Liverpool keen to make Victor Moses’ Chelsea switch permanent

Right back Barcary Sagna 30, is out of contract in the summer when his current deal expires, which has alerted a few clubs who are more than willing to dwarf the reportedly £60,000 2 year deal on offer from Arsenal in order to secure one of Arsenals most loyal and consistantly solid performers since signing for the club in the summer of 2008. With like so many players before to be offered just a basic extension of his existing contract, a wage thats been given no pay rise, no reward for his loyality hes showed by standing by his Manager and club, a deal which shows no sign of gratitude for his service and commitment through some tough times in a tropheyless period, like so many others that have moved on, Sagna come summer may also walk away for a more lucrative deal.

Manchester City have never been shy in showing their interest in Barcary, having tried once before to tempt him away from the north London side, and will be sure to be keeping a close eye on things as they unfold this summer. Monaco on the other hand have come to the forefront of the running for the right backs signature offering a stagging £120,000 a week after tax along with a signing on fee of £10million spred over three years. Other clubs are also monitoring things and considering making offers to tempt the highly rated frenchman, a player who is much respect worldwide by managers and players alike, other clubs like Real Madrid, PSG and Fenerbahce and Galatasary all waiting to try and tempt the french international, surely Mr Wenger must look to offer Barcary Sagna an improved offer, to try and hold to his man or risk yet again losing a player to what could be one of Arsenals biggest rivals for free.

Written by W.Cutmore

Bale to miss Espanyol Cup clash.

By

Ben Reardon

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Jan 27, 2014

Gareth Bale has been ruled out of Real Madrid’s Copa Del Rey fixture at the Bernabeu against Espanyol, after suffering an injury in Saturday’s La Liga clash.

The Welsh winger suffered a groin injury in Saturday’s 2-0 victory against Granada, with Bale enduring a tough afternoon against the Andalucian side.

Bale has been a target in the Spanish Daily press since joining the La Liga giants from Tottenham Hotspur for a lofty fee of £90 million, after a series of unfortunate injuries, which have scuppered his progression at the Bernabeu.

Daily Newspaper AS recently judged Bale to be the worst player in a recent fixture, and have also noted that the Cardiff native had only completed nine competative games out of 30 during his spell in the Spanish capital.

Ancelotti played down the injury, and stated….

“[Bale] was replaced because he had a problem,” Ancelotti said. “He was not comfortable after getting kicked, he had a problem with his left leg. It’s not an injury, more of a nuisance and he will have no problems playing the next match.”

There is also concern that the latest fitness issue could lead to another prolonged absence, as happened when a supposedly trivial knock suffered in training led to three weeks on the sidelines on December.

There were groans and even whistles from fans inside the Bernabeu as promising moves regularly broke down when Bale became involved.

Many supporters, and Journalists in Spain have called upon Ancelotti to start home grown, highly rated winger Jese Rodriguez, however, it appears that Ancelotti will stick with Bale.

Despite his difficult start, Bale has scored ten goals for Madrid, and contributed to eight assists.

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Juan Mata can’t believe Chelsea sold him to Manchester United

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Jan 27, 2014

The Spanish midfielder sealed his £37.1million move to Old Trafford over the weekend, and could make his United debut against Cardiff on Tuesday.

Mata has already signalled his intention to help United re-launch their title bid, and admits he was taken aback by Jose Mourinho’s decision to allow him to leave for Manchester.

‘To be honest I think it’s a bit surprising, but I have to say I am really grateful to Chelsea – to the owner, to the people working in the club and to the fans,’ he said.

‘The last six months were difficult for me, I didn’t play as much as I wanted to.

‘I understand that football is a team sport and I respected that situation. But the chance to come to Manchester United was a great chance for me to carry on with my career, they are a massive club.’

‘I would like to win the Premier League,’ he added in an interview with MUTV.

‘It’s a very, very special trophy and I think at this club you can achieve anything. I am young and I have been lucky enough to win some trophies, but I want to win a lot more.’

Written by Steve Milne

Juan Mata says United welcome proves I was right to ditch Chelsea

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Jan 27, 2014

On the same blogging website on which he explained his Stamford Bridge exit to Blues fans, Mata has published another lengthy update on his big move.

He wrote: ‘So now I’m starting this new road, full of excitement and looking forward to keep enjoying football, and I have to say that the reception from the club, team-mates, manager and fans has been superb.

‘I feel even more motivated to face this wonderful challenge!Mata: United welcome proves I was right to ditch Chelsea

‘I’m very happy I have the opportunity to be in a team with amazing players who have won so many trophies. One of them, [David] De Gea, has been a good friend of mine for years and he’s helping me a lot these days.’

Mata continued: ‘On Sunday I met my new team mates and I had my first training session with them. By the way, the facilities at the Carrington training ground are top level. Spectacular!’

The 25-year-old looks likely to make his debut when United host Cardiff on Tuesday, and Mata added: ‘We have a game tomorrow and it could be my debut with the local team at Old Trafford, something I will never forget.

‘I’m very looking forward to try my best in order to help the team and to enjoy every single day in this new chapter of my life!’

Written by Steve Milne

Mata to start against Cardiff.

By

Ben Reardon

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Jan 27, 2014

Juan Mata is set to make his Manchester United debut against Cardiff City on Tuesday evening, David Moyes has confirmed.

The winger completed his much anticipated move to the current Champions on Saturday, after Chelsea agreed a £37.1 million deal for the Spaniard.

Mata has not played a competative game since the New Year’s Day win away at Southampton, after recently falling out of favour under Mourinho at the Bridge.

Manchester United manager Moyes believes Mata will be able to face Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team and plans to give him his United bow at the first possible opportunity.

Moyes told MUTV: “Juan’s not too far away from [full] fitness. I know he has missed a few games and maybe not started quite as many games as he’d have liked, but I’d like to get him involved against Cardiff.”

Mata scored on his last appearance at Old Trafford in May when he earned Chelsea a 1-0 victory and became the last player to get a winner against Sir Alex Ferguson’s United.

Mata leaves the Bridge after two years at the club, with the former Valencia winger winning the oplayer of the year at the club for the last two seasons.

However, in order to gain a place in Del Bosque’s World Cup squad, Mata needs regular first team football, at a competative level.

He last appeared on the bench when he was an unused substitute for Chelsea as they beat United 3-1 last Sunday.

Mata was delighted with the move, as he stated…..

‘It’s a very happy day for me, meeting my team-mates, the manager, seeing the training ground. It’s a massive club and I feel very proud to be here.

‘When I heard of United’s interest I thought, “Wow!”

‘For a player like me, who is trying to score goals, assist goals and be a creative player, it’s going to be amazing to play with Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Adnan, Valencia, Chicharito, Welbeck … they are all top-level players.’

Moyes said: ‘I never felt we would get this opportunity (to sign Mata) because I wasn’t sure that Chelsea would ever sell him to us.

‘I’m a bit surprised because it’s not something that tends to happen, especially between Premier League teams.

‘We’ve got a really exciting player. We’ve lacked a bit of creativity and imagination in the final third of the pitch and I really hope Juan can deliver quickly.

Mourinho revealed that the Mata deal was made possible, through the completed transfer of Mohammed Salah from FC Basel.

The United boss also stated that there would be more fresh blood in, with Atletico Madrid duo Diego Costa and Felipe Luis possible targets in the January window.

Moyes has also revealed he is keen to capture Southampton fullback Luke Shaw, with a deal most likely in the summer, Moyes has also made a bid for Newcastle United central midfielder Yohan Cabaye, which has been turned down.

The Scot stated……

‘I don’t think we’ll have any more in January,’ added Moyes. ‘I’m still working on it and looking to do things. We know exactly what we’d like to do and if it changes in the last week then we’ll try.

‘I hope this will be the first of some new signings that will arrive, but more likely in the summer.’

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Mesut Ozil can lead Arsenal to the title, says legend

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Jan 27, 2014

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry believes midfielder Mesut Ozil can fire The Gunners to the Premier League title, ahead of both Manchester City and Chelsea.

Ozil and co. currently sit top of the table going into February, but are just one point ahead of City and two points ahead of Chelsea, with a tough set of fixtures ahead which sees them face City, Chesea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham all in a space of a few weeks.

However, with a collapse predicted and expected from Arsene Wenger’s men, club-legend Thierry Henry believes this season will be their season, especially with Ozil leading the midfield.

‘I can say right now that everybody is expecting Arsenal to collapse, just as they were expecting it earlier in the season. But they didn’t,’ Henry told Goal.com.

‘They are still somehow keeping up the pace in the Premier League, and every time they have been in a situation where they have to answer back to Man City and Chelsea, they have done it.

‘Hopefully, they can carry on doing that. As an Arsenal man and a fan of the club, I want them to carrying on doing that the whole way and make sure they can win the league.’

‘With his calmness, his quality on the ball, his vision, he is a great player and can give an assist at any moment.

‘He also has the quality and capacity to score goals at any moment, so it’s always great to have a player like that around in the dressing room on a daily basis, and at the weekend at the game,’ said Henry.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticle

Schalke ‘can’t exclude’ Julian Draxler transfer to Arsenal

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Jan 27, 2014

The Gunners are reportedly planning on sending a delegation to Germany this week in a bid to thrash out a deal for the highly-rated attacker before Friday’s January deadline.

Schalke are believed to be holding out for the £37million release fee written into Draxler current contract, but Arsenal are hoping a deal can be struck for something closer to the £25million-mark.

Before Schalke’s Bundesliga match against Hamburg on Sunday, Heldt said: ‘I can’t exclude anything, I don’t know what other clubs are planning. I only know what happens in our club – and nothing happens at the moment, so we don’t bother with this.

‘We are very calm with this thing.’

Draxler’s release fee only kicks in at the end of the current season.

Written by Steve Milne

Arsene Wenger interested in Lyon midfielder

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Jan 27, 2014

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is ready to sign Lyon midfielder Yoann Gourcuff as he begins to accept defeat in race for Schalke’s Julian Draxler.

The Gunners boss has been a long-term admirer of the French midfielder but has always been put off by Lyon’s price-tag for the 27-year-old, however, the Ligue 1 outfit have come under a lot of pressure financially and could be willing to part ways with the midfielder on the cheap.

Wenger is still desperate to strengthen his squad and number-one target, Draxler, will only be leaving Schalke in the Summer rather than in this month.

It has been reported that Arsenal and Wenger have enquired about the availability of Gourfcuff and have also asked how much Lyon would want for the Frenchman, but it isn’t understood yet how much they would accept to part-ways.

Wenger is set to meet up with the Arsenal board some point this week as transfer deadline day gets ever closer.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Moyes to sign German duo

By

wayney

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Jan 27, 2014

With record signing Juan Mata secured David Moyes will now be looking to the summer continue his rebuilding of a struggling Manchester United, with more big name signings of similiar calibre to the Spaniard promised to be made. German international Toni Kroos of Bayern Munich and fellow countryman Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund are believed to be next on the Scots wish list, having been spotted in the stands at a Dortmund game on a recent trip to Europe. One things for sure theres bound to be some interesting moves in the transfer window come summer.

Written by W.Cutmore

Manchester United prepare for £30m battle with Chelsea

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Jan 27, 2014

Manchester United are preparing for a £30 million battle with Chelsea over Luke Shaw after identifying the Southampton full-back as a priority summer target.

Having thwarted Chelsea’s attempts to lure Wayne Rooney from Old Trafford by moving towards a long-term contract for the England forward, United believe they have engineered another triumph over the Stamford Bridge club by completing a £37.1 million move for Spanish midfielder Juan Mata.

The contract breakthrough with Rooney, revealed by Telegraph Sport on Saturday, could result in the 28-year-old signing a £300,000-a-week deal in the coming days.

But with Mata signed and Rooney close to agreeing terms, United manager David Moyes has now charged executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward with completing a deal for Shaw at the end of the season – despite Chelsea appearing to lead the way in pursuit of the left-back because of his boyhood support of the London club.

United have explored the possibility of a move for the 18-year-old this month after ending interest in Everton’s Leighton Baines, but Southampton’s resistance to a sale has forced the champions to delay formal efforts until the summer.

Written by Steve Milne

United turn down PSG bid for Adnan Januzaj

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Jan 27, 2014

Manchester United have turned down a significant offer from Paris Saint-Germain for Adnan Januzaj in the current transfer window.

The French champions have refused to drop their interest in the 18-year‑old despite him signing his first major contract at Old Trafford in October.

United rejected the offer and have made it clear they do not want to negotiate about a player David Moyes has said is talented enough tobecome one of the great modern-day players.

PSG, who have also had a £14m bid for Newcastle United’s Yohan Cabaye rejected, were at the head of an extensive list of major European clubs trying to lure Januzaj away from Old Trafford earlier in the season and had been hoping to capitalise on United’s difficult first season under Moyes. They are seventh in the Premier League and out of the FA Cup and Capital One Cup.

United subsequently tied down Januzaj to a contract that recognises the extraordinary potential he has shown in his breakthrough season. The teenager could have earned more at PSG but opted to stay in Manchester, as well as turning down offers from Spain and Italy.

However, PSG have retained their interest at a time when United are not guaranteed the top-four finish that would ensure qualification for next season’s Champions League.

Written by Steve Milne

Jack Wilshere may miss Arsenal’s match at Southampton

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Jan 27, 2014

Wilshere suffered an ankle injury during Friday night’s 4-0 victory over Coventry in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The Premier league pacesetters will have defender Thomas Vermaelen and midfield duo Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey available for the match at St Mary’s though.

“We have a doubt about Jack Wilshere, who had this ankle problem during the game against Coventry,” Wenger said.

“But we have three players back normally in the squad. The three are Vermaelen, Arteta and Ramsey should all be back and available.

“But we might from our last game lose Jack Wilshere for tomorrow’s game. ”

Arsenal’s victory over Coventry has set them up with another home tie in the FA Cup, this time against Liverpool.

“It’s an interesting draw and a difficult one. We have a little advantage by playing at home. That means we don’t travel,” Wenger added.

“But overall it’s a great difficulty, and we’ll try again to absorb it and to come out in a positive way.”

Written by Steve Milne

It was hard selling Mata, admits Mourinho

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Jan 27, 2014

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has admitted that it was a tough decision to sell Juan Mata to Manchester United this month.

The 25-year-old became United’s most expensive signing at £37.1million when he completed his move from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford, and with the majority of fans unhappy with the sale, Mourinho has admitted that it was a tough decision to make.

“These are decisions a manager has to make, but for me it was a hard decision. I’d love to have him in my squad, absolutely,” Mourinho said.

“But to have a player in this situation is hard. He deserves that Chelsea open the door for him [to play regular first-team football].

“I like people to be happy. I’m so sorry I couldn’t make him happy in this squad – I’m so sad with that, but I build my team around Oscar playing as my number 10.”

Mourinho was then asked about how Mata will be received when he returns to The Bridge with United, and the Portuguese-man believes he will get a good reception from the fans.

“He’s very classy. I think he’s a player that stays in the fans’ hearts and also in those of his colleagues,” added the Portuguese.

“I’m just with him six months and I like him a lot. Imagine the people who have been with him for three years. He stays in the club history – he won important trophies and people loved him.

“He will come here with a Manchester United shirt on one day and the people will show him that.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Leighton Baines signs new deal at Everton

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Jan 27, 2014