Manchester United make official £40million bid for Juan Mata

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Jan 22, 2014

Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o has revealed that he is delighted to be playing for the club, despite admitting that he will be leaving in the Summer.

The former-FC Barcelona striker joined The Blues on a free last Summer and scored a hat-trick on Sunday against Manchester United, but later revealed his plans to return to Spain at the end of this season in order to join his first club Mallorca.

However, speaking in a recent interview, the 32-year-old has revealed that he is loving life in London and will remain focused on the club until the end of the season, despite his future being away from Stamford Bridge.

“At the moment, we are still in practically all the competitions.

“If Chelsea are not the best club in the world, then they are one of the best clubs in the world, so I don’t know if we are going to win everything but the season is going well so far.

“I like playing and when I get the chance to do that I have to help my team-mates.

“There is a huge difference between English football and the other championships, you almost can’t compare it, but I am trying to adapt very quickly and that’s okay.

“The most important thing in life is to work hard. Football is a part of my life and I try to be happy all the time. That’s why I’m always smiling. If my work allows me to be even happier, then that is great.

“The season is long, and there are a lot of things that could happen, but I hope to score more goals, help my team and then hopefully the season will end well for Chelsea.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Juan Mata Misses Chelsea Training

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Jan 22, 2014

With Chelsea resuming training today, all eyes were naturally going to be on the work put in by Juan Mata. Did he smile? Did he hug Jose Mourinho? Say goodbye to all of his friends? Tonight’s headline would write themselves based on how one interpreted his actions.

The headline writers won’t have a difficult day today, though, as Juan Mata was reportedly nowhere to be seen*. The Mail are reporting that his advisors have flown to London as well, and that we’re getting to the point where Mata to Manchester United could be a done deal soon.

I suppose we’ll be expecting some comments from either Mourinho or David Moyes at some point relatively soon, though with Moyes we’ll likely have to wait until after United’s League Cup game. This is starting to look like an actual thing though, and it will be a sad day for all Blues fans if Mata leaves for a rival.

Written by Steve Milne

Julian Draxler deal WON’T happen this month

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Jan 22, 2014

Arsenal’s chances of luring Schalke midfielder Julian Draxler to the Premier League this month are all but over after the German side revealed they will not be selling him this month, no matter what the price.

The Gunners are preparing a £35million deal for the German international, but it looks like the Bundesliga-outfit are ready to play hard-ball and will not allow him to leave in January.

Draxler is currently sidelined with a tendon injury and could miss up to two months, so the potential transfer could fall through at the medical stage anyway, and it now looks like Arsene Wenger may have to wait until the Summer to sign the midfield-maestro who his highly rated in his homeland.

A Schalke official had this to say on the matter: ‘It is nonsense to suggest we might consider selling him this winter. It will not happen.’

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Manchester United legend wants club to sign Juan Mata

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Jan 22, 2014

Former-Manchester United striker Andy Cole believes Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata would fit right into the mould at Old Trafford if they can sign him this month.

Speculation has heated up over the last few days about a potential move from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford, but so far, nothing formal has occured.

Chelsea gave United an asking price of £40million for the 25-year-old, and it is believed that Moyes is seriously considering it as he eyes reinforcements to help his team turn around their poor season.

Sky Sports News reported earlier that talks between the two clubs are going well, and now former-United star, Andy Cole, has weighed in on the situation saying that it would be a great signing if Moyes could pull it off.

“He was Chelsea’s player of the season two years on the bounce, so I find it very strange he’s not in the team now,” Cole, who scored close to 100 Manchester United goals between 1995 and 2001, told Sky Sports News.

“Jose Mourinho has made his decision why he’s not in the team so if he did come to Manchester United, I think he’d be a fantastic player for them.

“(His arrival) would be a massive boost, given United supporters were disappointed there were no major signings in the summer. It’ll be very difficult to win the league this season, but it would galvanise them for next season.

“If you look at Manchester United’s history, they’ve always played with wingers, they’ve always played attacking football. I can’t see them changing their philosophy; the team’s been built on an attacking 4-4-2.

“But, for sure, Mata can operate in a 4-4-2. I think he’s more than intelligent enough to play in a 4-4-2 or a 4-5-1; he’ll look to get on the ball, as he’s always done.

“He’s proved his intelligence, not just with Chelsea but also for the national team. He’s a quality player with all the attributes. He’s very creative and I think that’s what Manchester United need right now – some creativity.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Rooney ‘will NOT sign new deal at Manchester United

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Jan 22, 2014

Wayne Rooney is reportedly NOT prepared to sign a new deal at struggling Manchester United – even if Juan Mata joins the club.

The England striker is understood to be waiting until at least the summer to see who else David Moyes brings in before making a decision about his future.

According to The Sun, it is becoming increasingly likely that the former Everton hitman will see out his contract and become a free agent at the end of next season.

United are believed to need to bid around £39million to land Mata, who has been frozen out of the first-team at Chelsea.

The Blues are reportedly not against the Spanish midfielder, 25, moving to Old Trafford.

He is believed to want to join the Red Devils to boost his chances of making the Spain squad for the World Cup.

As for Rooney, United are said to want to offer the 28-year-old a new four-year £250,000 a week plus incentives deal.

Written by Steve Milne

Juan Mata will not be allowed to join Manchester United until he tells Jose Mourinho he wants to leave Chelsea

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Jan 22, 2014

Jose Mourinho will demand Juan Mata personally tells him that he wants to join Manchester United before pushing the green light on a £40million switch to Old Trafford.

Chelsea are prepared to consider a £40m bid from United for Mata, but the Spaniard must make his wish clear to Mourinho in order to force through a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge.

The final decision on whether to sell Mata is being left to Mourinho and he will only act once the player has approached him.

Atletico Madrid want to take Mata on loan with an option to buy the 25-year-old at the end of the season. Sending the player back to Spain would be preferable to Mourinho, particularly if Chelsea can secure first option on striker Diego Costa in return.

Kevin De Bruyne was put in a similar position to Mata, when Mourinho made the Belgian tell him he wanted to join Wolfsburg on a permanent deal before finally agreeing to an £18m deal.

Written by Steve Milne

Juan Mata will not be allowed to join Manchester United until he tells Jose Mourinho he wants to leave Chelsea

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Jan 22, 2014

Jose Mourinho will demand Juan Mata personally tells him that he wants to join Manchester United before pushing the green light on a £40million switch to Old Trafford.

Chelsea are prepared to consider a £40m bid from United for Mata, but the Spaniard must make his wish clear to Mourinho in order to force through a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge.

The final decision on whether to sell Mata is being left to Mourinho and he will only act once the player has approached him.

Atletico Madrid want to take Mata on loan with an option to buy the 25-year-old at the end of the season. Sending the player back to Spain would be preferable to Mourinho, particularly if Chelsea can secure first option on striker Diego Costa in return.

Kevin De Bruyne was put in a similar position to Mata, when Mourinho made the Belgian tell him he wanted to join Wolfsburg on a permanent deal before finally agreeing to an £18m deal.

Written by Steve Milne

Arsenal after Rodrigo.

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Ben Reardon

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Jan 22, 2014

Arsene Wenger has set his sights upon signing Benfica winger Rodrigo, after a move to the Russian club broke down.

It is thought that Zenit have already had a £25m bid for Rodrigo accepted, but the player has some doubts about a move to Russia, after Zenit had tabled a £25 million bid of the youngster.

Arsenal are looking at a loan deal, with a view to extending it if Rodrigo wishes to.

The Brazilian born- Spanish winger had a spell at Bolton Wanderers in the 2010/11 campaign, and a move to England may tempt the impressive winger back to our shores.

But it also appears Valencia are tracking the winger, after new found investment, the La Liga giants are pulling out all the stocks to sign him.

But the player also has strong links to Spain having started his career at Real Madrid, and has represented the Under 21 National team.

Rodrigo has scored seven goals in 14 league matches for Benfica this season, and would seem like the perfect stop-gap for a team in need of striking reinforcements without the long team investment.

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Arsenal to offer Tomas Rosicky new deal

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Jan 22, 2014

Arsene Wenger will speed up Tomas Rosicky’s contract talks, to stop Bayern Munich’s interest in the veteran Arsenal midfielder.

German and European champions Bayern are keen on the 33-year-old, who would otherwise be available on a free transfer in the summer when his current deal with the Londoners runs out.

But manager Wenger will offer Rosicky – a Gunner since a £6.8million move from Borussia Dortmund in 2006 – a one-year extension and is hopeful he will stay.

Wenger, meanwhile, expects to sign his own new contract within the next fortnight, and the Gunners have also agreed terms on an extension for centre-half and regular skipper Per Mertesacker.

But full-back Bacary Sagna’s situation has hit deadlock – he has only been offered a two-year deal, and Turkey’s Galatasaray are ready to give the 30-year-old the security of four years.

Written by Steve Milne

Ramires eyeing first Premier League title

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Jan 22, 2014

Chelsea midfielder Ramires is desperate to win his first Premier League title this season, and has revealed that the camp are feeling confident about doing-so.

The Blues saw off Manchester United 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday thanks to a Samuel Eto’o hat-trick, and that win kept them in third place, one point behind Manchester City and two points behind Arsenal.

Since joining in 2010, Ramires has been a part of some trophy success for The Blues, but he is yet to win the Premier League, and that is something he is hopeful he can achieve this season.

“I love to be on the pitch in big games like the one against Manchester United,” the 26-year-old told Globo Esporte.

“The derbies make you feel butterflies in your stomach, make you more motivated to win and I am happy that we have managed to play well.

“We are now even more confident after that game that we can reach our goal of winning the Premier League, that would be even more special to me as I have never won that title.”

He added: “Thank God my career has been improving since I joined Chelsea, many good things have been happening and I have got recognition for my work, which makes me very happy.

“I find the fact that I achieved that milestone as a consequence of the joy I have of playing football and of wearing Chelsea’s shirt.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Praise me for Manchester City, says Mancini

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Jan 22, 2014

Former-Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes he deserves all the credit for how well the side are doing this season, due to it being his signings doing all the work for the club.

Now at Turkish side Galatasaray, Mancini said that he should be getting most of the praise rather than Manuel Pellegrini, because it is his transfers that are performing for the club.

A lot of people are suggesting that City under Pellegrini are a lot more attacking and adventorous, that being one of the main reasons behind them already reaching 100-goals, but Mancini is adamant that he’s played a massive part in that success.

“I’m happy that Manchester City is one of the best teams in England because I built this team,” Mancini, 49, said.

“The players that score the goals are players that I bought – Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko, Yaya Toure, David Silva and Samir Nasri.”

However, it is also Alvaro Negredo who is firing goals in for fun at the moment, and he was brought in by Pellegrini.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Liverpool eye deal for Nigel De Jong

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Jan 22, 2014

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is mulling over a move for AC Milan’s defensive midfielder Nigel De Jong as he nervously awaits news on Lucas Leiva’s injury.

The Brazilian is set to learn the seriousness of his injury in the coming days but, should it prove to be a long-term issue, his manager may approach new Milan boss Clarence Seedorf about a possible offer.

Corriere Dello Sport report that the Italians are unlikely to welcome any move but Liverpool may force their hand with a sizeable offer.

The former Manchester City hard man has been ever-present at the San Siro and is on a handsome weekly wage but should be tempted by the chance to return to the Premier League.

With sixty-nine Holland caps to his name – along with a solitary goal – De Jong is one of the toughest tacklers in the game.

Rodgers, on the other hand, has few defensive options other than Lucas and will endeavor to prevent his side from slipping out of the top four.

Meanwhile Rodgers has also been granted the funds by the club’s hierarchy to launch an £8m offer for FC Basel winger Mohamed Salah after weeks of continued interest.

Salah has been at the top of Rodgers’ agenda since last summer and Reds scouts have been monitoring the 21-year-old for much of the season.

It is thought that Rodgers is also keen to add a left-back, centre-back, midfielder and striker to his squad although he may now only make a move for Salah after the club informed him that funds would be low until the end of the season.

Written by Steve Milne

Atletico Madrid desperate to sign Thibaut Courtois

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Jan 22, 2014

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has revealed that he would pay whatever it takes to make Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois’s loan-move, a permanent one in the Summer.

Many people would be forgiven if they thought Courtois was actually a Madrid player as he has spent the last three season’s in Spain after Chelsea have kept faith in Petr Cech, however, Courtois revealed earlier this year that he wants his future decided by April at the very latest.

It is believed that Jose Mourinho is ready to bring back the Belgium international in order to provide competition with Cech, but Courtois doesn’t want to be a back-up goalkeeper and may seek a move away permanently if that is what he is told.

When asked if he would pay up to £20million for the ‘keeper, Simeone responded with: “Definitely.

“For me anything paid for Courtois would be cheap.

“He’s a young guy who has a huge future and is on track to becoming one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

“Signing a goalkeeper of his caliber would be a big step, but it will not be easy.

“It depends on what Courtois wants, his club (Chelsea) knows our needs, but it is not up to us, because he is not our player.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Dante reveals Manchester United interest

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Jan 22, 2014