Rangers still after Cúellar

Rangers have made Carlos Cuéllar one of their priority signings for this summer.They have already had two bids rejected by Osasuna, the last one in the region of 2,5 Million Euros, but are still hoping to conclude a deal in the following weeks.
Diario de Noticias informs that Osasuna would only accept a bid above the 3,5 Million Euros mark for Cúellar and in the case of being sold, would be replaced by a player from the B squad
(Osasuna Promesas)
The Scottish press goes further, and affirms a deal has been reached between Rangers and Cúellar, leaving it only to the clubs to finish the deal off.

We will wait and see..

Osasuna today

Jaroslav Plasil from AS Monaco, Pablo García from Real Madrid, Gerardo from Sporting de Gijón (Spanish second division club) are just some of the names which might end up playing in Osasuna next season.

Osasuna needs to strengthen itself and have to do it in style, as some of their key players have packed their suitcases and left our club in search of glory elsewhere.
David López ( 5,8Million Euros), Raúl García (13Million Euros), Valdo, (1,5 Million compensation fee)Soldado (back to Real Madrid) Milosevic, Juanlu (back to Betis after loan), Romeo and Muñoz, won´t be in next years squad and therefore quality signings have to be made.
Increasing rumours also place defender Cuéllar in Rangers next season.

Portillo from Nástic Tarragona (cost 750,000 Euros and scored 11 goals last year in a team that finished last) and Xavier Margairaz from Zürich (arrives free, has won the league this year and scored 9 goals ) are for the moment the only confirmed signings. Apart from the players mentioned in the initial paragraph, Osasuna have nearly struck a deal with under 21 Chile striker, Nicolas Medina and are negotiating with Ezquerro from Barcelona.

Sporting director, Juan José Lorenzo has a lot of work this summer...

Javad Nekounam

Hardly anyone had heard of Javad Nekounam when we first read his name in Diario de Navarra (local newspaper). The first thing we knew about him was that he was from Iran and that he had been sent off during the world cup. Osasuna had just signed one of the best players we have seen in the Reyno de Navarra. Without speaking a word of Spanish, Javad arrived in Pamplona as Osasuna´s first exotic signing and has proved to be a complete success during his first year in Spain.
His calmed style of play, his passing precision and stealing ability have made him not only one of the Osasuna favourites, but also one of the best new players in the Spanish league.
His moment of glory this season came when he scored a last minute extra-time goal against Girondins Bordeaux that meant Osasuna would play for the first time in history a UEFA cup quarter final.
But Neko or Neku, as we call him here, has been much more than that crucial goal. His elegance on the pitch and the way he makes the team play are something people where not used to, here in Pamplona.
There is only one thing that has Osasuna fans worried and that is his buy-out clause. Only a tempting 5 million Euros could see him out of our squad, and with the departure of Raúl García to Atlético Madrid, Nekounam is without doubt one of the most important players in the team.
He desires to progress, but we hope he can achieve that goal in our club.

For an excellent second season in Pamplona! JAVAD NEKOUNAM!

Agencia Osasunista now in English

For all those Osasuna fans still struggling with their Spanish, a sister blog has been launched which will cover important news regarding Osasuna.

Please feel free to leave any comments. See you around!

Aúpa Osasuna!