Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has welcomed the news that he has been handed the all-clear to continue his playing career – but is reported to be considering legal action after what he described as a “difficult time”. Sakho, whose interim 30-day ban cost him the chance to play in the Europa League final and represent France at Euro 2016, is now free to play again after his anti-doping violation case was dismissed by an independent UEFA body . Sakho has refused to confirm if would be taking legal action, but did admit: “I am happy that … [Read more...]
Conte keen on Alvaro Morata
Alvaro Morata returned back to Madrid this summer after two successful seasons with Juventus, but he could be on his way out. keen on keeping their striker, Real Madrid have rejected a €60 million offer from English side Chelsea for Alvaro Morata. During the last two campaigns, the Spaniard has been on loan at Italian champions Juventus , establishing himself as one of the brightest young strikers in Europe. Earlier in the summer, Real activated their buy back clause which saw Morata return to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu for €30 … [Read more...]
Juventus interested in Memphis Depay
With Jose Mourinho considering wielding the axe on Memphis Depay’s career at Old Trafford, Serie A champions Juventus could be the ones to profit. Manchester United winger Memphis Depay could be on his way to Serie A , as Juventus are considering making a bid for the Dutchman. Despite only arriving at Old Trafford last season in a deal worth almost €30 million from Eredivisie champions PSV Eindhoven, Memphis has failed to impress consistently in the Premier League and has been on the fringes of the first team. With new boss Jose … [Read more...]
Lucrative Chinese offer for Chelsea target Pelle
Chelsea target Graziano Pelle is set to depart Southampton but for the prospect of a £13million move to China, not a reunion with Antonio Conte. Italy international Pelle scored twice during Euro 2016 as the Azzuri reached the quarter-finals, with Conte informing the Chelsea hierarchy that he wanted to bring the 31-year-old with him when he took over at Stamford Bridge. However Southampton have accepted a sizeable offer from a Chinese Super League side, reported to be Shandong Luneng, for a player with one year remaining on his contract, … [Read more...]
Liverpool and Tottenham monitor Gotze situation at Bayern Munich
Since moving to Bayern Munich for €37 million in 2013, Mario Gotze has failed to live up to huge expectations expected of him for a player of his calibre. Mario Gotze has admitted that he wishes to leave Bayern Munich after failing to establish himself at the club, alerting a number of teams across Europe. With Carlo Ancelotti coming in as head coach, there is a new era beginning and the 24-year-old does not want to be a part of it. Gotze informed the German champions of his decision on Saturday, according to Bild. Amongst the names … [Read more...]
Pogba to Manchester United: £102m deal agreed in principle
Manchester United have ‘agreed a world record £102million deal in principle’ with Juventus to sign Paul Pogba, according to reports in the Spanish press. The 23-year-old has been heavily linked with a return to the Red Devils over the past month, with reports this week claiming they had met with the player’s agent, Mino Raiola, to discuss the move. Now Spanish daily AS claims United have settled on a world-record £102million (€119.5million) deal in principle with Juventus to bring the player back to Old Trafford. As a caveat to these … [Read more...]
Mark Clattenburg to referee Euro 2016 final
England's Mark Clattenburg will be the referee for Sunday's European Championship final between France and Portugal at the Stade de France, governing body Uefa said on Friday. The 41-year-old also officiated in the Champions League final, won by Real Madrid over city rivals Atletico in May. He becomes the second man to take charge of both major European occasions in the same year after Pedro Proenca of Portugal in 2012, Uefa said in a statement. Clattenburg was also the referee for the FA Cup final won by Manchester United over Crystal … [Read more...]
Petr Cech announce retirement from international football
Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech announced his retirement from international soccer on Friday following his country's group stage exit at Euro 2016. The 34-year-old keeper, who plays for Arsenal in the English Premier League, is his country's most capped player with 124 appearances and played all three games at the tournament where the Czech Republic could only manage one point in Group D. "This is a purely football-based decision. If I want to prolong my career and play at the highest level for as long as I can, then I will probably … [Read more...]
Mane takes the plaudits as Klopp hails new Liverpool man
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was pleased with what he saw from Sadio Mane on his Reds debut, along with the other two new recruits that featured in Friday's friendly with Tranmere Rovers. Joel Matip and goalkeeper Loris Karius also all made their first appearances for the club in the 1-0 win over the non-league opposition at Prenton Park, with Danny Ings grabbing the only goal of the night. Mane, who joined from Southampton in a £30 million move earlier this month, impressed in a 45-minute outing in the first of nine Liverpool preseason … [Read more...]
Guardiola: facing Mourinho made me better
Rivals from their El Clasico days, the coaching duo will now lock horns on opposite sides of the Manchester footballing divide. As they prepare to renew their fierce rivalry, Pep Guardiola has claimed that Jose Mourinho has made him a better coach. The Spaniard will face off against his long-standing nemesis after taking the reins at Manchester City, the Portuguese pitching up just down the road at local rivals Manchester United. “It’s not about him or me,” said Guardiola to press who had gathered for his first press conference since … [Read more...]
UEFA drop charges against Sakho
Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has been cleared by a UEFA board after being suspended 30 days in an anti-doping probe in April. Sakho's suspension had stemmed from an alleged anti-doping violation following Liverpool's Europa League match against Manchester United in March, but UEFA have now dismissed the charges against him. The 26-year-old is now free to play for Liverpool ahead of the upcoming Premier League season after he returned to preseason training last Saturday. Sakho's 30-day suspension ended on May 28. He missed … [Read more...]