now Borussia Dortmund both keen to add him to their ranks.

According to the German newspaper Bild, the German side are angling for a move around the 25 million euro mark for the midfielder, with their coach Thomas Tuchel keen to fill the void left by Henrikh Mkhitaryan's departure to Manchester United.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE AT MARCA IN ENGLISH

Isco's son already following in father's footsteps

Little one making moves

Article by me in MARCA

Real Madrid's Isco has been on social media showing off a video of his young son showing us his moves with the ball.

The young lad is still a toddler but clearly the Andalusian playmaker knows you've got to start them off early.

"Maybe there's something there" Isco said. 

The scene is completed by the fact that there is football on the television in the background.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE AT MARCA IN ENGLISH

Cristiano Ronaldo inches closer to Ballon d'Or

Leading Portugal to title would be the crowning glory

Adaptation of Paulo Futre's comment piece by me in MARCA

There are no words, it's been incredible; finally we won a game inside 90 minutes at this European Championship!

It may well be the case that Cristiano Ronaldo is not at 100%, but he can be decisive at even 50%.

The first half was a real tactical battle and Gareth Bale caused us some issues but once we got the opening goal, they were done for; it was all Portugal after the break.

This encounter had been set up as a shootout for the Ballon d'Or between the two Real Madrid superstars, but in that case there is no question that the winner was Ronaldo.

The only thing left for the man from Madeira is to win this European Championship.

He's done everything else you could ask for in this glorious career of his, the finishing touch would be silverware with his country.

He deserves that much for everything he's done, and everything that he's stood for.

Now the question is who will Portugal meet in the final on Sunday at the Stade de France; if I'm being honest, I would prefer France.

Germany demand the utmost respect for all they've achieved.

They knocked-out an Italy side who have been incredibly impressive, they press as a team, and hoard the ball.

I think France might give us more chances.

Once more, Portugal are on the cusp of making history, and I have no more words.

I have but one wish for Sunday: that Ronaldo can lead us to glory and score the winning goal.

The dream of every Portuguese supporter is within sight.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE AT MARCA IN ENGLISH

Diogo Jota: My playing style is similar to Griezmann’s

Latest signing praises Atleti spirit

My article for MARCA

Atletico Madrid's latest signing, the Portuguese attacking midfielder Diogo Jota, believes his style is similar to that of his new teammate Antoine Griezmann.

The 19 year-old was one of the sensations of the Portuguese Primeira Liga last term - his first in the senior side at Pacos de Ferreira -netting 14 times in all competitions as his club punched above their weight to finish seventh.

Jota praised the 'one-for-all' spirit that Diego Simeone has instilled at the Champions League runners-up and is thrilled to have the chance to show his talents on a bigger stage.

"I'm quick on the ball and like to attack with aggression, and one of my best qualities is the range of goals I'm capable of scoring, be it with my head, left foot, or right," he said.

"I love watching Griezmann play, and I think we have some similarities, even in terms of physical appearance.”

Jota went on to express admiration for the unity of purpose at his new club.

"There is a real family spirt at Atletico, when someone gets past one player, suddenly there are two there to cover.

"They all fight for each other and there is a real sense of solidarity."

ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE AT MARCA IN ENGLISH

Atletico Madrid mark out Gameiro as Diego Costa alternative

Article of mine for MARCA

Sevilla's Kevin Gameiro is on the wish-list of Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone should it not prove possible to bring Diego Costa back to the Estadio Vicente Calderon.

Costa shone under the guidance of Simeone but with Chelsea not keen on facilitating the sale of the forward, Los Colchoneros has been investigating alternatives as they look to strengthen their attacking options for the new campaign.

Gameiro didn't get called up by France for the European Championship despite netting 29 goals in all competitions last term but, along with the likes of Gonzalo Higuain and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, he's very much on Atletico's radar according to France Football.

The forward has also been linked with Barcelona and may seek to push onto a fresh challenge after three years in Andalusia.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE AT MARCA IN ENGLISH

Denis Suarez overjoyed to be back at Barcelona

Article of mine in MARCA

Now a Barcelona player again, having rejoined the club from Villarreal after a successful season via the activation of his buy-back clause, Denis Suarez is keen to get going with the La Liga champions.

The deal had been in offing for a couple of weeks but Suarez had made no comment until it was tied up.

"Happy and excited to rejoin the best team in the world," the attacker wrote on instagram.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE AT MARCA IN ENGLISH

Barcelona lose €47m in failed real estate deal

Article of mine in MARCA

A development plan originating in 2005 has come back to haunt Barcelona, to the tune of €47 million.

The project related to the sale of some 10,000 square metres of land in L'Hospitalet, in the south-west of Barcelona, to real estate firm Inmobiliaria Mar for €35.4m during Joan Laporta's tenure as president of the club.

Josep Vives, a spokesman for Barcelona revealed on Monday that the Blaugrana will lose out almost €50m due to Inmobiliaria Mar's failure to meet the conditions of the deal.

The sale came with a range of conditions and objectives which the developer has failed to meet since, and so, under the specifications of the deal, the land is to revert to Barcelona and the sale rendered null and void.

Barcelona are required to return the €35.4m of the original sale with interest, thus the amount will total €47m.

Vives said that Barcelona were exploring their legal options with regard to the matter but added that this had only just come to the board's attention.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE AT MARCA IN ENGLISH