Football Dispatch

Summer Football
31 July 2007
Brazilian international defender Alex was denied entry into the United Kingdom, yesterday. The 25-year-old had arrived at Heathrow to consumate his Chelsea recall and had intended to join up with the squad immediately upon arrival. Non-European Union citizens, however, require a work permit in order to play football in Great Britain. In the absence of the necessary papers, the player must have played in 75% of his country's international matches over two years. With Alex lacking both qualifying criteria, he subsequently flew home to Brazil. The former Santos player was bought by Chelsea in the summer of 2004 and has spent the past three seasons on loan at PSV Eindhoven. But with a lack of depth among his central defenders, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho recalled him to the Premier League for the upcoming season.

Freddy Adu trained with Benfica this afternoon. The 18-year-old American flew to Lisbon over the weekend and is believed to have agreed financial terms on Monday. The Portuguese giants will pay Major League Soccer 1.2M-pounds for the Real Salt Lake playmaker. Adu made his MLS debut for D.C. United when he was just 14-years-old. He spent a week on trial at Manchester United last winter but failed to make an impression on the Old Trafford brass.

Former Arsenal forward Jose Antonia Reyes was unveiled by Atletico Madrid, today. The 23-year-old Spanish international spent all of last season on loan to Real Madrid after demanding an exit from Emirates Stadium. Real, however, were unwilling to pay more than 4M-pounds for a permanent move. As a result, Reyes joins cross-town rivals Atletico for 6M-pounds. He scored 6-goals in his spell at the Bernabeu and was a crucial contributor in Real's title-winning match on the final day of the season. Reyes joins newcomers Luis Garcia and Diego Forlan at Atletico. Despite losing Fernando Torres to Liverpool over the summer, Los Colchoneros are hoping to crack the Champions' League places in La Liga this term.

AC Milan are hoping to sign Julio Baptista ahead of the Serie-A's August 26 starting date. The 25-year-old Brazilian was half of the swap-deal which brought Jose Antonio Reyes to Real Madrid, last season. He scored 3-goals over his time at Arsenal. Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani confirmed his club's interest, yesterday. The Champions' League winners have loaned Ricardo Oliveira to Real Zaragoza for the 2007-2008 campaign and Filippo Inzaghi is no spring chicken at 33. Additionally, Alberto Gilardino tends to
run hot and cold. It all adds-up to a good deal of uneasiness around the depth at the forward positions at the San Siro; and Milan are hopeful that Baptista's edge and physicality will bring a new element to the Rossoneri ranks.

Deco is attempting to orchestrate a move to Chelsea. The Barcelona and Portugal playmaker is likely to be a casualty of Thierry Henry's arrival at the Nou Camp and is said to fancy a switch to English football. At Chelsea, the 29-year-old would also be united with manager Jose Mourinho. While in charge at Porto, the two combined for two league titles, the UEFA Cup, and the Champions' League crown. Some reports have Frank Lampard heading the other way as part of a swap package.

Should Newcastle sell Kieron Dyer before the transfer window closes on 01 September, manager Sam Allardyce will likely use the money to lure Alan Smith from Manchester United. With Carlos Tevez poised to be unveiled as United's latest high-profile acquisition, Smith's future at Old Trafford appears cloudy at best. Dyer's sale, probably to West Ham, would net Magpies around 6M-pounds -- precisely United's valuation of Smith. Sunderland and Middlesbrough are also interested in the 26-year-old striker. Dyer, meanwhile, cannot get out of Newcastle quickly enough. Over the weekend, the England international's automobile and house were vandalised.

Juventus are still a part of the Gabriel Heinze sweepstakes. General Manager Jean-Claude Blanc confirmed his club's interest, yesterday; and a move to Turin would be far more acceptable to Manchester United than to Liverpool. Rafael Benitez has met United's 6.8M-pound valuation of the Argentine left full-back; although the Premiership champions are reluctant to sell a player to their arch-rivals.