Luciano Spalletti insists midfielder Radja Nainggolan has told him he will stay at Roma despite being linked with a move away. Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan has promised to stay with the Serie A giants, according to coach Luciano Spalletti. The 28-year-old midfielder is reportedly a transfer target for Chelsea, but may yet be offered a new and improved deal by Roma. Spalletti has already seen Miralem Pjanic leave the club for league champions Juventus, and he is keen to keep the Belgium international. He said Nainggolan had told him he would remain at the Stadio Olimpico. "I think he stays with us. He is a man of his word and promised," Spalletti said "He seemed enthusiastic about continuing to give us his contribution next season." Roma … [Read more...]
Yaya Toure set to reject Inter Milan
Inter could miss out on Yaya Toure for a second consecutive summer, with the midfielder expected to remain with Premier League side Manchester City. The 33-year-old had been earmarked as the player to kick-start coach Roberto Mancini’s second stint with the Nerazzurri last summer, but a deal could not be found to take him to Milan. With Pep Guardiola arriving to coach the Citizens for the upcoming campaign the signs were positive that Inter might get there man this year, but the Express are reporting that he will now remain in England. Although the Ivorian had a much publicised falling out with Guardiola when together at Barcelona, it seems the Spaniard is happy to retain Toure given that new signing Ilkay Gundogan will not be fit when the season … [Read more...]
Liverpool and Chelsea interested in Moussa Sissoko
Chelsea and Liverpool are keeping a close eye on want-away Newcastle midfielder Moussa Sissoko despite recent interest from Arsenal. There were reports that the Frenchman was a possible target for Arsenal and speaking to FootMercato, the Magpies midfielder expressed his desire to play for the North London club . However according to French publication L’Equipe, Chelsea and Liverpool have now entered the race to sign the French international. Jurgen Klopp and Antonio Conte are both said to be keeping an eye on the 26-year-old’s situation at Newcastle especially after the player confirmed his desire to play “for the greatest European clubs”. The reports also claim that the trio of Premier League clubs may face stiff competition from Germany for the … [Read more...]
Chelsea target Bonnuci as Juventus places a high price tag on the Italian
I taly defender Leonardo Bonucci is said to a prime target for incoming Chelsea coach Antonio Conte, but Juventus will be sure not to let their man go easily. Against Belgium, the 29-year-old put in a brave and tactically skilled performance, helping the Azzurri secure an efficient 2-0 win over the talented Red Devils on Monday evening. Following this impressive display, alarm bells are now ringing for the Old Lady, with Conte said to be interested in using his contacts at his old club to bring the defender to Stamford Bridge. Nonetheless, it will take a huge some of money to potentially prise Bonucci away from Juventus, and the Italian defender could command a fee in the region of €60 million. However, Tuttosport have claimed that even this lucrative … [Read more...]
Dortmund bent on keeping Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not be allowed to leave Borussia Dortmund until the end of his existing contract amid interest from Manchester United and Arsenal, the club's CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has confirmed. Sources say Arsenal have made Mkhitaryan their number one target, but the Armenia international -- who is under contract until 2017 -- will not be allowed a transfer, despite there also being a reported €24 million offer from Manchester United. Mkhitaryan, 27, has turned down Dortmund's contract offer and has his heart set on a move to the Premier League, but the Bundesliga have decided not to sell the midfielder and will force him to see out his contract, Watzke said. "We've been negotiating a new deal with Henrikh Mkhitaryan for four months," he … [Read more...]
Arsenal and Liverpool bid for Sporting Lisbon’s striker Islam Slimani
Liverpool and Arsenal are the latest clubs to see bids for Sporting Lisbon striker Islam Slimani rejected, according to reports in Portugal. Sporting are understood to have rejected a €20million offer from Leicester City for Slimani earlier this week with SAPO Desporto also reporting Everton and Tottenham Hotspur are also interested. The 27-year-old striker scored 31 goals in 46 games last season as Sporting finished second behind Primeira Liga champions Benfica and he has caught the attention of numerous clubs across Europe. And Portuguese news outlet Noticias ao Minuto has now reported that Liverpool and Arsenal have seen €25million bids turned down by Sporting, who are expected to play hardball over the player’s future. Slimani is believed to have … [Read more...]
Chelsea and Bayern Munich in hot pursuit of Kalidou Koulibaly
After recently securing the signing of Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels, Carlo Ancelotti now wants to add Kalidou Koulibaly to solidify his defence even further After an excellent second season at Napoli. Senegalese international Kalidou Koulibaly is now attracting interest from reigning German champions Bayern Munich , There has already been heavy speculation surrounding the future of the 24-year-old, and it now seems that Carlo Ancelotti’s side have joined the long list of teams who are keen on obtaining the in-demand defender. Interest has only increased after comments made by the player himself , in which he disclosed that Napoli had not offered him a new contract and that he now saw himself as being up for sale. German newspapers have reported … [Read more...]