Latest La Liga News

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KAKA STARS ON REAL BOW

Kaka starred on his Real Madrid debut as Manuel Pellegrini's side cruised to a 5-1 pre-season friendly win at FC Toronto.

The former AC Milan star, now in training with his new club after being granted a longer summer break due to his exertions with Brazil at the Confederations Cup, played the opening 45 minutes at a sold-out BMO Field.

He looked dangerous and combined nicely with fellow new boys Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

Xabi Alonso, who signed for Madrid from Liverpool earlier this week, came on shortly after the hour mark for his first appearance for Los Merengues.

Two goals from Raul and one from Ronaldo settled the game by half-time, with Benzema making it 4-0 after 65 minutes.

Gabe Gala pulled one back for the hosts but Arjen Robben restored Madrid's four-goal advantage late on.

Kaka was satisfied with the workout. Afterwards he told Marca: "For me it was important that my first game was a victory."

He also played down talk of Madrid's expensively-assembled collection of individuals not gelling as a team.

Kaka added: "All of Madrid's players are great; Guti, (Raul) Albiol, (Alvaro) Arbeloa. We demonstrated that we are a team and not individuals because in the second half there were plenty of changes and we maintained the same level."

 

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SALGADO LEAVES REAL MADRID

Michel Salgado has ended his spell at Real Madrid after 10 years with the Primera Division club.

The 33-year-old defender, who moved to the Bernabeu from Celta Vigo in 1999, has been released by mutual consent despite having one year remaining on his current deal.

"Real Madrid would like to thank the until-now captain for his commitment and behaviour during 10 consecutive years of exemplary service to the club," said a statement on www.realmadrid.com.

Salgado enjoyed a great deal of success during his decade with Real, winning four La Liga and two Champions League titles among other trophies.

 

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ESPANYOL MOURN LOSS OF JARQUE

Spanish football is in mourning after it was confirmed Espanyol captain Daniel Jarque has died at the age of 26.

The midfielder passed away this evening when his heart stopped following a training session in Coverciano, Italy where the squad are on a pre-season camp.

Club doctors and Italian paramedics tried to revive Jarque, a product of the Espanyol youth system, but without success.

A statement on the club website, www.rcdespanyol.cat, read: "Tragedy struck Espanyol and the family of Dani Jarque this evening. The blanquiazul player died from a cardiac arrest.

"The doctor Cervera carried out CPR on the player and used a defibrillator, which showed that the arrest was non responsive.

"After a few minutes the first ambulance arrived from the Florence emergency services, who tried again with the defibrillator they carried.

"The medical services continued carrying out CPR, administering adrenaline and atropine for an hour, but the player's heart did not react, so finally that determined his death.

"RCD Espanyol, broken with pain, wish to put themselves at the absolute disposition of the family of our captain Dani Jarque, to whom go our warmest thoughts."

Jarque joined Espanyol at the age of 12, making his debut in 2002, and was handed the captaincy this summer.

His death comes two years after that of Sevilla and Spain defender Antonio Puerta, who suffered multiple organ failure in hospital, three days after a cardiac arrest during a league match against Getafe.

It was Sevilla who led the tributes from other Primera Division clubs tonight.

"Sevilla FC and president Jose Maria del Nido share the pain of the family of deceased RCD Espanyol player Daniel Jarque, the team captain, who suffered a heart attack while talking on the phone in his room while with the team on their tour of Italy," said a statement on their website.

Espanyol's city rivals Barcelona also offered their condolences on their website with a message from president Joan Laporta.

He told www.fcbarcelona.cat: "We are filled with extreme dismay at this tragic event which we deeply regret.

"Today we are all in mourning.

"I want to send, on behalf of FC Barcelona, our deepest sympathies to RCD Espanyol for the painful loss of their captain Dani Jarque, and to his family."

A statement from Real Madrid added: "Real Madrid wishes to express its sincere condolences to the player's family, RCD Espanyol and the team's fans for the death of team captain, Dani Jarque."

Espanyol, who had been due to play Bologna in a friendly on Sunday, have suspended their pre-season tour of Italy and will now fly back to Barcelona.

 

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VILLA HELPS VALENCIA SINK GUNNERS

Arsenal's pre-season programme ended in disappointment as Arsene Wenger's troops suffered a comprehensive 2-0 defeat against Spanish outfit Valencia.

Michel and David Villa were on target for the hosts at the Mestalla, while Villa also saw a penalty saved by substitute goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.

After a tight first half played for the most part in driving rain, the home side came alive after the break with Villa - still in the Valencia ranks despite a summer of transfer speculation linking him with a move away - combining well with fellow Spain international Joaquin.

The pair came close to breaking the deadlock after 56 minutes when Villa's cheeky backheel into Joaquin's path ended with the winger drilling in a rasping shot that was smartly parried by Fabianski, a half-time replacement for Manuel Almunia.

Fabianski was again called into action midway through the half after Mikael Silvestre conceded a penalty for a foul on Michel, the young custodian guessing correctly to save Villa's penalty diving to his right.

Cesc Fabregas was called into action to clear a header off the line as Valencia began to dominate, and the deadlock was finally broken 15 minutes from time.

Michel claimed the goal, the midfielder following up to score after Villa's initial effort from a low right-wing free-kick had been blocked by the Gunners' defence.

The hosts made it 2-0 at the death, although they were helped by an injury to Fabianski, who appeared to have a calf problem.

There was no mercy from the Valencia players, though, and when Villa got in behind the defence to latch onto Joaquin's through ball there was only going to be one outcome, the striker firing through the legs of the ailing Fabianski to seal the win.

 

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ESPANYOL MOURN LOSS OF JARQUE

Spanish football is in mourning after it was confirmed Espanyol captain Daniel Jarque has died at the age of 26.

The midfielder passed away this evening when his heart stopped following a training session in Coverciano, Italy where the squad are on a pre-season camp.

Club doctors and Italian paramedics tried to revive Jarque, a product of the Espanyol youth system, but without success.

A statement on the club website, www.rcdespanyol.cat, read: "Tragedy struck Espanyol and the family of Dani Jarque this evening. The blanquiazul player died from a cardiac arrest.

"The doctor Cervera carried out CPR on the player and used a defibrillator, which showed that the arrest was non responsive.

"After a few minutes the first ambulance arrived from the Florence emergency services, who tried again with the defibrillator they carried.

"The medical services continued carrying out CPR, administering adrenaline and atropine for an hour, but the player's heart did not react, so finally that determined his death.

"RCD Espanyol, broken with pain, wish to put themselves at the absolute disposition of the family of our captain Dani Jarque, to whom go our warmest thoughts."

Jarque joined Espanyol at the age of 12, making his debut in 2002, and was handed the captaincy this summer.

His death comes two years after that of Sevilla and Spain defender Antonio Puerta, who suffered multiple organ failure in hospital, three days after a cardiac arrest during a league match against Getafe.

It was Sevilla who led the tributes from other Primera Division clubs tonight.

"Sevilla FC and president Jose Maria del Nido share the pain of the family of deceased RCD Espanyol player Daniel Jarque, the team captain, who suffered a heart attack while talking on the phone in his room while with the team on their tour of Italy," said a statement on their website.

Espanyol's city rivals Barcelona also offered their condolences on their website with a message from president Joan Laporta.

He told www.fcbarcelona.cat: "We are filled with extreme dismay at this tragic event which we deeply regret.

"Today we are all in mourning.

"I want to send, on behalf of FC Barcelona, our deepest sympathies to RCD Espanyol for the painful loss of their captain Dani Jarque, and to his family."

A statement from Real Madrid added: "Real Madrid wishes to express its sincere condolences to the player's family, RCD Espanyol and the team's fans for the death of team captain, Dani Jarque."

Espanyol, who had been due to play Bologna in a friendly on Sunday, have suspended their pre-season tour of Italy and will now fly back to Barcelona.

 

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FABIANO NOT THINKING ABOUT MILAN

Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano insists he remains untroubled despite the protracted saga over a possible move to AC Milan.

The Rossoneri have long been linked with the Brazil forward and reportedly had a 14million euro bid turned down by Sevilla, who were holding out for a sum closer to the player's 26million euro release clause.

It is likely Milan have now given up on Fabiano after signing Klaas Jan Huntelaar but the Sevilla star claims he is unconcerned.

"I'm not thinking about Milan," he said. "They made an offer, but I was always calm and thinking about Sevilla.

"I have been training for several weeks and I'm not yet at 100% so that's what I'm concentrating on now, continuing working with Sevilla to start the season well."

Fabiano admits he talked to Milan coach and compatriot Leonardo but believes the Serie A giants did not make enough of an effort to take him to the San Siro.

He continued: "But I always thought about Sevilla and there were only possibilities if the offer was right for Sevilla.

"I think Milan didn't make an effort for Luis Fabiano, so they weren't that interested.

"Anyway, everything's forgotten, I'm only thinking about Sevilla."

Fabiano also expressed his shock at the death of Espanyol captain Daniel Jarque, who passed away at the age of 26 after his heart stopped last night.

His death comes two years after that of Sevilla and Spain defender Antonio Puerta, who suffered multiple organ failure in hospital, three days after a cardiac arrest during a league match against Getafe.

And Fabiano, who played with Puerta for two years, admits it brings back terrible memories.

"We are very sad because Jarque was a workmate," he said. "It's normal that it makes us think of Puerta.

"We are sad and alert, because it was a younger footballer who died of a heart attack and we are a bit worried.

"We do a lot of tests to detect anything, but when God wishes there are no tests or anything that can prevent it.

"It's a difficult time for Espanyol and the players in La Liga, but we have to go on."

 

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McLEISH HOPING FOR MICHEL

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is hoping his board will finance a move for Sporting Gijon midfielder Michel.

The Spaniard star has been on McLeish's radar for a number of weeks, and he was able to see him in close quarters at the weekend as the two clubs met in a pre-season friendly.

Gijon have already warned the Premier League club they will not be selling unless they get a decent bid.

Now after the 0-0 draw at St Andrews, where Michel impressed, McLeish admits the matter is now dependant on what finances he has available.

"I thought he was very comfortable. He's an elegant player with great athleticism," said McLeish.

"I will have to speak to the chairman and the board and see what the finances are."

McLeish has defensive issues going into the new season and has had former Liverpool defender Gregory Vignal on trial, and he is considering whether to make a move for him.

"I know exactly what he can bring us and he did himself no harm," said McLeish.

"He's still a player with Lens in France and we need to weigh up the situation."

He has also been linked with a move for free agent Sol Campbell as he looks to solve his defensive problems.

"It's been well known the problems at left-back, and we have been unfortunate with the centre-halves. Four of them are out at the moment," he said.

"The fans will be looking and thinking 'what's going on down there?'. It's not anyone's fault, it's extreme bad luck.

"I'm sure Man United, if they had four centre-halves out just now, would be saying the same thing. They would be in a crisis situation with their centre-halves because it's impossible to have six or seven in the squad."

 

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BARCA WON'T BREAK BANK FOR CESC

Barcelona sporting director Txiki Begiristain has admitted the club want to take Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas back to the Nou Camp, but will not pay over the odds.

Barca have long been linked with their former youth player, and Begiristain identified him as one of the few players capable of improving a team that won a domestic and European treble last season.

"It depends on how much we want to spend," he said in Marca. "If we spend a lot of money, it is possible (to bid for Fabregas). We do not know how much it will be yet. We have not asked Arsenal.

"If the amount is too high, we will not try."

Barcelona are feeling some pressure to spend from their fans following the spending spree of rivals Real Madrid, who have invested more than £220million on the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Xabi Alonso this summer.

However, Begiristain does not intend to spend for spending's sake.

"We find it difficult to improve what we have and that is the reality," he said.

"Improving a team that has won a treble is difficult, and trying to improve dramatically can get you into trouble.

"Any new player must be compatible with the plans of the coach. Here the views of Pep Guardiola are critical."

One possible target for Barca is Shakhtar Donetsk's Dmytro Chygrynskiy, and Begiristain did not deny he was on the club's radar.

"I don't want to dismiss any of the players we like and will help us improve," he said. "There are several options."

 

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ESPANYOL MOURNE JARQUE

Espanyol coach Mauricio Pochettino has admitted he and the club are still in shock following the death of captain Daniel Jarque on Saturday.

The 26-year-old suffered a heart attack during the club's pre-season tour of Italy, and died in his hotel room as club doctors fought to revive him.

"He was an outstanding person and a great professional," Pochettino said in comments reported by AS.

"This is a great loss for his family and for Espanyol. It is very hard to take."

Pochettino was speaking after he and his players visited the tributes that have been made to Jarque outside Gate 21 - Jarque's squad number - of the club's new stadium, which many fans now want to see named in his honour.

"We do not yet believe what has happened," the coach added. "It has been a huge blow, and it is very sad. We are all full of pain, something inexplicable has happened."

Jarque's body is to be returned to Spain on Monday after a post-mortem was carried out, and his funeral is expected to take place on Wednesday.

 

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REAL: SPENDING IS OVER

Real Madrid are to curtail their lavish summer spending once they have wrapped up a deal for Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.

An unprecedented campaign of recruitment at the Bernabeu has seen the Spanish giants spend around £212million in a return to their Galactico days of old.

Alonso is due to take his medical at Madrid on Wednesday before tying up the finer details of a deal thought to be worth in the region of 30million euros (£25.5million).

Real director general Jorge Valdano believes the club have made the right call in making drastic changes but concedes the time is right to put the chequebook away.

"We understood Xabi Alonso was an important player to complete our squad, and it was worth Real Madrid fighting for him," Valdano told radio station Cadena Ser.

"The club needed a shake up. Some very good players have come in to strengthen every position and the fans are very excited.

"With this move we end the search for new players."

Madrid will now step up their efforts to sell those players who are likely to find themselves on the periphery of new coach Manuel Pellegrini's starting XI.

"We continue searching for an exit for those who are surplus to requirements."

 

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IKER GLAD ETO'O HAS GONE

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has confessed he is delighted that Samuel Eto'o has left Spain.

The former Barcelona striker went to Inter in a swap deal that saw Zlatan Ibrahimovic move the other way.

And while Casillas is fully aware of the danger the Sweden striker poses, he is relieved not to be facing Eto'o in domestic competition.

"Honestly, I am glad that Eto'o has gone to Inter because he was a nightmare for me," he said.

"I wish him all the best in Italy because he is a true professional.

"Ibrahimovic is a very good player and can create danger for you at any moment, but he is a different player who is nothing like Samuel."

It will be a new-look Madrid side attempting to challenge Barcelona's dominance this season after a busy summer in the Spanish capital.

Madrid have spent over 200million euros on reinforcing their team and broke the world transfer record to bring Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeu.

There is a suggestion that Ronaldo's social activities could have a negative effect on the Spanish giants but Casillas dismissed this outright.

"He hasn't been here long, but all the hype is external," continued the Spain goalkeeper. "He is a very down to earth person and very professional.

"You only have to look at his body.

"It seems nonsense to me that they accuse him of going out at night because he has worked harder than anyone since his first day and has adapted very well."

Reports in Spain suggest Madrid are on the verge of releasing Michel Salgado and that they are currently negotiating with his agent to pay off the final year of the 33-year-old's contract.

Casillas, who has spent 10 years in the Madrid team with Salgado, believes they are losing a great professional.

"I spoke to him and there is nothing definitive yet," he said. "I am sure Michel wants what is best for him and the club.

"At the moment there is no official confirmation, neither from one party nor from another. But I am sure that everything will turn out for the best.

"Of course if he leaves he must be thanked for everything he did for Real Madrid.

"He is one of the greats and has been here for 10 years.

"He has always been a positive player for the group with his work, his temperament and his character.

"He has done a lot for the club. he has always given his best effort."

 

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ESPANYOL MOURNE JARQUE

Espanyol coach Mauricio Pochettino has admitted he and the club are still in shock following the death of captain Daniel Jarque on Saturday.

The 26-year-old suffered a heart attack during the club's pre-season tour of Italy, and died in his hotel room as club doctors fought to revive him.

"He was an outstanding person and a great professional," Pochettino said in comments reported by AS.

"This is a great loss for his family and for Espanyol. It is very hard to take."

Pochettino was speaking after he and his players visited the tributes that have been made to Jarque outside Gate 21 - Jarque's squad number - of the club's new stadium, which many fans now want to see named in his honour.

"We do not yet believe what has happened," the coach added. "It has been a huge blow, and it is very sad. We are all full of pain, something inexplicable has happened."

Jarque's body is to be returned to Spain on Monday after a post-mortem was carried out, and his funeral is expected to take place on Wednesday.

 

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DEL BOSQUE: THIS WON'T BE EASY

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque has the unenviable task of trying to get his players to focus on football when they take on FYR Macedonia in an international friendly on Wednesday night.

The squad are still traumatised by the death of Espanyol captain Daniel Jarque on Saturday - when the midfielder's heart stopped following a training session in Coverciano, Italy, where the Barcelona-based club were on a pre-season camp.

His death comes two years after that of Sevilla and Spain defender Antonio Puerta - who suffered multiple organ failure in hospital, three days after a cardiac arrest during a league match against Getafe.

Del Bosque admitted before the squad's departure for Skopje: "It will not be easy to play a football match after what has happened.

"Daniel Jarque was a good person and a promising young player."

Jarque's passing has dominated the build-up, with some of the players calling for a new programme of heart screening for footballers.

Liverpool midfielder Albert Riera said: "Of course, it's something that concerns us.

"They say it isn't possible to predict these things - because normally there is no warning, with the exception of what happened to Ruben De la Red (who survived a heart scare last year).

"It is something they have to start to look at to see of there is some sort of solution."

Del Bosque's squad showed only one surprise, with 23-year-old Osasuna full-back Ignacio Monreal called up to replace injured Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.

Ramos' absence means Madrid have four players in the party - Iker Casillas, Alvaro Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso and Raul Albiol. It is the first time that has happened since 2006, three of the above having arrived at the Bernabeu this summer.

It was a similar squad which took part in the Confederations Cup earlier in the summer, only Valencia midfielder Pablo Hernandez and Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente left out of the party which travelled to South Africa.

The game will form a part of the Macedonian FA's centenary celebrations.

 

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REINA: ALONSO WILL BE MISSE

Jose Reina believes Liverpool will struggle to replace Xabi Alonso after describing the midfielder as a 'fabulous conductor'.

Real Madrid finally captured Alonso in a £30million deal following a long-running transfer saga.

The Reds have signed Italy international Alberto Aquilani as a replacement, but Reina admits the void left by his fellow Spaniard will be difficult to fill.

Reina said in the Daily Star: "It is very difficult to find a player like Xabi.

"He is like a fabulous orchestra conductor on the pitch.

"Of the central midfielders in the world it is very difficult to find one as complete as Alonso.

"He can do everything. He can play short passes, long passes, he heads it well and he is tactically very astute."

 

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IBRA CLOSING ON BARCA BOW

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is on course to make his Barcelona debut in next week's Joan Gamper Trophy against Manchester City.

Ibrahimovic has been sidelined since his big-money move from Inter Milan last month as he underwent an operation on his fractured left hand the day after his presentation.

The Sweden international was therefore unable to play any minutes during the treble winners' three-match tour to the United States, and will also miss Sunday's Spanish Supercup first leg against Athletic Bilbao.

However, Ibrahimovic may not have to wait much longer for his first appearance for the Catalan giants, with Barca club doctor Ricard Pruna confirming the striker can took a full part in training on Wednesday morning and should be available for next Wednesday's friendly against City at the Nou Camp.

"He can exercise next to the rest of his team-mates in contact, in this case with a smaller splint (on the hand)," said Pruna, who added on his club's website that Ibrahimovic could "play some minutes in the Gamper".

Ibrahimovic joined Barca in a 66million euro cash-plus-player swap that also saw Samuel Eto'o, valued at 20million euros, go the other way to join Inter.

Meanwhile, Barca could also be without Thierry Henry for this weekend's trip to Bilbao, with the striker suffering from Achilles tendon problems that forced him to withdraw from the France squad on Monday.

 

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REINA: ALONSO WILL BE MISSED

Jose Reina believes Liverpool will struggle to replace Xabi Alonso after describing the midfielder as a 'fabulous conductor'.

Real Madrid finally captured Alonso in a £30million deal following a long-running transfer saga.

The Reds have signed Italy international Alberto Aquilani as a replacement, but Reina admits the void left by his fellow Spaniard will be difficult to fill.

Reina said in the Daily Star: "It is very difficult to find a player like Xabi.

"He is like a fabulous orchestra conductor on the pitch.

"Of the central midfielders in the world it is very difficult to find one as complete as Alonso.

"He can do everything. He can play short passes, long passes, he heads it well and he is tactically very astute."

 

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REINA: ALONSO WILL BE MISSED

Jose Reina believes Liverpool will struggle to replace Xabi Alonso after describing the midfielder as a 'fabulous conductor'.

Real Madrid finally captured Alonso in a £30million deal following a long-running transfer saga.

The Reds have signed Italy international Alberto Aquilani as a replacement, but Reina admits the void left by his fellow Spaniard will be difficult to fill.

Reina said in the Daily Star: "It is very difficult to find a player like Xabi.

"He is like a fabulous orchestra conductor on the pitch.

"Of the central midfielders in the world it is very difficult to find one as complete as Alonso.

"He can do everything. He can play short passes, long passes, he heads it well and he is tactically very astute."

 

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TIGERS IN FOR NEGREDO

Hull are closing in on the capture of Real Madrid striker Alvaro Negredo, according to the player's agent.

The 23-year-old is reportedly keen to try his hand in the Premier League after failing to make one senior appearance for the Galacticos, and the Tigers have been in discussions with his agent Alejandro Camano.

Camano has admitted speaking to Hull chairman Paul Duffen, but would not say if a deal had been completed.

Asked whether Negredo could move to City, his agent told the Hull Daily Mail: "It's 100 per cent possible.

"I have had calls with the chairman. He (Negredo) likes the team and it's possible he will play in the Premier League.

"The chairman is a good man but the deal is not totally 100 per cent yet."

The six foot striker has made 80 appearances for Madrid's Castilla reserve side and spent two seasons on loan at Almeria, where 32 goals helped keep the club in La Liga.

Hull have missed out on a number of strikers this summer as they look to bolster their squad for next season, and will be wary that Tottenham, Zenit St Petersburg, Sevilla and Villarreal have all been linked with Negredo in the past.

 

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LATICS CLOSE IN ON RAYO PAIR

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has confirmed he is close to signing Rayo Vallecano duo Antonio Amaya and Mohamed Diame.

The Latics have been in talks with Segunda Division side Rayo and a fee for the pair has now been agreed.

Wigan are now holding discussions over personal terms with the players, with three-year contracts said to be on the table.

Martinez is hopeful of landing defender Amaya and midfielder Diame as he believes they would both add much to his side for the new season.

He told the Wigan Evening Post: "We are quite close to agreeing everything, and the main thing now is thrashing out the personal terms.

"Hopefully that will be done quite soon and they will be excellent signings for the future.

"I've followed their progress and development for a long time, and they will bring something different to our squad.

"I'm happy with the way the squad is developing, there's a tremendous work ethic and a fantastic spirit in the camp.

"I'm very excited about the challenge ahead and the players are very focused and ready for that challenge.

"I've got huge confidence in the quality of the squad, we have a good core of players and we are getting stronger every day."

 

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MESSI SET FOR BARCA TESTS

Barcelona star Lionel Messi will undergo tests at the Catalan club tomorrow after he was forced to pull out of Argentina's friendly against Russia through injury.

Messi felt a twinge in his right leg after training on Tuesday and was examined by doctors who found he had pulled a muscle.

"As Argentina coach Diego Maradona announced, Lionel Messi will not play in the match against Russia because of a pulled muscle," read a statement on www.fcbarcelona.cat.

"The Barca first team doctors have been in touch with the Argentinian medical staff to discuss the injury.

"We await the arrival of the player on Thursday morning, when further tests will be carried out to discover the seriousness of the injury."

Messi is likely to miss both legs of the Supercopa de Espana against Athletic Bilbao but should be fit for Argentina's World Cup qualifier at home to Brazil on September 5. :thum: