FORLAN: A formidable goalscoring

HOLA!

Like it or not, Manchester United flop Diego Forlan is now tops when it comes to getting goals. There are not many who can match this Atletico Madrid and Uruguay international in this aspect.

He has built up this reputation as a true goal machine. The 30-year-old finished as Primera Liga’s top scorer last season with 32 goals.

And in the process, he also won the prestigious European Golden Boot for the second time in his career. The first was in the 2004-2005 season, while playing for Villarreal when he ended with 25 goals — on tie with former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry — who is now with Barcelona.

The 5’9½” Forlan’s amazing exploits in goal hunting have attracted massive teams in Europe like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City this summer.

With a buy-out clause of €36 million (RM182.4m), he would be cheaper than several highly-priced but not that prolific strikers in the market and that has also lured more suitors. Atletico may be insisting they are not prepared to sell Forlan but they may soon have no choice.

(Club president Enrique Cerezo says he is not for sale ... is it?) Remember Fernando Torres who he said was not for sale but ended up at Liverpool two years ago.

Forlan’s father Pablo, a former Uruguay internatiomal who played in the 1974 World Cup in Germany, hinted on Wednesday that his son would love to play with the Catalans despite being happy with life with Atletico.

"Barca play the best football now,” said Pablo.

And imagine Forlan partnering another proven goal scorer Samuel Eto’o — if the moody Cameroon international decides to stay put with Barca despite the odds he has with the club board. Awesome indeed ... remember these two will be supported by Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi from behind.

El Loco would love to see Forlan joining Barca. It’s a pity though to see Forlan’s striking partner Sergio ‘Kun’ Aguero will also miss him especially as they have built up this lethal combination.

Aguero, for all we know, will find his way out of Atletico and even go back to Argentina later if Forlan leaves. First, it was Torres and then Forlan ... it can be too much for the 21-year-old Aguero.

Anyway, no harm done if Aguero finds his way to Nou Camp in the near future. Barca, with Forlan, will surely be more exciting to watch.

More success can be expected with Barca after the historic treble last season by winning Primera Liga title, Copa del Rey and Champions League.

Real — despite their crazy signings of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema — are following with interest whether Forlan will actually join Barca.

They know it’s trouble for them if Barca have Forlan. Los Blancos can’t afford to swagger that much! El Loco is also glad to know Inter Milan’s Brazilian leftback Maxwell will be a Barca player. While his move is not official yet, both Inter and Barca have confirmed there is ‘an agreement’ in place for Maxwell to join the Catalans.

Maxwell, is set to have his medical at Nou Camp today, according to Sport, as his transfer is just a formality at this point. The former Ajax player will move for €4.5 million, with the possibility of a €500,000 increase in the transfer fee, and sign a three-year deal with Barca.

Adios!

FORLAN'S GOAL EXPLOITS
● Independiente (1998-2002): 80 matches — 37 goals
● Manchester United (2002-2004): 63 matches — 10 goals
● Villarreal (2004-2007): 103 matches — 54 goals
● Atletico Madrid (2007-current): 69 matches — 48 goals
● Uruguay: (2002-current): 55 matches — 21 goals