Axel Witsel has informed Zenit St Petersburg he will be staying for at least another season, ending rumours of a summer move to the Premier League. The Belgian had originally asked to leave the Russian outfit , with his current boss Mircea Lucescu saying the midifielder had held talks with two Premier League teams. However, it appears Witsel has now had a change of heart and has not even ruled out the opportunity of extending his current deal. “I want to stay at Zenit for another year and I’m focused exclusively on the mseason that’s … [Read more...]
Joe Allen happy to make Liverpool
Stoke City midfielder Joe Allen has insisted that leaving Liverpool left him with “no regrets” and is looking forward to his time with the Potters. The midfielder, who starred at Euro 2016 for Wales, joined Stoke for a fee of £13million not long after arriving back from international duty. Allen spent four years with the Reds but says he didn’t struggle to make a decision over whether to move or not. “It wasn’t a difficult decision to move and I’m not looking back with any regrets,” he told Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday. “I’m excited … [Read more...]
‘Upset’ and ‘Humiliated’ Januzaj set for Manchester United exit
Adnan Januzaj has been left ‘humiliated’ and ‘upset’ by Manchester United as he edges towards a move to Sunderland. Belgian winger Januzaj, who spent much of last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund, has been told by manager Jose Mourinho that he is not part of his 26-man squad this campaign. United manager Mourinho, who was appointed this summer, prefers working with a smaller squad than usual, and the 21-year-old did not make the cut. The club remain reluctant to sell him however, and would prefer for him to gain experience by leaving … [Read more...]
Juve include Zaza in a bid to land Matic
Juventus have reportedly returned to the table with a fresh bid for Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic – and have thrown a striker into the mix. According to the Daily Star , the Italian giants are eager to re-strengthen following the departure of Paul Pogba to Manchester United and are ready to tempt their former boss by offering the chance of a reunion with one of his Euro 2016 stars Simone Zaza. Zaza has attracted interest from likes of Tottenham and West Ham in the past, and is said to be intrigued about the prospect of playing for … [Read more...]
De Bruyne happy to help new City teammate
Kevin de Bruyne is looking forward to providing goals for new summer signing Leroy Sane and has given his Premier League title predictions. Sane is one of eight fresh faces brought in by manager Pep Guardiola over the course of pre-season, and the £37m capture from Schalke is the man that the Belgian is looking forward to playing with the most. “Leroy Sane is a class player. I want him to shine with my assists,” De Bruyne told Sport Bild. “My aim is the title. To reach this it’s important we have new players like Sane or Gundogan.” De … [Read more...]
Claudio Ranieri signs new four-year contract
Claudio Ranieri has signed a new contract with Leicester City until 2020. Ranieri, who signed a three-year deal when he replaced Nigel Pearson as manager last summer, led Leicester to the Premier League title in his first season in charge. The former Chelsea, Juventus and Monaco boss told the club's official website on Wednesday: "From the moment I talked to the owners about their vision for Leicester City, I knew it was something I wanted to be part of for a long time. "The energy that exists at this club -- from the owners and the … [Read more...]
Arsenal keen on Mustafi as replacement for injured Gabriel
Arsenal will step up their pursuit for Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi after Gabriel Paulista was ruled out for up to two months. Arsene Wenger’s defensive options are threadbare for the opening stages of the season, with Per Mertesacker set to miss around five months and Laurent Koscielny given an extended break after reaching the final of Euro 2016 with France. Brazil international Gabriel was in line to start as the senior centre-back in the season opener against Liverpool, alongside either Calum Chambers or new signing Rob … [Read more...]
Arsenal defender Gabriel out for up to two months
Arsenal have been given the news that central defender Gabriel Paulista has been ruled out for up to two months with a sprained ankle. The defender was injured in the final minutes of Arsenal’s pre-season victory over Manchester City on Sunday. Initial reports suggested that the Brazilian could be our for an extended period, but the BBC’s David Ornstein (the oracle) reports that Gabriel will miss between six and eight weeks. David Ornstein ✔ @bbcsport_david Arsenal CB Gabriel out 6/8wks - ankle sprain. Not quite as bad as he 1st … [Read more...]
Pogba discusses United return, eyes Individual and team glory
Paul Pogba wants to “become one of the best” after completing his much-anticipated world record transfer to Manchester United. Months of speculation, negotiations and deliberation bore fruit in the early hours of Tuesday morning as the open secret of the 23-year-old’s United return was made official. Four years on from departing Old Trafford without making a first-team start, Pogba signed a five-year contract with the option of a sixth season after United agreed to pay an eye-watering 105million euros (£89million). Juventus revealed the … [Read more...]
Manchester City sign Everton defender John Stones
Manchester City have confirmed that they have signed Everton defender John Stones on a six-year deal. City announced the transfer had been completed shortly after UEFA revealed the club had included Stones in their Champions League squad for the playoff with Steaua Bucharest, with the first leg taking place on Wednesday. City have reportedly paid around £47.5m for the England defender, who will wear the No. 24 shirt, and Everton said they had received a club-record amount. CONFIRMED: John Stones has today joined Manchester City for a … [Read more...]
Arsenal target Icardi not for sale-De Boer
New Inter Milan boss Frank de Boer has insisted that Chelsea and Arsenal target Mauro Icardi will not leave the San Siro this summer. The former Ajax boss was appointed as new manager of the Italian giants after Roberto Mancini left the club after less than two years in charge in his second spell. “Juventus are not unbeatable, sometimes things change. They have a great team and it will be tough, but we want to fight. “We will keep the players who we do not want to sell. Icardi will remain.” The Argentine striker has been linked with a … [Read more...]