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Arsenal join Man United in chase for Fonte

Southampton centre-back Jose Fonte is keen to join Manchester United but he has also received an approach from Arsenal, according to reports. Jose Mourinho is seeking an experienced defensive leader and club sources say that United had opened informal talks over 32-year-old Fonte, who could play for Southampton at Old Trafford on Friday night. However, United need to sell or loan one of their existing central defenders before signing Fonte, with Argentina international Marcos Rojo the player the club are most eager to offload. United … [Read more...]

City close to signing goalkeeper Claudio Bravo

Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo is expected to travel to England on Thursday to finalise his move to Manchester City , according to reports in Spain. The Premier League side have moved for the Chilean after Pep Guardiola decided that he wanted to replace Joe Hart as his first-choice goalkeeper. The England international was dropped for City's season opener against Sunderland and now the club have agreed a £21m fee for the goalkeeper Barcelona boss Luis Enrique was coy when reporters quizzed about him the Chilean's future on Tuesday … [Read more...]

Palace hopeful of deal for Liverpool’s Benteke despite rejected bid

Liverpool have rejected an initial £23million offer from Crystal Palace for striker Christian Benteke as they hold out for a fee similar to the one they paid last summer. Reports say that Palace, whose own transfer kitty has been swelled by Yannick Bolasie's move to Everton on Monday, lodged a bid that, with add-ons, was thought could rise to £30million. Benteke is seen as surplus to requirements among the six strikers at Anfield just one year on from his £32.5million switch from Aston Villa, yet the Reds want to recoup as much of that … [Read more...]

Schweinsteiger and Podolski granted Germany farewell appearance

Germany will honour Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski with farewell friendlies. Germany will pay tribute to the international careers of former captain Bastian Schweinsteiger and forward Lukas Podolski with farewell matches in their honour. After 120 and 129 appearances for their country respectively, 2014 World Cup winners Schweinsteiger and Podolski have called time on playing at the highest level in the aftermath of Euro 2016. Germany's friendly match against Finland in Monchengladbach on August 31 will be played under the … [Read more...]

Arsenal will sign a striker this month- Keown

Former Arsenal centre-back Martin Keown believes Arsene Wenger will sign a striker before the end of the transfer window. The Gunners boss was on the hunt for a striker earlier in the summer when he triggered Jamie Vardy’s release clause with a £20million bid ahead of the European Championships. However, the 29-year-old decided to stay with champions Leicester, penning a four-year extension on £100,000 a week. Whether Wenger is still actively pursuing another forward is debatable after his reported move for Alexandre Lacazette also … [Read more...]

Hugo Lloris set for four weeks on sidelines with hamstring injury

Hugo Lloris will miss France's opening World Cup qualifier and is a doubt for the start of Tottenham's Champions League campaign. Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is set for four weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, the Premier League club have confirmed. Hugo Lloris was substituted during the first half of Saturday's 1-1 draw at Everton on the opening day of the season, with Michel Vorm taking his place. The club tweeted on Wednesday that tests on the France international show he is likely to be out for around a … [Read more...]

UCL: Caballero starts for City as Hart sits on the bench

Joe Hart is again on the bench for Manchester City as Pep Guardiola's side take on Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League playoff first-leg clash on Tuesday. The England keeper was surprisingly left out of the starting lineup in favour of Willy Caballero for Manchester City's 2-1 Premier League victory over Sunderland last weekend. But while the manager initially left open the possibility that Hart could return to play in Romania, he again chose Caballero for the crucial clash. Guardiola did admit that he was "pretty sure" that Hart … [Read more...]

Sadio Mane happy with debut goal for Liverpool

Sadio Mane immediately set about repaying Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp's faith in him, but the Senegalese believes it is only a sign of things to come. Liverpool signing Sadio Mane is eager to please, and on Sunday against Arsenal he did just that. Mane's scintillating finish at the Emirates to put Liverpool 4-1 up provided one of the images of the Premier League's opening weekend, with awestruck manager Jurgen Klopp looking on, then proceeding to give Mane a piggyback. It was a dream start for the Senegalese international, who was … [Read more...]

Pogba set for Manchester United debut

Paul Pogba will start training with Manchester United’s first team on Tuesday and is in line for a debut against Southampton on Friday night. United manager Jose Mourinho left the £89million France midfielder behind in Manchester on Sunday as his side opened their campaign with a comfortable 3-1 win at Bournemouth . Pogba was suspended following two yellow cards late last season with Juventus, one in the Coppa Italia final, his last game for the Turin club. The 23-year-old also took an extended holiday following his efforts for France … [Read more...]

Antonio Conte happy with team’s performance

Antonio Conte said he was “delighted” with his players after they started his Chelsea tenure with a hard-fought 2-1 win over West Ham United. Chelsea won the game thanks to Diego Costa’s last minute winner, and Conte was thrilled after with the physical effort they had put into the match. Athleticism has always been so important to Conte teams and having worked the players hard in pre-season the Italian coach was pleased with the results on the pitch. “I am delighted for the performance because I saw a lot of good things, a lot of things … [Read more...]

Bilic: Costa should have been sent off

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic felt Diego Costa was lucky to still be on the pitch to score the late winner as West Ham lost 2-1 at Chelsea in the Premier League. Costa, who drilled home from 20 yards in the 89th minute, escaped punishment for a late tackle on Hammers goalkeeper Adrian having already been booked for dissent. Bilic told Sky Sports that the striker should have been sent off for the 67th-minute challenge, even if he did not mean to connect with Adrian's leg. "He had already been booked and it wasn't reckless and I don't … [Read more...]

Man United supporters will learn to love Fellaini – Mourinho

Jose Mourinho insists Manchester United supporters will finally start to “love” Marouane Fellaini this season. Belgium midfielder Fellaini – much-maligned in the past – impressed on Sunday after United eased to a 3-1 victory at Bournemouth thanks to goals from Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. “With Fellaini I always have the feeling that he was not loved by the general Red people,” Mourinho said. “But, if he plays like he’s playing now, they have to love him because he’s being so important for us.” Fellaini told MUTV: … [Read more...]

Guardiola explains Toure snub

Yaya Toure was left out of Manchester City's squad for the first leg of their Champions League play-off at Steaua Bucharest. The Ivory Coast midfielder did not even make the bench for the first match of new manager Pep Guardiola's reign, against Sunderland on Saturday. Toure has not been included in City's travelling party for Tuesday's clash in the Romanian capital, a decision by Guardiola which could increase speculation over the one-time team linchpin's future. Speaking in his pre-match press conference at the Arena Nationala, … [Read more...]

Late Costa strike fires Chelsea pass West Ham

Diego Costa scored a dramatic 89th minute winner to give Antonio Conte a winning start to his Chelsea career against West Ham. Chelsea’s first goal under the Italian came just after half time as Eden Hazard smashed his penalty into the roof of the net. However, despite being under the cosh for most of the second half, the Hammers equalised through James Collins . But Costa popped up to give Conte a dream start to life in the Premier League. Summer signing N’Golo Kante marked his first competitive Chelsea game with a third minute … [Read more...]

Liverpool bid for Chile star Gary Medel

Liverpool have made an offer for former Cardiff City midfielder Gary Medel, according to reports in Italy. The 29-year-old, who has been at Inter since leaving Cardiff in 2014, has become a key member of the first team at the San Siro. Reports earlier this summer had suggested that Jurgen Klopp was considering a move for the tough-tackling Chilean, as he bids to firm up his talented squad. And now, according to Corriere della Sera, Liverpool have made contact with Inter about a deal for the Chilean. The former Boca and Sevilla man, … [Read more...]

Everton sign Crystal Palace star Yannick Bolasie

Crystal Palace midfielder Yannick Bolasie has joined Everton for an undisclosed fee, the two clubs have confirmed. The 27-year-old has signed a five-year deal at Goodison Park and is looking forward to the challenge that awaits him on Merseyside. "I’m looking forward to putting on the Everton shirt,” Bolasie told evertontv. “This is a big club and I know all about it from having played against them over the years. “For me, it was a no-brainer to come here. But now that I’ve come to Everton, the job is not done. I’ve got to work hard and … [Read more...]

Henry worried by Arsenal’s lack of spending

Thierry Henry is worried that Arsenal have lost the ability to attract the very best players in world football to the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners looked far from convincing in their opening day 4-3 loss to Liverpool and many fans will be expecting additions to the squad before the end of the transfer window. Arsene Wenger has only brought in Granit Xhaka, Rob Holding and Takuma Asano , with Xhaka likely to be the only one that features on a regular basis for the Gunners. And Henry thinks Arsenal will struggle to find the quality they … [Read more...]

Klopp: My celebration was out of line

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp believes he made a mistake by celebrating with his players after their fourth goal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday as the Reds won a thrilling seven-goal encounter against Arsenal. Klopp was mobbed by his players as Sadio Mane leapt on his back after firing Liverpool 4-1 up – with Arsenal’s attempts at staging a comeback unsuccessful as the visitors began their Premier League campaign with a 4-3 win . Theo Walcott missed a penalty only to open the scoring for the Gunners 69 seconds later, with Liverpool … [Read more...]

Yaya Toure dropped from Manchester City Champions League squad

Pep Guardiola has opted not to take Yaya Toure on the trip to Bucharest, prompting further questions over his Manchester City future. Yaya Toure's future at Manchester City was plunged into further doubt on Monday after he was left out of Pep Guardiola's 21-man squad for the Champions League clash with Steaua Bucharest. Toure failed to make the bench for Saturday's 2-1 defeat of Sunderland in City's Premier League opener and will again play no part in the first leg of the play-off tie in Romania. The Ivory Coast international was one of … [Read more...]

Arsene Wenger blames lack of defensive cover for Liverpool defeat

Arsene Wenger believes his side came up short against Liverpool on Sunday because of the lack of experience in their back four. The Gunners lost 4-3 at the Emirates Stadium despite two second-half goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Calum Chambers that gave them hope they could get something out of the game. Three quick goals in a 15-minute spell from the Reds effectively sealed the game for Jurgen Klopp’s men and the French man was left frustrated at his side’s youthful defence. “We lacked experience at the back and we were physically … [Read more...]

Klopp half-time talk sparked Liverpool win – Lallana

He was on the scoresheet as Liverpool defeated Arsenal and Adam Lallana hailed the belief that Jurgen Klopp has instilled in the side. Adam Lallana was relieved to escape Emirates Stadium with three points after Liverpool held off Arsenal's stirring comeback on Sunday. In a classic Premier League meeting, Arsenal were ahead through Theo Walcott before a blitz of four goals in 18 minutes had Liverpool 4-1 in front. Philippe Coutinho scored twice either side of Lallana's fine goal, while debutant Sadio Mane's superb individual effort … [Read more...]

Sassuolo turn down move for Balotelli

Mario Balotelli's hopes of securing a move away from Liverpool have been dealt a further blow, after Sassuolo opted against bringing the Italian to the club. The striker has been seeking pastures new after being told that he is not part of Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp’s plans at Anfield this season, and is keen to bring his disappointing spell with the Premier League club to an end. Arriving in an €18.5 million deal from AC Milan in 2014, Balotelli struggled to just a single goal in his debut campaign with the Reds, whilst a loan back at … [Read more...]

Rooney insists he has ‘nothing to prove’

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney says he has nothing to prove to Jose Mourinho or anyone else following their 3-1 victory on the road at Bournemouth. The England international scored United’s second goal against the Cherries after a Anthony Martial mis-cue fell through to him inside the box. After the match, Rooney made it clear to the media that he has nothing to prove this season, saying he will always “score goals” if he continues to be played in an advanced role under Mourinho. “I’ve nothing to prove to anyone,” Rooney told Sky … [Read more...]

Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool; Coutinho stars in seven-goal thriller

Liverpool came from behind to begin their Premier League season with victory in a seven-goal thriller against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. The hosts took the lead through Theo Walcott, who recovered from missing a penalty to slot home just 69 seconds later, but Jurgen Klopp's side stormed back as a Philippe Coutinho brace and strikes from Adam Lallana and Sadio Mane proved enough to seal the points. Arsenal rallied to grab two back through Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Calum Chambers but ultimately came up short as Liverpool were left … [Read more...]

Mourinho: Zlatan can be phenomenal for the Premier League

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will prove invaluable to a Manchester United squad that Jose Mourinho believes he has picked up off the floor. Jose Mourinho believes Zlatan Ibrahimovic will prove to be a "phenomenal" acquisition for Manchester United after the Swedish star marked his Premier League debut with a superb goal in the 3-1 win at Bournemouth. A week on from heading the winner in a 2-1 Community Shield triumph over Leicester City at Wembley, Ibrahimovic drilled home a superb long-range strike to conclude United's scoring in a routine victory … [Read more...]