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Former Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster says he tried to get the club to sign Andres Iniesta, Dani Alves, David Villa and Cesc Fabregas in summer 2008 but none of the proposed deals went through. Former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid midfielder Schuster won the 2007-08 La Liga title during his first season in charge at the Bernabeu, only to then be fired the following December by club president Ramon Calderon after saying he felt his team had no chance ahead of a Clasico at the Camp Nou. In extracts from his new autobiography "Amor a primera vista" (Love at first sight), Schuster said his ambitious transfer targets as he set out to defend the title included Alves -- then at Sevilla; Villa -- then at Valencia; and Fabregas -- then at Arsenal -- who all ended up joining Iniesta at the Camp Nou instead. "I put on the table the names of Alves, Villa and Fabregas, and even spoke of Luis Fabiano [also Sevilla]," Schuster said. "We even spoke of Iniesta, who had a release clause at Barca of €50 million, but the idea fizzled out." Alves joined Pep Guardiola at Barcelona that summer in a €35.5m deal, while Villa moved to the Camp Nou for €40m two years later and, after years of speculation, Fabregas rejoined his former club in 2011 for €34m. Iniesta has spent his entire career at Barcelona, where he is currently club captain. Madrid's transfer business in 2008 was less ambitious, with the most expensive summer signing being Netherlands international Rafael van der Vaart from Hamburg for €15m. The other arrivals all being then youngsters Ezequiel Garay from Racing Santander for €10m, Ruben de la Red from Getafe for €4.7m and Javi Garcia from Osasuna for €4m.
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