Yeah, had a release clause that had to be triggered before the end of April. Bayern are always doing this - taking the best players from other German clubs, nothing new there
I don't agree with the love in for this article. Is it really that hard to imagine Man Utd winning 22 of the last 44 leagues? No its not considering they have won 13 of the last 21, an even higher win percentage. Only Arsenal have won it in the last 20 years without buying it. Is it that hard to imagine Man Utd using their vast wealth to buy rivals best players? No it's not, they bought Van Persie from a rival, they bought Ferdinand from a rival, they bought Rooney, Berbatov and Carrick from potential rivals. They also attempted to buy Nasri from a rival and would have but for the massive cash injection from City. Is it that hard to imagine them buying Bale for 50m? No its not at all. With FSG in charge would anyone put their life on them not buying Suarez? I wouldn't. But for Chelsea and City's dodgy money, they and the league would be 100 times worse than Bayern and the Bundesliga.
Inteststing read and an insight into the Bundesliga. Im guessing, part of the reason why some clubs find it hard to sustain a strong hold in Germany after they win the league is the clubs struggle to meet wage demands and their tops players hold them to randsom, "if you wont pay me that amount Im off to Bayern". I wonder if Dortmund can use the money they will earn in the CL this season to bounce back and try and steal the title from Bayern next season. I also wonder, if Dortmund win the CL (in fairness you have to assume they should make the final now) will that money go into improving their squad or paying off old loans? The artical reads like they are still bouncing back from being broke.
Aren't BT taking over all of ESPNs covered sports from next season.I presume we will have to subscribe to watch it.
Bundeslga will be on BT next season with them buying the rights ESPN have. Next season was to be the last of the current UK (and Ireland) television deal. Hopefully BT will with their extra sports channel (or channels?) will be able to show more games when their are other sporting clashes.
Dortmund's fans saved the club from the wall. Adidas and Audi own approximately 20% of Bayern, aligned with Allianz there income streams are massive from those 3 companies. They have the biggest fan base in Germany.
Tell you what. Porto's bank balance must be the envy of most small nations, and a few large ones too. Another 70 mill in the coffers, after Hulk going for 48 mill. Falcao for 40+, the 2 lads to Inter for 20 million. Wouldnt mind having their head of transfers doing the books. (Well except for the constant selling of top talent I suppose)
Exactly,from the last decade-say when they won d European Cup-the amount theyve received from transfers must be colossal!!and then you could ad in manager compensation aswell-wow!!
but dont forget the fact that they always seem to find another star for nothing then sell him on for a massive profit aswell
Had a mooch in transfermarket to see Portos dealings over the past few years and wow. Always knew they were astute in the markets but they are able to make silly money. Formatting prob wont come out from excel but heres a selection of their purchases and what they sold them on for afterwards.(in millions obviously) Player Bought Sold Bruno Alaves 0 19.5 Raul Meireles 0 11.5 James Rodriguez 6.5 39 Joao Montinho 10 22 Radamel Falcao 5 41 Alvaro Pereira 5.7 10 Aly Cissokho 0.3 14 Lisandro Lopez 2 21 Lucha Gonzales 9 17 Hulk 16 52 Ricardo Quersma 5 22 Anderson 4 27 Pepe 1.7 26