Liverpool, Arsenal and a host of Turkish clubs could be set to battle for the signature of winger Hamit Altintop after reports in Spain claimed Real Madrid are ready to off-load him in a knockdown fee in January.
Real boss Jose Mourinho signed the 28-year-old on a free transfer after his Bayern Munich contract expired and it was thought at the time to be a smart, low-risk move.

By DAVID GUBALA

For a few of Europe's international powers, the European Championship qualifying process didn't go as planned, but there's still a shot to reach next summer's finals.

The final round of Euro 2012 qualifiers gets underway on Friday, starting with the first legs of the home-and-away playoff series.

Real Madrid "re"-announced their World Football Challenge roster today, and it has some noticeable changes.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Ricardo Carvalho, Xabi Alonso and Mesut Ozil, the headliners of the Madrid side, are all still set to play in Real's USA tour.

When the Philadelphia Union agreed with Real Madrd for a friendly on July 23, the team promised its fans that they would see the stars of Madrid and not just back ups. After releasing the official Madrid roster, it's clear that the Union managed to keep that promise.

The Madrid World Football Challenge roster is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Spain), Antonio Adán (Spain)

Defenders: Ricardo Carvalho (Portugal), Pepe (Portugal), Sergio Ramos (Spain), Marcelo Viera (Brazil), Alvaro Arbeloa (Spain), Raul Albiol (Spain), Ezequiel Garay (Argentina), David Mateos (Spain)

Midfielders: Fernando Gago (Argentina), Kaká (Brazil), Lassana Diarra (France), Xabi Alonso (Spain), Sergio Canales (Spain), Pedro León (Spain), Mesut Özil (Germany), Sami Khedira (Germany), Hamit Altintop (Turkey), Nuri Şahin (Turkey), José Callejón (Spain), Roysten Drenthe (Netherlands)

Attackers: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Karim Benzema (France), Esteban Granero (Spain)

Manager Jose Mourinho will also be making the trip with Madrid.

Real Madrid is bringing the cavalry for its summer tour of the United States.

Madrid has chosen a first-choice squad for its three games in the World Football Challenge, which includes the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil, Kaka, Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas.

The biggest omissions are Argentines Angel di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain, who will be participating in Copa America.

Cesc Fabregas reacts to Barca's offer: "Only £27m, scumbags!"

The Sun is reporting Barca have made an offer of £27m for Cesc Fabregas which has been rejected by Arsenal who are looking at least £35m.

But here is the pinch. There is absolutely nothing in the piranha like Spanish media on this supposedly huge breaking news.

*Galaxy defender A.J. DeLaGarza was re-signed to a new multi-year contract, the club announced today.

The versatile 24-year-old, who can play either full back or in central defense as he did in college at Maryland defender, is on track for a career high in starts and minutes in his third year with the club.

Dos de los nuevos fichajes del Real Madrid para la próxima temporada (Sahín y Altintop) llegan 'tocados' al Bernabéu. El segundo de ellos, incluso, tendrá que pasar por quirófano. ¿Por qué esa querencia madridista a incorporar jugadores lesionados?
En un pasado no muy lejano, Kaká asomó su deseada figura en la capital de España arrastrando una pubalgia, molestia que los directivos blancos esperaban superaría sin problemas.

The draw hands the initiative to Turkey, who are one point behind second-placed Belgium in Group A, but who also have a game in hand.
It might have been different had Witsel not blazed over the bar with a 75th-minute penalty kick.

The draw hands the initiative to Turkey, who are one point behind second-placed Belgium in Group A, but who also have a game in hand.
It might have been different had Witsel not blazed over the bar with a 75th-minute penalty kick.
Marwin Ogunjimi had given Belgium an early lead, Turkey answered with Burak Yilmaz in the 22nd minute, to even the score 1-1
Turkey enjoyed a spell of dominance, but poor shooting meant that Simon Mignolet was not tested.

The draw hands the initiative to Turkey, who are one point behind second-placed Belgium in Group A, but who also have a game in hand.
It might have been different had Witsel not blazed over the bar with a 75th-minute penalty kick.
Marwin Ogunjimi had given Belgium an early lead, Turkey answered with Burak Yilmaz in the 22nd minute, to even the score 1-1
Turkey enjoyed a spell of dominance, but poor shooting meant that Simon Mignolet was not tested.

The season is barely over and already Real Madrid have added three new players to their squad for next season. Their latest signing is former youth team forward Jose Callejon from Espanyol.

The 24-year-old, a former Spanish U21 international, moved to Espanyol at the end of the 2007/08 season and made 97 appearances for the Barcelona-based club, scoring 10 goals.

Aunque no ha completado su mejor temporada, a Altintop se le ha abierto el cielo de par en par con el fichaje por el Madrid. Un futbolista de brega y cierta clase, que hizo el que fue mejor gol de 2010 para la UEFA.
Hamit Altintop ya es, oficialmente, el segundo fichaje del Madrid para la próxima temporada.

Real Madrid have confirmed the signing of 2010 Fernc Puskas Award Winner Hamit Altintop (28). The Turkish International left Bayern Munich on a free transfer after letting his contract run out after falling out of favour at the club.

By FRANCO PANIZO

If you're anxiously awaiting to know who will be representing the U.S. men's national team in the Gold Cup, your wait will soon be over.

Head coach Bob Bradley will reveal his 23-man roster for the Gold Cup on May 23, U.

Skysports.com understands that Liverpool have shown an interest in landing Turkish ace Hamit Altintop.
The midfielder's departure from Bayern Munich has already been confirmed and he will be leaving on a Bosman transfer.
He has held talks with Real Madrid already and is widely expected to join the Spanish giants, becoming their second Turkish import of the summer following on from Borussia Dortmund's Nuri Sahin.

Jose Mourinho has won an important power battle in Madrid as Real Madrid's director general Jorge Valdano is expected to leave at the end of the season.

The departure of may Valdano will give Mourinho complete control over this summer's signings, a process that is already under way.

Nuri Sahin: A Fantastic Signing in my opinion
So it's official. Nuri Sahin, formerly of Borussia Dortmund is now officially a Real Madrid player.

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He is now the 3rd Bundesliga player to join Real Madrid in Florentino's 2nd stint at the Madrid presidency following Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil.

Nuri Sahin: A Fantastic Signing in my opinion
So it's official. Nuri Sahin, formerly of Borussia Dortmund is now officially a Real Madrid player.

.

He is now the 3rd Bundesliga player to join Real Madrid in Florentino's 2nd stint at the Madrid presidency following Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil.

Nuri Sahin: A Fantastic Signing in my opinion
So it's official. Nuri Sahin, formerly of Borussia Dortmund is now officially a Real Madrid player.

.

He is now the 3rd Bundesliga player to join Real Madrid in Florentino's 2nd stint at the Madrid presidency following Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil.

Ich denke, dass zwischen Fankurve und Herrn Hoeneß eine große Liebe existiert. Und wie in der Liebe ist man eben auch mal enttäuscht und äußert sich emotional, was man später vielleicht bereut.

Hamit Altintop, Mittelfeldspieler des FC Bayern München, äußert sich zu den Protesten der Fans gegen Präsident Uli Hoeneß.

MUNCIH, Germany — Bayern Munich's title aspirations suffered a major blow on Saturday as relegation-threatened Cologne hit back from 2-0 down to inflict a 3-2 defeat on the defending champions. Bayern were cruising after first-half goals by Germany striker Mario Gomez, his 16th in 19 league matches, and Turkey midfielder Hamit Altintop.

Koln vs Bayern Munich February 5, 2011- Final score:- Koln vs Bayern Munich 3-2 ( Christian Clemens, Milivoje Novakovic*2/ M.Gomez, Hamit Altintop) A stunning second half comeback from Koln sees them upset Bayern Munich 3-2 in the Bundesliga. M.Novakovic was the hero for Koln, netting twice for them in the second half.

Barcelona's Xavi and Barcelona's Andres Iniesta pipped at the post In surprising news today, the nailed-on favourite to win a vote conducted by FIFA has emerged as the winner of said vote. It is difficult to build a case against Lionel Messi winning the Ballon D'Or, unless you were going to make the award entirely [.

In addition to the naming of Lionel Messi as the inaugural winner of the FIFA Ballon d'Or, FIFA also announced Jose Mourinho was named Coach of the Year ahead of World Cup-winning Spain boss Vicente del Bosque and Barcelona's Pep Guardiola for leading Inter Milan to an unprecedented Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia treble.