£75million for Cristiano Ronaldo... Any Takers?

Ah, the transfer season, one of my favorite part of the football calendar. At this time, players from all over the world are rumored to be on the move from one club to another. Most are under the radar, players brought in to fill a gap due to retirements, injuries and transfers. Some, come in looking for bigger challenges to their footballing careers.

But there are those stories that captures the imagination of the world, or should I say disgust? Depending on your point of view. There are deals or rumored transfers such as Cristiano Ronaldo's that leaves one glued to what will happen next. Players such as Ronaldo, Kaka, and Franck Ribery are able to carry a whole club not only on the pitch but off of it as well. Thus commanding hefty transfer fees. Bringing in such players allows a club to improve dramatically on the field as well as on the business side. Ticket sales during match days goes up, football shirt sales from around the world are almost guaranteed to bring in massive profits and corporate sponsors from around the world come knocking into the club's doors.

Since Cristiano Ronaldo is the hottest name for this summer's transfer window, we shall examine the benefits if a move shall happen. The speculated transfer fee of £75million would shatter the previous record held by Zinedine Zidane for his transfer from Juventus to Real Madrid. As most people doesn't know, the transfer fee does not exclusively go the the selling club. Players usually recieve a percentage of this fee depending on the predetermined number agreed upon with his previous employer. With another megadeal looming for Real Madrid, they will be able to take full advantage of the marketing side of the transaction. New sponsorship deals, season ticket sales and merchandise sales can only help their business model in need of help. On the pitch, it will also allow the club to win more trophies and finish higher in competitions thus bringing in more prize money to reinvest in the club. In the end, the £75million fee Madrid are paying off is a small investment that could have major impacts on its global image and product on the pitch.

The big question is, will Manchester United allow the brilliant Portuguese a move to the Bernabeu? Only Sir Alex Ferguson will have the final say. As we all know, he wouldn't deal with Real Madrid. He wouldn't sell them a virus...

Simply Got Beat...

Not much to say really, about the European Cup final between United and the Catalans. The Reds simply didn't show up. We were outclassed in every department as soon as Barca's first goal went in. In my opinion, the starting lineup was spot on as it was very effective against Arsenal's similar attack to Barca. The only issue was the absence of Fletcher, he was such a big player that no one could replace his important role at United at the moment.

Barcelona's midfield anchored by Iniesta and Xavi we're sublime compared to Rooney, Giggs, Carrick, Anderson and the highly ineffective Ji-sung Park. The United quintet were having such an off day that they could do absolutely nothing against the Barca meastros.

Credit to Ronaldo and John O'Shea. The only two players on a poor United side that showed some fight, a desire to perform at the showpiece final. In the end it wasn't enough, but this is Manchester United. We move on, players come and go, finals are lost, tragedy strikes... but We'll Never Die.

Nervous? Better Believe It!

Nervous. To say that I am is an understatement. This is Barcelona, this is not a joke anymore. I expect Barca to attack United at every possible chance while maintaining much of the possession as they usually do. On the other hand, we'll counter the living hell out of the Catalan side. That I guarantee!

As for my personal enjoyment, I will be heading to Barristers in St. Louis to see the match. I expect to be surrounded by my closest mates yelling obscenities at our Barca counterparts and singing all throughout. I expect the Stella Artois to keep flowing. I expect anti-United fans showing even more hatred. But more importantly, I expect a sublime performance from the United boys. That will surely help me forget the shite that has been the past six months...

One can only believe.