City have gone ahead with the £21m deal with Borussia Dortmund despite the fact midfielder Gundogan dislocated his knee cap towards the end of last season to rule himself out of Euro 2016. But the 25-year-old player - who also missed a year with a back injury while with Dortmund - has re-assured City that although he will miss the first month of the season he expects to be fully fit by the beginning of September and they are not taking a gamble. He said: “I had a dislocated patella. It happened in training but it’s not as bad as it sounds. A … [Read more...]
Ex Chelsea coach named new Aston Villa boss
Aston Villa have confirmed the appointment of Roberto Di Matteo as the club's new manager. The former Chelsea boss replaces Remi Garde, who was sacked in March ahead of Villa's relegation from the Barclays Premier League. Di Matteo, who guided Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2012, makes his return to management a year after leaving German side Schalke. The 45-year-old has always been the number one choice for prospective new owner Dr Tony Xia. David Moyes and Nigel Pearson, who was appointed Derby manager on Thursday, were also linked … [Read more...]
Conte will be a success in England- Carlo Ancelotti
The 46-year-old, who won three successive Serie A titles during his time in charge of Juventus, will stand down as Italy coach after Euro 2016. Chelsea have had an affinity with Italian managers, having hired Gianluca Vialli, Claudio Ranieri, Roberto Di Matteo and Ancelotti over the past 18 years. Ancelotti, who won the Premier League and FA Cup during his two seasons in charge of the west London outfit, is well placed to judge Conte. And Ancelotti has lavished praise on his countryman. “Conte is a hard worker: really serious, really … [Read more...]
Chris Smalling gives England win against 10-man Portugal
Chris Smalling sent England to Euro 2016 on the back of another win, but the late header could not mask an underwhelming display against Portugal. England and Portugal, potential quarter-final opponents in France, combined for a lacklustre friendly at Wembley, only to be separated by a Chris Smalling 's 86th minute header. Set up in a diamond formation that compromised more or less every attacking player, England created very little - their best chance in the opening exchanges fell to Wayne Rooney , his shot superbly saved by Rui Patricio - … [Read more...]
Liverpool turn attention to Joao Mario after missing out on Mario Gotze transfer
Liverpool have turned their attention to signing Joao Mario in the summer transfer window after missing out on Bayern Munich star Mario Gotze. Mario, 23, has scored nine goals in 75 appearances for Sporting Lisbon since making his debut for the Portuguese outfit in 2011 but is now being linke with a move to the Premier League with the Anfield giants showing interest. A Bola say Jurgen Klopp is keen on bringing the highly-rated midfielder to Anfield – and the Reds boss may come up against stiff competition. Both Manchester United … [Read more...]
Arsenal Target Alvaro Morata wants contract sorted as he fancies a move to England
Alvaro Morata has admitted he is “tired” of the discussion over his future at Real Madrid weigh-up a clause in his contract that will allow them to sign the Juventus striker from the start of July, with reports that the former Real striker will be immediately sold on to another club. Morata has a buy-out clause of €30m [£23.6m] in his contract that can only be activated by his former club Real from the 1 July. It has been widely reported though that Real will look to sell Morata on for as much as £50m, with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and … [Read more...]
Arsenal Target Alvaro Morata wants contract sorted as he fancies a move to England
Alvaro Morata has admitted he is “tired” of the discussion over his future at Real Madrid weigh-up a clause in his contract that will allow them to sign the Juventus striker from the start of July, with reports that the former Real striker will be immediately sold on to another club. Morata has a buy-out clause of €30m [£23.6m] in his contract that can only be activated by his former club Real from the 1 July. It has been widely reported though that Real will look to sell Morata on for as much as £50m, with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and … [Read more...]
Premier League trio in chase for out of favour Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos
Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are all eyeing up out of favour Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos. The Brazilian centre-back, 22, has struggled to break into the PSG first XI — falling in the pecking order behind compatriots David Luiz and Thiago Silva in the heart of defence — and is now hoping for a summer move. The news has caught the attention of the three Premier League giants— who are all keen to boost their back-line after they failed to keep it tight at the back last season. There is a concern however, as the … [Read more...]
Manchester City make bid of £39m for defender Aymeric Laporte
Manchester are ready to meet the £39m release clause in Aymeric Laporte’s contract with Athletic Bilbao, after announcing the signing of Ilkay Gundogan from Borussia Dortmund The 22-year-old French defender will be sidelined until August because of a broken leg and dislocated ankle but is understood to be a main transfer target for new City manager Pep Guardiola . Laporte has stepped up his training in recent weeks and although Bilbao are ready to offer him an improved contract, he is believed to be keen to join Guardiola’s revolution at the … [Read more...]
Ilkay Gundogan arrives City from Borussia Dortmund on a £20m deal
Manchester City have announced the signing of Germany international midfielder Ilkay Gundogan in a reported £20m transfer from Borussia Dortmund. The 25-year-old, who will miss Euro 2016 and the start of the new Premier League season through injury, and will not be back for City's preseason tour to China, which includes a game against Dortmund, becomes the first signing for incoming City manager Pep Guardiola. However, it is hoped the deep-lying playmaker could be back in action by September. Gundogan dislocated his kneecap in training at … [Read more...]
Barcelona bid for Manchester United’s Daley Blind
Barcelona are reportedly interested in a £14million transfer move for Manchester United defender Daley Blind. The versatile is rumoured to be one of the first names who could be axed from the club’s first-team under new manager Jose Mourinho, which has alerted Barca. Blind has had two decent seasons at Old Trafford, failing to hold down a regular position due to his versatility. However, this is seen as an advantage to Barcelona, who are admirers of his defensive strength combined with intelligence and ability on the ball. The Catalan … [Read more...]