City have gone ahead with the £21m deal with Borussia Dortmund despite the fact midfielder Gundogan dislocated his knee cap towards the end of last season to rule himself out of Euro 2016. But the 25-year-old player - who also missed a year with a back injury while with Dortmund - has re-assured City that although he will miss the first month of the season he expects to be fully fit by the beginning of September and they are not taking a gamble. He said: “I had a dislocated patella. It happened in training but it’s not as bad as it sounds. A ligament was also stretched and so they operated on it. Now I need to rest and then I hope that at the end of August or start of September I’ll be back on the field and starting a new chapter. “We have to look from … [Read more...]
Ex Chelsea coach named new Aston Villa boss
Aston Villa have confirmed the appointment of Roberto Di Matteo as the club's new manager. The former Chelsea boss replaces Remi Garde, who was sacked in March ahead of Villa's relegation from the Barclays Premier League. Di Matteo, who guided Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2012, makes his return to management a year after leaving German side Schalke. The 45-year-old has always been the number one choice for prospective new owner Dr Tony Xia. David Moyes and Nigel Pearson, who was appointed Derby manager on Thursday, were also linked to the job at Villa Park but it is thought Di Matteo's achievements at Chelsea were most appealing to Xia as he looks to build Villa's profile in the Far East. Di Matteo, who still has a house near Birmingham in … [Read more...]
Liverpool turn attention to Joao Mario after missing out on Mario Gotze transfer
Liverpool have turned their attention to signing Joao Mario in the summer transfer window after missing out on Bayern Munich star Mario Gotze. Mario, 23, has scored nine goals in 75 appearances for Sporting Lisbon since making his debut for the Portuguese outfit in 2011 but is now being linke with a move to the Premier League with the Anfield giants showing interest. A Bola say Jurgen Klopp is keen on bringing the highly-rated midfielder to Anfield – and the Reds boss may come up against stiff competition. Both Manchester United and Chelsea are also interested in signing Mario ahead of the 2016/17 campaign. It’s understood Chelsea representatives met with the Portugal international’s agent in May. … [Read more...]
Arsenal Target Alvaro Morata wants contract sorted as he fancies a move to England
Alvaro Morata has admitted he is “tired” of the discussion over his future at Real Madrid weigh-up a clause in his contract that will allow them to sign the Juventus striker from the start of July, with reports that the former Real striker will be immediately sold on to another club. Morata has a buy-out clause of €30m [£23.6m] in his contract that can only be activated by his former club Real from the 1 July. It has been widely reported though that Real will look to sell Morata on for as much as £50m, with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United linked with the Spain forward. The 23-year-old will head to France with Spain for the Euro 2016 Championship after being named in Vicente del Bosque’s squad, but after previously admitting that he does … [Read more...]
Arsenal Target Alvaro Morata wants contract sorted as he fancies a move to England
Alvaro Morata has admitted he is “tired” of the discussion over his future at Real Madrid weigh-up a clause in his contract that will allow them to sign the Juventus striker from the start of July, with reports that the former Real striker will be immediately sold on to another club. Morata has a buy-out clause of €30m [£23.6m] in his contract that can only be activated by his former club Real from the 1 July. It has been widely reported though that Real will look to sell Morata on for as much as £50m, with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United linked with the Spain forward. The 23-year-old will head to France with Spain for the Euro 2016 Championship after being named in Vicente del Bosque’s squad, but after previously admitting that he does … [Read more...]
Premier League trio in chase for out of favour Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos
Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are all eyeing up out of favour Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos. The Brazilian centre-back, 22, has struggled to break into the PSG first XI — falling in the pecking order behind compatriots David Luiz and Thiago Silva in the heart of defence — and is now hoping for a summer move. The news has caught the attention of the three Premier League giants— who are all keen to boost their back-line after they failed to keep it tight at the back last season. There is a concern however, as the Brazil star himself is hot on a move to Barcelona. The Catalan club already have four of his compatriots in their ranks — including Neymar and Adriano. However, Marquinhos will keep the Premier League trio interesting, … [Read more...]
Manchester City make bid of £39m for defender Aymeric Laporte
Manchester are ready to meet the £39m release clause in Aymeric Laporte’s contract with Athletic Bilbao, after announcing the signing of Ilkay Gundogan from Borussia Dortmund The 22-year-old French defender will be sidelined until August because of a broken leg and dislocated ankle but is understood to be a main transfer target for new City manager Pep Guardiola . Laporte has stepped up his training in recent weeks and although Bilbao are ready to offer him an improved contract, he is believed to be keen to join Guardiola’s revolution at the Etihad. Laporte, who has been at the Bilbao since he was 16, is a predominantly left-footed player and is rated as one of the best young defenders in the world. Guardiola is also keen to sign Everton and England … [Read more...]