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Anelka denies FA charge over ‘quenelle’ gesture

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Nicolas Anelka has formally denied an FA charge following his controversial “quenelle’ gesture, made during a Premier League match against West Ham.

The FA has charged Anelka with making a gesture that was “abusive and/or indecent and/or insulting and/or improper.”

Anelka’s club, West Brom, have confirmed the 34-year-old has also requested a personal hearing.

The striker is facing a five match ban, unless he can prove his case.

Written by Steve Milne

Arsenal on alert after Inter call a halt to Vucinic-Guarin swap deal at last minute

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Arsenal today have been put on red alert after Inter Milan called off an almost complete swap-deal including Juventus striker Mirko Vucinic. The Montenegro international had been set for a move to the San Siro in exchange for Inter player Fredy Guarin, and had even cleared out his locker at the Juventus training facility in Turin ahead of the move, but now Inter have called the whole thing off, renewing Arsenal’s interest in Juvenus’ player. 

Arsene Wenger has asked Juventus to keep him informed of the situation, despite statting at the weekend that he wasn’t ‘especially interested’ in Vucinic. The deal had been finalised and, according to Juventus manager, ‘verbally agreed’, but Inter made changes and were suddenly demanding an extra ÂŁ4.1 million in the deal. 

Juventus manager Giuseppe Marotta told a press conferance, 

“What is most striking, and underlines this negative situation, is the fact that when a player clears out his locker and takes his personal belongings, this obviously says that the transfer has been concluded. And that was something Vucinic had done.”

He added, “The main reason we called this press conference was the lack of respect shown towards two serious, professional footballers.”

It is understood now that the deal has completely broken down, and Arsenal are now looking to pounce, however, Tottenham Hotspur have also shown interest in the situation.

 

By Ben Kelly

 

 

 


Liverpool defender Johnson out indefinitely, says Rodgers

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Brendan Rodgers said the England right back had been suffering with a number of injuries in recent weeks and would spend some time on the sidelines in an effort to get fully fit.

“Glen has played a lot of the season having been injured and really put himself out for the team but unfortunately he’s struggled a lot,” Rodgers said on the club website

The timeline he’ll be out will be indefinitely, really. We’ll just need to assess that and see how quickly he comes through that.

“He’s had a real bad ankle for a period of time and just one or two other issues that haven’t allowed him to be 100 percent,” said Rodgers.

“I think everyone has seen over many years the speed, fluency and how good he’s been but for part of this season he’s been restricted and that’s obviously been difficult for him.

“But he’s put himself out for the team to train and to play and I just think it’s now at that point where we need to get him right.”

Rodgers also confirmed Brazilian international Lucas Leiva would be out for a “few months” after picking up a knee injury against Aston Villa last weekend.

As the club’s only specialist holding midfielder, his absence is a blow to Liverpool’s aspirations of a top-four finish and leaves them short on options as they look to maintain their good early season form and qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2009.

Lucas has been a virtual ever-present this season and his injury could force the club’s hand in the January transfer market.

“I am disappointed for Lucas because he’s been very, very important for our squad this season. It was something that was innocuous really and has put him out for a few months,” Rodgers said.

“Hopefully he’ll get back sooner rather than later.

“He’d been in good form this season and had worked his way back into the Brazil squad. Knowing what he is like, he’ll be back sooner rather than later – and he’ll do everything in his power to get back,” said Rodgers.

“In the meantime that leaves us short of a really good player.”

Liverpool’s squad is being worn increasingly threadbare by a series of injuries particularly in defence where they have lost Mamadou Sakho, Jose Enrique, Jon Flanagan and Daniel Agger recently.

The club, fourth in the Premier League, are yet to make any moves in the transfer market with just nine days of the window remaining.

Written by Steve Milne

Manchester United drop to fourth in Deloitte Money League

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Despite increasing their revenue from ÂŁ323.7m to ÂŁ346.5m in the past season, they have dropped a place in the latest Deloitte Football Money League report. Bayern Munich have been the team to take their position in 3rd place. Real Madrid and Barcelona have retained the number 1 and number 2 position on the latest report, respectively.

 

The reason as to why Manchester United have dropped below Bayeren Muncih in the Money League despite increasing their revenue can only be seen to be due to the perfect season that Bayern Munich had in 2012/13, in which they completed the treble.

 

Austin Houlihan, senior manager in the sports business group at Delloite had this to say about Manchester United’s drop to fourth place: “Whilst Manchester United drop one place in the money league, a number of the club’s recent commercial deals will boost revenue in 2013/2014, so this fall to fourth place may only be temporary.

“These deals, combined with the impact of the improved three year Premier League broadcast deals from 2013/2014, mean they are likely to get close to ÂŁ407.8m revenue mark in next years’ money league”.

 

Real Madrid remain top with revenues of ÂŁ414.7m, Barcelona remain second with total revenues of ÂŁ397.3m.

Other English teams included within the top 20 in this years’ money league include: Manchester City(6th), Chelsea(7th), Arsenal(8th), Liverpool(12th) and Tottenham Hotspur(14th).

Deloitte say other English clubs such as Everton, Newcastle United and West Ham United could challenge for a top 20 spot next season because of the new Premier League broadcast deal.

Mata deal to encourage Rooney contract talks

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It seems that the Manchester United signing of Juan Mata may just lead to Wayne Rooney putting pen-to-paper on a new deal at the club. It’s looking like Mata has now agreed terms with United on a four-and-half-year deal, worth ÂŁ150,000 a week. A medical is expected to take place over the next 24 hours. David Moyes has said that the next priority of the club is securing the future of Rooney, and plan to have serious talks with the England International over the next few days.

The 28 year old’s current contract currently expires in 2015, but Real Madrid and Chelsea have both made it very clear that he is high on their wishlists, however United have made it clear that talks won’t begin until the Mata deal has been confirmed. 

Both clubs are still keen for the Mata deal to go through, so the next few days will be key in whether Rooney stays at Manchester United or not.

 

By Ben Kelly

Wenger unsure on Mata transfer

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With all talk seeming to be around the soon to be transfer of Juan Mata from Chelsea to Manchester United, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has questioned Jose Mourinho’s decision to sell the Spanish playmaker to the current Premier League champions. United who have struggled so far this season have reportedly bid around 37,000,000 for  Mata, and its thought  the transfer is likely to breathe a little life into the disappointing start under David Moyes as he looks to improve on 7th place and try to qualify for a place in next seasons Champions League.

Wenger, answering questions at todays press conference ahead of tomorrow nights F.A Cup tie with Coventry is puzzled and is struggling to understand the logic in the transfer from chelsea’s view point, not only are you selling a great player, voted chelsea’s best player for the last two seasons, but in turn the deal adds strength to a team supposedly in direct competition and challenging for the Premiership title.

Juan Mata is expected to be flown in by Helicopter later on today to United’s Carrington based training ground for a medical and finalise the details of his impending move.

 

Written by W.Cutmore

Chelsea’s Josh McEachran joins Wigan on loan for the rest of the season

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Wigan have snapped up Chelsea’s Josh McEachran on loan until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old has impressed during a loan spell at Watford earlier this season where he made five league starts and two substitute appearances.

But with his first team chances limited at Stamford Bridge, the midfielder has decided to drop back down to the Championship to get some regular first team football.

McEachran has previously been on a successful loan spell at Swansea before joining Middlesbrough last season.

But now the former Chelsea Academy product will get the chance to show the Wigan fans his undoubted talent that made his a first team regular at the Riverside – and move a bit closer to his Coronation Street girlfriend Brooke Vincent.

Written by Steve Milne

Liverpool to Sign In-Demand Winger Mohamed Salah for agreed ÂŁ10m deal

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Liverpool have beaten a whole host of big-name clubs from both the Premier League and across the Continent to land highly rated FC Basel wide man Mohamed Salah, according to reports in the Daily Express.

The Merseyside giants have been chasing the in-demand Egypt international for some time now, and were hoping to complete a ÂŁ7m deal for the 21-year-old as soon as the January transfer window had reopened for business for the season at the start of the month.

However, there has been a delay in negotiations caused by a disagreement over the price of Salah, with his employers initially demanding a whopping ÂŁ16m for the player, before eventually the two sides settled on a figure of ÂŁ10m for the Egyptian star.

And so now all that needs to be finalised for the deal to go ahead is for the winger to undergo a medical at the Reds’ Melwood training complex on Thursday and then discuss personal terms with the Premier League giants over his move to Anfield.

All of which will have come as great relief to Liverpool head coach Brendan Rodgers, especially as the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle United, Zenit St Petersburg, Galatsaray and Atletico Madrid have all recently expressed an interest in the player.

Written by Steve Milne

Big Sam considering swoop for Newcastle outcast

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If West Ham fail to convince Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott to join them, the Telegraph are reporting that Sam Allardyce will turn his attentions to Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor.

Newcastle are apparently willing to listen to offers for the 28-year-old, as Alan Pardew continues to prefer the defensive options of Fabricio Coloccini, Mike Williamson and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa.

Taylor, who has been at Newcastle since his youth, has only made three Premier League appearances this season.

Written by Steve Milne

Chelsea beat Liverpool to Mohamed Salah deal

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According to reports in Switzerland, Chelsea have beaten rivals Liverpool in the race to sign FC Basel midfielder Mohamed Salah.

The Reds had been monitoring the winger for months now and were backed to sign the Egyptian this month, but since Chelsea are set to sell Juan Mata to Manchester United, it now looks like they are set to scupper that deal and sign the winger themselves.

It had been reported that the deal to take Salah to Anfield was at an advanced stage, however it now appears that he will be moving to Stamford Bridge instead.

Salah has an impressive record against Chelsea, scoring against them twice this season in the Champions League, and his performances against them has made Jose Mourinho act fast and sign him under Brendan Rodgers’ nose.

The Egyptian international is labelled as ‘Messi’ in his homeland.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Manchester United will sign Brazilian defender Dante from Bayern Munich before the end of the transfer window.

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Media outlet Fox Sports Brazil tweeted the news after it was unveiled by journalist Gustavo Villani on Tuesday afternoon.

United have struggled defensively this season and with the futures of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand still up in the air it seems that David Moyes has moved to bring in an experienced reinforcement.

Fox Sports had previously reported United’s interest in Dante and report the player saying: “I’m happy with the Manchester United interest, my agent is keeping me informed about it.”

But in the wake of the latest reports, the player insisted they were premature and said: “Not yet. I’m sticking with Bayern Munich and appreciate Manchester United’s interest. At the end of the month everything is defined.”

Written by Steve Milne

Michael Essien set to follow Juan Mata out of Chelsea

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Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien is set to complete a loan-move to Italian side AC Milan until the end of the season.

The Ghanaian international has made just five appearances since returning to Stamford Bridge after spending a season at Real Madrid, and it now appears that he is ready to go out on loan once again.

It was expected that Essien would leave the club this month, and according to his agent, Milan is the favoured destination.

Essien’s agent is now talking to representitives of AC Milan and a deal should be agreed fairly soon.

This will be the second midfielder to leave Chelsea this month as Juan Mata looks set to secure his permanent move to Manchester United later on today.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Newcastle United target Bafetimbi Gomis has flown to Italy to discuss a move with Inter Milan.

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Gomis has been a target of Newcastle United for some time now and the north east club almost landed the Lyon striker in the summer.

The Magpies boss Alan Pardew was reported to be interested in making another bid for the 28-year-old striker who has netted nine times so far this season.

However, he could be set to be disappointed as the Frenchman flies to Italy for talks with Inter Milan. Gomis is also interesting Marseille who were reported to be keen to add him to their squad at the end of the season.

Gomis is out of contract in June and would be free to move wherever he likes for free under the Bosman ruling.

Inter president Erick Thohir recently backtracked on a deal to land Mirko Vucinic in exchange for Chelsea target Fredy Guarin. That has opened the path for Gomis to move to the San Siro.

Written by Steve Milne

Liverpool midfielder to return sooner than expected

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Liverpool have been boosted by the news that 27-year-old midfielder Lucas Levia, who left Anfield on Saturday following the home draw against Aston Villla on crutches says he should be back “in a few weeks.”  The brazilian damaged his medical collateral ligament in his right knee in a challenge with Villa’s Fabian Delph only 20 minutes after coming on as a half time substitute , telling Liverpool Manager Brendan Rodgers that he had heard a “click”.

Rodgers search for cover for the Brazilian seems a little less imperative now, a possible loan deal for Nigel De Jong had been talked of but may not now be needed, with Lucas taking to twitter to thank Liverpool fans for their support and adding ” I would like to let you all know the injury isnt as serious as first thought, and I will be back in a few weeks.” Far more positive than his original tweet of ” It’s in Gods Hands”.

 

Written by W.Cutmore

 

 

Southampton suspend Osvaldo.

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Southampton’s Italian centre forward Pablo Osvalso has been suspended, the club have confirmed this morning. 

Osvaldo has reportedly seriously breached the clubs player conduct, and has since been suspended with immediate effect, casting his St Mary’s future in doubt. 

The 28 year old has already seen his future come under question during his short time on the South Coast, after arriving from Roma for ÂŁ8 million in the summer window. 

A statement from the club said: “Southampton Football Club has today suspended striker Dani Osvaldo for two weeks, following an incident at the club’s Staplewood training ground. The club has taken swift and proper action for what it considers a breach of the conduct expected of its players. Southampton will be making no further comment on this matter.”  

According to Sky Sports News, the incident in question relates to Osvaldo being involved in an altercation with another player at the club’s Staplewood training ground. 

Osvaldo has had a troubled start to life in Hampshire, scoring just three goals in thirteen games for the Saints. 

Rumours have started to persist with a possible move back to Serie A, with Inter Milan, and former club AS Roma interested in the controversial striker, who came to St Mary’s with previous baggage, and a big ego. 

Osvaldo was suspended by Roma in similar circumstances in 2011, following a bust up with Erik Lamela, who is now at Tottenham Hotspur. 

By Ben Reardon 

@BenReardon1