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Villarreal have officially announced what was under discussion for some time, the transfer of Nilmar to Qatari club Al-Rayyan for €8m. There may be some variables, who knows. Nilmar wanted to go to Brazil but clubs there couldn't make a good enough offer, and then the Qatar bunch threw a huge salary at him. We hope he can rehabilitate his career there, but to be honest I doubt many of us will pay much attention to the Stars League in which Al-Rayyan play.
So now attention turns to the sale of Zapata, which is expected to happen for around €6m; word is he will return to Italy. With that done, the club will have met its target for player sales (having sold or loaned out 11 players), and won't have sold Borja Valero or Bruno Soriano to get there.
Bruno's name has been in the news though as it transpired his agent had reached an agreement with Valencia for his transfer, but Sr. Roig refused to sell him for the €9m ( possibly raised to €10.5m) our neighbors offered. There's been a lot of angry blogging about this on both sides of the Villarreal-Valencia divide, let's just say, with Villarreal fans feeling Valencia was illegally negotiating with Bruno and Valencia supporters incensed that Sr. Roig was holding out for €12m.
There is still a chance Bruno could leave, but it would be to Spartak Moscow, now managed by Unai Emery. Bruno turned that deal down earlier but if it's his only chance for Champions League football...
Malaga: there is a report that some players have reported the club for non-payment of wages: I should note this has not been confirmed by others
Incoming players: Almeria seem to want €5m for Ulloa, and Sr. Roig is not sure he is worth that, and negotiations continue...
UD Almería: La marcha de Leo Ulloa es cuestión de días. Ideal
El Villarreal ya tiene liquidez para cerrar el fichaje de Ulloa - Liga Adelante | Almería - AS.com
Meanwhile, Villarreal have picked up Lucas Viatri from Boca Juniors on loan, with a purchase option (maybe €6m?) Hasta pronto, Lucas | Olé
First friendly (really more of an intrasquad scrimmage): Villarreal "A" defeated Villarreal "B" 4-1. Goals from Moi Gomez, Joan Oriol, Gerard Moreno, and Hernan Perez for the winners, Juanto for the B team.