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Napoli sign Liverpool target Zielinski

Piotr Zielinski has completed his transfer to Napoli after they reached an agreement with Udinese over the transfer of the midfielder. Napoli have secured the services of Piotr Zielinski from Udinese for a fee believed to be in the region of €15 million. The 22-year-old underwent a medical on Thursday before signing a five-year deal. The midfielder had previously been linked with Liverpool and seemed set to continue his career at Anfield, but the Premier League side refused to meet Udinese's valuation of the player and he has now moved … [Read more...]

Liverpool set to keep Lucas Leiva

Liverpool will only sell midfielder Lucas Leiva if they can sign adequate defensive cover, according to reports. The Brazilian is the club’s longest-serving player after Martin Skrtel was sold to Fenerbahce earlier this summer. Lucas featured 40 times for the Reds last season – 27 times in the Premier League – as the club reached the finals of both the Europa League and Capital One Cup. But the 29-year-old remains back-up at best in a number of positions at Anfield, and has attracted interest from Galatasaray this summer. The Turkish … [Read more...]

Diego Costa to stay at Chelsea-Cerezo

Diego Costa looks set to stay at Chelsea after Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo cooled reports of a move for their former striker. The Brazilian-born Spanish international has been the subject of intense speculation over the summer, with Blues boss Antonio Conte confusing matters with various contradictory statements. A reunion with Atletico Madrid, who have since signed Kevin Gameiro from Sevilla, did appear to be happening, but now Cerezo has respectfully ended those rumours. “There was never a Diego Costa transfer saga,” … [Read more...]

Szczesny returns to Roma on season-long loan deal

Roma have acquired the services of Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny for a second consecutive season after the two clubs agreed to extend his loan deal. The Poland international made 34 Serie A appearances for the Lupi last campaign, and expressed his satisfaction at the prospect of another year in the Italian capital. “I am very happy,” Szczesny told Roma TV. “After a good season last year I had the possibility of coming back and I was very happy that the coach [Luciano Spalletti] wanted me. “I’m delighted to be back and I hope we … [Read more...]

Kante praises Chelsea boss Antonio Conte

New Chelsea signing N'Golo Kante has praised manager Antonio Conte in his first interview at the club, saying the Italian played a big role in his decision to swap champions Leicester City for the Blues. Kante joined Chelsea from Claudio Ranieri's side in a £32million deal last month, and has impressed Conte so much during his six days of training that the Chelsea manager is set to start the midfielder in the club's next game against AC Milan at the US Bank Stadium on Thursday morning. Kante has also been left impressed with Chelsea's new … [Read more...]

Salah completes Chelsea exit with permanent move to Roma

Chelsea winger Mohamed Salah has completed a permanent move to Serie A club Roma. Salah makes the move after a successful loan spell at Roma last season, in which he helped the club to third place in the table. The Egyptian joined Chelsea from Swiss club Basel in 2014 but spent the second part of that season on loan at Fiorentina before his temporary move to Roma. .@22mosalah has completed a permanent transfer to Italian club Roma... https://t.co/vVCZYpg23Y - Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 3, 2016 Roma president James Pallotta has … [Read more...]

Klopp hints at further summer signings

Jurgen Klopp has hinted he could bring another defender to Liverpool this summer after teasing that he has “no idea” if the Reds’ transfer activity is over. The Reds boss has already welcomed seven new signings to Anfield this summer but could add one more, with ongoing concerns about his lack of cover at left-back. That problem has been exasperated after Alberto Moreno limped off with a dead leg in the defeat to Roma in St Louis. Klopp has indicated he’s prepared to use James Milner there as cover after failing in a bid to sign … [Read more...]

Manchester City sign Gabriel Jesus from Palmeiras

Manchester City have confirmed the signing of teenage Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus from Palmeiras. The 19-year-old, who is currently with the Brazil squad at the Rio Olympics, will make the move to City in January on a contract that runs until the end of the 2020-21 season. The deal – for a reported £27million with further add-ons – sees the Blues continue their considerable recruitment drive under new boss Pep Guardiola, with the news coming a day on from them wrapping up the £37million signing of 20-year-old Germany winger Leroy Sane … [Read more...]

Lyon boss not ruling out Lacazette sale

Lyon have admitted they would sell Arsenal target Alexandre Lacazette if they received “an offer they couldn’t refuse”. Lacazette, who only recently signed a new four-year deal at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais, was the subject of a failed £29.3m (€35million) bid from the Gunners last week. And with Arsene Wenger hinting they’re ready to make an improved bid, the Gunners appear to have been handed encouragement in their pursuit of the France international striker. “He can leave if Lyon want him to,” said the French club’s manager Bruno … [Read more...]

Manchester City sign Leroy Sane from Schalke

Manchester City have completed the signing of Germany winger Leroy Sane from Schalke, the Premier League club have announced. The 20-year-old has signed a five-year deal at the Etihad Stadium after a fee, understood to be around £37million, was agreed between the two clubs. Sane’s arrival continues new manager Pep Guardiola’s rebuilding of the City squad following the signings of Nolito, Ilkay Gundogan and Oleksandr Zinchenko this summer. Sané told the club’s website, www.mancity.com: “I feel really good, I’m happy to be here and happy … [Read more...]

Schweinsteiger’s brother slams Manchester United and Mourinho

Bastian Schweinsteiger’s brother has appeared to accuse Jose Mourinho of ‘lacking respect’ as his expected Manchester United exit threatened to turn acrimonious. Mourinho told Schweinsteiger last week that he does not figure in his plans and is free to find another club this summer, with the former Bayern Munich player likely to be the most high-profile casualty of the Portuguese’s extensive clear-out. But the situation has now taken a more dramatic development with Schweinsteiger forced to relocate to the reserve team’s dressing room, a … [Read more...]

Moyes: ‘I was unfairly treated’ at Man Utd

David Moyes feels he was unfairly treated at Manchester United, as proven by Louis van Gaal's struggles. David Moyes believes he was harshly treated by former club Manchester United as he looks ahead to his tenure with Sunderland. Fronting the media as Sunderland manager, Moyes opened up on his time at Old Trafford, where he was sacked less than a season into a six-year deal with the Premier League giants. Louis van Gaal eventually replaced Moyes in time for the 2014-15 campaign, though his struggles over the last two seasons proved to … [Read more...]

Schalke confirm Leroy Sane in Manchester

Schalke winger Leroy Sane has flown to England in order to complete a big money move from Schalke to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Sane has been a long-term target for City, and talks are close to reaching a conclusion after discussions this week. The Bundesliga club confirmed on Twitter that the player would not be travelling with the Royal Blues to their training camp ahead of the Bundesliga season. Leroy #Sané is currently in Manchester and will not be travelling with #Schalke to the training c Essen-born Sane, who scored eight … [Read more...]

Moyes keen to sign Fellaini and Januzaj

Adnan Januzaj could be handed a Premier League lifeline by David Moyes at Sunderland, with Marouane Fellaini also a target. David Moyes has confirmed his interest in staging a reunion with Manchester United duo Adnan Januzaj and Marouane Fellaini at Sunderland. Januzaj was handed his United debut by Moyes in 2013, but fell out of favour under Louis van Gaal and had a disappointing loan move to Borussia Dortmund cut short last term. Fellaini is also very familiar with the new Sunderland boss, who signed the towering Belgian for Everton … [Read more...]

Wenger: Pogba fee is ‘complete madness’

Arsene Wenger believes Paul Pogba’s proposed £100million move to Manchester United represents the “complete madness” of the modern transfer market. France midfielder Paul Pogba is reportedly set to join United for a nine-figure sum and Arsenal manager Wenger, who is currently in Los Angeles with the Gunners ahead of a pre-season friendly meeting with Chivas, suggested he would not pay over the odds for any player. Quoted in Tuttosport, he said: “It’s complete madness when measured against real life, but we live in a world in which everything … [Read more...]

Willian flattered by Mourinho interest but had no intentions joining former boss

Willian has insisted he was never interested in joining Jose Mourinho at Manchester United but admits Chelsea must improve if they're to challenge them for the title. The Brazil international, who was voted the club's Player of the Year last season, was targeted by the former Chelsea boss following his own arrival at Old Trafford this summer. But Willian opted to commit his long-term future to Chelsea instead, signing a new four-year deal. "I have a great relationship with Jose, but I am Chelsea,” said Willian, when asked if the … [Read more...]

Ranieri: Arsenal link is ‘distracting’ Mahrez

Rihad Mahrez constant rumors linking him away from Leicester City to Arsenal is affecting the star winger manager Claudio Ranieri revealed. The Algerian has been strongly linked with Arsenal and the admission from Ranieri contradicts earlier claims made by fellow winger Demarai Gray who said that the PFA Players’ Player of the Year “wasn’t bothered” about the reports. Ranieri has been adamant that Mahrez will not follow in the footsteps of N’Golo and seal a big-money transfer to a Premier League rival, but admits the speculation could be … [Read more...]

Bailly reveals Manchester City snub in favour of United

New Manchester United signing Eric Bailly has revealed he could have easily been playing in blue in the Premier League this season. The 22-year-old centre-back signed for the Red Devils back in June and has been compared by Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane . However, the £25m capture from Villarreal has said that he did have another offer to consider from arch-rivals Manchester City, but a conversation with a Chelsea legend helped sway his decision. “I signed for United because I like Mourinho, as simple as that,” Bailly … [Read more...]

Vardy: Decision to reject Arsenal quite easy

Jamie Vardy is adamant he was never close to joining Arsenal as he feels he has unfinished business at Leicester. Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy has stressed that rejecting a move to Arsenal was an easy decision for him and has claimed a transfer was never a realistic option. The England international was believed to be close to joining Arsenal ahead of Euro 2016 after the Emirates side triggered his release clause, but he eventually signed a new contract with Leicester instead. The 29-year-old has now reflected on his decision to … [Read more...]

Arsenal boosted in £50m chase after Wenger hint

Arsene Wenger has reaffirmed his desire to sign a new striker after Inter Milan hinted they are ready to accept a £50million bid for reported target Mauro Icardi. Along with Paul Pogba and Gonzalo Higuain, the future of Icardi has become the most-talked about transfer in Italy, with the Inter Milan talisman linked with moves to Napoli, Spurs and Arsenal this summer. And Inter president Erick Thohir has revealed he is willing to listen to offers for the forward, 23, if any club matches his £50m asking price. The Indonesian businessman … [Read more...]

John stones focused despite Manchester City’s interest

Everton assistant manager Erwin Koeman has praised the attitude of John Stones in the face of Manchester City’s ongoing transfer pursuit. City boss Pep Guardiola on Thursday confirmed his club were “going to try” to sign the 22-year-old England centre-back . There has been increased speculation about a reported £50million move but Stones, who played the last 11 minutes of the Toffees’ penalty shoot-out defeat to Real Betis in Germany on Saturday and 69 minutes against Dynamo Dresden on Friday, has remained focused. “He is very … [Read more...]

Everton reject Chelsea offer for striker Romelu Lukaku

Everton are keen to retain star striker Romelu Lukaku, but Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is hoping the Blues will use their financial muscle to land the 23-year-old this summer. The Belgian, who featured in just one full season at Stamford Bridge in 2011/12, has been put among the Italian’s top attacking targets during his extensive squad rebuild in London. Alvaro Morata is another wish that Conte would like granted by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, but a push for the striker appears to be the main objective at the moment. According to … [Read more...]

Matic: I’m a big part of Conte’s Chelsea plans

Nemanja Matic says he is delighted to know that he remains a firm part of Antonio Conte’s plans at Chelsea. Matic received more criticism than most as Chelsea finished tenth last season, the Serbian struggling for long periods of the season. Conte’s former club Juventus have been linked with a move for Matic, filling the space left by Paul Pogba’s probable departure. However, the midfielder has stated his desire to remain at Stamford Bridge. “What he said gave me a special feeling,” Matic said. “It was important for me to know I … [Read more...]

Klopp: Liverpool didn’t fancy Mkhitaryan and had no interest signing him

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp claims that he had no interest in signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund. Klopp managed Mkhitaryan at Borussia Dortmund and there was plenty of speculation suggesting the German would be reunited with the midfielder at Anfield. But that was never an option, according to Klopp with the German coach questioning the ability of Mkhitaryan to develop having known the player so well previously in Germany. The 27-year-old Armenia star eventually signed for Manchester United for £35million earlier this … [Read more...]

Ajax lastest to be linked with Liverpool reject Balotelli

The search for Mario Balotelli’s next club continues, with Ajax the latest to be linked with a move for the Liverpool reject. Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp has reportedly told the Italian striker that he does not feature in his plans at Anfield, with Balotelli’s agent Mino Raiola having recently offered the 25-year-old to Napoli and Ajax. However, with Arkadiusz Milik’s impending arrival at the Stadio San Paolo from Amsterdam, a move to the Eredivisie outfit appears more likely. Ajax are looking to reinvest the earnings from the sale of … [Read more...]