Football - Possible Winter Transfers of 20 Players (Part 5)
Manuel Almunia (Present Club - Arsenal):
Arsenal's veteran goalkeeper, Manuel Almunia had made it clear in the summers that he won't act as a deputy to any other keeper at the Emirates in case the club signed a new goalkeeper.
The Spanish goalie had an impressive start to his current campaign until the game against Baggies, where his gaffes proved costly for Arsenal. No doubt, Almunia was culpable when the Gunners lost at Emirates to West Bromwich Albion, being at fault for two
goals.
This was their first home loss against the newly promoted team in nearly 40 years. All the credit for which goes to one and only, Manuel Almunia.
Moreover, Almunia's deputy, Lukasz Fabianski took charge between the posts after Almunia suffered an elbow injury against West Bromwich Albion. Fabianski took this opportunity seriously and has performed quite well or even better than his senior keeper Almunia.
Manuel can no longer expect himself to remain the Gunners’ number one shot stopper with the emergence of young goalies such as Vito Mannone and Wojciech Szczesny. In addition to this, Arsenal may also sign Fulham’s goalkeeper, Mark Schwarzer to strengthen
their goalkeeping department.
Thus, there seems no place remaining for Almunia at Emirates. He looks set to move away in the near future and it could be as early as January.
Pedro Leon (Present Club - Real Madrid):
Pedro Leon was one of Real Madrid's shocking signings under its legendary boss, Jose Mourinho along with the young Spanish forward, Caneles. Leon was signed from Getafe this summer.
But, this right-winger did not have a good start to the season and has even failed to break into the starting eleven of Real Madrid on regular basis.
So, Leon’s stay with Real Madrid could be a short one and media reports suggest that the offensive midfield player could make a swift winter move to the Italian Giants, A.C. Milan.
The former Murcia winger has so far failed to make much of an impression in Mourinho’s first team plans. In addition to this, the 23-year-old was left out of Real Madrid’s Champions League excursion to Ajax after reportedly incensing Jose Mourinho by ignoring
his tactical decisions.
Never being the one to tolerate disobedience, the Portuguese looks set to make an example of the former Getafe player by off-loading him in a possible winter transfer to Milan. The discussions for this potential deal will begin when the two sides meet for
their UEFA Champions League fixture after the international break.
The Rossoneri have a long history of chasing Pedro Leon as they were one of a number of sides involved in the clamour to sign him from Getafe, last season. Moreover, the Italian giants are also in desperate need of some quality wingers. Milan would surely
want to pour in some young blood as their squad looks full of aged midfielders.
The talented midfielder was the most successful and consistent player for the Spanish side, Getafe, last season. Pedro Leon scored nine times and also provided nine assists in his forty two appearances for Getafe.
Unfortunately, he has featured only twice so far in this season for Los Blancos. But now, if Pedro isn't given a spot in the starting eleven soon, he may look for a move away from Real Madrid.
(To be continued in Part 6)
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