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 … [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 … [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 … [Read more...]
Striking woes for Gunners as Sanchez set to miss start of the season
Arsenal are facing a potential striker crisis with star striker Alexis Sanchez set to miss the start of the season, according to reports. Sanchez has received treatment throughout his summer for an ankle injury sustained while on international duty at the Copa America Centenario with Chile and there are suggestions that the forward, who has been linked with a move to Juventus, will not be fit to face Liverpool on Sunday, August 14. Sanchez took to social media in June to post a defiant message after his injury. The 27-year-old was … [Read more...]
Klopp unhappy despite Reds friendly win
Jurgen Klopp was not happy with Liverpool’s first-half display as they brushed aside Fleetwood Town in pre-season on Wednesday. Marko Grujic, Ben Woodburn, Lucas Leiva and Roberto Firmino all scored as the Premier League side proved their dominance over the League One outfit. Liverpool’s three summer signings – Sadio Mane, Loris Karius and Joel Matip – all started, while a number of the club’s youngsters impressed the manager. Klopp made 11 changes at half-time with Liverpool only leading 1-0, before their superiority showed in the … [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 … [Read more...]
Bournemouth sign Jordon Ibe for £15m from Liverpool
AFC Bournemouth have announced the signing of winger Jordon Ibe from Liverpool, with the Cherries reportedly splashing out £15m to sign him. The England U21 international has signed a four-year deal at the Vitality Stadium and arrives at Bournemouth after he made 41 appearances for the Reds in all competitions last season. AFC Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake said: “We’re delighted to bring Jordon to the football club. “He played plenty of football with Liverpool last season and we’re looking forward to seeing him to continue to … [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, … [Read more...]
Martin Skrtel seals Fenerbahce move
Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel will be presented as a Fenerbahce player on Friday, the Turkish side have confirmed. The centre-back had a medical on Wednesday ahead of his transfer, which is believed to be in the region of £5 million before the Turkish Super Lig runners-up welcomed his arrival in a short statement on Thursday. Skrtel departs Anfield after 320 appearances and eight-and-a-half seasons of service, having joined from Zenit Saint Petersburg in January 2008. The 31-year-old struggled to convince Liverpool manager Jurgen … [Read more...]
Antonio Conte backs John Terry as Chelsea captain
New Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has said John Terry will remain club captain this season regardless of whether he is on the pitch. Conte was confirmed as Chelsea's new manager in April, when Guus Hiddink was in interim charge and there were significant doubts over Terry's future at the club. The 35-year-old ultimately put pen to paper on a new one-year contract in May but had previously said he would have to accept a "different role" at the club. Conte has finally arrived at Stamford Bridge after having led Italy to the quarterfinals … [Read more...]
Chelsea set to Hijack Joao Mario move
Euro 2016 winner Joao Mario looked set to join the Biscione but now the Premier League side lead the race due to being able to offer the Portuguese club more money . After helping Portugal to Euro 2016 triumph, Joao Mario could be set for a move to Chelsea after the Premier League club moved ahead of Inter in the race to sign the Sporting midfielder. Antonio Conte’s side are now in pole position to sign the Portugal international – as they look to strengthen ahead of a title challenge –with the Premier League club able to offer more money … [Read more...]