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David De Gea seen as Casillas successor

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Spanish giants, Real Madrid, have made Manchester United goalkeeper, David De Gea, their number-one option for when Iker Casillas chooses to call it a day.

The Spaniard has continued to improve at Old Trafford and after his excellent display against Everton last weekend, many people are suggesting he is slowly becoming one of the best goalkeepers in world football.

Despite having a nightmare first season in England, De Gea chose to stay on at United and is starting to show the potential he has, and his consistant performances have now caught the eye of Madrid, who are lining up options to replace Casillas.

The veteran is scheduled to leave the Bernabeu soon with his contract expiring, and according to reports in Spain, Madrid will make a move for De Gea if Casillas chooses to leave in the Summer.

It’s believed that De Gea does want to play for Madrid in the future, but he is currently happy with life in England and is not planning on moving anytime soon, despite the strong interest.

The goalkeeper’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has close links with Madrid and could play a massive part in any future deal taking place.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Jack Wilshere studying Pirlo and Alonso

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Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has revealed that he is busy studying the games of Andrea Pirlo and Xabi Alonso as he aims to become one of the best centre-midfielders in world football.

The highly-rated youngster was predicted big things when he burst onto the scene when he was just 17-years-old, but after a serious ankle injury, ruling him out for 17-months overall, his career and development stalled and basically made him work from the beginning again.

Now, with a whole host of attacking options in the midfielder of Arsenal, Wilshere is learning how to become a more defensive-minded midfielder in order to fill the defensive midfielder role at the Emirates Stadium.

The 22-year-old is also being used as a holding-midfielder for England, and he has admitted that he studies Pirlo and Alonso hoping to emulate what they do from similar positions.

“He had a record number of passes on one game, 200 in a match, which is ridiculous,” says Wilshere with a certain awe of Alonso.

“Watching players like him and Pirlo you learn how clever they are, how intelligent they are on the ball.

“In that role it’s important to understand that if you lose the ball the opposition are in a dangerous position to counter-attack.

“Whereas if I was playing a little bit higher, on the edge of the box, you can lose it and you have players around who can get the ball back.”

He added: “You learn how they use the ball and you learn when it’s a good time to dribble or to pass. It’s about being intelligent on the ball.

“I get clips sent through to my iPad by the analysts. They highlight some of Alonso’s key points in about 20-35 minutes of video.

“There are times when he does things that I wouldn’t have thought of. That’s part and parcel of learning. Even when I watch my games back I think; ‘What am I doing now?’ and I should have done this instead.

“It was my second game in the role against San Marino. I thought that I had already improved, so there’s a lot more to come from me in that position. The more I watch players like that, the quicker I will learn.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Arsenal linked to Barcelona keeper Onana

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Barcelona could be set to lose highly rated goalkeeper Andrey Onana in January, with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger keen on his signature.

Onana is currently playing in the Barcelona B team and at 18 years old Wenger has already seen enough to be interested in signing the stopper from the Spanish giants.

Onana faces stiff competition for the number 1 spot at the Nou Camp in the coming seasons, with Barcelona having signed both Claudio Bravo and Marc Andre ter Stegen this summer, with the latter just 22 years old himself.

The youngster would be available for just a small amount of compensation in January, so expect a move from Arsenal to add the keeper to their ranks.

By Matt Derrig

Sebastian Giovinco could leave Juventus for free

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Juventus forward Sebastian Giovinco has hinted that he could leave Juventus in the summer, once his contract with the Italian club expires in June.

Giovinco has found it difficult to dislodge Carlos Tevez, Fernando Llorente and Alvaro Morata so far this season in the Juve side, and is considering his options come June.

Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool have all been credited with interest in Giovinco of late, so could be tempted to offer the forward a pre-contract deal in January.

When quizzed on his future at the Serie A giants, Giovinco said:

“There are things to evaluate and at the end of the year I will consider whether or not to continue with Juve.

“The season has just started, we’ve only played eight games, so we’ll see as time goes on.”

His agent, Andrea D’Amico, added: “I do not understand how Marotta and Juventus could decide to lose a fantastic player like Giovinco for free.”

By Matt Derrig

Paris Saint Germain keen on Adrien Rabiot stay

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Paris Saint Germain are hoping to keep hold of midfielder Adrien Rabiot, despite the midfielder being keen to leave the Ligue 1 side.

Rabiot has been linked with Premier League trio Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea since the summer transfer window, and could move for a cut price deal in January as his contract expires in June.

The 19 year-old has seen first team chances limited in Paris, facing stiff competition from the likes of Blaise Matuidi, Yohan Cabaye and Thiago Motta this season.

However, PSG are keen to keep hold of the talented midfielder and hope to offer Rabiot a new 3 and a half year contract.

Although, PSG chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi revealed last month that Rabiot still wants to leave the club.

“I love the kid – I think he’s a great player and I want him to stay,” he said. “I have tried to get him to renew his contract, but without success. He wants to leave.”

By Matt Derrig

Cristiano Ronaldo would cost £800million

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Manchester United’s hopes of signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid have been dashed after the winger’s agent revealed that it would cost £800million to sign his client.

Ronaldo has been strongly linked with a return to Old Trafford, and those speculations heated up this year after it was reported that the Portuguese star was frustrated at the club for selling duo; Angel Di Maria and Xabi Alonso.

Di Maria went to United and Alonso went to Bayern Munich, and despite Ronaldo being angered by these sales, according to his agent, it would be impossible for him to return to England due to his value.

He said: “In addition to being the best footballer in history, he is the greatest athlete of all time.

“You cannot compare him with anyone.

“He is the best player in the biggest sport in the world, in which there is more competition than in any other. For that reason, he is the best sportsman in the world.”

“The price that is stated in his release clause – €1bn.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Mario Balotelli makes promise to Liverpool fans

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Mario Balotelli has taken to his official Instagram account to make a promise to Liverpool fans.

The Italian has struggled during his short career at Anfield, scoring just once since arriving from AC Milan in a deal worth £16million, but despite the lack of goals, Liverpool fans have still made a banner in the striker’s honour.

The banner that Reds fans have made has a picture of Balotelli on the side, with the caption: ‘I have nothing to declare but my genius.’

Despite struggling to show his ‘genius’ during his return to England, the 23-year-old has sent this message out to the fans: “I have nothing to declare except my genius? Wow thanks to whoever did this. I know all of you expect more from me .. More goals especially and more “genius” but give me time and I’ll show is true.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Arsene Wenger phoned Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema

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Wenger has reportedly spoken to Karim Benzema about a move to the Emirates Stadium in the January transfer window.

Benzema, who is also a target for Liverpool and Chelsea, has been dogged by speculation over his future in the last few weeks.

And amid rumours that Madrid have finally decided to put him up for sale, reports in Spain say Wenger has called up the striker to discuss a transfer to Arsenal.

It’s claimed that Wenger told Benzema he was keen on signing him and made it clear he would be offered huge wages to move to north London.

Arsenal are after a big name striker and have previously been linked with Edinson Cavani, but Benzema would likely be a cheaper and easier option to sign.

Liverpool eye up a move for PSG’s Cabaye

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It has emerged Liverpool will hold talks on bringing in former Newcastle and current PSG midfielder Yohan Cabaye in January.

The Frenchman has been left frustrated by his lack of first team football and said that he would consider a return to England, if a deal was on the table.

Cabaye has been limited to substitute appearances in recent games and is growing restless about the amount of time he is spending on the bench.

PSG are said to want £20 million for him and would be willing to sell provided that bidding clubs matched their pricetag.

Arsenal have been heavily linked in the past with Cabaye, but their abundance of midfielders means Liverpool is the more likely destination for the French international.

Cabaye was finally sold by Newcastle in January for £19 million, but his move to the Parc des Princes certainly hasn’t worked out the way he would have wanted it.

By Joseph Richardson

@Jj147Joseph

Petr looking to Cech out of Stamford Bridge

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The Blues shot-Stopper could be on his way to Italy in January after Roma reportedly opened up talks with Chelsea about signing the goalkeeper.

According to Italian publication Il Tempo, the Serie A club have been locked in negotiations with the Stamford Bridge outfit about a prospective move for the 32-year-old for the past few weeks.

It is thought that Roma are keen on bolstering their options in goal by bringing in an experienced shot-stopper while the move would also give Cech the chance to play regular first-team football.

Cech has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea this season following the recall of Thibaut Courtois from his loan move at Atletico Madrid – with the 32-year-old having made just two appearances for The Blues this term.

His situation in west London resulted in the goalkeeper recently admitting that he would consider leaving Chelsea if he did not get more playing time.

Should Cech complete a transfer to Roma this winter, he would be reunited with his former Blues teammate, Ashley Cole, following the left-back’s move to Italy this summer.

Emre Can Reveals he considered a move to Bayern Munich

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Emre moved to Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen during the transfer window, but has so far made just two appearances for the Reds due to injury.

However the German, who started his career as a youth player at the Allianz Arena, says he rejected the chance to return to Bayern in favour of a move to Liverpool.

‘Bayern had a buyback clause but that didn’t kick in until next year,’ Can told the Liverpool Echo.

‘There were some discussions with Bayern this summer but I decided the best thing for me would be to accept the opportunity to come to Liverpool.

‘Before I came here I had discussions with Brendan Rodgers and that made my mind up. From those talks I was very positive about this move.

‘This whole club is very ambitious and positive about how it wants to play football. That’s the way I want to play football too.

‘Liverpool believe in the same things and that’s why I came here. I want to stay here for a long time.’

Arsenal set to move for Draxler

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Arsenal are finally expected to complete the signing of Julian Draxler in January for £37 million pounds. 

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is preparing for life without Mesut Ozil, who has failed to impress after his switch from Real Madrid last year. 

It is understood that Wenger has grown in frustration with the German, and now sees Schalke playmaker Julian Draxler as the man who Arsenal need, with the boss ready to meet his £37 million buy-out clause once the window re-opens. 

Draxler is seen as Ozil’s long-term replacement, with some reports suggesting that Ozil could leave at the end of the season to embark on a new challenge elsewhere. 

By Ollie Brown   @olliebrowner_

‘Mourinho would get Knocked out in Sunday league’

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Roy Keane has hit out at the Chelsea Boss stating that Jose Mourinho would get ‘knocked out’ on a Sunday morning if he pulled the same stunt he does in the Premier League, and that is to shake hands of a rival manager with a game still going on.

The Aston Villa assistant manager was referring to Mourinho offering to shake hands with Paul Lambert and himself before the end of Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa.

They both both immediately ignored his request and continued on with the game, speaking at his book launch Roy Keane said:

” It’s disgraceful. I’ve seen him doing it to other managers; it is a disgrace.

“The game is still going on. You wouldn’t do that on a Sunday morning, you would get knocked out.”

Follow me on Twitter for more Football news and updates: @SteveMilneNews

Arsenal target Draxler as Ozil replacement

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The 20 year-old German was heavily linked with a switch to the Emirates this summer but Gunners boss Arsene Wenger opted to sign Barcelona star Alexis Sanchez for £30m instead.

Arsenal have had a disappointing start to their Premier League campaign, winning just two of their opening seven games and Wenger is reportedly ready to draft in Draxler to revitalise the injury-stricken squad.

The player who would be most under threat with the arrival of Draxler is fellow World Cup winner Mesut Ozil, who has failed to live up to his £42.5m price-tag since joining last year from Real Madrid.

The playmaker, who has recently been ruled out for three months with injury, has failed to adapt to Wenger’s 4-3-3 formation and will likely be spending more time on the bench with the arrival of the promising young German starlet in January.

 

By Phil Wellbrook

Cech linked with Roma switch

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Cech has become an out-of-favour keeper at Stamford Bridge this season as manager Jose Mourinho favours Belgian star Thibuat Courtois.

Courtois made a return to Chelsea after spending three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid where he won the La Liga title, and has now become first choice with the Blues, keeping veteran Petr Cech sidelined.

The 32 year-old has served 10 years with the club relatively unchallenged for the number one spot but it is reported that he is now becoming frustrated with his lack of playing time.

According to reports made in Italy, Roma are currently in talks with Chelsea over the possible January transfer of Cech.

The Serie A giants are currently looking for a replacement goalkeeper for retiring shot-stopper Morgan De Sanctis, who turns 38 in March.

If the deal manages to materialise, then the Czech will re-join former team-mate Ashley Cole, who made his switch to the Stadio Olympico during the summer after his contract with the Blues expired.

Cech has featured just twice for the Blues this season, starting in the club’s Capital One Cup game victory over Bolton and coming on for the injured Courtois in the Blues’ 2-0 victory over Arsenal last weekend.


By Phil Wellbrook