Liverpool target Piotr Zielinski is closing in on a move to Napoli, according to reports in Italy. The Reds have been strongly linked with a move for the Poland international and last month his intention was to reject all overtures from Napoli and hold out for a move to Liverpool. However, that now appears to have changed with Tele Club Italia reporting that Zielinski will sign for the Serie A club by tomorrow at the latest. Liverpool and Napoli are believed to lodged a €12million bids for the player, but according to reports Liverpool’s … [Read more...]
Ballack hails Giroud after netting a brace against Iceland
Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack says Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud is becoming his favourite player at Euro 2016. Giroud was named man of the match after scoring twice in France’s 5-2 victory over Iceland in the quarter-finals, a victory which sets up a clash with Germany in the final four. And former Germany captain Ballack has heaped praise on the 29-year-old, who has been much maligned by Arsenal supporters throughout his three years in north London. “Maybe he doesn’t get a lot of praise sometimes because he is not that … [Read more...]
Lucas Leiva unsure of Liverpool future amid Besiktas interest
Lucas Leiva has admitted he is unsure what the future holds for him at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp amid talk Besiktas are set to swoop for his services. The 29-year-old midfielder will return to Melwood this week to start pre-season training, but his long-term future is far from assured and reports suggest Besiktas are back on the trail of the holding midfielder. Lucas told Radio Joven Pan in Brazil: “There have been some changes last season, with the coaching change. “I still do not know exactly what will be my role within the group, … [Read more...]
Lazio interested in Chelsea flop
With Corinthians keen to offload him, former AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato could be on his way back to Serie A, as Lazio look to push for a European spot next season. After the club missed out on Europe last season, incoming Lazio coach Marcelo Bielsa is keen to add new options to his attack, particularly in the wake of Miroslav Klose’s departure . The Biancocelesti are looking to build on last year’s eighth place finish in Serie A and are hoping to bring in former AC Milan forward Alexandre Pato move to the Stadio Olimpico. The … [Read more...]
Morata wants pay rise as Arsenal are set to lure him to the Emirates
Alvaro Morata’s agent will meet with Real Madrid officials and demand a pay rise after his excellent Euro 2016, according to AS. Morata has returned to the Spanish club after they exercised his buy-back clause for £25m, but they could still sell him to a Premier League club to help fund expected moves for Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante. After an impressive season for Juventus and three goals at Euro 2016, Morata’s agents want an increase on his wages of £65,000 a week after tax; reports suggest that Madrid will offer the same terms. ‘It’s … [Read more...]
Kelechi Iheanacho risks wrath of new City gaffer Pep Guardiola
KELECHI IHEANACHO has risked the wrath of Pep Guardiola by declaring he wants to represent Nigeria at the Olympics. The striker, who netted 14 goals for City last season, is now set to miss the start of new season by going to the Games The 19 year old Nigerian was included in his country’s 35–man provisional squad early last month. But it was then made clear to him that Guardiola – presented on Sunday to the club’s fans at the City Football Academy – wanted him to remain and start work with him. But Iheanacho, who was last season’s … [Read more...]
Guardiola: City players more important than Man United boss
Guardiola is set to resume his bitter and long-running rivalry with Mourinho, who starts his job as manager at neighbours Manchester United today. City’s new boss has been busy reshaping his squad and his backroom team at the Etihad Stadium, naming retired Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta as one of four assistant coaches yesterday – as we revealed he would in February. And Guardiola is adamant he will not be dragged into public disputes with his arch-rival across Manchester. “The most important thing in football is that people don’t come … [Read more...]
Euro 2016: Giroud nets twice as France thrash Iceland to book semi-finals ticket
It is France who will face Germany on Thursday for a place in the final of Euro 2016 after giving Iceland’s underdogs a chasing. In the process, England’s humiliation was finally complete. Just when Roy Hodgson thought an ignominious week could not get any worse, the sight of the hosts, all pizzazz and panache, ripping England’s conquerors apart provided a depressing denouement and a lesson in how to prevail. Didier Deschamps had the luxury of spending the entirety of the second half, his side already 4-0 to the good, pondering how to … [Read more...]
Manchester United close in on Hirving Lozano
Manchester United appear to be closing in on the signing of 20-year-old Mexico international Hirving Lozano, according to reports. The Red Devils are understood to have been scouting the player for months , and Pachuca’s vice-president claimed the club is in talks to sign Lozano. “Already there is negotiations with that team [United]? Yes,” Andre Fassi told ESPN. “There is still nothing closed though.” Now Lozano’s father-in-law has claimed the Mexico international will head to Manchester after Mexico compete to retain their Olympic … [Read more...]
Batshuayi joins Chelsea from Marseille
Despite being a target for Juventus, Michy Batshuayi becomes Antonio Conte’s first signing as Chelsea coach, with the former Marseille striker signing a five-year deal with the Blues . Chelsea have won the race to sign highly rated striker Michy Batshuayi from Marseille, fending off interest from a host of European clubs. The Belgian international will link up with his new teammates once he returns from his post- Euro 2016 break, having helped the Red Devils to a quarter-final spot. A stellar season at the Stade Velodrome had seen the … [Read more...]
Leicester sign Nampalys Mendy as N’Golo Kante nears Chelsea switch
Claudio Ranieri has splashed out £13million to sign the highly-rated midfielder – beating the Foxes previous record of £9million for Croatian striker Andrej Kramaric. Mendy’s arrival will be viewed by many as Leicester doing their business to clear the way for star midfielder N’Golo Kante to leave the club. The French ace, currently starring for his country at Euro 2016, is wanted by a string of Europe’s top clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Juventus and PSG. Kante – who cost Leicester £5.6million from Caen last summer – … [Read more...]