The transfer market has ended. Or it would be better to say it's ended in most parts of the world: and this clarification is not as unnecessary as it would seem...
Last Monday, a quick attempt of a swap was rejected by Chelsea: Diego Simeone had offered €9 million plus Jackson Martinez to Chelsea to have Diego Costa back at Madrid.
Nothing doing. But yesterday, after the end of the transfer window in Europe, Jackson Martinez was sold to Guangzhou Evergrande for €42 million. Not a bad capital gain for Atletico Madrid that had taken the Colombian striker from Porto for €35 million last summer. Martinez was showing unsatisfying performances, with only two goals scored in 15 matches, and had asked his club to sell him.
And with the Chinese market still open, a new surprise could be expected around the corner.
Sven Goran Eriksson is trying to convince Wayne Rooney, the Manchester United captain, to join Shanghai Sipg, offering him €33 million and Jiangsu Suning is pursuing Yaya Touré, from Manchester City, with an annual salary offer of £30 million.
ARSENAL HAVE FIRST REFUSAL FOR ISCO
Chapter Isco. For the Arsenal's fans asking me on Twitter (@EmaGiulianelli) what has happened with the offer for the Spanish player, I'm answering in these lines...
Real Madrid rejected the last bid, even if it was very substantial, for two main reasons: 1. Zinedine Zidane doesn't want to deprive himself of a player who has grown up with him and who he considers very important for the team in this season;
2. There wasn't enough time for the Merengues to find a possible replacement of the same level of Isco in the last week of the transfer window.
But the news is that Arsenal have obtained a buying option on Isco: €45 million is the price established; if Real Madrid doesn't receive a higher bid for next June he will be sold to Arsenal.
LEICESTER SUCCESS NO MIRACLE
My last word is about Claudio Ranieri and Jamie Vardy.
Leicester City are not doing a miracle. I mean, of course they are amazing and astonishing, but what's happening is not done by magic.
Leicester's performances are the outcome of a serious and meticulous daily job planned by a strategist - which is just what Ranieri is. He's often underestimated. And I won't be surprised if he and his team will finish in the Champions League places at the end of the season.
