In what is sure to come as a shock o the Portuguese star's ardent fans, Luis Figo has been told by his club Real Madrid that he is free to look for offers from other clubs. Real coach Wanderly Luxemburgo had a falling out with Figo & the midfielder found himself warming the becnh for the latter half of the past season. Italian club Inter have shown interest in Figo as well as his teamates Santiago Solari & Walter Samuel. Deportivo La Coruna's coach Javier Irueta has left the club by mutual consent. Having been at Depor since 1998, Irureta admitted that he was sad to be leaving, but recognised that now was the right time said the former Oviedo, Racing, Osasuna, Athletic, Real Sociedad and Celta coach. Irureta is the club’s most successful coach in its history as he led them to their only league title in 2000, the Copa del Rey in 2002 and was twice successful in the Spanish Super Cup following those trophy wins. Valencia playmaker Pablo Aimar says he’d like to join former Ches coach Rafa Benitez at Liverpool. Also yesterday, Arsenal confirmed that their midfielder Edu has joined Spanish club Valencia on a free transfer, while Swedish striker Henrik Larsson signed on for an additional two seasons more with FC Barcelona.

Meanwhile AS Roma gave a huge new contract to their star playmaker Fransico Totti which ties him at the club for 5 years. Roma's defender Christian Chivu also expressed his desire to stay at the club despite interest from Real Madrid & Juventus. After selling Marek Jankulovksi to Milan, Udinese have officially announced the incoming transfers of Jose Luis Vidigal Da Cruz, Paulo Victor Barreto De Souza and Antonio D’Agostino. The 33-year-old Vidigal arrives from Livorno, whilst Barreto (20 years) and D’Agostino (27 years) join the Bianconeri from Treviso. Shabani Nonda said goodbye to Juventus after failing to pass a medical. The former Monaca striker was poised to sign a four year deal with the Italian club but now it seems that Marseille will more likely be his next destination.

Chelsea, Jose Mourinho & Ashley Cole were fined a total of a million dollars after the verdict came out on the alleged illegal tapping of the player. Chelsea were fined £300,000 and also given a suspended three-point deduction, while their manager was ordered to pay £200,000. Finally, Cole was fined £100,000. Chelsea seem close to signing unsettled Kaka Khaldze from AC Milan while rivals Arsenal seemd to wrap up the formalities for attaining Sporting Lisbon's goalkeeper Ricardo. Champions of Europe Liverpool's midfielder Dietmar Hamann seems set to return to his native Germany and join Hamburger SV. The fomer Newcastle player, who has played a suppoting role for Liverpool has also had intrest from Everton & Bolton Wanderers but feels it may be time to move back home.



During my two days off I was sick with a slight fever, a bad cold & asthma trouble. I ended up watching lots of tv cause I was bored and slept a lot. While nothing good was on for most of the time I was awake, I watched a bit of the US skating champion ships (in St.Paul, Minnesotta I think??). Among the participants was a Canadian from Vancouver called Emannuel Sandhu!! Turns out the guy has an Indian Sikh father & an Italian mother, which is the cause for his name. Seems he is a big deal in fugure skating and cause he has an Indian link I supported him but don't know how well he did cause I fell asleep after a few minutes. He placed second at the Canadian National Championships five times ... in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2005, and has been Canadian Champion three times, in 2001, 2003, and 2004. Check out his fan website.




Song for the day - "Amazing" - AEROSMITH