Real Madrid Firesale: Sneijder, Huntelaar, Robben, Diarra, Van der Vaart and Ruud for sale
The other shoe has finally dropped.
Real Madrid have put up nine players for sale, including their whole Dutch contingent. Joining Heinze, Saviola and Mahamadou Diarra on the transfer list are Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rosten Drenthe, Rafael Van der Vaart and perhaps most surprisingly, the young trio of Arjen Robben, Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Wesley Sneijder.
According to Sid Lowe, Real Madrid have faxed a list of players for sale to several Premier League clubs and are desperately looking to reduce their wage bill, reduce the number of non-Spanish players in the squad and to bring in funds to supplement their transfer strategy. Robben, Huntelaar and Sneijder are all expected to net Madrid handsome transfer revenue, even if they are unlikely to recover the full amount spent on these players.
After spending nearly £150m on Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka in the space of 7 days, a massive deal already planned for David Villa (£40m) and with Madrid still needing a central defender, left back and central midfielder, Perez is, in his own words, condensing a 3-year plan into 1 year. If the past is any indication, Perez will not only bring more Galaticos to Real Madrid this summer but he will also load the club under massive debt and clear out the squad to make space for his Galacticos.
According to Sid, Madrid remain determined to sell players, even if they do not recuperate their original fees, and would also consider loans. Together, Sneijder, Drenthe, Robben and Van Nistelrooy account for almost 10m a year in wages, while Diarra is on 2.8m, Saviola 2.5m and Heinze 2m. So effectively speaking getting these 7 players out makes way for Ronaldo and Kaka at the club. The price one must pay for making the same mistakes twice.
I expect Manchester United to consider a bid for Huntelaar, Sneijder and possibly Mahamadou Diarra, considering that they were interested in signing Diarra at one point and both Sneijder and Huntelaar will add quality in the right areas at the club.
Then again, when it comes to Huntelaar, Robben, Diarra and Sneijder, they will have no shortage of suitors this summer, and you can expect Liverpool and Chelsea to be in the mix as well, not to mention Tottenham and Manchester City.
Fans of Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Everton and even Portsmouth (if the takeover goes through before Madrid sells all the players) – who do you think your club will sign from Real Madrid?
Topics: Features, Football Transfers, La Liga, Real Madrid
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Wow, this could be a great chance for Chelsea to get a second striker in Van Nistle Roy or an offensive midfielder like Sneijder. Real Madrid are definitely not thinking long-term here!
June 16th, 2009 @ 07:47it is advisable 4 madrid 2 keep Huntelaar,Ruud,Muhamoud Diarra and Van der Vaart
June 16th, 2009 @ 08:40I can see the thinking behind shipping the entire Dutch contingent. Two reasons: firstly, individual performance. RVN has done a great job for us but was injured the whole of last season, is getting old and I think they feel we need to move him on. We’re oversupplied in attacking central midfield with Guti, Sneijder, VDV and now Kaka occupying the same position. Guti is remarkably inconsistent but as a one-club canterano they’ll never touch him, and Kaka, unf. I do think VDV didn’t get enough chances last season, but Sneijder definitely underperformed in my book, especially after his strong showing at the Euros. Someone has to go, and it figures it’ll be the two of them. In any case, Higuain has actually been doing most of the creative duties for us. Drenthe? When a left-back can do your job better than you, you’re in trouble. Robben… I wish we’d keep him, but his decision-making isn’t the greatest.
The second reason: the Dutch contingent, like it or not, is strongly associated with Calderon’s administration (this is the main reason why Robben and Huntelaar are going too, I think). Especially with his pledge to Spanish-ize the team, I suspect what Perez wants is a core Spanish backbone with Kaka and Ronaldo (and Ribery, and…) as icing on the cake. To us we see it as “why buy Villa when you have Huntelaar”, but I think he thinks of it this way – “Villa will pay for himself in two seasons, do I want the Spaniard or the Dutchman?”
I *am* surprised (and rather glad, because for some reason I like him) that Gago is not on that list too. I’d tried to stop thinking of him as an RM player, because I was pretty sure he’d get shipped out.
June 16th, 2009 @ 09:02if man u have played their cards rigth, with the ronaldo deal. they have first right to sign the players they want
June 16th, 2009 @ 09:14I still can’t believe that they spend so much money on Ronaldo and Kaka…, and every moment now Villa will join them too.
And after that.., they want to spend more millions of euros…insanity…
And as a Dutch person…, i’m a bit disappointed that they put all Dutch players for sale, off course I understand that they want to get rid of Drenthe …, but players as Sneijder, Huntelaar and Robbben aren’t that bad… they really add quality to the team,… didn’t they…?
June 16th, 2009 @ 09:42Good to see Arsenal being mentioned among the names to buy Diarra…
June 16th, 2009 @ 10:01Your totally right Alex this is a stupid move by Madrid. They should keep Huntelaar and Robben as they were the most consistent players last season for madrid.
And they still havent confirmed the signature of David Villa and they need a few subs too. there going to spend at least another 50-60 million to add to the 56 million for kaka and the 80 million for ronaldo and the 40+ million for Villa like that in total is 236 million expenditure with maybe if there lucky 70 million coming in for those players.
Niall
June 16th, 2009 @ 10:08Real Madrid Supporter.
How i wish liverpool would try to sign ROBBEN.Cos he is not a bad player.I will rither call him a good player.
June 16th, 2009 @ 10:55manu sign robben
June 16th, 2009 @ 11:08good replacement for Ronaldo
As a Utd fan I’d like Sneijder. He was outstanding in the Euro’s last year and would be a quality addition. I’m in 2 minds about Robben, too injury prone for my liking.
I don’t want Van Huntlaar. At 26 he hasn’t done enough for me and, anyway, I’m holding out for Benzema.
Van Der Vaart is a bit of an enigma. Also 26, I’m never quite convinced whether he has really arrived or not. (Would be an excellent WAG addition nevertheless!)
Not interested in Diarra, he just doesn’t float my boat!
I’d stay well away from Ruud if I was a manager. Too expensive and he’s crocked!
Interesting breaking news is that Madrid are apparently backing off Villa as the Price is too high. Now failing Benzema arriving at Old Trafford I’d say “go get him Sir Alex!”
June 16th, 2009 @ 11:49I personally thought the Ronaldo deal will include players like Huntelaar,Sneijder and maybe Reuben coming to Old traford.But this should be a perfect move for Fergie.Please SAF should go get them especially Huntelaar,will be good value for money and can give us what we’ve missed since Ruud van niestelrooy left.
SAF pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssssssssssssseeee
June 16th, 2009 @ 11:53I suppose Rafa will still be willing to make a throw at Heinze, though he would do that is beyond me.
Robben could be a good option to buff up our left (attacking) midfield. However, he’s one expensive pony, and sustains A LOT of injuries. Also, he’s not all THAT consistent.
Huntelaar could be also be a decent choice, should we not sign Negredo. Although I do wonder whether or not this will be necessary, seeing as we’ve still got Torres and Kuyt, and also 1-2 upcoming youngsters.
But most of all, I’m simply curious as to who Rafa will sign in the end, now that he’s got pretty much total control over transfers.
June 16th, 2009 @ 11:54i think it will be very good for arsenal to buy Diara hundilaar. it will help the gooner as they need experience to add to the squar.
June 16th, 2009 @ 12:25I don’t want the Dutch Internationals out of Real Madrid,but I am sure that Fiorentino Perez knows what he’s doing,because he’s the best President of a football club in the world.
June 16th, 2009 @ 14:54I am very very happy to see Fiorentino Perez back,and I am sure that Real will once again become the best club in the world!!!
And to the Real critics one thing I can say-”wait to see with your own eyes at the end of May 2010,when Real is going to lift the Champions League for the 10th time in their own football stadium”,even without the Dutch players…
Im a spurs fan and would love to c a player like sneijder come to d lane but i dnt tink spurs hav enuf to offer the player because we are nt playing european football nex year!! Arsenal wud b doing a great bit of buisness if they bought diarra but i feel that yaya toure would b a better option!
June 16th, 2009 @ 14:54Im an Arsenal fan and i tell ya bringing Robben and Sneijder to the Emirates would be ideal for us, the 3 dutch players have scored 45 goals for Holland between them and it sure would make our attack a lot better. Sell Adebayor and eboue to pay for them i dont care, Real wanna get rid of them that bad, they will take a reduced price thats fine by me! Arsene sign them up!!!
June 16th, 2009 @ 16:16If Real sells Drenthe and Hunterlaar they’re making a huge mistake…
June 16th, 2009 @ 18:53I hope we keep Robben!
June 16th, 2009 @ 21:03With the persistent rumors of the other clubs chasing David Silva (especially Manchester United and Real Madrid), it doesn’t look like Rafa can convince the Spainaird to come to Anfield (unless the lure of playing with his Spanish compatriots is too great to pass up). If David Silva isn’t available, it would be fantastic to see Rafael van der Vaart as a second option. He could play either behind Torres or on the wing, he has a powerful and accurate left-foot, great goal-scoring ability, and he has played fantastic at the international level. He could be a fantastic and much-needed addition to the Liverpool squad.
June 16th, 2009 @ 22:46drenthe would have been on his way out regardless of whether perez had come in or not.he cant handle the pressure of playing for real and his situation hasnt been helped by the constant abuse from his own fans
June 16th, 2009 @ 23:27@Duffman: I haven’t seen much of Drenthe…what do make of him?
June 17th, 2009 @ 11:09am a chelsea fan.i pray as madrid are stepping back for david villa,our manager should go for him to increase our striking power or ibramavitch wil also be a good option for villa
June 17th, 2009 @ 11:48arsenal should go for huntelaar,diara,hienze and/or sneijder
June 17th, 2009 @ 13:34According to ‘La Gazzetta Dello Sport’, Juventus are very close to a deal for Mahamadou Diarra and have sent an envoy to Madrid to discuss with both the player and the club. And apparently Real have offered Inter Sneijder plus 20 million euros for Maicon.
June 17th, 2009 @ 14:26BD,hes really more of a winger than a left back IMO.looks very good going forward,has a fearsome shot.bit inconsistent though
June 17th, 2009 @ 20:54I hope Liverpool gets Robben or Sneijder but I doubt if they will be able to get either. Manchester clubs will be there with higher bids and even higher wage promises.
June 17th, 2009 @ 22:22As a spurs fan i would love to se huntlaar at the lane along with sneijder roben ad heinze altho i hav read tht we are in talks to buy huntelaar,robben and henze and daniel levy is out in spain brokering the deal. I would love it to see these players a the lane as robben would solve our left ide problem an huntelaarwould gie us soeworld class fire power up front wih gabiel henze giving us experience and stability on the left back positon. Levy pleaseeeee sign these players we would be champios league material wih them.
June 17th, 2009 @ 23:08@Real Fan: “I don’t want the Dutch Internationals out of Real Madrid,but I am sure that Fiorentino Perez knows what he’s doing,because he’s the best President of a football club in the world.”
He’s like a drunken sailor in a brothel….and we all know how that ends up!
June 18th, 2009 @ 11:57its as simple as this perez is making a mistake selling these players there world class who gonna replace robben speed and ruuds scoring ability and the other players r gr8 as well butt u cant just buy a club and them sell all of ur good players its a huge mistake and if these players go i hope real dont get and other player
June 20th, 2009 @ 14:05Diarra can go – he’s average. RUud is too old. Drenthe should go out on loan. Sneijder just ain’t good enough. VDV and especially Huntelaar should stay. In the case of Klass, there’s a reason the majority of Europe’s big clubs are after him – he’s a born goal scorer and his in the box, poke it home, style will surely fit in well next season.
June 20th, 2009 @ 14:24I am a Big fan of Real Madrid.. As Ronaldo and Kaka is here Sneijder and VDV can be sold and if it is possible for Fiorentino Perez to bring David Villa in the team then I think RVR (old) and Huntelaar. If no striker can be purchased then Huntelaar should stay.
@ I think bringing Ribery for a huge money is of no need as we have a brilliant player like Robben. There may be debate whether Ribery is better than Robben but i think he is best for Real.
So, if Mr. Fiorentino Perez is listining to me.. Please do not sell Robben.. And try to bring Villa on the side.. And we definitely need a CB as Canovaro is gone.. Thx to Fiorentino Perez for bringing ROnaldo and Kaka
June 21st, 2009 @ 19:10Manchester United should look to snap up Robben/Sneijder and possibly Huntelaar. They are the close-to-ideal replacements to Ronaldo and Tevez (if we cant get Villa) and we got leeway from the Ronaldo sale.
June 30th, 2009 @ 12:30I’m a madrid fan alright, but selling Huntelaar n robben would definitely get me pissed with Perez. The whole of my guys in asia would love 2 c them stay. Pls Perez
July 6th, 2009 @ 10:07Real Madrid is my favourate footballclub since I was born.
July 8th, 2009 @ 11:05Sometime we’ve to think if it’s a right decion to loose the best players for one player only in order to make a team of huge prices.
It’ll be a big mistake to sell all Dutchs and remain with KAKA,C.RONALDO and BENZEMA. I wish Robben and Sneijder will remain at SANTIAGO BERNABEU>