If the Argentine doesn’t sign a new deal at the Camp Nou, coupled with complications in relation to tax issues, it could open the door to a move to England. Chelsea has joined Manchester City in the race to sign Barcelona forward Lionel Messi after his father was pictured on Roman Abramovich’s yacht. Messi has been handed a 21-month prison sentence after a court in Barcelona found them guilty on three counts of tax fraud, amounting to €4.1 million. Any fee to sign the Argentine would be over €117m, whilst Messi’s father, Jorge, has met with … [Read more...]
West Ham switch to Liverpool misfit after Tevez snub
Crystal Palace face competition from West Ham for Liverpool striker Christian Benteke after talks to bring back Carlos Tevez broke down. The 32-year-old Argentine striker is a cult hero amongst Hammers fans after his goal-scoring streak of seven goals in the last 10 games of the 2006/07 season helped keep West Ham in the Premier League. Hammers co-chairman David Gold revealed that the club did try and make an emotional return happen this summer, but Tevez’s excessive wage demands means the deal was never likely to happen. “We tried to … [Read more...]
Nianggolan snubs Chelsea for Roma stay
The 28-year-old has been away at Euro 2016 , but following Belgium's exit Nainggolan has dispelled rumours over his future. Reports have it that Chelsea have been chasing the midfielder with new boss Antonio Conte keen on bringing him to Stamford Bridge. Nainggolan further demonstrated his top talent with two stunning strikes in five games for Belgium at the Euros. And Chelsea continued their efforts to sign him during the tournament but had a third bid of £33million rejected by Roma last week, according sources. With the Italians … [Read more...]
Sakho to have hearing on thursday
Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho will plead his case against a suspension for a failed drugs test to UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on Thursday. The France international tested positive for a ‘fat burner’ after the Reds’ Europa League tie against Manchester United at Old Trafford in March. He served a provisional 30-day suspension after opting not to have his B sample tested – meaning he missed the Europa League final defeat to Sevilla and selection for Euro 2016 – but the initial ban was not extended as UEFA launched an … [Read more...]
Chelsea set to launch bid for Alvaro Morata
Alvaro Morata returned to Real Madrid this summer, but Los Blancos may still decide to cash in on the youngster. With new Chelsea coach Antonio Conte looking to significantly strengthen the squad he has inherited at Stamford Bridge, reports have now emerged that the Italian is considering making a serious offer for Alvaro Morata. Morata recently returned to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu during the close season, after Real Madrid exercised their right to buy back the 23-year-old from Juventus for fee of €32 million. However, with Karim … [Read more...]
Ex-United players Ronaldo and Nani on target to send Portugal into Euro 2016 final
Portugal will face hosts France or Germany in the final of Euro 2016 after bringing to an end Wales’ impressive run with a 2-0 win in their semi-final clash in Lyon. The match had been billed in some quarters as a private duel between Real Madrid team-mates Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, and the Portuguese won it hands down after a cagey and scoreless first period. Ronaldo scored with a bullet header five minutes after the break and then quickly set up Nani as Portugal ran out convincing 2-0 winners. This has been a tournament where … [Read more...]
Euro 2016: Schweinsteiger passed fit to play against France
Bastian Schweinsteiger will lead Germany onto the field for their Euro 2016 semi-final against France on Thursday night after being passed fit to play. The Manchester United midfielder was a doubt due to a niggling injury he aggravated in the penalty shootout win over Italy in the quarterfinals, but Germany coach Joachim Low confirmed at a press conference on Wednesday that he is fit and will start. "I have the team in my head and Bastian Schweinsteiger will definitely start,'' Low said in Marseille. "I always said that if he trains 100 … [Read more...]
Manchester City make improved offer for Juventus defender
Manhester City are expected to make an improved offer for Leonardo Bonucci, after Juventus rejected an opening bid of £38.6 million for the Italy centre-half, as Pep Guardiola steps up his protracted battle to reshape the club’s defence. Guardiola wants to sign two central defenders, a right-back and a goalkeeper but City may have to pay a fee of around £50 million to lure Bonucci, a similar amount of money to what Everton are demanding for their other centre-half target, John Stones. Bonucci impressed at the European Championships for … [Read more...]
Sergio Aguero may join Messi in retirement
In a brutal tirade over the state of Argentine football, Leonel Aguero was also critical of the AFA and Gerardo Martino. The Argentinian national team are living in precarious times, with Sergio Aguero’s father Leonel saying that his son will also hang up his international boots if Lionel Messi does not play for them again. ‘Kun’ has been one of Messi’s most loyal friends since their days in the Argentina Under-20 squad. Even after the painful defeat for the team in the Copa America final against Chile, Messi went to Aguero’s house in … [Read more...]
Manchester United confirm signing of Borussia Dortmund star
Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund on a four-year contract. Mkhitaryan, 27, becomes United's third arrival of the summer after Eric Bailly from Villarreal and Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Paris Saint-Germain. He told United's official website: "I am very proud to join Manchester United, this move is a dream come true for me. I am excited to play for a club with such an illustrious history and hope to be part of it for a long time. I thank the trust the club and Jose Mourinho have put in … [Read more...]
Schweinsteiger misses training as Germany sweat on player’s fitness
With Sami Khedira, Mario Gomez and Mats Hummels already absentees for Germany’s clash with France, Joachim Low is sweating on the fitness of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Benedikt Howedes. Germany trained at their Evian-les-Bains base on Tuesday ahead of their Euro 2016 semi-final with France, without Bastian Schweinsteiger and Benedikt Howedes. Captain Schweinsteiger has been struggling with a knee problem and also missed training on Monday, with the Manchester United man a doubt for the clash. Howedes, meanwhile, is expected to be fit … [Read more...]