Barcelona and Real Madrid fighting over Cesc Fabregas

Nothing stirs up the Real Madrid - Barcelona rivalry like the two fighting over a player. In this case, it is Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas.

The question for Real is do they have any cash left over after splurging on Kaka, Ronaldo and Benzema? Who else would they have to get rid of to accommodate him?

Barcelona President Joan Laporta wants to make some headlines of his own, but it wouldn't make any sense for Real to buy him. They may just be involved in order to try bump up the price.

Welcome to the Bernabeu

Real Madrid buying Kaka but prising away Cristiano Ronaldo is something else entirely.
Seeing Barcelona win La Liga and the Champions League last year was too much for them to bear. They had to do something about and going on a spending spree was their solution.

There is no doubt that this raises the Real Madrid - Barcelona rivalry a few notches. The Catalans threw down the gauntlet last year and this is the way Real responds.

As for the Real Madrid - Athletico Madrid rivalry forget about it. There is no way Athletico can compete with their more fancied local rivals.

In response, Barcelona has been quiet on the transfer scene. They replaced one Brazilian with another. Sylvinho is out and Henrique is in.

For many reasons, it should be a fascinating season.