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Jurgen Kloop signs new long-term contract at Liverpool

After less than 12 months in charge, Jurgen Klopp has agreed to an extension of his Liverpool contract. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has signed a new long-term contract, the club have announced. The former Borussia Dortmund head coach was appointed in October last year after Brendan Rodgers was sacked following a disappointing start to the season. The 49-year-old has been rewarded for a promising first nine months in the role with a new deal which is reported to take him through until 2022, with his previous contract having been set to expire in 2018. Klopp said on the club's official website: "It's hard to express in words how honoured myself, Zeljko [Buvac] and Peter [Krawietz] feel by the commitment shown in us by the ownership and the club in … [Read more...]

Arsenal make move for Subotic as Liverpool and Everton show interest

Arsenal have reportedly lodged a £12m bid for Neven Subotic after the defender was told he will be allowed to move to the Premier League this summer. Subotic has made 258 appearances for Borussia Dortmund since making his debut for the Bundesliga giants back in 2008 but the 27-year-old announced last month that he’s set to move on ahead of the 2016/17 campaign. The player fell out of favour at the Westfalenstadion last season and has since been told that he can leave the club, subject to an acceptable bid for his services coming in. “I do not want to earn my money on the bench, but to be a active part of the history like I was until last year,” Subotic said. The player, who earlier this year was linked with a move to Liverpool , is also being … [Read more...]

Fenerbahce confirm talks with Skrtel over £5m deal

Fenerbahce have confirmed they have entered negotiations with to sign Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel. The centre-back signed for £6.5million back in January 2008 from Russian club Zenit St Petersburg and has made 320 appearances for the club over six years, scoring 18 goals. He was part of the Liverpool side that won the League Cup back in 2012, when he scored in the final against Cardiff City. The Slovakian was phased out as the club’s starting central defender under Jurgen Klopp last season, but still made the Xi on 21 occasions in an injury-hit campaign for the Reds. Fenerbahce confirmed that they had entered talks with the Premier League side with regards to signing the 31-year-old this summer, but that his involvement with Slovakia at Euro 2016 … [Read more...]

Manchester United begin Pogba transfer negotiations

Manchester United are reported to have begun negotiations over a deal that could see Paul Pogba return for around £100m. Pogba, who is currently on international duty with host nation France at Euro 2016, has also been linked to Real Madrid with compatriot Zinedine Zidane thought to be a keen admirer of the 23-year-old. Sky Sports report that although Juventus are adamant they want to hold onto their prized asset, a world record offer from United worth £100million is likely to be too much for them to resist. Ed Woodward has entered into negotiations with Pogba’s representatives and with Juventus, who the midfielder joined in 2012 after leaving Old Trafford. As well as a bid of around £100m, United are thought to be willing to offer a £300,000-a-week … [Read more...]

Thierry Henry: France have got a new hero in Griezmann

France have found a new hero in Antoine Griezmann and the striker has his eyes firmly set on lifting the Euro 2016 trophy after his two goals fired Les Bleus past Germany on Thursday and into the final. Griezmann slammed home a first-half penalty, following a needless handball from Bastian Schweinsteiger, and then poked in the second after the break to secure the host nation's first competitive win over Germany in 58 years. The Atletico Madrid marksman tops the Euro 2016 scorers table with six goals but is now focused on getting his hands on the cup when they play Portugal in Paris on Sunday. "This is the result of a group, and of a lot of hard work from the staff," he said. "Now we're in the final and we want to lift that trophy. "We are very happy … [Read more...]

Euro 2016: Schweinsteiger proud despite shameful loss to France

Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger says his side can be proud of their Euro 2016 campaign despite a 2-0 semi-final defeat to France. The world champions were the dominant side in the first half in Marseille but fell a goal behind just before the break. Antoine Griezmann converted a penalty awarded after Patrice Evra's header struck Schweinsteiger's hand. Germany continued to press in the second period but Griezmann prodded home with 18 minutes to play to secure the win for the host nation and set up a final against Portugal. Schweinsteiger feels luck was against his side at the Stade Velodrome but believes they deserve credit for sticking to the style of football that saw them triumph at the World Cup in Brazil two years ago. "It's a real shame," … [Read more...]

Euro 2016: Griezmann brace leads France past Germany

Antoine Griezmann punished Germany’s lack of incision by firing France to a 2-0 victory in the semi-finals of Euro 2016. The 25-year-old Atletico Madrid forward became the highest scorer at a single European Championships since the great Michel Platini scored nine for Les Bleus in 1984. They won the tournament on home soil that year and, having also lifted the 1998 World Cup in Paris, the omens are all pointing towards another domestic triumph against Portugal at the Stade de France on Sunday. Griezmann’s first came via a controversially-awarded penalty in first-half added time but there was no debate about his second – and sixth of the tournament – 18 minutes from the end. It was the first time any host nation had prevailed over the Germans in … [Read more...]

Cech: Wenger has the pedigree to coach England

Goalkeeper Petr Cech is in no doubt manager Arsene Wenger has both the pedigree and quality needed to take over the England job, but believes the 66-year-old remains committed to helping Arsenal win the Premier League. The Football Association has started the process of identifying a permanent successor to Roy Hodgson following England’s poor Euro 2016 campaign, which ended with an embarrassing defeat by Iceland at the last 16 stage. While Wenger has long stated he felt an English coach would be best suited to the role of national team manager, the FA is said to be keen to determine whether there would be any interest in taking up the role, possibly once his current deal at the Emirates Stadium expires next summer. Veteran stopper Cech, who joined the … [Read more...]

Middlesbrough complete the signing of goalkeeper Víctor Valdés on a free transfer

Middlesbrough have completed the signing of former Barcelona and Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes after manager Aitor Karanka impressed his fellow Spaniard with his plans for next season. Boro have also been offered the chance to sign Holland international Robin van Persie, but are unlikely to follow up their initial interest in the 32-year-old, who has been told he can leave Fenerbahce. Karanka has been one of the busiest managers in the Premier League as he looks to improve the squad promoted from the Championship last season and the capture of Valdes is a major breakthrough in his bid to address an obvious weakness. Valdes had offers from clubs in Spain and Portugal, as well as Turkish club Besiktas, but chose to remain in the Premier … [Read more...]

Arsenal set to make a move for United target Matuidi

Arsenal are set to make a move for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Blaise Matuidi, who has been linked with Manchester United and Chelsea. Reports claim that Matuidi is eager to play in England – but will only consider offers from Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, United and Tottenham. The Frenchman has been looking to manufacture a move to the Premier League, and according to recent reports he flew to England with the permission of Didier Deschamps and PSG to discuss a move. It is thought PSG have decided to let Matuidi move on following the capture of Grzegorz Krychowiak from Sevilla last weekend. Matuidi, who has been crucial in France’s run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016, showed that his mind is firmly on doing well for his country in an … [Read more...]

Ibe set for £15m Bournemouth move

Liverpool are understood to have accepted a £15million bid from Bournemouth for winger Jordon Ibe. Ibe has been given permission to speak to the Cherries after a 2015-16 season that saw him make only 12 Premier League starts for the Reds. The 20-year-old has been with Liverpool since joining from Wycombe in 2011. Ibe, who has a total of 58 Liverpool appearances to his name, made his Reds first-team debut on the final day of the 2012-13 Premier League season. He spent time on loan with Birmingham during the following campaign, then with Derby in the season after that, and has also played four times for England Under-21s. The news of Liverpool accepting a bid for him comes after they recruited winger Sadio Mane from Southampton last month. … [Read more...]

Ozil to Koscielny: we are not Iceland

Mesut Ozil says he has told Arsenal teammate Laurent Koscielny that Germany "are not Iceland" in a text message ahead of their Euro 2016 semifinal with France. The match is set to see Ozil come up against Gunners teammates Koscielny and Olivier Giroud, and the Germany playmaker says the trio have been keeping in contact ahead of the clash. Germany reached the last four with a penalty shootout win over Italy while France thrashed tournament debutants Iceland 5-2, and Ozil told kicker: "We are still teasing each other. "After the quarterfinal I texted Koscielny to say that we are not Iceland. He replied that it will be big match in Marseille, for us and the fans. We are all looking forward to it." Ozil, 27, is the only Germany player to have started … [Read more...]

Juventus set to hold talks with Chelsea over Juan Cuadrado future

The 28-year-old enjoyed a resurgent season at the Bianconeri last term with both the player and club intent on continuing the relationship. Serie A champions Juventus are set to hold talks with Premier League club Chelsea over the future of Juan Cuadrado as the Turin side prepare for a summer bid for the winger. The Colombian international’s rise to stardom at Fiorentina saw him complete a move to the Stamford Bridge outfit on a four-and-a-half year deal back in February 2015. However, Cuadrado was shipped off to Juventus at the beginning of 2015/16 for a loan deal worth €1.5 million after failing to become a regular feature in Chelsea’s starting XI. Following a resurgent season, coach Massimiliano Allegri is reportedly keen to see Cuadrado remain at … [Read more...]

Chelsea ready to chase Lionel Messi

If the Argentine doesn’t sign a new deal at the Camp Nou, coupled with complications in relation to tax issues, it could open the door to a move to England. Chelsea has joined Manchester City in the race to sign Barcelona forward Lionel Messi after his father was pictured on Roman Abramovich’s yacht. Messi has been handed a 21-month prison sentence after a court in Barcelona found them guilty on three counts of tax fraud, amounting to €4.1 million. Any fee to sign the Argentine would be over €117m, whilst Messi’s father, Jorge, has met with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, according to The Sun, amid speculation that the superstar could leave the Camp Nou. The meeting between the pair is thought to have taken place in the last 10 days on Abramovich’s super … [Read more...]

West Ham switch to Liverpool misfit after Tevez snub

Crystal Palace face competition from West Ham for Liverpool striker Christian Benteke after talks to bring back Carlos Tevez broke down. The 32-year-old Argentine striker is a cult hero amongst Hammers fans after his goal-scoring streak of seven goals in the last 10 games of the 2006/07 season helped keep West Ham in the Premier League. Hammers co-chairman David Gold revealed that the club did try and make an emotional return happen this summer, but Tevez’s excessive wage demands means the deal was never likely to happen. “We tried to get Tevez but he wanted £250,000 a week. In his last year at Juventus, he was great. But 250 grand a week?” Sullivan told the Daily Mirror. “He’ll probably stay where he is now, but he doesn’t pay a lot of tax down … [Read more...]

Nianggolan snubs Chelsea for Roma stay

The 28-year-old has been away at Euro 2016 , but following Belgium's exit Nainggolan has dispelled rumours over his future. Reports have it that Chelsea have been chasing the midfielder with new boss Antonio Conte keen on bringing him to Stamford Bridge. Nainggolan further demonstrated his top talent with two stunning strikes in five games for Belgium at the Euros. And Chelsea continued their efforts to sign him during the tournament but had a third bid of £33million rejected by Roma last week, according sources. With the Italians standing firm on their prized asset, Nainggolan has seemingly ended the Blues' hopes of capturing him this summer. "Everything is calm with (Roma's director of football) Sabatini," Nainggolan told Gazzetta World. "Will … [Read more...]

Sakho to have hearing on thursday

Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho will plead his case against a suspension for a failed drugs test to UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on Thursday. The France international tested positive for a ‘fat burner’ after the Reds’ Europa League tie against Manchester United at Old Trafford in March. He served a provisional 30-day suspension after opting not to have his B sample tested – meaning he missed the Europa League final defeat to Sevilla and selection for Euro 2016 – but the initial ban was not extended as UEFA launched an investigation into whether the substance Sakho took should even be on the banned list after new evidence came to light recently. With those enquiries now over an independent disciplinary body will sit in Paris on Thursday … [Read more...]

Chelsea set to launch bid for Alvaro Morata

Alvaro Morata returned to Real Madrid this summer, but Los Blancos may still decide to cash in on the youngster. With new Chelsea coach Antonio Conte looking to significantly strengthen the squad he has inherited at Stamford Bridge, reports have now emerged that the Italian is considering making a serious offer for Alvaro Morata. Morata recently returned to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu during the close season, after Real Madrid exercised their right to buy back the 23-year-old from Juventus for fee of €32 million. However, with Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo to choose from and the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal interested in the Spaniard’s services, Marca have revealed that Los Blancos may look to quickly offload the forward for a significant … [Read more...]

Ex-United players Ronaldo and Nani on target to send Portugal into Euro 2016 final

Portugal will face hosts France or Germany in the final of Euro 2016 after bringing to an end Wales’ impressive run with a 2-0 win in their semi-final clash in Lyon. The match had been billed in some quarters as a private duel between Real Madrid team-mates Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, and the Portuguese won it hands down after a cagey and scoreless first period. Ronaldo scored with a bullet header five minutes after the break and then quickly set up Nani as Portugal ran out convincing 2-0 winners. This has been a tournament where Ronaldo has not been at his brilliant best, scoring only twice in five games and throwing the odd tantrum both with his team-mates on the pitch and the media off it. But he delivered when it mattered and, when he … [Read more...]

Euro 2016: Schweinsteiger passed fit to play against France

Bastian Schweinsteiger will lead Germany onto the field for their Euro 2016 semi-final against France on Thursday night after being passed fit to play. The Manchester United midfielder was a doubt due to a niggling injury he aggravated in the penalty shootout win over Italy in the quarterfinals, but Germany coach Joachim Low confirmed at a press conference on Wednesday that he is fit and will start. "I have the team in my head and Bastian Schweinsteiger will definitely start,'' Low said in Marseille. "I always said that if he trains 100 percent without complaints then he will play. "He trained this morning and had no complaints. The injury is cured and he showed against Italy he's got the strength to play from the start, and I believe he's very, very … [Read more...]

Manchester City make improved offer for Juventus defender

Manhester City are expected to make an improved offer for Leonardo Bonucci, after Juventus rejected an opening bid of £38.6 million for the Italy centre-half, as Pep Guardiola steps up his protracted battle to reshape the club’s defence. Guardiola wants to sign two central defenders, a right-back and a goalkeeper but City may have to pay a fee of around £50 million to lure Bonucci, a similar amount of money to what Everton are demanding for their other centre-half target, John Stones. Bonucci impressed at the European Championships for Italy, who were beaten in the quarter-finals on penalties by Germany last Saturday, and Guardiola has made no secret of his admiration for the 29-year-old, whom he described as “one of my favourite players” after Bayern … [Read more...]

Sergio Aguero may join Messi in retirement

In a brutal tirade over the state of Argentine football, Leonel Aguero was also critical of the AFA and Gerardo Martino. The Argentinian national team are living in precarious times, with Sergio Aguero’s father Leonel saying that his son will also hang up his international boots if Lionel Messi does not play for them again. ‘Kun’ has been one of Messi’s most loyal friends since their days in the Argentina Under-20 squad. Even after the painful defeat for the team in the Copa America final against Chile, Messi went to Aguero’s house in Rosario. “If Leo leaves the international team permanently, Sergio will also go,” Leonel Aguero said. “He will leave it up to the new players as the journalists have said that their era is over.” As well as that, the … [Read more...]