Benatia told he can leave Roma

-

Aug 11, 2014

Arsenal are preparing a potential bid for Greek defender Kostas Manolas, according to The Daily Express.

The Gunners are searching for a replacement for former centre back Thomas Vermaelen, who signed for FC Barcelona in a £15 million fee over the weekend.

And now with the Premier League just under a week away, Wenger is keen to bring Manolas in.

The defender is very highly rated in Greece, impressing for Olympiakos both domestically and in the Champions League over the last season or so.

However Arsenal feel they can tempt the 23 year old to the club before the end of August.

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Liverpool unable to meet Moreno valuation

By

-

Aug 11, 2014

Liverpool are failing to meet the current valuation Sevilla have put upon Alberto Moreno, according to The Daily Star.

The Sevilla fullback has been linked with a move to Liverpool for sometime now, and the Reds had previously been confident of a £20 million deal.

However the clubs president, Jose Castro has stated to Spanish press that Moreno is still a Seville player, and that Liverpool have not agreed a fee to take him to Anfield.

“There was a negotiation ten days ago but there is no agreement today.

“The price of the players marks the entity, if Liverpool come with the price we want and, if they do, he will be there without the slightest problem.”

The 22 year old fullback played 29 times for the La Liga side last season.

Moreno is due to feature in Sevilla’s UEFA Super Cup match against Real Madrid in Cardiff tomorrow evening.

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

PSG seek Premier League duo after missing out on Di Maria

By

mattderrig

-

Aug 11, 2014

Paris St Germain look set to open the cheque book again this month, having registered an interest in Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney and Chelsea winger Andre Schurrle.

The French Club are looking to take the goalscoring burden off of talisman striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and after withdrawing from the race for Angel Di Maria, PSG have turned their attention to the Premier League.

Laurent Blanc wasn’t interested in paying the high fee that Real Madrid were demanding for Di Maria, and is looking for a forward player to sit on the right of an attacking three.

Edinson Cavani has previously filled that role, although Blanc isn’t keen on playing the Uruguayan out of position too often, leaving him on the bench to play second fiddle to the unmovable Ibrahimovic.

Manchester United manager sees Rooney as one of his key players this season, so accepting a bid would be highly unlikely. Rooney may also be keen to stay instead of swapping Manchester for a wide role in Paris, which is a thought shared by French journalist Laurent Perrin.

Perrin of Le Parisien said: “We discussed a trade with Rooney.”

“The only problem was that you can never play Rooney on the right as you do with Cavani.”

The other target, Andre Schurrle, could fit Blanc’s style of play better than the forementioned Rooney, therefore a bid could come Chelsea’s way for the German international. The winger looks set to play as a squad player again this season should he stay, as he faces a fight with Eden Hazard, Willian and Oscar for a starting berth, so could be persuaded by a move to the French capital.

Written by Matthew Derrig

Premier League giants told not to bother about making move for Roma star Mehdi Benatia.

By

SteveMilne

-

Aug 11, 2014

Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are all favourites to sign new central defenders this summer and Benatia is said to feature on all their wish lists.

Louis van Gaal is desperately short in that position after Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand both left before he took over at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger earlier this summer confirmed that he would move for a new centre-half should Thomas Vermaelen leave.

And, now the Belgian’s move to Barcelona has been completed, Benatia could be an option for the Frenchman.

Chelsea have also been linked with a move for the 27-year-old in recent days.

But Roma manager Rudi Garcia has moved to put an end to the speculation over the Moroccan’s future.

He told Sport Mediaset: “I believe Mehdi has four more years of his contract with us. He is an AS Roma player and I want people to stop talking about his future.”

Written by Steve Milne

Jose Mourinho tells Khedira to wait for Chelsea move

By

-

Aug 11, 2014

Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira has reportedly been told by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho to ignore Arsenal’s advances this Summer and wait until next year to complete a free transfer to Stamford Bridge.

The German international is entering the final year of his contract at the Bernabeu, and Carlo Ancelotti is keen to sell him this year in order to avoid losing him for nothing next year, but that is exactly what Mourinho has told him to do.

Both Chelsea and Arsenal are interested in signing the 27-year-old, but as of yet, nothing formal has come from either London side, and with time running out in the transfer window, a move away could be delayed.

According to reports, Mourinho has told Khedira that they will sign him for free next Summer, as he still can’t agree a new deal in Spain due to high wage demands.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Cesc Fabregas can emulate Frank Lampard, says Mourinho

By

-

Aug 11, 2014

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes new signing Cesc Fabregas can become the next Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge.

The Spaniard was signed this Summer by Mourinho from FC Barcelona, and he came to the club just as Lampard departed after his contract expired.

The 27-year-old, who was formerly of Arsenal, has settled back into England quickly and has already netted twice for his new club during pre-season, and Mourinho believes he can quickly become the next Lampard at the club.

“Frank is the history of the club, history nobody can forget,” Mourinho told Chelsea’s official website.

“Fabregas is the future; history is history but the future is more important at the moment.

“My opinion, and the opinion of my players, is that Fabregas is the right player to occupy that central position in midfield.”

Lampard shocked The Blues by joining Manchester City on loan until January, before he joins up with his official new club, New York City.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Alexandre Lacazette admits the reason behind him turning down Premier League clubs

By

SteveMilne

-

Aug 11, 2014

Scoring 22 goals in all competitions the France international’s performances have attracted summer interest from the Premier League’s Liverpool, Arsenal, Everton and Newcastle.

Lacazette was expected to ply his trade abroad this season, with Lyon reportedly open to bids of £16m.

However, the Frenchman has every intention of staying at the Ligue 1 giants for at least another season to compete for the Golden Boot.

He said: “Why do I want to stay? Because I am happy at Lyon. Lyon is a nice club, a nice city and a nice project.

“There have been propositions from everywhere but after a lot of thinking, I decided it was better to stay.

“We will see at the end of the season if I was right, but I think I have made the right decision.

“Now, at the start of the season, I can’t think that I will score more goals than Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but I want to try. One day I hope to be a great striker like him.”

Written by Steve Milne

Manchester City sign Eliaquim Mangala for £32million

By

-

Aug 11, 2014

Manchester City have announced the signing of FC Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala for a fee estimated £32million.

The 23-year-old centre-back has been a long-term target of Manuel Pellegrini, and he was desperate to sign him in January, but a deal couldn’t be agreed as the Portuguese side refused to sell halfway through the season.

Despite failing to land him in January, Pellegrini moved quickly to begin talks with Mangala once the season ended, and he was desperate to beat rivals-Chelsea to the signing.

The Chilean boss let slip yesterday before the Community Shield that Mangala was to secure a move to the Eithad Stadium and they have today announced the deal.

“City is a top club in Europe. For me, it was an important step to leave Porto and join Manchester City in order to continue my progress,” Mangala said.

“I want to win titles and I believe I can do this. I am ambitious and this is why I am here.

“I’m very happy to come to England because for me, the Premier League is the best league in the world.

“It is a very intense and very aggressive competition. There are plenty of goals, so it is also really nice to watch and I can’t wait to get started.

“The fact that Fernando is here is better because I played with him at Porto but there are also other players that I know like (Bacary) Sagna, (Gael) Clichy and (Samir) Nasri.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

AC Milan to sign goalkeeper Lopez

By

-

Aug 11, 2014

AC Milan are set to sign Real Madrid’s Spanish goalkeeper Diego Lopez, Sky Sports has reported.

The Italian Serie A side have won the race for his signature, following interest from the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, and AS Monaco, who were all keen on the keeper.

And Madrid decided to sell Lopez in favour of club stalwart Iker Casillas following the recent signing of Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas from fellow La Liga side Levante.

AC Milan manager Pippo Inzaghi confirmed that a deal is almost done, with Lopez expected at the club this week for a medical and a full media presentation.

Inzaghi stated his delight at the transfer of the keeper, in a recent interview.

“I am very happy, as Milan are doing things in the best way and I hope we can do well together with the team,” Inzaghi told the club’s official website.

“Diego Lopez is very important, an experienced goalkeeper who will improve our squad.”

Lopez made 36 La Liga appearances for Real Madrid last season.

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Lavezzi to be handed new PSG deal

By

-

Aug 11, 2014

Ezequiel Lavezzi is to be handed a new deal at PSG, all but ending any hope that Liverpool have over a transfer, according to The Daily Express.

Lavezzi was linked with a Premier League move to Liverpool, however, PSG’s failure to sign Real Madrid’s Angel Di Maria has stalled any deal.

The Argentine was one of a host of players set to leave to fund the Di Maria deal, however the clubs president withdrew his interest, due to Real’s demands.

PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi said: “We discussed Angel di Maria with Real Madrid.

“He was very expensive and we have stopped discussions.”

And following the Di Maria saga, PSG are now set to offer Lavezzi a lucrative new deal to stay in France, to aid away interest from Liverpool, Juventus and Inter Milan.

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Chelsea face anxious Drogba wait

By

-

Aug 11, 2014

Chelsea are facing a race against time to get Didier Drogba fit for the clubs opening Premier League game.

The 36 year old striker was injured in Chelsea’s final friendly fixture against Ferencvaros, as the Blues came out with a 2-1 victory over the Hungarian side.

Goals from Ramires and new signing Cesc Fabregas cancelled out Zolton Gera’s opener.

Chelsea are yet to find out the full extent of the injury, with Drogba being replaced by Oscar in that game, having signed from Galatasaray on a free transfer last month.

Jose Mourinho takes his side to Burnley next Monday for their first fixture.

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Struggling Chelsea misfit agrees loan switch to Fiorentina

By

SteveMilne

-

Aug 11, 2014

Germany winger Marin has made just six appearances for the Blues since arriving from Werder Bremen in 2012 but won the Europa League on loan at Sevilla last season.

The 25-year-old is not part of Jose Mourinho’s plans in West London and moves to Serie A for the coming campaign.

Fiorentina will have the option of making the loan permanent for £4.2million next summer.

Sevilla had reportedly wanted to take Marin back to Spain this season, while Hannover and Besiktas have both been linked with bids.

Written by Steve Milne

Alexandre Lacazette rejects Anfield move

By

-

Aug 11, 2014

Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette has rejected the chance to join Liverpool after committing his immediate future to the French side.

The 23-year-old has been strongly linked with a move away from France, with Brendan Rodgers and also Newcastle United interested in signing the striker, but in an interview with a French station, he has confirmed that his plans are to stay with the club for one more year.

Both Liverpool and Newcastle are keen to land a new striker after their star frontmen both left them last season, Luis Suarez joining FC Barcelona, and Loic Remy’s loan spell ending, but the duo will have to look elsewhere as Lacazette rules himself out of any move this Summer.

‘I’ve made my decision to stay for one year or more,’ he told Canal+.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Louis Van Gaal tells SEVEN United players to find new clubs

By

-

Aug 11, 2014