Arsenal launch £12.5m bid for Antoine Griezmann

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Jan 11, 2014

Reports in Spain suggest that the Gunners have approached Real Sociedad about signing the French attacker but have been firmly rebuffed.

Sociedad are thought to have rejected the offer out of hand and insisted that Arsenal meet the Griezmann’s £25m buyout.

Arsene Wenger yesterday suggested that Theo Walcott’s injury could yet force him into the transfer market in search of an attacker.

Griezmann, who has also been linked with PSG, is third in the La Liga scoring charts behind only Cristiano Ronaldo and Deigo Costa this season.

But the 22-year-old insisted last month that he would definitely not be moving in January.

He said: “I’m not thinking about leaving in January, there’s nothing, I’m only focused on myself and in helping the team. Nothing more.

“I’m over it, I don’t want to hear anything more about my exit.

“I am focused on working hard and doing my job well to help Real Sociedad. This is the only thing that matters to me.”

It now remains to be seen whether Arsenal will return with an improved offer for Griezmann, who would not be eligible to play in the Champions League having already featured in the competition for Sociedad this season, or turn their attention to other targets.

Written by Steve Milne

Ferguson not a problem at Manchester United

By

SteveMilne

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Jan 11, 2014

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Ferguson has been a regular spectator at United games since stepping down as boss at the end of last season.

And with United struggling, some have questioned whether the 72-year-old’s continued involvement with things at Old Trafford is proving burdensome to Moyes.

Ferguson sat alongside Sir Bobby Charlton and former skipper Bryan Robson at Sunderland on Tuesday as United slumped to a Capital One Cup semi-final first-leg defeat.

But Moyes insists that the suggestions are wide of the mark.

He told MUTV: “It tells you that people don’t know me and don’t know Sir Alex.

“People are saying it because they have no idea about how it works.

“Sir Alex has been fantastic. He has been incredibly supportive and is only there to help me.

“I have a conversation with him when I need it and I tend to see him for a minute or two after the games.

“I have found him great and it has been the same with Sir Bobby and Bryan Robson.

“All the people around the club have been great as have all the former players, in the main.

“But there are a lot of people out there who are trying to twist the words or make out it is a problem. I have no problem with it at all.”

Written by Steve Milne

Arsenal interested in midfield duo

By

Alex Batt

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Jan 11, 2014

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has rekindled his interest in Lyon midfielder Yoann Gourcuff and is also keeping tabs on Juventus winger Sebastian Giovinco.

The Gunners are in need of strengthening their squad if they want to keep their title-push going, especially after injuries sustained to Theo Walcott, Nicklas Bendtner, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud.

Reports in France are suggesting that Lyon and Arsenal are expected to hold talks about a potential deal for the midfield-man, who has been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium for the last three seasons, including a loan-deal last Summer which fell through.

Gourcuff will cost Wenger around £4m-£8m, but his salary is quite hefty and that is why the Frenchman is keeping his options open with Giovinco another target of his.

Coming out of Italy, reports are suggesting that Arsenal have also spoken too Juventus, but so far, nothing concrete has come from either potential deal.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain delighted to be back in action

By

Alex Batt

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Jan 11, 2014

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Arsenal forward Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has revealed his delight to be back in action for the first time in over four months.

The Englishman picked up a serious injury during the first game of the season against Aston Villa back in August, and he is now set to make his first-team return on Monday night when they face Villa once again.

The 20-year-old played 45-minutes in the U-21 game midweek and survived the match without any knocks or bad reaction to his injury and he could be in line for a substitute appearance on Monday night.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Chamberlain revealed how happy he is to be playing once again after such a long time out.

“It was the first match I’ve played in five months so it was more about getting the minutes under my belt and getting used to being back on a football pitch,” Oxlade-Chamberlain told Arsenal Player.

“On the ball I know I can do a lot better than that but it takes a few weeks, maybe even a month, to get back to your full sharpness. Obviously I wasn’t at my full fitness here and it was quite hard, but the main thing was that I got through it and that is a positive. It is just really good to be back.

“It’s never easy having an injury, especially when it’s your first long-term one because you are not used to it and not sure how it will pan out. When I look back on it’s been a good learning curve, but at the same time it is somewhere you don’t want to be.

“I am just thankful that I got through it and I’ll look to push on from here.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Arsene Wenger hails Podolski’s finishing abilities

By

Alex Batt

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Jan 11, 2014

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hailed Lukas Podolski as one of the best finishers he has ever seen.

The German international is currently the only fit foward in Arsenal’s side as trio Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud and Nicklas Bendtner are all currently sidelined for different reasons, but Wenger believes Podolski is good enough to lead the line himself due to his finishing abilities.

Podolski returned to first-team action on Boxing Day against West Ham United, and he returned with a goal and an assist and although Wenger knows it will take time for him to get back to his best, he is confident that the foward will be a boost for The Gunners.

“Podolski is in the position of Oxlade-Chamberlain,” Wenger said. “He has been out for four months and after being available, it doesn’t mean you are competitive in the Premier League.

“It takes some time to come back. This week he looked sharper in training so he’s getting closer now to being completely fit again.

“He’s certainly one of the best finishers I’ve ever seen. When he is physically ready, he will of course help us. If there’s one you want to see in front of the goal in a shooting position, it’s him.

“He can play that central role when he’s completely fit. He came on in a recent game and was not completely ready but he is one of the potential assets we have there.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Luis Suarez has learnt self-control

By

Alex Batt

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Jan 11, 2014

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Liverpool striker Luis Suarez believes he has learnt to control himself on the pitch more often nowadays.

The Uruguayan striker is known as quite a controversial figure due to his past, but he has admitted that he is controlling himself a lot more on the pitch, and he also believes that is a reason behind his impressive form.

Suarez recently won Player of the Month for December after he netted 10-goals in just one calender month, becoming to first player to do that.

Despite the positive present, Suarez has had a troubled past with racism allegations and also biting incidents, which have both seen him suffer fines and bans, however, he believes those days are behind him.

Suarez told ESPN: “My temperament, attitude, desire and hunger when I am on the pitch has always been like this and will continue to be this way, I now know I have to control it more.

“An example of this was about two weeks ago when I had an open shot at goal and hit the post and it rebounded close to my hand and I was about to go for it and then I stopped.

“If the same thing had happened two months ago I would have gone for it. These things stay with me but I tell you I am changing.

“I am improving my attitude on the pitch because I know I was wrong in the past and I was creating an image of myself I know wasn’t me.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Ozil voted German Player of the Year

By

Phil Wellbrook

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Jan 11, 2014

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2013 was a very good year for Mesut Ozil, as he made an Arsenal record transfer of £42m from Real Madrid, and due to a number of outstanding national performances, has been voted German Player of the Year.

Ozil moved to the Premier League on transfer deadline day and made an instant impact, helping his side to the top of the table.

In 2013, Ozil made 10 national appearances, scoring 3 goals and providning 5 assists, and as a result, has one of the award for the third consecutive year. The Gunners star managed to gain 30% of the fan vote, putting him ahead oif Bayern Munich stars Philipp Lahm and Thomas Muller.

Ozil told the German FA website ““This award makes me proud and happy – most of all because it was voted for by the fans.

“2013 was a very turbulent time for me with my move from Madrid to London.

“The internationals were hugely important both for my team-mates and in front of these great fans.”

Ozil also said that he hopes he can continue his fine form and help his county in the World Cup this summer.

“I still play every international match as if it was my first,” said the Gunners star.

“I see this award as an obligation for a successful 2014 – and with it a successful World Cup.”

By Phil Wellbrook

Manchester United dealt massive Robin Van Persie blow

By

Alex Batt

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Jan 11, 2014

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Manchester United striker Robin Van Persie could miss a further six weeks of action with fears that he may have sustained a similar thigh injury to the one he suffered during his time at Arsenal.

The Dutchman had an injury plagued career at Highbury and then the Emirates Stadium, before seemingly overcoming those issues to become one of the best strikers in World football.

However, it looks like his past has caught up with him again as he looks set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines.

United boss David Moyes has admitted that there is no return date for the 30-year-old and he has also confirmed that they have sent Van Persie to Holland in order to work on his fitness.

Van Persie hasn’t featured for United since December 10 and there are fears that he won’t be available until late February, and by that time, United’s season could already be over.

On Van Persie, Moyes said: ‘We are trying to get him back but it’s a thigh strain similar to the one he had at Arsenal so we are having to manage it correctly.

‘He has been to Holland to work with the guy he knows over there and we are doing everything we can. There are some injuries you can play with but not the thigh.’

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Jose Mourinho puts price-tag on Eden Hazard’s head

By

Alex Batt

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Jan 11, 2014

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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes midfielder Eden Hazard is worth at least three times more than what he was when the club signed him from French side Lille, after he claims he has turned him into a modern professional.

When Mourinho took the reigns at Stamford Bridge for the second-time, he was very open about all of his players, and he admitted that Hazard was a terrible trainer and that was stopping his progression as a footballer.

However, halfway through the season and being the club’s top goalscorer for the campaign, Mourinho finally believes that he is turning the Belgium into the player he could be.

The Blues brought Hazard from Lille for roughly around £32million, and Mourinho is adamant that he is now worth at least three times that.

“I’m not worried about Eden. If he was worth around £32m when Chelsea bought him – and he’s two or three times better than that now – then his market value is crazy. But we are not interested in selling him. There is no chance of him going.

“Eden’s progress has been good. He was known as one of the worst trainers at the club but he has become a good professional.

“He was known for having lots of quality, but without that culture of knowing how to defend as part of a team, but he has improved in every aspect.

“He works very hard for the team now. He’s the kind of player we want.

“It has been a fantastic evolution. But it wasn’t hard to change. He’s very strong physically, has fantastic stamina and speed. It was more a mental thing, it just needed to click with him.

“When I came he was always laughing, smiling and joking with the others, so there was not top concentration. But we had some conversations. I demanded more, showed him the right way. ”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

David Moyes has fears about quality at Manchester United

By

Alex Batt

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Jan 11, 2014

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Manchester United manager David Moyes has fears that some of his players do not have the quality to stop the current form they are going through.

Defeat to Sunderland midweek in the Capital One Cup Semi-Final was United’s third loss in a row, something that hasn’t happened in nearly two decades, and today they face Swansea City at Old Trafford, whom the lost to last weekend in the FA Cup.

If Moyes does suffer yet another defeat, it would be their fourth defeat in a row, which hasn’t happen at United for over 50-years!

United are currently 11 points behind the league leaders Arsenal, and Moyes has admitted that he doubts whether his players are good enough to stop the fall from grace.

‘I have always said that if players are doing their best, you can’t ask for any more,” he said.

‘A lot of them are giving their best, but if that is not enough, it is something I need to have a look at. Players have to take opportunities when they come around.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Manchester United ready to bid for Borussia Dortmund star

By

Alex Batt

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Jan 11, 2014

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Manchester United are ready to offer £25,000,000 for Borussia Dortmund centre-midfiedler Ilkay Gundogan, despite the 23-year-old not being in action since August due to an injury.

United boss David Moyes is a real admirer of the German international, and despite not playing for five-months due to a back injury, the Scot is willing to take the gamble and splash the cash on the Dortmund-man.

As for Jurgen Klopp, he will be desperate not to lose yet another star name after losing both Mario Gotze and now Robert Lewandowski to Bayern Munich, with the latter joining the rivals in the Summer, but according to reports, Gundogan’s representitives have already spoken to United about a possible transfer.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Bacary Sagna wanted by Turkish side

By

Alex Batt

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Jan 11, 2014

0

Arsenal full-back Bacary Sagna is a transfer target of Roberto Mancini’s as he eyes defensive reinforcement for his Galatasaray side.

The Frenchman is in the final few months of his current contract at the Emirates Stadium, so technically, the Turkish outfit could hold talks with Sagna over a potential Summer transfer and even offer him a contract due to the Bosman rule.

Once a footballer in the Premier League enters the final six months of his contract, any foreign club is allowed to hold talks with that player and also offer them a contract with the hope of signing them on a free once their deal expires.

Sagna and Arsenal have held several contract talks since December, but nothing has come out of it just yet, and it is reported that Galatasaray are willing to pay the 30-year-old just over £4million a year, which is more than what he is currently earning at Arsenal, which stands at £3.6m-a-year.

The Gunners have offered two extensions to Sagna in recent months, the first being a 12-month extension on the same salary, and the second being a two-year extension on the same salary, but unfortunately for Arsene Wenger and co., both offers were turned down.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

De Bruyne is leaving, confirms Jose Mourinho

By

Alex Batt

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Jan 11, 2014

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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed that midfielder Kevin De Bruyne will be leaving the club this month, however, has ruled out the sale of Eden Hazard in the Summer.

Reports came out yesterday suggesting that the Belgium midfielder, who has been in superb form this season, had told his friends that he was going to quit Stamford Bridge at the end of the season in order to go back to France and join Paris Saint-Germain.

As for his countryman, De Bruyne, he will be leaving the club this month after interest from German side Wolfsburg intensified, and during his press conference yesterday, Mourinho confirmed the news that he will be on his way out.

‘He has a chance to go,’ said the Blues boss. ‘He is a player that Chelsea have a couple of proposals. We keep analysing these proposals.

‘One of them is coming into a level which we believe can be a good situation for the player and also for the club.

‘We know he is a fantastic young player with lots of potential.

‘I still say I would be happy to keep him and to develop him, but we also have to analyse the player’s profile and the player’s personality and he wants so much to go, so maybe it’s a good option to let him go, in a very good deal for the club from a financial point of view.

‘The club bought him a few years ago for a small fee and now we have the possibility to sell him for a positive amount.’

‘Not agreed [a fee] but I believe between our club and the other club we will reach an agreement,’ he added.

‘The interest is big from the club, even bigger from the player. So maybe in the next couple of weeks it will be finalised.

‘We don’t need a direct replacement. I think the reason why we open the door to negotiate is because it’s a position where we have options.

‘So between [Andre] Schurrle, Willian, [Eden] Hazard, [Juan] Mata, Oscar, Ramires, it’s not a position where you sell somebody and you run to cover the position.’

However, regarding the speculation of Hazard leaving, Mourinho was pretty clear that he has no intentions of selling his star-man.

‘I’m not worried because if his value was around £40m when Chelsea bought him, two years later his value is two or three times that amount,’ he said.

‘So with our tag not to sell and with the crazy amount we would value him at, Eden is not leaving.’

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Manchester United close in on Benfica defender

By

Alex Batt

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Jan 11, 2014

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According to reports, Premier League side Manchester United could finally be close to agreeing a deal with Portuguese side Benfica for centre-back Ezequiel Garay.

The 27-year-old has been a long-term transfer interest for United, with both Sir Alex Ferguson and now David Moyes interested in his services, but it finally looks like they’ve made a breakthrough.

The Argentinian international is close to agreeing a deal with the Premier League champions, which will see him join the club in the Summer, this is according to newspapers in Portugal.

It is also believed that the English side will pay around £8million for his services and is seen as the replacement for Rio Ferdinand, who could be on his way out this Summer.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Sherwood says Lamela will stay.

By

Ben Reardon

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Jan 10, 2014

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Tim Sherwood has stated that Erik Lamela will stay at Tottenham Hotspur in the January transfer window.

The Argantine winger, who signed from Serie A club AS Roma has recently been linked with a move away from Tottenham.

He has failed to make a mark at White Hart Lane, playing just twelve Premier League games since his £30 million move from the Italian club, as chairman Daniel Levy spent big to fill the void left by Gareth Bale, who left to join Real Madrid of course.

Lamela has also been linked with a move away from White Hart Lane in recent weeks. A loan move to Atletico Madrid has been mooted for the club-record signing.

Serie A sides Inter Milan, AC Milan, and former club AS Roma, have also been linked.

“He won’t be leaving on loan in this transfer window. He has a big future here, absolutely,” the Tottenham manager said of the Argentina international.

“We know what a talented player Erik is. We also understand that players need time to settle.

“He needs time to acclimatise to this country. He doesn’t speak English and he isn’t used to the pace of the games, especially over the Christmas period when they come thick and fast.

“He is not 100 per cent fit either. He’s still feeling fatigued in one of his thighs so we were very cautious with him.

“We are going to take it nice and steady with him. I really want to put him on the stage when he’s ready to perform, rather than let people judge him when he’s half-cocked.”

The midfielder came with a big reputation, and a big price tag, from the Italian giants, having impressed inthe 2012/13 Serie A campaign.

But he has failed to capture the form that got him his lucrative deal to join the Lilywhites.

However, poor form and mis-managment from former boss Villas Boas, have left the winger frozen out of the first team squad all together.

But Sherwood’s recent announcement may bring fresh hope for Lamela.

Tottenham host Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane on Saturday.

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

SillySeason.com

Arsenal launch £12.5m bid for Antoine Griezmann

Ferguson not a problem at Manchester United

Arsenal interested in midfield duo

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain delighted to be back in action

Arsene Wenger hails Podolski’s finishing abilities

Luis Suarez has learnt self-control

Ozil voted German Player of the Year

Manchester United dealt massive Robin Van Persie blow

Jose Mourinho puts price-tag on Eden Hazard’s head

David Moyes has fears about quality at Manchester United

Manchester United ready to bid for Borussia Dortmund star

Bacary Sagna wanted by Turkish side

De Bruyne is leaving, confirms Jose Mourinho

Manchester United close in on Benfica defender

Sherwood says Lamela will stay.

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