Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has suggested that Christian Benteke's future does not lie at Anfield for the coming season. Benteke, 25, admitted that he might be forced to find another club if Klopp does not want to use him as first-choice striker and the German manager's latest comments have hinted that the £32.5 million signing from Aston Villa will not play much of a part this season. "Everyone knows about it. Christian has already said maybe it makes sense to go to another club," Klopp told a news conference. "Christian is still a great … [Read more...]
Mourinho hints at Pogba signing, swipes at Wenger and Klopp
Jose Mourinho has reacted at criticism from Arsene Wenger and Jurgen Klopp over the fee for Paul Pogba. Manchester United are thought to be closing in on a deal to sign Pogba, one which will cost a world-record fee. Juventus have demands upwards of £100m for the player they signed from United four years ago, and the deal is now reported to be close to completion. Last week, Arsenal manager Wenger claimed that the money involved in signing the 23-year-old was “madness”. “It’s complete madness,” said the Frenchman, “but it seems that if you … [Read more...]
James Milner retires from international football
James Milner has retired from international football following talks with new England manager Sam Allardyce. Milner, 30, has been part of the England squad at the last four major tournaments and earned 61 caps but managed just three minutes as a substitute at Euro 2016. The Liverpool midfielder had already indicated a willingness to make way for the next generation and officially called time on his Three Lions career after a recent meeting with Allardyce. The Football Association announced his decision on Friday. We can confirm that … [Read more...]
Branislav Ivanovic expecting a successful season under Conte
Branislav Ivanovic is sure Chelsea will improve, but is unwilling to set unrealistic goals in the Premier League. Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic insists it is "dangerous" to look too far ahead as his side target improvement in the Premier League. Now under Antonio Conte, Chelsea are looking for a much better campaign after a disappointing 10th-place league finish last season. The Italian has added the likes of big-money signings N'Golo Kante and Michy Batshuayi to his squad in the off-season. But while Ivanovic expects better … [Read more...]
Mourinho: Man Utd will sign ‘one more player’, plays down Pogba interest
Jose Mourinho has reiterated his desire for his final signing of the summer to be completed by next Friday, with Manchester United set to ramp up their pursuit of Paul Pogba in an effort to see him return to the club before the start of the Premier League season. United take on Leicester City this Sunday in the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium in the annual curtain-raiser to the English season, although the possibility of Pogba signing for United before the match is reducing as each day goes by. The Juventus midfielder has enjoyed a … [Read more...]
Manchester City close in on Marlos Moreno
Manchester City could make a third signing this week and are close to signing Colombia international Marlos Moreno, it is understood. The 19-year-old winger would cost around £4.75million if a deal to bring him from Atletico Nacional is completed. Moreno’s arrival would follow those of Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus, whose deals have already concluded this week, although reports have suggested he could immediately be loaned out for experience. Spanish club Deportivo la Coruna are a reported potential destination for the player, who came … [Read more...]
Kouyate double seals Europa League play-off spot for West Ham
Cheikhou Kouyate first-half double meant West Ham could enjoy their start to life at the Olympic Stadium as they saw off Slovenian side Domzale with ease in the Europa League . Cheikhou Kouyate scored twice and new signing Sofiane Feghouli opened his account as the Hammers, who left Upton Park at the end of last season, secured a 4-2 aggregate win to reach the play-offs for the group stages of the competition. Four years to the day since Mo Farah, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Greg Rutherford wowed the nation on Super Saturday at London 2012, the … [Read more...]
Napoli sign Liverpool target Zielinski
Piotr Zielinski has completed his transfer to Napoli after they reached an agreement with Udinese over the transfer of the midfielder. Napoli have secured the services of Piotr Zielinski from Udinese for a fee believed to be in the region of €15 million. The 22-year-old underwent a medical on Thursday before signing a five-year deal. The midfielder had previously been linked with Liverpool and seemed set to continue his career at Anfield, but the Premier League side refused to meet Udinese's valuation of the player and he has now moved … [Read more...]
Liverpool set to keep Lucas Leiva
Liverpool will only sell midfielder Lucas Leiva if they can sign adequate defensive cover, according to reports. The Brazilian is the club’s longest-serving player after Martin Skrtel was sold to Fenerbahce earlier this summer. Lucas featured 40 times for the Reds last season – 27 times in the Premier League – as the club reached the finals of both the Europa League and Capital One Cup. But the 29-year-old remains back-up at best in a number of positions at Anfield, and has attracted interest from Galatasaray this summer. The Turkish … [Read more...]
Diego Costa to stay at Chelsea-Cerezo
Diego Costa looks set to stay at Chelsea after Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo cooled reports of a move for their former striker. The Brazilian-born Spanish international has been the subject of intense speculation over the summer, with Blues boss Antonio Conte confusing matters with various contradictory statements. A reunion with Atletico Madrid, who have since signed Kevin Gameiro from Sevilla, did appear to be happening, but now Cerezo has respectfully ended those rumours. “There was never a Diego Costa transfer saga,” … [Read more...]
Suarez tips former club for top four finish
Luis Suarez believes his former club should be targeting a Champions League spot and is looking forward to a reunion this weekend. The Reds showed some signs of promise under Jurgen Klopp and the Uruguayan, who left Anfield in 2014 for £65m, has backed the German to set his sights high for the following season. “The last few months, everybody saw a really good performance from Liverpool,” the Barcelona attacker told the official Liverpool website. “They had a chance to win the Europa League and in the Premier League they played really … [Read more...]