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1 – Cristiano Ronaldo
From: Manchester United
To: Real Madrid
Price: €93m

2 – Yoann Gourcuff
om: AC Milan
To: Bordeaux
Price: €15m

3 – Mauro Zarate
From: Al-Sadd
To: Lazio
Price: €25m

4 – Kaka
From: AC Milan
To: Real Madrid
Price: €67.2m

5 – Gareth Barry
From: Aston Villa
To: Manchester City
Price: €14m

6 – Karim Benzema
From: Lyon
To: Real Madrid
Price: €35m (plus €6m clauses)

7 – Diego
From: Werder Bremen
To: Juventus
Price: €24.5m

8 – Raul Albiol
From: Valencia
To: Real Madrid
Price: €15m

9 – Lucho Gonzalez
From: Porto
To: Marseille
Price: €18m+

10 – Marco Motta
From: Udinese
To: Roma
Price: €3.5m

It has been just a few short weeks since Barcelona captain Carles Puyol emerged from the Stadio Olimpico in Rome holding the Champions League trophy aloft.

But the central defender is already making plans for defending the crown, and admits it would be satisfying to retain their title, of all places, in the Santiago Bernabeu – home of rivals Real Madrid.

Speaking to Don Balon, the 31-year old said of the prospect of winning the ultimate prize in European football at the home of his biggest rivals, “It would be nice to win the title at the Bernabeu. It makes it a bit more curious, but playing in a Champions League final is unique.

“We have to prepare for next season. Our team is likely to be the same, and we must not forget that this squad has won everything.”

Puyol also spoke of the potential impact of Real Madrid’s glittering array of new signings, but claimed that the Blaugrana have nothing to fear from the capital club’s reinforcements.

He stated, “We must show them great respect, but we have no fear. I am very comfortable and happy with the squad we have at Barcelona.

“The fact that these players are signing [with Real Madrid] should only serve as a motivation for us.”

Didier Drogba has issued a warning for the rest of Europe and the Premier League – the Chelsea striker believes not only is he a better player than last season, but Chelsea will be a better team worthy of once again challenging for top honours.

The Ivory Coast international is adamant he can help bring more silverware to Stamford Bridge. He is not only intent on winning the Premier League and the FA cup again, but would like to add the Champions League, still eluding the Blues despite owner Roman Abramovich’s vast expenditure, to that list.

Drogba told Goal.com, “I am confident we can challenge for major honours and I want to win the Champions League. We have come close before and there is no reason why we cannot go all the way next time. To be a Champions League winner would be a great honour.”

Despite being banned for at least four European matches for his reaction to Chelsea’s Champions League semi-final defeat by Barcelona, the Chelsea striker believes he will prove wrong all his critics by coming back an even stronger player.

“I know I have had my share of criticism in the past,” he admitted. “My behaviour (against Barcelona) is bothering me very much because it was not right. But with the help of my team mates and the management I will focus on my game and contribute to a great season. Now I feel even more comfortable at Chelsea.

“I will do my suspension and, after that, I will come back stronger. I’m very proud that I’m in one of the best teams in Europe and I have stayed and hope to keep getting selected.

“We know how to deal with difficult games and how to control games. Even if we are losing we know we can come back. It’s very important for us to have this kind of self-confidence if we are to challenge for all trophies. I know that this team is very strong and I am happy.”

Drogba signed for Chelsea from Marseille in 2004 for £24 million.

Born in Washington D.C., Onyewu’s parents were natives of Nigeria and had moved to the states not long before his birth. Growing up playing soccer, Onyewu attended Sherwood High School and played for two years, before joining the U.S. residency program in Florida.

After graduating from the program and Sherwood, Onyewu enrolled at Clemson where he played two seasons. That was all the domestic soccer he’d experience as before his junior year began he signed with FC Metz of France’s Ligue 1.

Standard Procedure

Only making three appearances for Metz during his three seasons as a player at the club, two of them loaned out to La Louviere and Standard Liege, a move away was imminent. It was Standard Liege, the second club who had been on loan with, who sought a permanent deal for then 22-year-old defender.

Signing officially with Liege in 2004, Onyewu was an instant hit in Belgium, and after his first season with his new team, was named to the Jupiler League’s best XI for 2005.

Onyewu experienced four more seasons in Belgium, netting an impressive 179 appearances for Standard in the process. During that time, they won two Jupiler League titles, a Belgian Supercup and were runners up in the Belgian Cup.

In an effort to stick with a bigger club, Onyewu spent the second half of the 2007 season on-loan at Newcastle, but wasn’t able to hold down a first-team place and returned to Standard later that year.

Speculation grew towards the end of last season that Onyewu was ready to move on after five years of devoted service with Les Rouches. His hesitation to renew his contract were the main reason for the rumors.

Those rumors became founded as the summer hit and no contract was decided upon. A whole host of clubs had been interested in acquiring his signature before the transfer window opened, with newly promoted Wolverhampton and Birmingham of the English Premier League said to be high on the list. Other clubs included Marsielle, PSG, Borussia M’Gladbach and Fulham.

Rising On The World Stage

In this summer’s Confederations Cup, Onyewu significantly raised his stock when he put in a host of dazzling performances for the U.S. Men’s National Team.

Pitted against some of the world’s best strikers, Onyewu held his own and was an integral part of the team’s dramatic run to the final.

Particularly in their match against Spain, it was the defense that kept the game the way it was, with Onyewu’s unwavering determination to command his area deeming too much for the likes of David Villa and Fernando Torres who couldn’t crack the U.S. back four.

His play in that match, and in the final against Brazil, with everyone watching, greatly increased his stock and brought his name to the lips of some of the bigger club teams in the world. Following the tournament he was rumored to sign with Real Madrid, but when it was all said and done, it was AC Milan who won the race to his signature.

Les Rouches for Rossoneri

In what is undoubtedly the biggest move of his career, AC Milan signed Onyewu on a free transfer on July 7th, 2009. With the retirement of Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta’s uncertain health and the return of Philippe Senderos to Arsenal, there was an obvious void in Milan’s back four.

Onyewu should fill it nicely.

It remains to be seen if Milan bring anymore bodies to bulk up their defense, but for now, Onyewu is a signing that should excite Rossoneri fans everywhere. With the signing, he becomes only the second American player in the modern era to sign with a Serie A team, following USMNT great Alexi Lalas, who spent a year with Padova.

“He keeps it simple,” said Lalas of the towering Onyewu. “He won’t be asked to do things he’s not comfortable with doing. When you have a Pirlo or someone like that, it’s simple: get the ball to the guys that create. “


Strength Is His Strength

Onyewu has always been known to possess incredible strength in his vigorously maintained 6’4” body. He has the ability to hold off forwards and is excellent in the air.

In essence, they are two of the most valuable traits for a central defender to have: ability in the air and power. It doesn’t stop there for Onyewu, however. His tackling skills are first rate and he plays with confidence.

His experience in Europe will also benefit him at Milan as he has taken part in continental competitions and could be considered a cultured defender, having tasted life in England, France and Standard’s Belgium.

No Need To Panic

One of the few things that Onyewu has been knocked for in his playing career has been his sometimes hasty movement of the ball when under pressure. Some argue that it cost him a permanent deal at Newcastle as the pairing of him and Titus Bramble turned out to be a complete mess with neither player performing particularly well.

It has also been said that his lack of pace could be an issue, particular in a fast-paced team like Milan. Thankfully, his lanky frame seems to make up for the speed problem and he is able to reach balls with mysterious quickness.

Particulars

Name: Oguchialu Chijioke Goma Lambu Onyewu

Born: May 13th, 1982 (Washington, D.C.)

Club History: Metz (2002-04), La Louviere (loan – 2003), Standard Liege (2004-09), Newcastle (loan – 2007), Milan (2009 – )

Club Honors

Jupiler League Champions: 2008/09, 2007/08
Jupiler League Runners-up: 2005/06
Belgian Cup Runners-up: 2007
Belgian Supercup Winners: 2008

Individual Honors

Jupiler League Best XI: 2004/05, 2007/08
Jupiler League Foreign Player of the Year: 2005
U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year: 2006

According to AS, the €35 million hot-shot could take the No. 19 jersey, which is currently worn by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Los Blancos are currently deep in negotiations to sell the Dutchman to Stuttgart, who have reportedly made a tempting €18m bid plus incentives, and if Madrid successfully off-load the striker by tomorrow evening, the number will be made available for ‘Benzinho’.

The 21-year-old wore the No. 10 at Lyon - and the No. 9 with France - but it is occupied at present by Wesley Sneijder, another player who could leave the Santiago Bernabeu during the summer trade period, although he is unlikely to vacate the number before tomorrow.

The new-look Galacticos will be seen for the very first time on July 20, when they take on Irish side Shamrock Rovers at the 3,500-capacity Tallaght Stadium. Kaka, however, will not be present as he is still on holiday and will only join up with the squad on July 27.

Speculation continues to link Franck Ribery with a move to Real Madrid after the France international made public his wish to play at the Santiago Bernabeu, however, current employers Bayern Munich are to offer the winger a new deal in the hope he remains at the club.

With Bayern Munich firm over their €80 million price-tag for Ribery, Real Madrid general director Jorge Valdano claimed on Tuesday that the club’s efforts to sign the midfielder may not produce a favourable outcome.

Valdano also claimed that a new offensive for Ribery could be launched next summer if he is to stay at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern Munich executive chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has now made it clear that, to prevent further speculation on Ribery’s future, the club want to offer him a new deal.

“Our wish is not only that he stays, but also that he signs an extension,” Rummenigge told Bild.

Ribery, who joined Bayern from Olympique de Marseille in 2007, has a contract valid with the German giants until 2011.

Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce has surprisingly stated that Christian Vieri can make it into the Italy 2010 World Cup squad if he performs well at Ewood Park this season.

The 35-year-old Vieri, who is without a club after leaving Atalanta towards the end of last season, is currently on-trial with Blackburn.

Allardyce is weighing up whether to offer the former Juventus and Inter star a contract for the 2009/10 Premier League campaign.

“There is no questioning his ability, it is just about whether he can get himself at the level that is needed to compete in the Premier League,” ‘Big Sam’ told the official Blackburn website.

“He’s got a goal that perhaps if he can play somewhere this year he might even get in the World Cup squad next year, so that is a great incentive for anybody.

“I’ve had a player like that before in Youri Djorkaeff. The only reason he came to Bolton all those years ago was because the French Coach told him that unless he gets first team football he wouldn’t be included in the French squad for the World Cup. And we all know what he did for Bolton!

“Christian is a great player with great talent and if he’s still got the self-motivation and the dedication then fine.”

Vieri made just nine Serie A appearances last season, scoring two goals, and struggled with weight and fitness. Despite this, Allardyce believes he has a real chance of making it to South Africa.

Blackburn are making a late push to hijack Sunderland’s bid for Darren Bent.The Black Cats were thought to be the favourites to sign the Tottenham striker, with Harry Redknapp prepared to sell Bent to raise money for his own transfers.

However, according to The Sun, Sam Allardyce is now set to spend the majority of his £13million budget on a bid for Bent. Blackburn are in the market for a striker, having lost Roque Santa Cruz and Matt Derbyshire this summer.

Allardyce had earlier targeted Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Peter Crouch, but pulled out of those races because the deals would be too expensive.

Atletico Madrid have been looking for a new goalkeeper since Leo Franco and Gregory Coupet both decided to leave the club at the end of the season.

Asenjo, who reportedly rejected offers from Barcelona and Fiorentina to have regular first-team action in a Champions League side, will sign a four-year contract with the Spanish capital club.

The 20-year-old keeper will be presented at the Vicente Calderon on Monday at 1300 CET after completing a medical with the club.

Meanwhile, Atletico have confirmed that striker Diego da Silva Costa will play at Valladolid next season on loan as part of the deal for Asenjo.

Manchester United have secured the services of promising Girondins de Bordeaux winger Gabriel Obertan on a four year deal after the French 20-year-old agreed personal terms and passed his medical.

Obertan becomes Sir Alex Ferguson’s third summer signing, and the iron-willed Scot has claimed that the burgeoning forward is a player who he has been scouting for a number of years.

The player, who has received international caps at Under-16, U-17, U-18, U-19, and U-21 level, also expressed his delight at sealing a move to the Premier League champions.

Regarding the coup, Ferguson told the club’s official website, “Gabriel is a player we have tracked for a few years now, but because of his educational programme our efforts to get him here have always been delayed.

“We are delighted to get him now as he is an exciting prospect. We like to get young players and develop them, and we will see that in Gabriel over the next two years,” he said.

Obertan added, “I am very happy to join Manchester United. This is a big opportunity for me to play at such a great club. I am very excited to be here and I look forward to proving what I can do.”

Obertan, however, has joined the Old Trafford outfit with a slight injury, and will therefore be omitted from the club’s immediate pre-season preparations. His transfer fee is yet to be disclosed.