Chelsea have made a £29 million bid for Leicester’s France international midfielder, N’Golo Kanté, and want to push the deal forward this weekend. Antonio Conte, the new Chelsea manager, has made his move for the player, with a formal offer being considered by the Premier League champions. Leicester’s hierarchy were discussing Chelsea’s bid in Austria on Wednesday night yet remain hopeful of persuading the 25-year-old to stay for at least another season. Kanté has already turned down one contract proposal since the end of last season … [Read more...]
Skrtel passes medical ahead of Fenerbahce move
Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has passed a medical ahead of his move to Turkish side Fenerbahce. It was reported last week that a fee of around £5 million had been agreed and that Skrtel was given permission to enter discussions with Fenerbahce. The centre-back arrived in Turkey on Tuesday to finalise his move with last season’s Super Lig runners-up. Skrtel, who signed a new contract with the Reds in July 2015, fell out of favour under manager Jurgen Klopp and found his game time limited. The arrival of Joel Matip from Schalke and … [Read more...]
Wayne Rooney excited to work with new boss Jose Mourinho
Wayne Rooney says the arrival of Jose Mourinho has given him added motivation for next season. Former Chelsea boss Mourinho has suggested he preferred to play Rooney in a more attacking role, rather than see him pull strings from midfield as he did under predecessor Louis van Gaal. Rooney will be looking to forge a formidable strike partnership with new signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic, after a dearth of goals last season. “I’m really excited to be working with Jose,” said the England captain. “He’s one of the best managers in the world and … [Read more...]
Arsenal look to sign Napoli striker but won’t meet release clause
Arsenal are exploring the possibility of signing Gonzalo Higuain but will not remotely consider meeting the Napoli striker’s £78.8million release clause. The Italian club have indicated to the Gunners that Higuain is available this summer as manager Arsene Wenger scours Europe to find a top class centre-forward to spearhead Arsenal’s Premier League title push next season. Higuain has a release clause of 94.4m euros, which due to the slump in the value of the pound since Britain’s referendum vote to leave the European Union, now equates to … [Read more...]
Conte set to be unveiled as new Chelsea boss
Antonio conte will be unveiled as Chelsea coach on thursday, with fans hoping he can deliver the goods at Stamford Bridge. Conte was appointed Chelsea boss on April 4 and takes up his role after leading Italy at Euro 2016, where they suffered a penalty shootout loss to Germany in the quarter-finals. The Godfather – his nickname among the Italy players, according to Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci – is the permanent successor to Jose Mourinho, who is now boss of Manchester United. As well as having a new man at the helm, Chelsea are … [Read more...]
Mario Balotelli set for Liverpool exit
Mario Balotelli looks set for the exit at Liverpool, with Jurgen Klopp having told him he cannot afford to be competing for places. Jurgen Klopp has told Mario Balotelli he needs to leave Liverpool, but hopes to help him rediscover his best form beforehand. Balotelli joined Liverpool from AC Milan in 2014 but, after scoring just one Premier League goal in 16 appearances in his first season at the club, he was sent back to San Siro on loan the following year. The 25-year-old managed just to find the net just once in Serie A last term, … [Read more...]
Arsenal and Chelsea look set to bring Roma defender to England
With contract talks seemingly set to break down and defensive reinforcements on their way, Roma could be set to offload centre-back Kostas Manolas. The impending arrival of Juan Jesus could signal the end of Kostas Manolas’ time at Roma , with the defender being monitored by Arsenal and Chelsea. With a deal agreed with Inter for an initial loan, followed by a mandatory purchase, of their Brazilian centre-back, it has fuelled further rumours that Manolas will depart the Giallorossi. Although he is contracted until 2019, considerable … [Read more...]
Chelsea and Arsenal battle for Kante as Chinese club shows interest
Chelsea's attempts to sign N'Golo Kante are complicated by interest from China and the efforts of several Leicester players to convince him to stay. Kante’s £20m release-clause is not prohibitive to Manchester United, Arsenal or Juventus, who are among those monitoring the situation, but Chelsea have shown the greatest willingness to act. Progress is expected this week now France have completed their Euro 2016 campaign but Chinese club Shanghai SIPG have raised the stakes by indicating they are prepared to pay £35m. Kante is thought to … [Read more...]
David Beckham sends Marcus Rashford a signed Manchester United shirt
Former England captain David Beckham has sent a signed Manchester United shirt to youngster Marcus Rashford. The 19-year-old burst onto the scene for the Red Devils last season and secured a place in England's Euro 2016 squad, despite his inexperience at international level. The tournament ended in disappointment for Roy Hodgson's side but Rashford was one of few players to emerge with credit courtesy of a couple of eye-catching substitute appearances in France. Rashford is now set to turn his attention back to United ahead of his first … [Read more...]
Henry ‘respects’ Wenger’s decision after Gunners exit
Thierry Henry insists he 'respects, Arsene Wenger's decision to make him choose between punditry or coachimg Arsenal's under-18. The former Gunners striker had been involved with Arsenal’s academy players last season during his course to gain his UEFA A Licence. The 38-year-old, who works on Sky’s Premier League coverage and also appeared on the BBC’s Euro 2016 output, was offered a role within the Arsenal set-up by manager Wenger – but was told he would have to step down as a pundit. Henry, one of the top-earners at Sky since signing … [Read more...]
Middlesbrough in talks to sign former Man City striker
Middlesbrough are trying to finalise a deal to bring back Valencia striker Alvaro Negredo to the Premier League on loan. The newly-promoted Teessiders are understood to have opened talks over the 30-year-old former Manchester City frontman as head coach Aitor Karanka looks to boost the firepower at his disposal in the Premier League. However, the negotiations are proving painstaking with Boro seeking an initial loan agreement without taking on full responsibility for the player’s existing financial package. Discussions are understood to … [Read more...]