Atletico looking for Reyes sharp attack

Spanish international winger Jose Antonio Reyes became the eighth player to join Atletico Madrid in the close season when he moved from English Premiership side Arsenal for a fee believed to be 12million euros on a four year contract.

The 23-year-old had been on loan at Real Madrid last season but the Spanish champions did not want to meet Arsenal's asking price offering just six million euros.

Reyes played a pivotal role in the final match of the season that saw Real take the title off their bitter rivals Barcelona as he scored two of 'the meringues' three goals in their victory over Real Mallorca.

Reyes joined Arsenal in January 2004 and made 110 appearances for the side, scoring 23 goals, after transferring from Sevilla in January 2004.

He was part of the Arsenal side that completed the 2003-04 Premiership season undefeated, and made his last appearance for the north London club in the Champions League final in Paris against Barcelona as a substitute, in May 2006.

Atletico have spent over 50 million euros (68 million US dollars) on new signings since they finished seventh in the Primera Liga last season.

Uruguay striker Diego Forlan from Spanish side Villarreal, midfielder Luis Garcia from Liverpool and winger Simao Sabrosa from Benfica are among the club's new recruits.

The club is in the second qualifying round for the UEFA Cup.

Real set for record 90m euro bid for Kaka: report

Real Madrid will later this week offer AC Milan 90 million euros (123 million US dollars) for the Italian side's Brazilian star Kaka, Spanish sports daily Marca reported Monday.

If the deal goes through it would be the most expensive transfer in football history.

The offer will be made "probably Wednesday or Thursday" in Milan during a meeting between officials of the two clubs which officially will discuss the possible transfer of Real Madrid forward Julio Baptista, the newspaper said.

"Real Madrid will launch a total offensive this week for Kaka," it said.

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has put Kaka, who was inspirational in Milan's Champions League triumph last season, on the top of his wish list.

But the 25-year-old is under contract with AC Milan until June 2011 and he has said he is happy to stay at the Italian side.

"Real Madrid are a fantastic club, but money isn't everything," he told Italian news agency ANSA last week.

"I have also learned from friends who have left Milan how they deeply regretted doing so. I want to make history here," he added at the time.

The biggest transfer in football history so far was that of Zinedine Zidane when he signed for Real Madrid from Italian side Juventus in 2001 for 75 million euros.

Castelen joins Dutch contingent at Hamburg

Bundesliga club SV Hamburg said Monday they had completed the signing of Dutch international winger Romeo Castelen from Feyenoord on a four-year contract.

The 24-year-old will move in a deal worth three million euros and will rejoin his fellow Dutch internationals Rafael van der Vaart, Nigel de Jong and Joris Mathijsen at the club which is coached by Dutchman Huub Stevens.

Surinam-born Castelen was injured for most of last season but has made 10 appearances for his country.

Hamburg, seeking to further boost a squad which was locked in a relegation fight last season, are awaiting an answer from fellow Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin on their offer to sign German Under-19 international Jerome Boateng.

Benfica poised to sign US star Adu

Freddy Adu, the most recognisable name in the Major League Soccer, was on Monday poised to sign a five year deal with Portuguese side Benfica.

The Ghana-born Adu, 18, was twice named an MLS All-Star - in 2004 and 2006 - helped DC United capture the 2004 MLS Cup during his rookie season.

According to press reports here Benfica have already paid out 1.5 million euros to recruit the United states international.

Benfica are also due to sign Argentina duo Angel Di Maria and Andres Diaz.