Lyon have announced that they have rejected an Arsenal bid for striker Alexandre Lacazette and have insisted that their star striker is not for sale. Referring to a Le Progres report that said Arsenal had offered €48 million for Lacazette, 25, the Ligue 1 club issued a statement saying that was untrue and that the bid had actually been only €35m. Lyon said they had not followed up on Arsenal's offer because the France international is "irreplaceable." The statement read: "Olympique Lyonnais categorically denies having received an offer … [Read more...]
Gonzalo Higuain seals Juventus move
In one of the biggest deals of the transfer window thus far, Serie A champions Juventus have snared Gonzalo Higuain from Napoli. Juventus have confirmed the signing Gonzalo Higuain from Serie A rivals Napoli for €90million. Lega Serie A announced the transfer of the Argentina striker to the Italian champions had been completed earlier on Tuesday. And the Bianconeri confirmed the deal has been ratified on their official website, the former Real Madrid player agreeing a five-year deal in something of a coup for Massimiliano Allegri's … [Read more...]
Coutinho: Mane faster than expected
Philippe Coutinho admits he can’t wait to see Sadio Mane use his pace against opposition defences after admitting he’s been impressed with Liverpool’s new signing. Mane joined the Reds from Southampton in a £34million deal following three years with the club. The Senegal international joins the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum, Loris Karius and Joel Matip as new signings at Anfield this summer and Brazilian midfielder Coutinho can’t wait to supply the ammunition for Mane to flourish this season. Speaking on Liverpool’s tour of the USA, … [Read more...]
N’Golo Kante to wear the No. 7 shirt for Chelsea next season
N'Golo Kante has been handed the No. 7 shirt next season for Chelsea after his £32 million move from Premier League champions Leicester. Kante, who is currently on an extended vacation, is yet to join up with the Blues following his involvement at Euro 2016 with hosts France, but will meet his new teammates this week for their tour of the United States. Kante follows Brazil midfielder Ramires in wearing the No. 7, after the former Benfica star joined Jiangsu Suning in January. Other notable number changes include Pedro. The Spain winger … [Read more...]
Joe Allen excited to join Stoke City
Joe Allen, 26, has put pen to paper on a five-year contract after the clubs agreed a fee which Press Association Sport understands is £13million. He has struggled for playing time under Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, having been restricted to mainly Europa League appearances last season. But he was one of the stars of the Wales squad which reached the semi-finals at Euro 2016 earlier this summer. Stoke’s bid met Liverpool’s valuation of a player with less than 12 months remaining on his contract and means they recouped most of the £15million … [Read more...]
John Obi Mikel set to miss start of the season due to Rio Olympics
Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel is set to miss the start of the season after being named in Nigeria's squad for the Rio Olympics. The 29-year-old has been included in the 18-man squad for the tournament and did not fly with the rest of his Chelsea team-mates to Los Angeles yesterday for their pre-season tour to the USA. Nigeria decided to make Mikel one of the three players aged over 23 that are allowed to participate according to the permitted quota. The men's competition begins on August 3, just 12 days before Chelsea's opening … [Read more...]
Chelsea interested in former Man City and Man United striker
Former Manchester City and Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez has told reporters in Italy that Chelsea are interested in signing him. As per a report from Corriere dello Sport , the 32-year-old said that Chelsea, along with Serie A club Napoli, have interest in signing him, but he is happy to see out the remainder of his career with Boca Juniours. He said: "I feel really good at Boca, better, my idea, my dream is to end my career in this sensational club. It’s true, Napoli and Chelsea are following me but, I repeat, my will is to … [Read more...]
Villareal not interested in signing former Chelsea striker
Villarreal are set to turn down the opportunity to sign former AC Milan and Chelsea forward Alexandre Pato, despite agreeing a fee with current club Corinthians. The Brazilian striker has returned to his homeland after a disappointing six month spell in the Premier League, in which he only made two appearances for Chelsea. Corinthians are keen to get the 26-year-old, who they purchased from Milan in 2013, off their books, particularly as he has less than six months remaining on his contract and would soon be eligible to leave for … [Read more...]
Allardyce: ‘Too early’ to decide captaincy
New England manager Sam Allardyce has admitted that he hasn’t decided whether Wayne Rooney will carry on as captain of the national team. Allardyce came up against the English press for the first time since his appointment as the new Three Lions manager on Monday after being handed the reins last week. The former West Ham and Newcastle boss, who succeeds Roy Hodgson in the hotseat, was beaming from ear to ear as he began answering questions after quitting Sunderland to take the job he has coveted for many years. First on the agenda for … [Read more...]
Stoke completes £13m deal for Liverpool’s Allen
Stoke have completed the signing of midfielder Joe Allen from Liverpool on a five-year deal, the club has officially announced. The 26-year-old joins the Potters for a fee of £13million, and passed a medical on Monday in order to finalise his move. After impressing for Wales during Euro 2016 and making the Team of the Tournament, Allen was linked with a summer Anfield exit as his playing time would likely be limited. BREAKING | Stoke City are delighted to announce the signing of Joe Allen from @LFC on a 5-year deal #SCFC 8:00 PM - … [Read more...]
Celtic sign Ex Liverpool defender
Celtic have completed the signing of former Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool defender Kolo Toure. Toure, 35, has signed a one-year deal and reunites with former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers at Celtic Park. The centre-back, who played in Liverpool's Europa League final defeat to Sevilla in May, was a free agent after the expiry of his contract at Anfield. Celtic delighted to sign Kolo Toure, https://t.co/V9KeK2nCDR (PV) pic.twitter.com/U9a7DZC0mR - Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) July 24, 2016 Rodgers told Celtic's … [Read more...]