Arsene Wenger fears football transfers will never have a limit and believes the days of £200million transfers are not far away. Arsenal's Premier League rivals Manchester United broke the world transfer record earlier in the week when they paid £89million to Juventus to take Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford. That deal continues a trend which has seen the record extended by nearly £75million in 20 years, with the likes of Alan Shearer , Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale previously holding the tag of the world's most expensive … [Read more...]
Mertesacker named new Arsenal captain despite being sidelined with injury
Arsene Wenger believes it is "absolutely natural" for Arsenal to appoint injury victim Per Mertesacker as their captain for the new season. Arsenal have named Per Mertesacker as their new club captain despite the former Germany centre-back being in the midst of a lengthy knee injury lay-off. Mertesacker, who sustained his injury during a pre-season friendly against Lens, takes on the role following Mikel Arteta's departure to take up a coaching role at Manchester City after the end of last season. Manager Arsene Wenger believes his … [Read more...]
Moyes confirms loan deal for Man Utd winger Januzaj
New Sunderland manager David Moyes has confirmed that Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj has joined on loan for the rest of the season. Moyes gave Januzaj his chance in the United first-team during his brief reign at Old Trafford, with the Belgian scoring twice on his first-ever start, at Sunderland, in October 2013. JANUZAJ CONFIRMED: #SAFC manager David Moyes announces that Adnan Januzaj has arrived on a season-long loan from @ManUtd. - Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) August 12, 2016 Januzaj, 21, becomes Moyes' third signing as … [Read more...]
Sturridge and Milner injury doubts for Liverpool opener against Arsenal
Liverpool could be without both Daniel Sturridge and James Milner when they kick off their new Premier League campaign at Arsenal on Sunday. Striker Sturridge missed the Reds' final two pre-season fixtures last weekend with a hip injury which flared up again at training on Thursday while former England colleague Milner, who recently retired from international football , sustained a bruised heel during Saturday's 4-0 win over Barcelona. On Sturridge, boss Jurgen Klopp told liverpoolfc.com: "On Wednesday he could train; on Thursday, he felt … [Read more...]
Mourinho: Rivals are afraid to say they want to win title
Jose Mourinho has accused rival Premier League managers of being too “afraid” to publicly target the title. Mourinho was happy to describe the Red Devils as challengers for the crown in his first season at Old Trafford but believes others who share his aim are being coy about their ambitions. The Portuguese, who takes charge for the first time at Bournemouth on Sunday, did not name his targets but it can safely be assumed that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and Claudio Ranieri, who has already compared the chances of a Leicester title defence … [Read more...]
Zlatan: I’m not a bad boy, I’m a family man
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has insisted he is not arrogant and instead projected himself as a “family man” ahead of his Premier League bow for Manchester United this weekend. The 34-year-old Swede, who joined on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last month, scored the winning goal as United defeated champions Leicester City in the Community Shield last weekend and is likely to start for the trip to Bournemouth. Ibrahimovic has won major honours at Ajax, Juventus, Internazionale, Barcelona, AC Milan and Paris before linking-up with Jose … [Read more...]
Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny ruled out of Liverpool clash
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has ruled out the possibility of rushing Laurent Koscielny back for Sunday's Premier League opener against Liverpool, leaving him with only a trio of young centre-backs to choose from for the game. Arsenal have lost Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista to injuries in preseason, leading to some speculation that he could be forced to bring Koscielny into the team even though the France defender only returned to training this week after his post-Euro 2016 break. But Wenger said his only options against Liverpool at … [Read more...]
Hart’s future with Manchester City undecided – Guardiola
Joe Hart won praise for his "qualities and behaviour" from Pep Guardiola but the Manchester City boss will keep his goalkeeping option open. Pep Guardiola praised the goalkepper's attitude and application ahead of Manchester City's Premier League opener versus Sunderland but refused to give any guarantees over the England goalkeeper's future at the Etihad Stadium. The shot-stopper endured a chastening Euro 2016 with England, making glaring errors in the matches against Wales and Iceland. The 29-year-old's future has been a matter of … [Read more...]
Conte hopeful about more signings at Chelsea
Antonio Conte has said Chelsea are looking for new players “every day” but the “crazy” prices being paid has made the process difficult. The Blues have made two big-money signings this summer with midfielder N’Golo Kante and striker Michy Batshuayi both arriving for over £30m apiece, but there are concerns over the lack of options in defence. However, Conte suggested that Chelsea are still active in the transfer market and will make more signings before the window closes if the right deals can be made. “I speak every day with the club … [Read more...]
Paul Pogba suspended for Manchester United’s first game
Manchester United will open their season without the most expensive signing in the history of the game, Paul Pogba who has been suspended for the Red Devils' Premier League opener, pushing his debut back a week. Pogba was booked twice in last season's Coppa Italia final with Juventus and Manchester United have been informed that the ban will be enforced by the Premier League. Jose Mourinho said he wasn't sure if he would still be suspended with his move to England, but it was confirmed that it will be. Even if Pogba wasn't suspended, he … [Read more...]
Jesse Lingard amazed at Mourinho’s sense of humour
Manchester United youngster Jesse Lingard has described the "aura" around manager Jose Mourinho, and says the Portuguese has surprised him with his joking nature. The 23-year-old Lingard scored in Manchester United's 2-1 Community Shield defeat of Premier League champions Leicester City last Sunday, and has impressed in the preseason thus far despite stiff competition from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Juan Mata and others for a spot in the first team. Mourinho, known for his sometimes prickly disposition, took over the club this summer following … [Read more...]