Lots of news this time, so little to no commentary.
Barcelona
Rafa Marquez has opted to sit out Mexico's Copa America clash with Uruguay for third place (which they won 3-1) in order to start preparing for the club season early and make sure that the injury problems which plagued him in 06-07 don't return.
President Laporta talks about Barca's movements in the transfer market (ignore the headline as usual from the geniuses at goal.com), blaming inflating for the amount of money we've had to spend.
The purchase of Yaya Toure has filled up Barca's 3 non-EU player spots (the other two being Eto'o and Ronaldinho). This will complicate the integration of Gio Dos Santos into the first team squad until his application for Spanish citizenship comes through. Hopefully, that will be done before the beginning of the season to avoid another fiasco like the Messi row in 05-06. He (Dos Santos will probably not be leaving on loan, contrary to what that article says.)
Real Madrid
Defender Miguel Torres signs a contract extension after a decent first season in the first team squad.
New forward Javier Saviola is presented.
Valencia
Coach Quique Sanchez Flores can't wait to get Asier del Horno and Curro Torres out the door. Valencia has done some brisk spring cleaning already, with David Navarro joining Racing on loan, and Miguel Pallardo and Pablo Hernandez signing for Getafe.
Hugo Viana heads to Osasuna on loan.
Goalkeeper Butelle joins Valladolid on loan with the arrival of Timo Hildebrand limiting his chances.
Uruguayan forward Regueiro goes to Real Murcia on loan.
Sevilla
Boulahrouz joins on loan.
The club claims that contrary to press reports, there have been no bids for Dani Alves.
President Del Nido with a feeble attempt at topping all the other priceless statements made by other club presidents in this transfer window: "Boulahrouz has left the second best team for the first."
Goalkeeper David Cobeno goes to Almeria on loan after refusing to play for Sevilla's B team.
Zaragoza
The club explain that they had to sell Gabi Milito because the player had asked for a move and pays tribute to his years of service.
Former Real Betis striker Ricardo Oliveira will arrive on loan from AC Milan for a year.
In a shock move, Zaragoza have stolen a march on Villarreal by paying up for the 6 million euro release clause of Roberto Ayala and snatching him from the Submarines before he'd even played a game for them. Villarreal get a nice bit of cash, having gotten Ayala for free from Valencia, but they've also been left scratching their heads and one defender short. It's kind of fitting, because Zaragoza and Villarreal do sometimes look as if they're competing for the title of Most Argentinean Club in La Liga. Round 1 to Zaragoza - Ayala is definitely a good short term replacement for Milito.
Athletic Bilbao
Joaquin Caparros has been named the new coach after Fernando Macua won the club elections.
Sevilla's Aitor Ocio has signed for the club as they begin the scramble for players in order to reinforce the squad.
The Barcelona press reckons that the club would let Santi Ezquerro go for free if he wanted to rejoin Athletic, which would be very nice for everyone concerned.
Others
Atletico's young forward Braulio doesn't want to be loaned out anymore. He demands either a first team place or to be sold. Looking at their forwards list, maybe they could use him as backup if he's any good at all, especially since Mista seems to have misplaced his scoring boots.
Espanyol announce the signing of midfielder Milan Smiljanic from FK Partizan.
Hector Cuper has been officially confirmed as coach of Real Betis.
Newly released former Villarreal captain Quique Alvarez signs for Recreativo.
Racing Santander are participating in the Peace Cup in Korea. Unfortunately, they're not doing very well. (Thrashed 5-0 by Chivas? Really?)
Finally, I fully agree with this post from Sideline Views. I hate diving, but I hate deliberate, dirty fouls more. At least the former doesn't put one's victim in the hospital and amount to a criminal offense.
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