Ayala Transfer Update

La Red is reporting that River Plate manager Diego Simeone called Roberto Ayala yesterday and spoke to him about joining the team.

The phone call has apparently made Ayala reconsider his original position of staying with Zaragoza, regardless of their relegation, and he is now taking a serious look at a possible return to Argentina to play for River Plate.

Gonzalo Rodríguez Interview

In today's La Nacion an interview with Gonzalo Rodríguez.

Rodríguez has struggled terribly with a long number of injuries that nearly ended his career. One of the best defenders to come out of Argentina in recent years, he is finally back on the national team.
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"I endured very difficult moments. The time was passing slowly. Professionally, I did not know how I was going to continue with my career. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. May it not happen to me anymore, please."

Q - How much anxiety did you feel during all this time?

R - Alot. It's been a while since I received a callup. I was a little surprised by it. Not because of what I've been doing, because in Villareal I've been back playing without any problems and I think at an adequate level. But I didn't think I would get calledup to the national team so soon since my return.

Q - You must be experiencing this tour with alot of excitement......

R - What do you think!!! I'm enjoying alot all this time with the national team. I've met up again with teammates that I played youth world cups with and others who I've known with the senior team. I'll tell you more: I'm enjoying this tour as if it was the first one with the youth team.

Q - Do you see yourself with a chance to get calledup for the games against Ecuador and Brasil?

R - Today I'm thinking about returning to playing and in trying to get back in good form. If I have the luck of receiving a callup, even better.

Q - You still have pending your consolidation with the national team?

R - Yes, it's a challenge to be on the national team, it's everyone's dream. But not just anyone can play. I'm clear about that. Just look at all the other defenders that are a part of this tour. You realize that the demand on a player is very high. But I never lose hope.

Q - Demichelis won one of the central defender spots. Do you join the line as one of Ayala's replacements?

R - There are players in my position who are in really good form. One of them is Martin (Demichelis), of some great conditions. It's really difficult. But I'm going to fight for a spot. I always have hope.

Getting ready for USA

Pablo Zabaleta & Maxi Rodriguez taking a stroll around Times Square yesterday afternoon.

Ayala & Aimar want to stay with Zaragoza

One of the low points of the 2007/08 season for Argentina players in Europe is Real Zaragoza's relegation to Second Division.

The future remains very uncertain for Roberto Ayala, Pablo Aimar and Diego Milito. Will they follow the team into Second Division next season or will they sign with another team?

The Zaragoza situation has some ramifications with the national team. Ayala of course has retired from international duty but Aimar and to a lesser extent Milito are still a part of the national team and it must surely weigh on their minds that not playing First Division football will seriously affect their chances of receiving any future callups.

It seems unlikely that Basile would consider bringing anyone to the national team that is playing in Second Division.

Panathinaikos, Lazio and Newcastle are among the teams that have shown an interest in signing Aimar.

There was also a recent rumor that Ayala & Aimar's old team River Plate was interested in signing both but it never went anywhere beyond that.

Ayala and Aimar's agent Gustavo Mascardi said "If the team wants them, they will stay, that is the idea that we have at this moment."

minutouno.com

Ayala y Aimar quieren quedarse en el Zaragoza

Los futbolistas argentinos Roberto Fabián Ayala y Pablo César Aimar están conformes de actuar para el Real Zaragoza en la segunda división, tras el descenso de la entidad de Aragón.

Según difundió hoy el diario deportivo Marca, tanto Ayala como Aimar "harán lo que digan Agapito Iglesias (presidente del club 'maño') y Marcelino (el nuevo director técnico) sin poner muchos reparos".

Hace unos días circularon versiones, provenientes de la Argentina, acerca de que tanto Ayala como Aimar podría regresar a la Argentina para jugar en River Plate, su ex club.

Por Aimar, también se dijo que estaba interesados el Panathinaikos, de Grecia, y la Lazio, de Italia. Y ahora entró en la puja el Newcastle de Inglaterra. Ninguna de las ofertas es firme, pero los intermediarios a la operación hablan de una cifra cercana a los 5 millones de euros.

El Newcastle estaría dispuesto a subir algo más, pero los griegos también están muy interesados en reforzar su plantilla con el enganche argentino. Esta disputa beneficiaría a un Real Zaragoza que se gastó unos 12 millones de euros en la contratación de Aimar en junio del año 2006.

Sin embargo, Gustavo Mascardi, representante de los dos futbolistas, viajará a Zaragoza el próximo fin de semana para reunirse con los dirigentes blanquillos y saber de primera mano cuáles son las verdaderas intenciones de la entidad de Aragón.

"Si el club quiere tenerlos, se quedarán, ésa es la idea que tenemos nosotros en estos momentos", indicó el representante.