Liverpool already working on Benzema deal

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Sep 25, 2014

Napoli’s season has started poorly. They simply can’t replicate the form they showed last term when they finished third in Serie A.

Four points from their opening four games means boss Rafa Benitez is under increasing pressure to turn things around quickly. Rumours are abound that former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will soon replace him.

The Napoli faithful are already uneasy after a summer of low key transfer activity, and to upset the apple cart further, the Italians were dumped out of the Champions League in the qualifying stages by the Spaniards from Athletic Bilbao.

With the club already in a precarious financial position, the early European exit has compounded their financial situation, and it looks likely they are going to be forced to sell their two most valuable assets.

Rumour is already rife regarding the possible sale of Gonzalo Higuain, but now it seems Slovakian midfielder Marek Hamsik may also be on his way out of the door. The two are valued at £65million between them.

Chelsea, Liverpool and Man Utd were all rumoured to have had links with the coveted international during the summer, and they could all be further tempted if the instability at Napoli continues.

With a potential manager change, top players leaving, and little or no money right now, it could be a difficult period for the Italian giants.

Written by Michael Horne

Follow me on Twitter for more articles @MichaelHorne777

Fellaini was never told to move on from United

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olliebrowner

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Sep 25, 2014

Manchester United flop Marouane Fellaini has rubbished reports that Louis Van Gaal attempted to force him out of the club.

The Belgian rock was said to be one of many names that were facing the axe from new boss Van Gaal during the summer window, but it appears that the player missed the final cut.

‘I talked to Van Gaal and he has never said that I had to leave,’ he told Sport Wereld.

‘He said I had a lot of competition, but that I will get the chance to prove myself.

‘I have known difficult moments like last season, but you become a stronger player afterwards. I have confidence in myself and in my game again.

‘I played a good World Cup and also during the preparation, I was good. It is unfortunate that this injury has thrown spanner in the works, but at the end of the month I will be back.’

By Ollie Brown

Lallana advised Southampton to Forster

By

olliebrowner

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Sep 25, 2014

Southampton keeper Fraser Forster has revealed how Adam Lallana convinced him to move to St.Mary’s in the summer.

Forster, 26, joined the Saints during the summer window for a fee to be believed around £10 million pounds.

And the twice-capped England international insists he chose to join Southampton after seeking advice from former Saints midfielder Adam Lallana.

“I felt it was the right time and it was a fantastic opportunity and one that I could never have turned down,” he said. “It’s a fantastic club to play for, and everyone said that.

“I spoke to Adam Lallana quite a lot in the summer and as soon as the opportunity arose he was very complimentary about the club and said I’d love it.

“I’m delighted that was the choice I made. It’s important that I play well week by week and see where it takes me.”

By Ollie Brown

Manchester United to return for Miranda, and may offer Mata in the deal

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mattderrig

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Sep 25, 2014

Manchester United could be set to launch a bid for Atletico Madrid defender Miranda in January, and could offer attacking midfielder Juan Mata as a part exchange option.

Louis Van Gaal is short on central defenders, to the extent that he has had to play youngster Tyler Blackett in the early matches of this season’s Premier League.

But a winter move for the Brazilian defender may be on the cards, having been identified last summer as one of the targets to replace the departed Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, who left for Queens Park Rangers and Inter Milan respectively.

It would take a substantial bid from United to persuade Diego Simeone to part with a defender, who was instrumental in their La Liga title winning campaign last season as well as their venture to the Champions League final.

Interestingly, former Chelsea man Juan Mata could hold the key to any deal taking place. The Spaniard won’t be one of the first names on the team sheet anymore this season after the arrivals of Falcao and Angel Di Maria, so if his situation hasn’t changed by January then he may want to look elsewhere for first team football.

United will however face competition from Chelsea for the defender, who is now getting international recognition with Brazil under new head coach Dunga.

By Matthew Derrig

Brendan Rodgers rubbishes Raheem Sterling to Real Madrid link

By

mattderrig

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Sep 25, 2014

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has said that any links between winger Raheem Sterling and Real Madrid are just ‘speculation’, and claims that the player is happy at Anfield.

Sterling has been a consistently high performer for the Reds over the last 14 months, playing a key role in Liverpool’s valiant title effort last season followed by going to the 2014 World Cup.

His performances are rumoured to have caught the eye of Real Madrid, who we know are always on the look out for the best players in the world to add to their squad.

However, Rodgers is unfazed by the speculation and claims it’s a good thing that his players are being linked with big money moves:

“I think it shows that he is playing very well. You could link him with every club in the world. I sit easy with the speculation. Him and his representatives know how comfortable he is here.”

“At some point in the future he will be rewarded for his performance but he still has three years left on his contract. There is no rush.”

Liverpool will be keen to retain Sterling as they look to re-build a side capable of challenging again for the Premier League having lost Luis Suarez to Barcelona earlier this summer.

By Matthew Derrig

Rabiot demands £80k a week in order to sign new PSG deal

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Ben Reardon

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Sep 25, 2014

Adrien Rabiot has demanded a sum of £80k a week in order to sign a new deal at French side PSG.

The midfielder is looking to leave Paris for pastures new, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal all forming a que with intentions to sign the player.

Reports in the French media suggest that Rabiot is still in the hunt for a better financial package, in order to stay at the Ligue 1 title holders.

PSG are set to look to hold out for around £7 million for the 19 year old playmaker, with manager Laurent Blan even admitting that he (Rabiot) is more than likely to leave.

He said: “I believe he [Rabiot] will leave, but I can’t tell you where.

“Rabiot has received a good [contract] offer from PSG but apparently it doesn’t interest him. It’s a shame.

“I think his entourage is taking advantage of his contractual situation.”

by Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Jack Grealish similar to Gareth Bale, claims Alan Hutton

By

Ben Reardon

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Sep 25, 2014

Aston Villa fullback Alan Hutton feels that winger Jack Grealish has a similar personality to Gareth Bale, according to the Daily Star.

Grealish, aged 19 has impressed during his breakthrough season at the Premier League club, and has been linked to both Manchester United and Chelsea in recent weeks, following some fine performances.

The Birmingham born winger has also featured at youth level for the Republic of Ireland, and fullback Hutton believes that the starlet shares similar traits to Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale.

“Jack has everything to progress into a world-class player,” he said.

“For someone of his young age, he’s got unbelievable talent and has been well able for the Premier League. He’s got a different style to Gareth (Bale) but is similar in how down to earth he is.

“If he keeps going as he’s done lately, Jack has a big future in the game.”

Grealish, who enjoyed a worthwhile spell on loan at League One side Notts County last season, playing 37 games for the Magpies in the process, recently revealed that he would like to remain at Villa for the long haul, with his current contract expiring next summer.

I want to stay at Villa,” he told the Birmingham Mail. “My contract runs out at the end of the season but my eyes are on remaining at Villa.

“It’s just down to contract negotiations at the moment but I’m hopeful it will come in time.”

by Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Southampton wonderkid SNUBS the big boys

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Sep 25, 2014

Described as Luke Shaw’s long-term replacement, high-flying Southampton’s 19-year-old Matt Targett is just getting used to life in the spotlight. Having been at the club since the age of eight, he has come through the academy and Under-21 ranks, and is now looking to a secure a spot in the first team on a regular basis.

Already an England under-20 international, the young full-back is beginning to show signs that he has an extremely promising career ahead. Recent performances have triggered keen interest from the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool to name but a few.

Unfortunately for the big guns of English football, it seems they will have to wait a little longer to secure the starlets services.

Targett’s agent Leon Callender said: ‘We are in discussions over a new contract. He is in the right place.’

The Saints young star made his debut for the club in the Capital One Cup second round tie against Millwall in August, and also impressed against Arsenal this week.

He has been promised playing time in Southampton’s first team this season by new boss Ronald Koeman, but is behind in the pecking order to Ryan Bertrand. His chance to shine will surely come soon.

Targett is another product of the excellent Southampton academy, and with the recent sale of Shaw to Manchester United for £27m in June and other academy graduates Adam Lallana and Calum Chambers going to Liverpool and Arsenal respectively, Saints fans will be hoping that they keep hold of this bright young player for a little longer.

Written by Michael Horne

Follow me on Twitter for more articles @MichaelHorne777

Manchester United set to hijack Rabiot move

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Sep 25, 2014

Manchester United are set to hijack Arsenal’s deal for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, Adrien Rabiot, according to reports.

The starlet is set to leave Paris in January before his contract expires at the end of the season, and despite Arsenal being in pole position to sign the 19-year-old, United are now showing interest and could try and hijack the deal.

It was reported yesterday that The Gunners would part with £5.6million in order to sign the teenager, but it now looks like United are also keen on signing him and bringing him to Old Trafford.

PSG are resigned to losing the teenager after he snubbed contract talks and told them he’s quitting the club no matter what, so they are being forced to sell in January in order to make some money from the deal, rather than see him leave on a free in the Summer.

In January, both Arsenal and Manchester United will be able to hold contract talks with Rabiot due to the bosman ruling, and can agree to join the club in principle, before actually moving in July 2015.

Chelsea have also been showing interest in the teenager, and could still make a move for the Frenchman in the New Year.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Asamoah Gyan denies murder claims

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Sep 25, 2014

Former-Premier League striker, Asamoah Gyan, has denied reports linking him with the murder of rapper, Castro, and his girlfriend.

The pair went missing in July whilst on holiday with the Gyan family, but initial reports stated that they may have drowned at sea after last being seen on jet skis.

However, it was then later reported that the ex-Sunderland forward may have been involved in a ritual sacrifice, which involved murdering both Castro and his partner.

Once the reports came out about Gyan’s involvement, he moved quickly by asking his lawyer to release this statement on his behalf:

“We have been silent while these wild allegations and rumours have been peddled in the media. We have been silent because we did not want to interfere with police investigations.

“In our painful silence, we have been totally dismayed by the fact that the platform was provided for the peddling of these wild and ludicrous allegations and rumours against us. Those to whom the platform was provided offered no evidence whatsoever to back their statements. And indeed, the allegation of spiritual sacrifice can by no stretch of the imagination be propped up.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Van Persie ready for Madrid or Barcelona

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Sep 25, 2014

Robin Van Persie has warned Louis Van Gaal that if he doesn’t play enough for Manchester United this season, he will leave the club, with Spanish giants Real Madrid and FC Barcelona monitoring the situation.

The Dutchman is concerned that he may have fallen down the pecking order since the arrivals of Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao, from Madrid and AS Monaco respectively, and after Van Gaal admitted that only captain, Wayne Rooney is guaranteed a starting-spot each week, Van Persie has grown concerned about his role at the club.

Van Gaal has a whole host of attacking talent at his disposal, and without Champions League football or Capital One Cup action, the Dutchman may struggle to please all his stars, and Van Persie is one of those that is ready to quit if first-team football isn’t offered on a regular basis.

According to reports in Spain, Van Persie isn’t happy with the club signing Falcao on a season-long loan, and that has sparked interest from the two La Liga giants, both whom are interested in signing the 31-year-old at the end of the season.

With Van Persie aware of the interest from Spain, it’s believed that he will hold sit-down talks with Van Gaal in order to discuss the season ahead and his role within the first-team.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Toni Kroos WAS Man United bound

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Sep 25, 2014

According to a leading Norwegian TV pundit, Toni Kroos had agreen to join Manchester United in the summer.

Ex-Norway international, Jan Aage Fjortoft claims that the 24-year-old German international had given the nod to a move to Old Trafford before the World Cup in Brazil.

His claims on Twitter last night read: ‘Been told from very good sources that Toni Kroos agreed to join Man UTD. But after Moyes out – Van Gaal in: Kroos said no.’

Out-of-contract Kroos elected for a dream, £20m move to Real Madrid, shunning the Red Devils after making his U-turn.

Ander Herrera and Daley Blind were then secured to bolster the United midfield in his place.

Written by Michael Horne

Follow me on Twitter for more articles @MichaelHorne777

Ronaldo hits back at ex-boss Mourinho

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Sep 25, 2014

Two of the most controversial and talented characters in world football are at it again.

This time it is Christiano Ronaldo who has hit back at former manager Jose Mourinho, after the current Chelsea boss claimed that the two do not get on anymore.

Mourinho commented: ‘You would not find us hanging around together. The relationship does not exist, but the remembrance of his impact.’

And an angry Ronaldo has responded to the Portuguese tacticians words, stating: ‘Mourinho? What he says is not important. I only think about Real Madrid. I want to help them, the other things I do not care about.’

Ronaldo once played under Mourinho’s guidance, winning the La Liga title and the Cope del Rey (the King’s Cup) in the process.

There is much rumour that Ronaldo may once again grace the stadiums of the Premier League, with Manchester United leading the race, but also there have been recent reports that Manchester City and Chelsea are interested.

However, Mourinho appears to have quashed any suggestions that the current Ballon d’Or holder may be plying his trade at Stamford Bridge any time soon.

Written by Michael Horne

Follow me on Twitter for more articles @MichaelHorne777

‘I was never interested in Premier League move’, reveals Carvalho

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Sep 25, 2014