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Liverpool to make a formal bid for Basel winger Mohamed Salah

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Liverpool will make a formal bid for Basel winger Mohamed Salah this week. The club have been planning a move for the Egyptian since the January transfer window opened, but the valuation of £12 million has been prohibitive.

However, negotiations will step up with the Swiss side in the next few days, with manager Brendan Rodgers hoping to make a significant purchase. Ideally, he would like to add a defender to his squad, too, the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on Saturday highlighting the major lingering deficiencies at the back.

The impressive, composed debut of Aston Villa’s Ryan Bertrand – who is on loan from Chelsea and has been a long-term target for Rodgers – was in contrast to Liverpool’s problems at full back over recent weeks.

Salah, 21, is an attacking midfielder with an eye for goal who shone in the Champions League, scoring in the group stages against Chelsea.

Written by Steve Milne

West Ham keen on Arsenal’s Thomas Vermaelen

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Vermaelen has found himself unable to displace either Per Mertesacker or Laurent Koscielny from the Gunners’ starting XI, and has only made 11 appearances in all competitions this season.

This has led to speculation the Belgian could be making a move away from the Emirates, but Allardyce is convinced Arsenal have no intention of selling.

‘I think under the circumstances at Arsenal, in the position that they’re in, in the Champions League and cup matches, they’ve had to use him as soon as any of the two defenders have been injured,’ he said.

‘So I don’t think there’s any chance we’ll get somebody of his quality. It would be nice if I we could.

‘I’ve had targets and I haven’t got one yet apart from Roger Johnson, so I’ll keep going and hope we get some.’

Written by Steve Milne

Morata rules out joining Arsenal, Liverpool or Spurs

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Morata is a reported target for Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham in the January transfer window.

And while the 21-year-old is also interesting clubs in Italy, he has spoken with Carlo Ancelotti about his desire to remain at the Bernabeu.

Morata had previously suggested he could be open to a move, but after helping Madrid thump Real Betis 5-0, revealed he has changed his mind.

“Despite all the stories that have emerged, I am happy here,” he said.

“I have spoken with the club and the coach and told them I want to stay here.

“This is the team I have spent my entire life at and I will stay here and do whatever the club asks of me or needs of me, even if it’s to play a minimal amount of games.”

Spurs asked Real to include Morata as part of the £85million world record deal that saw Gareth Bale leave White Hart Lane last summer.

Recent reports suggested Arsenal and Liverpool had made loan enquiries for the Spaniard, who now looks to set to stay in Madrid.

Written By Steve Milne

Juan Mata nears Stamford Bridge exit as Manchester United and Atletico Madrid express interest

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Juan Mata is edging closer to the exit at Chelsea after the club failed to give assurances over his future, writes Dean Jones of the Sunday People .

Manchester United have made contact in hope of doing a £20million deal but a loan move to Atletico Madrid seems the most likely option now for the Spanish midfielder.

Mata’s father, Juan senior, acts as his agent and made a trip to London to discover whether he will be given more game time between now and the end of the season. But Chelsea officials could not make any promises and Mata is ready to seek a move.

The Blues, who value Mata at £30m, were previously interested in a United deal if it involved a swap with Wayne Rooney but that now seems unlikely.

Chelsea would prefer to see him join a foreign club and Atletico is the most likely destination. They have enjoyed a great season so far, challenging giants Barcelona and Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

Mata is frustrated with his current situation at Stamford Bridge. He is desperate to be a more integral part of Jose Mourinho’s side to ensure he is in the best possible form for Spain’s World Cup bid in Brazil this summer.

Written by Steve Milne

Sam Allardyce concedes it is ‘unlikely’ that Lacina Traore will sign for West Ham

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Allardyce watched on Saturday as his side were beaten 3-1 by former club Newcastle, a result which saw them return to the relegation zone.

And, when asked afterwards if 23-year-old Traore would be signing, he said: ‘It’s unlikely.

‘We’re finding it extremely difficult (to bring players in).

‘We had a terrible day yesterday (Friday) when I thought a player was signing for us and then I found out he wasn’t.’
Allardyce also ruled out a loan approach for Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen but admitted it was his side’s weakness at the back which cost them against Newcastle.

The Magpies cruised into a two-goal lead courtesy of strikes from Yohan Cabaye and Loic Remy before a Mike Williamson own goal in stoppage-time halved the defecit.

The Hammers did threaten parity after the break but Cabaye made sure of the away win with a late free-kick.

And Allardyce went on: ‘Our defensive frailties were exposed in the first half and unfortunately a spirited fight back in the second half hasn’t got us anything.

‘But we’ll keep our chins up because we’ve got 16 games to keep ourselves in the Premier League.

‘There comes a time when the players have to realise that it doesn’t matter about performances any more and it just becomes about results.’

Written by Steve Milne

David Moyes given £150million Manchester United transfer money

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The Man United boss was informed of his spending power at a top-level transfer summit with chief executive Ed Woodward and other directors.

And the Daily Star Sunday can reveal that Uruguay’s Cavani is eyeing a move to the Premier League, placing United on alert for a summer swoop.

Cavani, 26, only joined PSG last summer from Napoli for £55m.

But while he is happy in Paris and with the club, he is not impressed with the French League and wants to be a star in the Premier League – like his Uruguay team-mate at Liverpool, Luis Suarez.

Cavani is also wanted by Chelsea – United’s opponents today – and possibly Arsenal and Manchester City.

But he would be a ready-made replacement for Wayne Rooney if United lose the England striker – who only has a year left on his contract – in the summer.

Another potential target for United is Schalke midfielder Julian Draxler, who has a £37m buy-out clause in his contract.

Draxler, 20, is already an Arsenal target but the Germany international is unlikely to move in this transfer window as he has a ruptured muscle and is out until March.

Moyes is eyeing a host of midfield players, including Borussia Dortmund’s Ilkay Gundogan, 23, and Marco Reus, 24, plus Atletico Madrid’s Koke, 22.

And he is also tracking Porto’s £40m-rated France centre-half Eliaquim Mangala, 22.

A left-back is a priority with Southampton’s Luke Shaw, 18, and Everton’s Leighton Baines, 29, in the frame.

Moyes confirmed he is poised to spend on a major scale, either now or in the summer, when he said: “The amount of big players wanting to join Manchester United is incredible.

“Maybe players want to go to other clubs for the money but if you ask them where they really want to be, what club they really want to wear the badge of, they want to wear the badge of Manchester United.

“It’s because of the club and what it stands for in world terms.”

Written by Steve Milne

Former Wolves and England goalkeeper dies

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Williams joined Wolves from Walsall after the Second World War and went on to make 420 appearances for the club.

He won the FA Cup in 1949 and the Division One title in 1954 during a 14-season spell at Molineux.

Williams won 24 caps for England and was in goal for the 1-0 defeat by the United States at the 1950 World Cup. He was the oldest living England international prior to his death.

He received an MBE for services to football and charity in the Queen’s Birthday honours list in June 2010.

Williams was involved in several fundraising campaigns for the Alzheimer’s Society after his wife Evelyn died from the illness in 2002.

Wolves chairman Steve Morgan described Williams as “a fantastic footballer” and “a true gentleman who loved Wolves”.

“As a young football fan who used to read about the achievements of that all-conquering Wolves team of the 1950s, it was an honour and a privilege to have been able to meet Bert on so many occasions since I arrived at the club in 2007,” Morgan told the club website.

“His footballing ability speaks for itself, but there was so much more to Bert than just his career alone.

“He remained heavily involved with Wolves and the community after his retirement, and the fundraising he has carried out since losing his wife was incredible when you consider his advancing years.

“Legend is a word which may be overused these days, but in the case of Bert Williams it simply doesn’t do him justice. He will be sadly missed at Molineux, but will never, ever be forgotten.”

Williams made 381 league appearances for Wolves and also featured in many of the pioneering floodlit games at Molineux against top European club sides in the 1950s.

He was part of the England side which lost 1-0 to the United States in the 1950 World Cup, arguably the national side’s biggest shock defeat.

In 2010, Williams said the hurt of the defeat “will never go away”. His death means that Sir Tom Finney and Roy Bentley are the only survivors from the side that lost at Belo Horizonte in Brazil.

England goalkeeping great Gordon Banks described Williams as his hero in an interview with BBC Late Kick Off Midlands last year.

“I first saw Bert playing for Wolves in the cup final – and then when he was playing for England,” Banks said.

“I used to admire this guy so much. He was so athletic, so agile; he used to get to the ball in the top corner – such fabulous agility.

“By watching goalkeepers at that time, especially the great ones like Bert, it taught me things. He was fantastic, a great, great guy.”

Wolves are set to announce a tribute to Williams in due course.

Written by Steve Milne

Injury almost cost Foster career.

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West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster has revealed that a freak foot injury left him fighting for his professional career. 

The keeper suffered the injury in unusual circumstances, as he snapped a bone in his foot during the fixture against Everton, at Goodison Park, in August. 

The injury was even more odd, as Foster had no-one around him when the unfortunate injury occured.

Foster then had surgery to repair the problem, but had to endure four months on the sidelines.  

Following the surgery, the Herfordshire born keeper was unable to walk for eight weeks.

Speaking in an interview with Tabloid Newspaper The Daily Star, Foster stated….

“It was the bone that takes most of the weight through the foot when you push off. For keepers, who are always on their toes, it’s a bad injury.

“I literally pushed and heard this click, and that was it.

“It was a horrible, horrible injury and it’s been a long, hard road back. If that injury happens to an outfield player, it is really touch and go whether they keep on playing.

“The doctor said if the bone didn’t knit, we were looking at having to fuse it together – and a year out.

“I was very worried that I’d miss the whole season and if the operation didn’t work, even longer.” 

Foster also has ambitions of a World Cup place, having come out of international retirment last year. 

 “Brazil is where I want to be this summer. I’m 30 and I’ve never done a World Cup.” 

Foster’s Albion face an in-form Everton at the Hawthorns, in a Televised game on Monday evening. 

By Ben Reardon 

@BenReardon1

 

Manchester United preparing for Wayne Rooney exit

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Fears are growing that the England striker will quit Old Trafford after the World Cup – and David Moyes has sanctioned a move for the PSG striker to replace him
Reds target: Edinson Cavani has been unsettled at PSG Reds target: Edinson Cavani has been unsettled at PSG
Getty

Manchester United are gearing up for a sensational swoop on superstar Edinson Cavani as they prepare for life without Wayne Rooney, writes Steve Bates of the Sunday People.

Boss David Moyes has sanctioned a move for PSG’s unsettled Uruguayan with fears growing at Old Trafford that Rooney may decide to jump ship after the World Cup ­finals in the summer.

The 28-year-old England hitman is out of contract in June next year and is ­thought to be ­waiting to see how the ­season develops before ­making any ­decisions on his future.

Luis Suarez’s Uruguay strike partner Cavani – disillusioned by the state of football in France just six months after his £53million move from Napoli – is seen by Moyes as the ideal replacement.

The 26-year-old is said to be disappointed with the standard of France’s Ligue 1 and believes French football is lacking in passion, intensity and atmosphere.

United know that after the transfer window disaster of last year they have to be on the front foot – and the capture of Cavani would appease Old Trafford fans

should Rooney leave.

Cavani’s advisors believe Old Trafford would be the ideal destination if PSG allow him to move on – and last night Moyes hinted a major signing is on the cards. “Judging by trips I’ve made recently and the things I am hearing, what has happened so far this season won’t be an issue when we sign players,” he said.

“The number of big players wanting to join Manchester United is incredible.

Trip “Maybe players want to go to other clubs for the money but if you ask them where they really want to be, what badge they really want to wear, then they’ll say Manchester United.”

Any deal for Cavani would be likely to cost United at least £55million.

In just 26 games for PSG this season Cavani has scored 18 goals – after bagging an impressive 104 in 138 matches in Serie A for Napoli.

Moyes took a trip to Paris to watch PSG beat Bordeaux in the French League Cup last week, although Cavani started on the bench before coming on as a substitute to set up the final goal in a 3-1 win.

The Uruguayan is not the only name on Moyes’s wishlist.

It’s believed United scouts have watched Schalke’s German whizkid Julian Draxler, with Arsenal also hot on the trail of the 20-year-old attacking midfielder who has a£37million buy-out clause in his contract.

Written by Steve Milne – What are your thoughts? have your say below 🙂

Wenger targets Juventus star Vucinic as Arsenal look for loan deal to bolster attack

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Arsenal’s transfer negotiator Dick Law has been in touch with the Serie A club about a loan deal for the 30-year-old Montenegro striker.

Agent Alessandro Lucci, who represents Vucinic, is understood to be ready to fly to London this week to assess Arsenal’s desire to sign his client.

Arsenal stayed on top of the Barclays Premier League table yesterday — one point ahead of Manchester City — with a 2-0 home win over Fulham.

Vucinic now looks the most realistic option to boost their strike power, with Theo Walcott out for the season and Olivier Giroud and Nicklas Bendtner the only recognised centre-forwards in Wenger’s squad.

The manager is prepared to rely on Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski as alternatives to Giroud but clearly it would be desirable to bring in an experienced centre-forward.

With Real Madrid refusing to release Alvaro Morato, the striker Wenger had hoped to bring in on loan to supplement his team, Arsenal have turned to Vucinic.

He has fallen down the pecking order at the Serie A leaders, behind Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente.

The stumbling block which could prevent the move is that Juventus want to sell the player and will not settle for less than £10m.

Wenger wants to keep his transfer funds for the summer, when he is expected to bid for Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa, Bayern Munich’s Mario Mandzukic and Schalke’s Julian Draxler.

Wenger last night admitted he was still on the hunt for a striker.

‘We are looking at potential possibilities to get someone in but we are not especially interested in Vucinic,’ he said.

‘I would love to announce to you something that would excite you but I don’t have the opportunity to do so.’

Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂

Tottenham transfer tempting Napoli forward Goran Pandev

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Reports in Italy suggest the 30-year-old will be on his way to White Hart Lane in the coming days, should his current club wrap up the signings of Jorginho from Hellas Verona and Michel Bastos from UAE side Al Ain.

Pandev, who joined Napoli on loan in 2011 before making the move permanent a year later, is believed to be concerned over his future playing opportunities at the Stadio San Paolo and is intrigued by the prospect of a chance to experience the Premier League.

For Spurs, the Macedonian could prove a good stop-gap option, with Jermain Defoe off to Toronto next month and Roberto Soldado continuing to struggle to find form.

Written by Steve Milne

Real Madrid thrash Real Betis to move level with La Liga leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

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Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo capped a fine week by thrashing in the opening goal at bottom club Real Betis.

Bale, who had last netted against Valladolid on 30 November, curled in a superb free-kick before Karim Benzema scored his 100th goal for Madrid.

Angel Di Maria converted a rebound and Alvaro Morata wrapped up an easy win.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side knew a victory would put pressure on top two Barca and Atletico, who play Levante and Sevilla respectively on Sunday.

And they responded with a dynamic performance against a Betis side who offered little resistance.

Portugal captain Ronaldo, who also scored in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey win at Osasuna, celebrated being named as the world’s best player by blasting in his 21st goal of the season from long range.

Betis keeper Stephan Andersen did not even move and was beaten easily again shortly after by Bale’s pinpoint set-piece.

The Welshman, who moved to the Bernabeu in an £85m world-record transfer, has drawn criticism in recent weeks after failing to hit top form following a calf injury.

And the 24-year-old’s relief was clearly evident as he was mobbed by his team-mates in celebration of his 10th goal for Los Blancos.

France striker Benzema blasted inside the post, following great build-up play from Luka Modric, shortly before half-time to rack up his century in all competitions since joining from Lyon in 2009.

After the break, the away side continued to press and scored their fourth when Argentina winger Di Maria thumped a low drive into the bottom corner.

Substitute Morata, who Ancelotti reiterated on Friday would not be leaving the Bernabeu after being linked with Premier League side Arsenal, clipped in from close range in the final minute.

Betis sacked recently-appointed West Bromwich Albion coach Pep Mel last month and are bottom on 11 points after 20 matches, five adrift of Rayo Vallecano and Real Valladolid.

Written by Steve Milne

Match Reaction: Liverpool v Aston Villa

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The visitors Aston Villa certainly gave Liverpool a tough game as they went 2-0 up after 36 minutes through Andreas Weimann and then Christian Benteke. But Daniel Sturridge scored just on half time to give the home side some encouragement in the second half. Liverpool looked more lively in the second half and were awarded a penalty when Suarez went down in the 52nd minute. Gerrard converted to level the scores and it remained 2-2 up to the final whistle, leaving Liverpool in fourth, 3 points behind Chelsea.

 

Liverpool manager, Brenden Rodgers’ reaction: “We just couldn’t get going in the first half. We changed the system after the first goal. I felt we couldn’t get any flow. The second half we showed great spirit and got the equaliser.

“You have to give credit to Aston Villa. Christian Benteke was a real threat and Andreas Weimann was a problem. It wasn’t until we changed it around that we got a foothold in the game.

“It is a mark of the mentality that we were not at our best but we still dig out a result. We will learn from it and move on.

“It was vital to get that goal before half time. That gave us the spark going into the second half. The response from the players was outstanding.”

 

Aston Villa boss, Paul Lambert’s reaction: “We should have had three or four goals in the first half. We were fantastic, really good. We came here last year and won 3-1 and I thought we played a lot better today. In the first half we were outstanding.

“Their goal gave them a lifeline going into half-time. I am not so sure about the penalty, I think Brad Guzan has pulled his arms away. I don’t think it is a penalty. With the magnitude of the game you have to be 100% sure, Brad’s arms have been pulled away.

“I don’t think we could have done any more except win the game. There were major plus points, Nearly every player was outstanding.”

 

By Phil Wellbrook

Match Reaction: Crystal Palace v Stoke City

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Crystal Palace battled on to win 1-0 at Selhurst Park, with Jason Puncheon being the man on the scoresheet. Puncheon capitalised on an error by Oussama Assaidi and drilled in the only goal of the game, a win which sees Palace lift off the foot of the table.

 

Crystal Palace manager, Tony Pulis’ reaction: “Sixteen games to go and we’ve given ourselves a chance from not having a chance but we can’t get carried away.

“Punch [Jason Puncheon] is a good player and people miss penalties. People might say not by that much but Punch had to get over it and there were no problems.”

Pulis was also aware of the support and warm reception he gained from the travelling Stoke fans. “It was wonderful from the Stoke supporters and I thank them very much. We had a wonderful 10 years together.

“My wife and daughters were Stoke supporters for 10 years so it was difficult for everybody but the main thing was the three points and I hope and pray to be able to go back to Stoke with Palace next season.”

 

Stoke City boss, Mark Hughes’ reaction: “We huffed and puffed a bit and tried to force the issue but made it difficult for ourselves by conceding a poor goal. That’s been the case of late and it’s something we need to take out of our game.

“Once they got the first goal, in a game that lacked quality, that was going to be key to winning the game and Palace were able to get that through poor defending.

“We need to nip that in the bud and we gave them a helping hand. They were able to get people behind the ball and we didn’t have the guile or purpose to create the chances.”

 

By Phil Wellbrook

Match Reaction: Manchester City v Cardiff

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Manchester City are now within one point of leaders Arsenal following a 4-2 win over Cardiff at the Etihad, which also saw Pellegrini’s side score their 100th goal this season in all competitions. City achieved this feat quicker than any team in Premier League history and this set the tone for a goal fest in Manchester.

Edin Dzeko opened the scoring in the 14th minute, and after a Craig Noone equaliser in the 29th minute, Navas restored City’s lead just after the half hour mark. City dominated the second half and saw Yay Toure and Sergio Aguero add their names to the scoresheet, before Cambell grabbed a 90th minute consellation for Cardiff.

 

Manchester City boss, Manuel Pellegrini’s reaction: “Maybe I am not 100% happy because we conceded the second goal in the last minute. But we scored four and missed five or six clear chances so if we continue to play like we are, we are always going to score more than we concede.

“We are playing fantastic football at the moment. We play with fantastic intensity and that is how we must continue. The best way to play is the way we are playing now. I know it is easier to go back with 10 players in our box and try and have a couple of counter attacks, but that is not my way, it is not the style I think this club wants.

“It is impossible for me to have a headache when you have three strikers [Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Alvaro Negredo] playing at the level they are at the moment.”

 

Cardiff manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reaction: “We did feel that after about 60 minutes we were in the game. The crowd was maybe turning a little against them and you start wondering if we could get something from the game, but obviously they have quality players who scored their extra two goals.

“They have been dominant, our gameplan was to start on the front foot, be aggressive but we played against a very good team. When you are in the run of form like they are, they just go into the next game expecting to win, so good luck to them.

“We can stay up. No doubt about that. The league got tighter today – from bottom to 10th it is five points. We will look to improve. Parts of all the performances have been very good. For half an hour we did very well today but for two or three minutes they blitzed us.”

 

By Phil Wellbrook