Mesut Ozil to return this weekend

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Apr 16, 2014

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has laughed off the speculation that fierce-rivals Liverpool were preparing to make a £38million bid for Ross Barkley.

Reports broke out yesterday that Brendan Rodgers’ side were willing to pay around £40million for the Englishman, but when asked about the story in his press conference, Martinez shrugged the reports off and joked about speculation.

The Tofffees take on Crystal Palace tonight as the race for a top-four spot hots up, and in his conference, Martinez couldn’t help but comment on the Barkley to Liverpool rumours.

“In terms of the speculation, we already turned down a £50million bid from (Manchester) United so we’re not going to take £38million from Liverpool.

“It’s quite enjoyable to speak about speculation, I think it shows how well our players are doing and those are the type of football compliments that we want coming our way.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Arsenal target happy at club, reveals agent

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Apr 16, 2014

Arsenal have been dealt a blow in their hunt for a new holding-midfielder as Paris Saint-Germain ace Marco Verratti is not looking for a move away in the Summer.

Arsene Wenger is keen to find a replacement for Mikel Arteta, as the Spaniard is expected to leave the club next Summer once his contract expires, and the Frenchman has been impressed with the performances of Verratti in the French league.

However, any potential move this Summer has been dismissed after the player’s agent confirmed that his client was happy in Paris and hasn’t considered moving away from the club just yet.

Donato Di Campli told calcionews24.com: “I am not aware of any interest. Marco is happy at PSG.”

The Gunners have also been looking into Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin and Bayer Leverkusen’s Lars Bender.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Costa poised to join Chelsea

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Apr 16, 2014

Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho is ready to splash £50 million on Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa.

The striker is set to agree a £185,000 a week contract and will soon move to Stamford Bridge to lead the Chelsea attack next season. Costa has scored an astonishing 31 goals in 26 game in La Liga and has emerged as one of europes most wanted strikers.

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has accepted that he himself will not be able to stand in Costa’s way of making a moving in the next window. He said: “It will depend on him and what he thinks is best for his future. I will support any decision he makes”.

“It’s natural that Chelsea are interested in him and that makes me happy, because my aim and that of my coaching staff is to see our players improve.

“We understand that Chelsea have huge financial power and if he wants to live off football for the rest of his life, I will have no problem in him going.

“It was like Radamel Falcao – how could I tell him not to go to Monaco [last summer]? He gave life to this club [during his time at Atletico].”

However, it seems that current Chelsea striker, Fernando Torres, looks to be heading away from Stamford Bridge, and Simeone has admitted that he would love the striker to return to the club.“Fernando is always with us [in spirit], obviously I have sent messages to him,” said the ex-Argentina midfielder. “He is very happy with everything that is happening to this team and he is always present, wishing us luck.

“Of course he would love to come back to the club he grew up in and where he was happy.”

The spanish striker could be added to this Costa deal after starting his career at Atletico before moving on to Liverpool in 2007. Aswell as Torres, it looks likely that Romelu Lukaku and Demba Ba will leave the club, along with Samuel Eto’o whos contract runs out in the summer.

By Ollie Brown

‘My celebration was for the Hillsborough victims’, says Giroud

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Apr 16, 2014

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud dedicated his goal last night to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster which took place 25-years ago yesterday.

Before the game at the Emirates Stadium between Arsenal and West Ham United, a minutes silence took place to remember the 96 lives that were lost on the tragic day, and after scoring his superb goal, Giroud kissed his armband and pointed towards the night-sky.

The Gunners eventually won the game 3-1, and after the match, Giroud revealed his celebration was for the 96 people that never returned from the Liverpool match in Sheffield.

“I heard everybody talking about it before and I didn’t exactly know the story until a few days ago but I just wanted pay homage to them,” said Giroud.

“It’s something which made me feel consoling and I wanted to dedicate my goal to the families involved.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

United target Toni Kroos to decide his own future

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SteveMilne

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Apr 16, 2014

Kroos, 24, has been linked with a switch to Manchester United since reportedly turning down Bayern’s first offer of a new contract in January.

Around that time, United manager David Moyes was seen in the stands during Bayern’s victory at Borussia Moenchengladbach, further fuelling the rumour that the Red Devils wanted the Germany midfielder.

Kroos is currently contracted to the German champions until 2015, and has put all contract talks on hold until the summer.

While Bayern have several times reiterated that Kroos will at least see out the last year of his deal, reports continue to surface that United will bid for him in the summer.

On Tuesday, The Guardian reported that the 2013 Premier League champions have offered Kroos a £260,000-a-week deal, a figure that would quadruple his reported current salary of £72,000-a-week with Bayern.

During a news conference in Munich on Tuesday, Guardiola said that Bayern that chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and sporting director Matthias Sammer have not given up hope of convincing Kroos to stay in Bavaria.

Guardiola said: “Rummenigge and Sammer will do everything to keep Toni here. But it is up to Toni. He is a young person, it is his decision.”

Written by Steve Milne

United Sign Portugese Midfielder

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Apr 15, 2014

Manchester United have agreed a fee of up to £38 million pounds with Portugese club Sporting Lisbon for the signature of William Carvalho, according to talksport.

The player is set to sign on a five-year contract and will join the red devils during the summer transfer window, when this deal becomes official. Carvalho is set to appear for Portugal in this years World Cup, and United have been monitoring the young players progress throughout the season.

It is understood that Manchester United have beaten competition from Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Monaco and Liverpool, who are all closely connected to the players agent, Jorge Mendes. Carvalho has played 26 games this season, scoring 6 goals for his club.

David Moyes and Chief Executive David Woodward, are very keen to do all their buisness before the World Cup, with Southamptons Luke shaw and Adam Lllana next on the radar.

By Ollie Brown

Toure to miss around a fortnight.

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Ben Reardon

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Apr 15, 2014

Manuel Pellegrini has today confirmed that Yaya Toure will miss up to a fortnight with a muscle injury he sustained on Sunday.

Toure limped off in the 3-2 defeat at Liverpool and now looks set to miss two weeks of Manchester City’s title run in.

Pellegrini stated in his pre match press conference ahead of Wednesday game against Sunderland.

“Yaya has a muscle injury and we’ll see with the doctor [about] how many days [he will miss], he’s not so bad as we thought. He will miss at least 10 days, two weeks.”

Toure has been in superb form for City this year, having scored 18 Premier League goals.

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Last Chance

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Apr 15, 2014

Manchester United are willing to offer Left-back Patrice Evra a final contract.

It is said that a £85,000 a week contract is to be offered to the player, as United see Evra as a last chance saloon for next year. This coming after target Leighton Baines signed a new contract extension at Everton earlier in the season and with Luke Shaw likely to be subject of many bids for various clubs. It is believed that David Moyes still has had a change of heart and wants the club-captian to remain at the club.

Evra has made 30 appearances for United this season, but his agent has admitted that “things have changed at the club”, with the club doing little to reassure the fans that he is planning to stay.A United source told Goal: “Moyes is keen to keep Evra beyond the summer but, out of respect for his service to the club, will not stand in his way should he decide that he doesn’t want to extend his current deal. “And despite what has been portrayed in the media, Evra’s team-mates remain convinced that he wants to stay and help Moyes through this difficult period in charge of the club.”

It is believed that Inter Milan are front runners for Evra’s signature, while Monaco have retained interest in the left-back for next years title charge in France. Manchester United are expected to table this deal next week.

By Ollie Brown

Atletico Madrid to consider swap deal for Diego Costa?

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Apr 15, 2014

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has revealed that the Spanish side would love to have Chelsea striker Fernando Torres back at the club, and has opened the doors for a potential swap deal to take place including Diego Costa.

The Argentine boss has guided Madrid to a Champions League Semi-Final and could still win the La Liga title ahead of FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, but with success comes attention, and several European clubs have been turning their attentions to Simeone’s men after their fruitful campaign.

Diego Costa is the man everyone seems to be interested in, and at the moment, it is Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea that are leading the way for his signature.

Jose Mourinho has been very honest throughout the season admitting that his side need a lethal striker up front, and in a recent radio interview, Simeone has revealed that the club would listen to a swap deal with the Premier League club, if it includes club-legend, Fernando Torres.

Simeone said: “Fernando is always with us, obviously I have sent messages to him, he is very happy with everything that is happening to this team, he is always present, wishing us luck. Of course he would love to come back to the club he grew up in and where he was very happy.

“It will depend on him and what he thinks is the best for his future. I will support any decision he makes. It’s natural that Chelsea are interested in him. And that makes me happy, because my aim and that of my coaching staff is to see our players improve.

“We understand that Chelsea have huge financial power, and if he wants to live off football for the rest of his life, I will have no problem in him going. It was like Radamel Falcao, how could I tell him not to go to Monaco?”

Could this be the start of a potential Summer deal which would see Torres exit the Premier League, and Costa enter it?

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Allardyce: You can’t compete

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Apr 15, 2014

Sam Allardyce believes that Arsenal will no longer be able to compete with the best until they are willing to spend over £100 million a year.

The West-Ham manager has now sparked debates to whether Arsene Wenger is spending the clubs money right. Allardyce said: “I still go back to the fact that Arsenal’s building of the Emirates is one of the main reasons why they have not won another trophy or won the league since”.

“They haven’t had the spending power to sustain what they had before. They used all the money to build the stadium which limited their spending. So I’d say that was the start of what they haven’t been able to recover from.”

Allardyce has said that the reason Arsenal are currently struggling is not from a ‘mental block’, but from not spending enough money. He added: “I would say looking at them that it’s a spending problem. “Can you spend £120-£150m in one year? Because that’s what happened at Manchester City and that’s what happened at Chelsea.

“One hundred million pounds-plus in one year. Is that within the capabilities of Arsenal’s spending power at the moment? “I would say probably not because they are in a position where they run that club in that particular way. “They obviously give Arsene as much as they can but I don’t think they can give as much as a Manchester City or probably a Chelsea can do.”

By Ollie Brown

Time to say goodbye

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Apr 15, 2014

Rio Ferdinand is willing to extend his stay at Manchester United, but this extension is likely to be snubbed by David Moyes.

The 35 year-old defender has said that he is ready to carry on playing for United, but it seems David Moyes is keen on players elsewhere. There is an option for the club to extend Ferdinands contract for 12 more months, but it does seem that Ferdinand will not be rewarded. David Moyes sees a future beyond Ferdinand and Vidic, with Chris Smalling and Jones as future leaders for the club.

Ferdinand will be upset that his 12 years at United are coming to an end and when asked if he would like to stay, replied: “Of course, that’s the dream. I’m living the dream and I want that to continue.” Ferdinand himself knows that he can still perform at a high level and will almost certainly look to sign for another club if he was to leave. “I want to continue playing,” he said. “I’m enjoying my football. The legs aren’t giving way just yet. “Whether that’s at Manchester United or somewhere else, is dependant on what the club want to do. We will wait until the end of the season and see what happens.”

By Ollie Brown

Pirlo: I nearly joined Chelsea

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Apr 15, 2014

Italian playmaker, Andrea Pirlo reveals how he was to follow Carlo Ancelotti to Stamford Bridge in 2009.

During his time at Ac Milan, Andrea Pirlo had made a special bond with boss Ancelotti, and was willing to follow the manager on his next move. He reveals how an agreement had been reached, but Ac Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi eventually persuaded the player to stay. Pirlo would then move on to Juventus in 2011.

“It was August 2009 and i’d reached agreement with Chelsea, the club where Ancelotti has just come in as manager”, Pirlo said in his autobiography- I Think Therefore I Play, which has recently been printed in English for the first time.He goes on to say: “Carlo was like a father and a teacher for me, a kind, friendly man who knew how to make things fun. “It was August 2009 and I’d reached agreement with Chelsea, the club where Ancelotti had just come in as manager. “I’d spent the best years of my career with him. If you’re a player who wants to get on and give everything, you won’t find anyone better than him.”Carlo Ancelotti was my motivation for agreeing to head to London. But, in the meantime, Berlusconi had pulled out a second piece of paper.”This time there were loads of names with ticks next to them, and one that had been circled. ‘Stay. We’ve signed Huntelaar’. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is an excellent player. He knows how to score goals, loads of goals and, at that point in time, he was playing for Real Madrid. But he’s not the type of guy who’s going to win the Ballon d’Or. “‘Listen, Andrea, you just can’t do this, damn it. You’re the symbol of Milan, a standard bearer for this team, and we’ve already sold Kaka. You can’t jump ship as well. It’d be a terrible blow, to our image as much as anything. We can’t have everyone leaving.’ “Ancelotti and I spoke a fair bit on the phone. He wanted to bring me to London at all costs, and cost was indeed the last hurdle still to be overcome. Insurmountable, as it transpired.”Milan wanted too much cash, and they were also pushing for Branislav Ivanovic to be included in the deal. Chelsea hadn’t the slightest intention of letting the defender go. “As it turned out, I moved to Juventus. That’s Berlusconi all over, though. He’s theatrical and knows exactly what he wants. It’s what makes him such a fantastic president and lover of pure, beautiful football.”

If this deal did happen, there is no doubt that it would have been a great spectacle to see Pirlo at Chelsea.

By Ollie Brown

Rivals prepare shock bid

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Apr 15, 2014

It has emerged today that Merseyside rivals Liverpool will make a shock move for Everton starlet Ross Barkley in the summer.

It is understood that Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is willing to break the clubs transfer record in order to secure the signature of the England youngster, with a bid of up to £38 million pounds to be tabled. However, Rodgers knows that this may become more difficult, as a whole host of clubs have been linked with Barkley over the past couple of months, such as rivals Manchester United and Chelsea.

With Champions League qualification, Liverpool will certainly be willing to strengthen in the summer, and it seems Ross Barkley (who is an Everton supporter) is one of thier main targets. Everton boss, Roberto Martinez, insisted earlier in the season that Barkley would be going nowhere and Everton would reject any bids, with Martinez hoping that the midfielder will sign a new long-term contract. But if Everton do fail to qualify for next years Champions League, a huge offer will be hard for the Toffees to turn down, especially if all the clubs mentioned to Barkley’s name start to bid.

Rodgers is keen to make Liverpool’s title challenge a big step forward for the club, and wants to make this challenge possible next year aswell. The club is not shy to spend money on English talent, with Liverpool smashing their transfer record on Andy Carroll for £35 million, with the player eventually to be sold to West Ham for £20 million. But it seems that Barkley does have a very bright future, with 5 goals to his name in his first season in the top flight and has also had a string of high quality performances when playing for Everton. If the move were to happen, it would be no such gamble it seems.

By Ollie Brown

Paris Saint-Germain duo keen on Chelsea move

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Apr 15, 2014