Chelsea give the green light for Romelu Lukaku to join Atletico Madrid

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Jun 9, 2014

Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal is setting his sights on Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba and will be keeping a close eye on the defender during the World Cup.

This means that United will end their interest in Luke Shaw as the deal seems to have come to a stand still, with Southampton standing firm until a new manager is appointed at St Mary’s.

Evra has signed a one year contract extension, but is expected to play second fiddle to whoever United can bring in during the transfer window.

And Van Gaal is said to be very keen on signing Alba as he sees the player as a ‘complete’ left-back.

Alba was an under 11’s cadet at the Nou Camp when van Gaal was in charge and at an awards dinner the Dutchman told the young-left back how he should play the position.

Van Gaal’s relationship with Alba could be a key factor if United do try and sign the 25-year-old.

By Ollie Brown

Fabregas’ girlfriend tells of pending move

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Eoghan18

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Jun 9, 2014

Fabregas’ future has been at the centre of much debate recently with it seeming certain that the player will Barcelona this summer, with Chelsea the favourites to land the Spanish international.

Another sign that he will be leaving the Catalan club has come from his girlfriend who took to Twitter to tell of how she will “miss” Antonella Roccuzzo, Messi’s girlfriend.

Gerard Pique last week had told Spain boss Vicente Del Bosque that a fee, believed to be £26.7million, had been agreed.

The big question surrounding the transfer at the moment is who Fabregas will actually be going to. With Chelsea the favourites it seems like that will probably be his destination, but the player is still being linked with other Premier League clubs such as Arsenal, Manchester United etc. and so it would be hard to say at this point exactly who he will be joining but it still remains an interesting transfer to keep an eye on.

Written By Eoghan Smith

Ancelotti refuses to rule out Suarez move

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Jun 9, 2014

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has dropped the biggest hint yet that he could be set to make a move for Liverpool star Luis Suarez after refusing to rule out a move for the Uruguayan.

Suarez has been repeatedly linked with Real Madrid throughout his sensational campaign last season, with a fee of up to £72m circulating the rumours.

And now Ancelotti has admitted his admiration for the striker and says he is a ‘fantastic player’, but confirms that Madrid will do no buisness until after the World Cup.

‘It is difficult to improve what we have,’ said Ancelotti. ‘Luis Suarez is a fantastic player, but it is disrespectful to talk about a transfer now.’

He added: ‘We’re in no rush and we don’t need to bring in a lot of players. We have until August 31.’

By Ollie Brown

Everton to move for former Chelsea striker

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Eoghan18

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Jun 9, 2014

The Cameroon international spent last season at Chelsea, where he scored 12 goals in all competitions, but he is now a free agent and has a host of clubs across Europe and Asia lining up for his signature.

One such team which could suprisingly move for the former Barcelona front man is Everton. With Lukaku’s loan deal at Everton coming to end, the Toffees look set to miss out on signing him on a permanent deal.

But Everton do not offer the attraction that Wto’o so desires, Champions League football. However, they will compete in the Europa League next season and that could help in some way. But with teams like Arsenal, Monaco and Galatasaray knocking around it looks very difficult for Everton to sign Eto’o.

Written By Eoghan Smith

Alvaro Morata to leave Real Madrid

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CharlGLFC

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Jun 9, 2014

Arsenal could be set to land long-term target Alvaro Morata this summer after Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti admitted that the striker will be leaving the club. The Gunners, along with Juventus and Wolfsburg, have been linked with moves for Morata.

Now, a deal could be on the cards for any of these three teams, with Ancelotti revealing the club will not stand in the player’s way if he wants to leave the club to pursue first-team football. The manager said:

“It is impossible to improve Real Madrid’s attacking line with Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, Jese… they are really competitive. Morata wants to look for a chance to play more minutes. The club agrees and if he is willing to pursue that option, it would be good to give him an opportunity. If he leaves the team, we have to think about bringing in a similar young striker.”

With Carlo Ancelotti willing to let the 21-year old leave the club, it could be Arsenal’s time to step in and snatch the signature of the Spaniard.

By Charlie Gregory

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@CharlieGLFC

Liverpool agree £16.2m fee for defender

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Jun 9, 2014

Liverpool and Sevilla have agreed a fee of £16.2million for left-back Alberto Moreno, which could end up rising due to additional bonuses based on his performances.

The Spaniard is set to fly into England today to discuss further with the Premier League side, and a medical is expected to be completed in the next two days, which if passed, will see him become the third Summer signing already for Brendan Rodgers.

Moreno will join Rickie Lambert and Emre Can, who have both joined this Summer, and have added depth to the squad ahead of their return to the Champions League.

Despite failing to make an impact at Liverpool, it has been Luis Alberto who has given Moreno positive feedback about the Merseyside club, and a deal could be finalised as quick as Friday.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Arsenal interested in former-Tottenham man

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Jun 9, 2014

Arsenal are preparing to make a shock Summer bid for former-Tottenham Hotspur defender Steven Caulker.

Now at Cardiff City, the Englishman put in some fine performances for the Welsh side throughout their Premier League campaign, and with them being relegated back to the Championship, it’s believed he may be looking for a swift return back to the top-flight.

This is the second Cardiff player that Arsenal are showing interest in, as Arsene Wenger is also keeping his eye on goalkeeper David Marshall, who was another stand-out performance for The Bluebirds.

Wenger is keen to sign a defensive back-up amid fears that Thomas Vermaelen may leave the club this Summer after falling down the pecking order due to the emergence of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker.

The 22-year-old defender does have a release clause in his contract, but it’s believed that he would only want a move away if he’s guaranteed first-team football.

Former clubs Swansea City and Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in re-signing Caulker, with Southampton and Liverpool also showing interest.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

‘I will use World Cup to impress Jose Mourinho’, says Lukaku

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Jun 9, 2014

Chelsea and Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku is hoping that his performances in Brazil can help persuade Jose Mourinho that he’s ready to play for The Blues’ first-team.

The powerhouse striker has been sent out on-loan for the past two seasons, to West Bromwich Albion and then Everton, and despite impressing both times he’s been away, Mourinho is still willing to sell the 20-year-old.

With a move to Italy and Spain both rumoured, Lukaku is still hopeful that he can earn a spot in Mourinho’s side next season, and he believes if he impresses in Brazil, it will save his Chelsea career.

Lukaku said: “I only know one thing and that is that, in my opinion, Chelsea are still the biggest club in England. And they have a very, very good manager!

“I have a contract with Chelsea after this summer and I am not focusing on any move to Atletico.”

“Let me say that I am now the complete striker. I never thought I was a target man, a No.9 who could play with his back to the goal. I always wanted to run at defenders. That is still a great quality, but now I can do both. I love playing as a real striker in the box now.’’

“I have been playing all season for a team which has more than 60 percent of the time possession of the ball. Technically I have been improving as a player. I play for a manager who makes his team play really good football and I don’t have to chase the ball all the time.

“Getting the ball so often close to the goal becomes a natural thing.

“My concentration is better than ever on finishing, rather than on running with the ball. I am absolutely convinced that moving to Everton was the best step in my career. When you feel everything is working out, it makes you so relaxed and happy as a player in big matches.’’

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Lukaku could push through Benatia deal

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Jun 9, 2014

Reports in Italy are suggesting that if Chelsea were to offer forward Romelu Lukaku to Roma, the Italian giants would be willing to allow defender Mehdi Benatia to leave in the opposite direction.

Roma are understood to be doing what they can to keep Benatia at the club, but could be tempted by the prospect of Lukaku joining the side.

Lukaku has been an instant success during both of his loan spells, and has admitted that it may be time for him to move on from Chelsea in order to play regularly.

“You know Chelsea: every year they buy a new top striker,” he said.

“I remember me coming into the dressing room last year and seeing Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba and going: ‘Whoah! What’s happening here?’

“But no problem. Many clubs are interested in me.

“At this stage I have to look to myself. I have to play a good World Cup.

“That’s very interesting for all the players looking for a transfer, and I must be one of them. Chelsea know my point of view.”

Roma can offer the 21-year-old sensation Champions League football having finished second in Serie A last season.

By Ollie Brown

Farewell Fellaini

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Jun 9, 2014

New Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal is ready to axe flop Marouane Fellaini and sell him for just £15 million.

The Belgian arrived at Old Trafford last summer, and was labelled a ‘panic buy’ as former boss David Moyes signed him on Deadline Day for a staggering £27.5 million pounds.

But Fellanini has been unable to find the form that made him a popular man at Everton and has struggled to come to terms with the high expectations at Old Trafford.

Concessive bad performances have meant that Fellaini could be allowed to leave for £15 million, but it is understood there are no interested parties.

No clubs have been linked with Fellaini, and it appears that United could find it hard to sell their midfield failure.

By Ollie Brown

Arsenal must pay big money

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Jun 9, 2014

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has insisted that it would take more than £20 million for Arsenal to capture their Italian star, Lorenzo Insigne.

Arsenal have been heavily linked with Insigne recently, with reports suggesting that The Gunner’s are ready to make the attacking midfielder their first summer signing.

Even the 23 year-old’s agent said on Saturday that his player was ‘honoured’ that the Gunners would show interest in his services.

But De Laurentiis has insisted that if Arsenal were to offer money for the player, a fee would be unable to be agreed, as Napoli would want big money for their player.

“Arsenal offers 20 million for Insigne? This makes me laugh. I want to make Insigne rise to a value of 60-70 million,” he told Repubblica.

By Ollie Brown

Shaw wants to leave

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Jun 9, 2014

Manchester United target Luke Shaw has already made his intentions clear at Southampton, as it is understood he told the club he wanted to leave last month.

Following the 1-1 draw on the last day of the season againt United, Shaw held talks with the Southampton hierachy and laid out his future plans, telling the club to allow him to join United.

By this time, United had already made a £27m offer for the England international, but Southampton were reluctant to respond to the offer.

Southampton are understood to be waiting to appoint a new manager before any more deals happen, meaning Shaw may have to wait until after the World Cup to get the move he wants.

England manager Roy Hodgson has told the clubs of his players to sort out their futures quickly and before the World Cup begins, but it seems Southampton have ignored the message and will draw out this deal as long as they can.

By Ollie Brown

Chelsea ready to sell striker

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Jun 9, 2014

Chelsea striker Demba Ba is currently holding talks with Turkish side Besiktas regarding a potential move this Summer.

The Senegal international is growing frustrated at the lack of first-team football being offered at Stamford Bridge, and after Jose Mourinho signed Diego Costa earlier this week from Atletico Madrid, it’s clear that Ba’s opportunities at the club are going to be even more limited if he did choose to stay.

Costa is expected to be joined by a second striker as well, with Mario Mandzukic, Loic Remy and Wilfried Bony all linked with moves to The Bridge, and Ba is ready to call an end to his unsuccessful Chelsea career by completing a move away.

Ba will join Samuel Eto’o in leaving the club, who left on a free at the end of the season, and it’s widely reported that the trio will be complete when Fernando Torres departs as well.

According to reports in Turkey, Besiktas’ president Fikret Orman has held formal talks with Chelsea’s chief executive Ron Gourlay and the two are hopeful that a deal can be struck this Summer.

It has also been revealed that Ba is Besiktas’ number-one transfer priority as they look to add experience and fire-power to their side ahead of the new season.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Jose Mourinho issues hands off warning

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Jun 9, 2014