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Manchester United set for £22m-raid of Aston Villa

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Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal is set to offer Aston Villa £22million for duo Fabian Delph and Ron Vlaar, according to reports.

The Dutchman is keen to keep spending, despite parting with over £150m in the Summer, and his attentions have turned to two Premier League figures in Delph and Vlaar, both whom have impressed so far this season for Paul Lambert’s side.

Van Gaal has worked closely with Vlaar and after the centre-back’s performances in Brazil during the World Cup, a big-money move was expected during the Summer, but nothing materialised from United and Arsenal’s interest.

However, United are ready to renew their interest in the defender and also want to bring his team-mate, Delph, as well to Old Trafford.

It’s believed they will offer Villa £22m for the duo.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Ian Wright doubts Mario Balotelli

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Ex-Arsenal striker, Ian Wright, has doubted whether striker Mario Balotelli will change his ways at Liverpool.

The Italian has only scored once since arriving from AC Milan in a deal worth £16million, and the Arsenal legend believes nothing will make him change his style of play.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers, was very vocal about the striker’s recent performances and even admitting signing him was a risk, but Wright thinks it’s a risk he shouldn’t have taken.

“When you look at the facts and the clubs he’s been at and manager he’s been under, I said it’s not a chance I’d have taken, simply because I can’t understand what is going to make him all of a sudden change the way he’s played,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“I can see why Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers took a chance on him, because they did handle Suarez pretty well, but at some stage Mario as to say to himself, ‘I’ve got to let people know that I’m ready to get on with my career.’

“It’s only going to come down to him. It’s up to him to prove to people that his ability’s not just a myth.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Chelsea and Liverpool in £18 million transfer battle

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Chelsea and Liverpool have both set their sights on Benfica star Talisca.

The Brazilian, 20, has made an impressive start to the season in Portugal, notching six goals in seven games to top the scoring charts and helping Benfica to an unbeaten start.

That blistering start has notified some of Europe’s top clubs that Benfica could have a future star.

Both Liverpool and Chelsea are planning to test the resolve of the Portugese club to keep hold of their new star with a transfer bid in January, amid reports of an £18 million release clause in Talisca’s contract.

Chelsea have been admirers of Talisca for a while, with Jose Mourinho keen to add him to Stamford Bridge’s already sizeable Brazilian contingent, which includes the likes of Willian, Ramires and Oscar among others.

Mourinho hopes this will help him to convince Talisca to up sticks and move to London.

However Arsenal and Liverpool reportedly sent scouts to watch the Brazilian starlet during Benfica’s recent game against Arouca, in which Talisca himself scored.

Now the stage is set for a January transfer battle between all three, with Real Madrid hovering as well.

Talisca is a new face at the Estadio da Luz, having only joined from Brazilian club Bahia in July.

 

By Andrew Bell (@AndrewBizzle009)

Liverpool quartet set for new contracts

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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is set to offer new contracts to the quartet of Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson and Phillipe Coutinho within the next few weeks.

All four were a key part to the side which came agonisingly close winning the Premier League last season, and the Anfield boss is keen to keep the nucleas of his side together as they look to challenge again.

Henderson is set to be rewarded with a new bumper 5 year deal, with Sterling set to get a pay rise to fend off any interest from Real Madrid next summer.

35 year old Gerrard is also set to continue his playing days, with a deal until at least the end of next season being proposed to the skipper.

Coutinho is also set to put pen to paper on an extended contract despite not being guarentees a starting place with competition from Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic this season. Although Rodgers rates Coutinho’s versatility so will remain a key part of his long term plans.

It’s important for Rodgers to keep a consistent side over the next couple of seasons having brought in 8 players during the summer transfer window, and by tieing down four of the original squad he’ll have gone some way to doing that.

By Matthew Derrig

Manchester United Keeper admits he contemplated quitting Manchester United

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De Gea endured a difficult start to life at Old Trafford when he joined United from Atletico Madrid for £18million in 2011.

It was during the first six months or so of his United career that De Gea questioned whether he was good enough and he considered leaving.

“Sometimes. It’s difficult when you get a lot of criticism like I did,” de Gea said.

“But I kept strong and I always tried to remain positive.

“Those early days were difficult for me and my family.

“But when you play for a big club like Manchester United (being criticised) is normal when you don’t play well.”

De Gea admits he was glad he came through that testing period, and believes he is better for it.

“What happened at the start helped me be the player and man I am now,” he added.

“When you have bad moments you have to improve. You have to become stronger to deal with it and I believe I have become stronger. I am much better now.”

Written by Steve Milne

Monaco vice-president hints at shocking transfer!

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Wayne Rooney could be the subject of an audacious transfer bid from Monaco in the summer.

According to the Ligue 1 side’s vice-president Vadim Vasilyev, talks were ongoing between the two clubs last year over the transfer of Rooney, 28, although a deal never happened.

Since Russian Dmitry Rybolovlev took over Monaco, they have spent lavishly and wanted to add Rooney to a front line that at the time included Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez.

Since then, both Rodriguez and Falcao have moved on while Rybolovlev has tightened spending.

But Vasilyev believes the transfer could still happen. “One year ago, we were discussing one of the top players in the Premier League, a top English player. The opportunity didn’t come, but I think one day that it will come, that it will happen.”

Any move for Rooney would undoubtedly carry a high price tag, as the England and United captain recently signed a new bumper five year deal, and has rediscovered some of the form that he was seemingly lacking last year. 

Whether the move for Rooney was ever realistic remains to be seen, as a £30 million pound move by Chelsea last year was publicly rejected immediately by United.

 

By Andrew Bell (@AndrewBizzle009)

Glen Johnson admits departure could happen

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Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has hinted that his time at Anfield could be coming to an end after contract talks with the club have gone ‘very quiet’.

The right-back is out of contract in the Summer, and despite several first-team players currently holding talks with the club’s officials about extensions, it’s believed Johnson isn’t one of them.

The two were in talks at the beginning of the season, but since then, according to Johnson himself, talks have gone very quiet, leaving him admitting that he could be coming to the end of his Liverpool career.

Johnson, who has been out for six weeks, will be free to talk to foreign clubs come the New Year due to the bosman ruling, and he has admitted that his time at Anfield may be coming to an end.

‘(It’s) very quiet,’ said Johnson. ‘I am just concentrating week by week and not thinking about it. Of course (I want to stay). But like I say I worry about this week, this week and then next week, next week. That is how I live my life.’

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

 

Mourinho blasted!

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Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas has finally revealed the full details of his fall-out with Jose Mourinho which saw the Spanish international benched.

Mourinho was Real Madrid boss before leaving for Chelsea at the start of last season.

During his time in charge of Los Blancos, Mourinho divided opinion for a number of decisions, not least his choice to drop Casillas in favour of the less experienced Diego Lopez.

Casillas eventually worked his way back in for Champions League games, but Lopez remained first choice for La Liga fixtures. Mourinho said at the time “Casillas? I have no problem with him. I like Diego Lopez more. While I’m Real Madrid coach, Lopez will always play.”

Speaking about the situation, Casillas revealed his love for the club was behind his decision to stay quiet. “I decided to zip it for the good of the club. Maybe I should have answered Mourinho. I didn’t want to add fuel to the fire. Strangely, after those press conferences we didn’t speak.”

The Spanish stopper then went on to reveal that it was after this that the relationship deteriorated past the point of no return. “I would come in every day when I was injured and as soon as I recovered, Karanka (Mourinho’s assistant) said that I was unfit for competition and that’s when I felt they had a problem with me.”

Despite their problems, Casillas refused to criticise Mourinho for his time at Real Madrid, claiming the Portugese maverick was good for the club. “It was emphasised more than it should have been but Jose Mourinho’s time here was good for us. That’s what I think and I’ll always think that. We were equal with Barca for a while and for the first season things were good, although maybe not so good in the last, but I have the greatest respect for all my coaches.”

“When something happens you should not discuss it and should respect your boss.”

 

By Andrew Bell (@AndrewBizzle009)

Cesc Fabregas hints at Manchester United snub

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Chelsea midfielder, Cesc Fabregas, has hinted that he rejected a move to Manchester United in the Summer.

The Spaniard has claimed in a recent interview that he had three options in England after announcing his intentions to leave FC Barcelona, and with two of them being Arsenal and Chelsea, it’s reported that the third option, was Manchester United.

Fabregas was wanted by David Moyes last Summer at Old Trafford, but the Spanish international rejected the chance to move back to England, only to complete the switch to Chelsea just a year later.

In a recent interview, Fabregas admitted that Chelsea and Arsenal were not his only English options, with United expected to be the third choice.

‘If I had not had confidence [in Chelsea] I would not have talking with [Mourinho],’ said the 27-year-old.

‘[Jose] showed by great respect and convinced me quickly.

‘We were honest, we put aside any history, and I made my decision after talking with him.

‘Overall, I had three options [on the table from] England.’

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Man City now favourites to sign Dortmund superstar?

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According to sources, Manchester City are leading rivals Liverpool, Arsenal and Man Utd in their bid to sign German superstar, Marco Reus.

Apparently, the Premier League giants have made an official enquiry for the Dortmund midfielder, and have asked for updates regarding his availability.

Reus is currently under contract until 2017, but there is still a way the clubs with the purse strings will be able to prise him away from the German club; he has a £20million buy-out clause, which is set to become active next summer, allowing him to choose a move that suits him, as long as the money is right. Of course, for a player of Reus’s ability, £20million won’t be an issue.

Jurgen Klopp, the Borussia Dortmund boss, is likely to need to re-negotiate the 25-year-olds current deal, offering a significantly better package in a bid to keep him at the Bundesliga club.

Reus is still sidelined with ankle ligament damage, picked up whilst on duty for his national side, last month against Scotland.

Although injured, many top clubs are looking into Reus. Why wouldn’t they? He had a wonderful season last year, scoring 23 goals in 45 games, which is pretty impressive for an attacking midfielder.

The former Borussia Monchengladbach star would appear to have the world at his feet right now. Having won the Dortmund ‘Player of the Season’ last term, and with an inclusion in the EUFA Champions League ‘Team of the Season’, who wouldn’t be interested?

So where is he likely to end up? There are good arguments for all the top clubs who have shown an interest…..you’ll just have to watch this space for updates!

 

Written by Michael Horne

Follow me on Twitter @MichaelHorne777

Arsenal agree to pay Khedira £100k-a-week

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Arsenal have reportedly agreed to pay Sami Khedira £100k-a-week if he leaves Real Madrid in order to join them in January.

The German midfielder is set to depart the Bernabeu, and was close to joining The Gunners in the Summer, but due to him failing to lower his wage demands, a potential move broke down.

However, with a central defensive midfielder needed, Arsene Wenger is prepared to offer Khedira £100k-a-week, making him one of the club’s highest earners.

According to reports, all that is left to agree is the transfer fee between the two clubs.

Madrid are hopeful to hold out for at least £15million, but Wenger believes he can get him cheaper due to the midfielder being in the last year of his contract.

Chelsea have also been linked with the German, who used to play under Jose Mourinho at the Bernabeu.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

‘I was never close to joining Arsenal’, says Ibrahimovic

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic has confirmed in a recent interview that he was never close to joining Arsene Wenger’s, Arsenal.

The French manager has stated numerous times that he was close to signing the Swedish international back in 2000, when he was just a teenager starting out in football, but the striker himself has rubbished that claiming that he was never close to signing for the North London side.

Ibrahimovic did go to London to hold talks with Arsenal, but he was left unimpressed when Wenger offered him a trial at the club, confirming that he doesn’t have to prove himself because he’s confident in his own ability, even when he was just a teenager.

‘Today, Wenger says it was a misunderstanding. But I didn’t like being asked to prove myself,’ he said in an interview with the Guardian.

‘I know I’m good enough. I don’t need to show it to you. Either you know who I am or you don’t.

‘I remember being in Wenger’s office and you could tell he was the boss.

‘But I don’t think I was so close [to joining Arsenal]. I went to Ajax the next day.’

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

PSG in fight for Anfield sensation

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Reports coming out of France suggest that Paris Saint Germain are keenly monitoring the progress of Raheem Sterling’s new deal, and are potentially willing to treble the value of the the young Anfield starlet’s current package.

The imminent departure of Adrien Radiot has left PSG boss Laurent Blanc devoid of a pacey winger, as he looks to strengthen his already world class squad.

However, Brendan Rodgers is confident Sterling will sign a new deal in the next couple of weeks, leaving PSG, and Real Madrid out in the cold.

He was quoted: ‘It’s not a big issue for us, Ian Ayre has spoken with his representatives and he is quite relaxed.

‘The club is dealing with the agent so everything is calm and the boy is remarkably happy here and there are no secondary thoughts about anything else other than continuing to play for Liverpool.’

With Daniel Sturridge committing to the Anfield cause with a long-term deal this week, Kop fans will be relieved with Rodger’s sentiments, but they will remain uneasy until pen is put to paper.

With Liverpool’s stuttering start to the new campaign obvious to all, stability is required at Anfield, and Rodger’s calm and demure attitude appears to be keeping any conjecture from getting out of hand.

Maybe he will put up one of those war time posters in the Liverpool dressing room for Raheem to see; “Your City needs you!”

 

Written by Michael Horne

Follow me on Twitter for more articles @MichaelHorne777

https://twitter.com/MichaelHorne777

 

Roy Keane: Manchester United signed Ronaldo because he made John O’Shea look like a clown

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Roy Keane has claimed in his soon to be released book that Manchester United’s signing Cristiano Ronaldo was sealed when John O’Shea played like a f—— clown’ against him in the summer of 2003. 

Ronaldo, who would go onto join the Red Devils that summer as an 18 year old, made the move to Manchester for £12.25 million, after impressing against United whilst playing for Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon. 

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side were looking for a new number seven, with the shirt being vacated by David Beckham that summer, as the former England captain joined Real Madrid. 

And Keane has revealed that the deal was struck up following O’Shea’s poor performance against Ronaldo in that friendly in Lisbon that summer. 

“We were playing Sporting Lisbon to celebrate the opening of their stadium,” Keane said. “I saw how good Ronaldo was that day. 

“He was up against John O’Shea. Sheasy ended up seeing the doctor at half time because he was actually having dizzy spells.

“The club concluded negotiations after the game and we always joked with Sheasy he had actually sealed the deal by playing like a f—— clown.

“In fairness to him, he was jet-lagged [from American Tour] like the rest of us.” 

Ronaldo spent six years at Old Trafford, winning several personal, domestic and European trophies following a prolonged spell in Manchester, before departing for a then record £80 million to Real Madrid in the summer of 2009. 

by Ben Reardon 

@BenReardon1

 

 

Remy was hours away from signing new QPR deal before Chelsea called

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The Loftus Road side lost a key player in Loic Remy when he joined Chelsea for £10.5m at the end of the summer.

So much so that goals have been hard to come by for QPR, who lost 2-0 away at West Ham on Sunday and club chairman Fernandes took to Twitter to explain why the forward made a move to Stamford Bridge.

“When we lost Remy 48 hours before deadline day it was huge huge blow,” he explained.“When we lost remy 48 hours before deadline day it was huge huge blow. Huge blow. But we fight on. Stop sendind me ridiculous tweets”

“I love the remy comments. Remy was staying, he was in my house for dinner to sign the extension. Then Chelsea called. What back up pls.”

Fernandes then went on to claim that the London club tried all they could to bring Liverpool striker Fabio Borini to the club with limited time remaining.

“Yeah I can pull out a striker in 24 hours .we tried hard with borini. So pls tell me me what you would have.”


By Phil Wellbrook