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 giants could need men at the back, with neither Thomas Vermaelen nor Jeremy Mathieu impressing on a consistent basis, and could land Blind for around £14m. Mourinho would favour a more traditional centre half in his back … [Read more...]
Manchester City face competition for Serie A starlet
MANCHESTER CITY have entered the race to sign Bologna wonderkid Amadou Diawara, according to reports in Italy. The 18-year-old midfielder has emerged as one of the Serie A side's star men this season, making 34 league appearances. And his performances have cut the eyes of big clubs in Europe. Italian giants Juventus, Napoli and Roma are all thought to be keeping tabs on Diawara. While Manchester United and Chelsea are believed to have registered an interest in bringing him to England this summer. However, the appointment of Jose Mourinho has seen United rethink their transfer plans. But local newspaper Corriere di Bologna report their fierce rivals City, have joined the battle to secure Guinean services. Pep Guardiola is set to take the reins at the … [Read more...]
Liverpool new signing wants top goalkeeping spot
New Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius has made known his intentions of becoming the new No. 1 at Anfield and described Jurgen Klopp as one of the best coaches in the world. Karius, 22, sealed a £4.7 million move from Mainz last week to provide added competition for first-choice keeper Simon Mignolet. The former Germany under-21 international, who spent time with Manchester City as a youth, was ever-present for Mainz as they finished sixth in the Bundesliga last season but he told Sport Bild he is ready for the challenge of fighting for his place at Liverpool. "Competition is just part of a big club like this," he said. "I want to become the No. 1, have success with Liverpool and play in Europe as soon as possible. Those are my goals." He said Liverpool … [Read more...]
Henrikh Mkhitaryan turns down Borussia Dortmund offer as he weighs Premier League options
Mkhitaryan has just one year remaining on his contract and has been linked with both Arsenal and Chelsea. Henrikh Mkhitaryan has rejected Borussia Dortmund’s latest approach to open contract talks, with reports of a Premier League move to either Arsenal or Chelsea growing stronger by the day after his agent admitted they are “looking at his options”. Mkhitaryan has been linked with a move to England, although Dortmund are hugely reluctant to see another of their players leave the club after seeing Mats Hummels return to Bayern Munich last month. 27-year-old Mkhitaryan impressed last season as Dortmund finished as runners-up in the Bundesliga as well as reach the DFB-Pokal final, only to lose out to Bayern in a penalty shootout. Having scored 11 goals last … [Read more...]
Jose Mourinho Set to axe Juan Mata and Daley Blind from Manchester United squad
Jose Mourinho has already decided Juan Mata and Daley Blind are surplus to requirements at Manchester United, according to reports. The former Chelsea manager was confirmed as Louis van Gaal’s successor last week and has set about improving his squad and formalising his transfer plans with Untied’s executive vice chairman Ed Woodward. Mourinho sold Mata to Manchester United for £37 million in January 2014 after the then reigning Chelsea player of the year, had spent most of the first part of that season on the bench. The Portuguese is reported to still harbour doubts that the former Valencia forward possesses the requisite energy and defensive diligence to fit into his ultra disciplined tactical system. Blind, meanwhile, has been a solid, if not … [Read more...]
Chelsea weigh defensive options as Rudiger joins Roma
AS Roma have signed German defender Antonio Rudiger on a long-term contract until 2020, making permanent his loan move from VfB Stuttgart for a fee of nine million euros ($10.02 million), the Italian club said on thereby ending speculations he could join Chelsea. The 23-year old joined the Italian club on a one-year loan deal from Stuttgart in September for an initial fee of four million euros and has made 30 appearances in Serie A. Chelsea boss Antonio Conte reportedly lined up a £16m bid for the Germany international, but have to look elsewhere as the German sealefd his move to Roma. Meanwhile, there are claims in Italy that Chelsea have agreed an £8.4m deal with Juventus for Swiss right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner. The defender could join Chelsea when … [Read more...]
Raheem Sterling gunning for European glory with the Three Lions
RAHEEM STERLING praised England boss Roy Hodgson for helping to put back his career on track and hopes him and his teammates can win England the European championships. The Manchester City star revealed that Hodgson's influence and tactics had played a major part in lifting his game at a time when he appeared to be struggling with injury and form. Sterling, whose performance in the 2-1 warm up win over Australia, said the England manager's decision to give him a role operating more in the middle had given him a huge boost. "It's a position I can get in behind and I'm closer to the goal," he said. "Some times I been drawn into staying out too wide, but against Australia I got closer to the box and created stuff. "It's really a positive when the manager tells … [Read more...]