Manchester City have opened talks with Everton over a deal for John Stones, according to reports. With Vincent Kompany set to miss the start of the season through injury, Martin Demichelis having been released, and neither Nicolas Otamendi or Eliaquim Mangala managing to fully convince in the Premier League, City are in the market for a new centre-back. Leonardo Bonucci – who featured in our top five defensive targets – had been mooted, but it now appears City manager Pep Guardiola has set his sights on England international Stones. The … [Read more...]
Conte and Fabregas apologises to Liverpool defender Ragnar Klavan
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte and midfielder Cesc Fabregas have apologised to Liverpool defender Ragnar Klavan after the Spain international was sent off for a reckless challenge in the teams' International Champions Cup clash. Gary Cahill's early header proved to be the difference as Chelsea secured a 1-0 win at the Rose Bowl, but the match was overshadowed by Fabregas' dismissal in the 70th minute. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said after the game that Fabregas "came by us in the dressing room and said sorry" and Conte added: "I am sorry and the … [Read more...]
Klopp reaveals why he sent Sakho back home
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that he sent defender Mamadou Sakho home from the United States preseason tour early because he repeatedly broke club rules. The France international returned to the United Kingdom on Tuesday, having been ordered to leave the club's California training base in Palo Alto by Klopp. The German boss has cited three reasons as to why he felt it necessary for the centre-back return to Merseyside. Sakho is to sit out the start of the Premier League season due to an Achilles injury and will continue … [Read more...]
Chelsea bid £38m for Kalidou Koulibaly
Napoli face a fight to keep defender Kalidou Koulibaly at the club after Chelsea made an official approach for his services on Wednesday. New Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has wasted no time in implementing his transfer masterplan at the club, already bringing in fresh faces in the form of N’Golo Kante and Michy Batshuayi. A third major addition could now be in the pipeline with the Blues submitting a bid for Koulibaly that Napoli will consider. An offer of around £38 million has now been made by Chelsea report Sky Sport Italia. If … [Read more...]
Paul Pogba to seal Man United move on Friday
Paul Pogba will sign for Manchester United on Friday and is set to become the most expensive player in history, according to reports. Sources have told calciomercato.com that the France midfield general is going to complete his transfer to the Old Trafford club in the next 24 hours after his agent Mino Raiola renounced part of the 20% revenue from Pogba’s sale. Jose Mourinho has been tracking the Juve star all summer and it finally looks as though he has got his man for a world-record transfer fee of €115million, including all bonuses and … [Read more...]
Fabregas sent off as Chelsea down Liverpool in preseason friendly
Chelsea had Cesc Fabregas sent off as they beat Liverpool 1-0 in their International Champions Cup clash in Los Angeles. The midfielder was dismissed with 20 minutes remaining at the Rose Bowl Stadium for a late challenge on the Reds’ new signing Ragnar Klavan. Gary Cahill got the only goal of the game in the 10th minute, heading in a Fabregas corner. The England defender was also booked in the clash of the Premier League rivals, with Liverpool’s Alberto Moreno, Ovie Ejaria, Marko Grujic, Dejan Lovren and Kevin Stewart also receiving … [Read more...]
Arsenal and Liverpool receive boost as Real Madrid consider selling Jese Rodriguez
Real Madrid are willing to listen to offers for Jese Rodriguez, with Arsenal and Liverpool both set to be alerted by the forward’s availability. The 23-year-old is likely to struggle for game time this season given Real’s abundance of attacking talent, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale backed up by Isco and James Rodriguez. Jese’s prospects appear no better than last season, when he started only seven games. Marca reports that Real are ready to hear offers for their academy graduate, who has scored 13 goals in 63 … [Read more...]
Wenger seek to replace injured Mertesacker
Arsene Wenger is unsure how long Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker will be out, but he is searching for a replacement. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confirmed he would look to the transfer market to replace Per Mertesacker despite being unsure how long the defender will be sidelined. The former Germany international underwent knee surgery after suffering the injury in his side's 1-1 friendly draw against Lens on Friday. Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Wenger said he was uncertain as to how long Mertesacker, 31, would be … [Read more...]
Mertesacker to miss start of season- Wenger
Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker will be sidelined for "a few months" with a knee injury, manager Arsene Wenger has announced. The 31-year-old suffered the injury in Friday's pre-season draw against Lens and did not travel with the rest of Arsenal's squad for their two-match tour of the United States. The German World Cup winner, who lost his place in the Gunners' side towards the end of last season, will now miss the start of the new campaign as Wenger revealed the news at a press conference in the US on Tuesday. Fellow central … [Read more...]
Liverpool made bid for Joao Mario- Father
Liverpool have had a bid rejected for Portugal star Joao Mario earlier this summer, according to the player’s father. The 23-year-old impressed at Euro 2016 and helped Portugal win the tournament, making six starts in the competition, including the 1-0 final win over France. The Sporting Lisbon midfielder has been linked with a move after impressing in France, with Chelsea believed to be interested, but it now appears Jurgen Klopp tried to land the player, as well as Inter Milan. According to Portuguese paper Diario de Noticias, Mario … [Read more...]
Juventus look to Nemanja Matic as possible replacement for Pogba
As Paul Pogba looks closer to sealing a return to Manchester United, Juventus have identified Chelsea holding midfielder Nemanja Matic as an ideal replacement. The 27-year-old Serbian international, who is in his second stint with the Blues after re-joining from Benfica in 2014, suffered a huge dip in form last season after initially impressing at Stamford Bridge with his powerful all-round game. Despite fears that he could be sold following such a lacklustre season, Chelsea boss Antonio Conte recently insisted that Matic was a key part of … [Read more...]