Leicester midfielder N’Golo Kante is reported to have undergone a medical at Chelsea, with a £30million transfer expected to be completed over the weekend. Numerous reports on Friday evening claimed Chelsea had agreed a deal with Leicester, despite the champions’ best efforts to keep the France workhorse at the King Power Stadium. Kante is understood to have passed a medical at Chelsea’s Cobham base on Friday, with confirmation of the transfer likely to come in the next 48 hours. Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri said earlier this week that he was unsure of Kante’s intentions, despite the Foxes offering the player a new contract. When asked about Kante’s future Ranieri told the Leicester Mercury: “I don’t know. I know one thing, we have offered a new … [Read more...]
Juventus join race for Napoli striker
An Argentine striking partnership could be about to form at the Juventus Stadium as the Old Lady weigh up a mega move for Gonzalo Higuain. Interest in Napoli forward Gonzalo Higuain continues to grow as Juventus have now joined the race, with the Bianconeri reportedly willing to meet his release clause. After the departure of Alvaro Morata earlier in the summer to Real Madrid, the Old Lady are in the market for a replacement and they don’t get much better than last season’s Serie A top goalscorer. Juventus director Beppe Marotta is ready to submit a proposal to the Partenopei for the player – with indications suggesting that it will come close or meet the release clause of €94.7 million. Any bid in the region of the reported release clause would … [Read more...]
Arda Turan to stay at Barcelona despite interest from Arsenal and Chelsea
Arda Turan is determined to remain at Barcelona this summer and fight for his place, despite heavy interest from Arsenal and Chelsea, according to the player’s agent. It was reported earlier this week that Barcelona would be willing to let Turan leave for £23million after a disappointing first season at the Catalan giants. The Turkey midfielder was unable to play for the first half of the season because of Barcelona’s transfer embargo and when finally eligible, he featured for only 810 minutes in the league, scoring two goals and providing four assists. However the 29-year-old is keen to stay with the Spanish champions, despite reports that Arsenal and Chelsea are keen to sign the midfielder. “The interest [in Arda] is normal but the rumours saying he … [Read more...]
Joel Matip: I joined Liverpool to compete with the best
Joel Matip ready to prove his worth at Liverpool and says he came to England to test himself against the very best in the league. Liverpool defender Joel Matip is confident he will prove he is capable of competing against the best in the Premier League. Matip, 24, signed for Jurgen Klopp's men in February before officially joining the club at the start of the month. The former Schalke centre-back and 27-time Cameroon international feels he is ready to show he belongs at the Anfield club and in England's top flight. "That's why I came here. I want to play against the best to become better. That was my thinking and my choice and I'm really looking forward to it," Matip told the Liverpool Echo. "There's pressure but I want that – it's the reason why I … [Read more...]
Manchester City to negotiate Leroy Sane’s deal
Manchester City have balked at Schalke’s £42 million starting valuation of Leroy Sane but hope to reach a compromise with the German club after the attacking midfielder signalled his desire to move to the Etihad Stadium. Sane is ready to sign the offer of a four-year contract with City but negotiations over a fee for the highly-regarded 20-year-old are proving difficult with Schalke asking for €50 million (£41.7 million) with further performance related payments to follow. Although Pep Guardiola has pinpointed City’s defence as the main area of the team that needs addressing, the new head coach is keen to add more pace, creativity and goal threat to the attack and regards Sane as a priority target. Sane has played less than 60 senior games for Schalke … [Read more...]
Guardiola wants Kimmich reunion at City
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is reportedly weighing up a move for Bayern Munich and Germany defender Joshua Kimmich. City are considering making a £20m bid for the Bayern right-back who also excels as a defensive midfielder, but he is highly rated in Bavaria and the German champions are unlikely to want to lose one of their young stars. It was Guardiola who signed Kimmich for Bayern in January 2015 for £6m from RB Leipzig and he regularly featured last season, making 36 appearances in all competitions as Bayern won their fourth consecutive league title and the German Cup. Kimmich appeared at his first major international tournament for Germany at Euro 2016 this summer, becoming Germany’s first choice right back after their final group game against … [Read more...]
Kante to decide future- Ranieri
Claudio Ranieri remains hopeful Leicester City can hold on to N'Golo Kante, but has admitted it's up to the midfielder to make a decision. Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has stressed N'Golo Kante's future is "in his own hands" amid reports claiming Real Madrid and Chelsea are keen to sign him. The holding midfielder was a key figure in Leicester winning the Premier League title in 2015-16 and his performances have not gone unnoticed elsewhere. Madrid and Chelsea are believed to be interested in luring Kante away from Leicester, but the champions remain hopeful of keeping the 25-year-old. "We offered Kante a new deal before he went to the Euros," Ranieri told reporters. "Now I know there are a lot of big teams interested. "His future is … [Read more...]