Liverpool outcast Mario Balotelli could return to Italy this summer with reports from Italy suggesting Inter Milan are chasing the striker. Tuttosport report that Inter boss Roberto Mancini has informed the club’s CEO Michael Bolingbroke that he would not mind a reunion with the troublesome 25-year-old striker, who he has already worked with at Inter and Manchester City. Mancini believes he can help Balotelli to get back on track after the last two anonymous campaigns with Liverpool and AC Milan. The Italy international managed just one … [Read more...]
Mourinho and Guardiola take battle to China in the International Champions Cup
Borussia Dortmund face Manchester United on Friday and also take on Manchester City in the Chinese leg of the International Champions Cup. Manchester City and Manchester United will continue the opening acts of bold new eras at close quarters, while more than 5,000 miles away from home. Provided the match does not fall foul of heavy storms forecast in Beijing, Pep Guardiola's City and Jose Mourinho's United will play the first edition of the Manchester derby to be staged outside the UK next Monday as part of the China leg of the … [Read more...]
Mourinho: Allardyce right man for England job
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says Sam Allardyce is the right man for the England job and has promised to help the incoming Three Lions boss in his new role. While United players have not always been as available for international duty as England would have liked in the past, notably under Sir Alex Ferguson, Mourinho has said he will be cooperative if the Sunderland boss' appointment is confirmed. "The only thing I can promise is that I am going to try to support him the best way, prepare the players for him, and always have … [Read more...]
Manchester United release provisional numbers; omits No. 6 shirt
Manchester United released their squad numbers for the upcoming season, and coincidentally omits the No.6 shirt for Pogba as reports suggest. There aren't many surprises, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic taking over the No. 9 and Anthony Martial switching to No. 11. All in all, it's entirely boring. Except there is the whole thing where they left the No. 6 unfilled. #MUFC 's provisional squad numbers for 2016/17: 5:00 PM - 21 Jul 2016 Manchester United @ManUtd You know, the No. 6 that usually goes to a do-it-all midfielder who is an … [Read more...]
Leroy Sane wants Schalke exit as Man City monitors proceedings
Leroy Sane has told Schalke that he wants to leave the Bundesliga club, according to general manager Christian Heidel. The 20-year-old, who was part of Germany’s European Championship squad in France, has been linked with some of Europe’s top clubs, including Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Heidel told German newspaper Bild: “Sane has clearly expressed that he would like to change (clubs). We have to accept it. We will correspond if the conditions for Schalke are in order.” “I can not confirm that the deal is in the … [Read more...]
Kurt Zouma recovering ahead of schedule
Kurt Zouma 's recovery from injury is ahead of schedule and the Chelsea defender could return to action as early as October. The 22-year-old has not featured for the Blues since damaging his anterior cruciate ligament against Manchester United in February. An early diagnosis suggested Zouma would be unlikely to play again in 2016 but he has made good progress and is currently with the rest of Antonio Conte's squad on a pre-season training camp in Austria. The Italian coach is adamant Zouma will not be rushed back but the defender … [Read more...]
Georginio Wijnaldum set for £25m Liverpool move
Georginio Wijnaldum will have a medical at Liverpool within the next 24 hours after they struck a deal with Newcastle for the midfielder. Sources say Liverpool will pay a maximum of £25million for the Holland international, taking into account various add-ons. It is believed Wijnaldum’s former club PSV Eindhoven are due a sell-on fee for a player who moved to St James’ Park a year ago for £14.5million. Manager Jurgen Klopp has been looking to strengthen his midfield options and turned his attention to Wijnaldum after giving up their … [Read more...]
Juventus line up Matic as replacement for Manchester bound Pogba
Juventus are already in the process of lining up potential replacements for Pogba, as Chelsea's Matic is considered a possible target. Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic remains the top choice with Inter target Axel Witsel close behind, while Newcastle United’s Moussa Sissoko has launched himself into the mix after his performance in the Euro 2016 final. Blues boss Antonio Conte wants the Serbian to stay with the club despite his desire to leave, while Sissoko would cost at least €40 million, which could prove to be a stumbling block in … [Read more...]
Middlesbrough sign former Man City striker Alvaro Negredo on loan
Middlesbrough have completed the season-long loan addition of striker Alvaro Negredo, subject to international clearance. The 30-year-old has joined from Valencia after two disappointing seasons as he looks to reignite his career. Boro are reportedly paying the entirety of his £100,000-a-week salary . It will be Negredo’s second spell in England following a solitary season at Man City in 2013-14. CONFIRMED | The club has agreed a deal with @valenciacf to bring @AlvaroNegredo_7 to #Boro – https://t.co/T66IUN5Hlw … [Read more...]
Antonio Conte set Marco Parolo target
After growing fond of Marco Parolo during his time as Azzurri coach, Antonio Conte is now considering bringing the former Parma man to Chelsea. Having already snapped up Leicester City’s N’Golo Kante, Antonio Conte is now looking to add another midfielder to his ranks at Chelsea and has identified Lazio's Marco Parolo as his desired target. The former Italy manager holds the 31-year-old in high regard, having made him a regular starter in his Azzurri side during their Euro 2016 adventure in France which ended in defeat to Germany after a … [Read more...]
Liverpool sign Augsburg defender Ragnar Klavan for £4.2m
Ragnar Klavan have joined Liverpool from Augsburg in a deal reportedly worth £4.2m. The experienced central defender has been brought in as cover at centre-back with both Mamadou Sakho and Joe Gomez currently ruled out due to injury. Tiago Ilori had been expected to provide initial cover for the start of the coming season but his inclusion in Portugal’s Olympics squad has forced Liverpool to bolster their defensive ranks with new-signing Klavan. The central defender enjoyed four seasons at Augsburg, after joining in 2012, and made 181 … [Read more...]