Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech announced his retirement from international soccer on Friday following his country's group stage exit at Euro 2016. The 34-year-old keeper, who plays for Arsenal in the English Premier League, is his country's most capped player with 124 appearances and played all three games at the tournament where the Czech Republic could only manage one point in Group D. "This is a purely football-based decision. If I want to prolong my career and play at the highest level for as long as I can, then I will probably … [Read more...]
Mane takes the plaudits as Klopp hails new Liverpool man
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was pleased with what he saw from Sadio Mane on his Reds debut, along with the other two new recruits that featured in Friday's friendly with Tranmere Rovers. Joel Matip and goalkeeper Loris Karius also all made their first appearances for the club in the 1-0 win over the non-league opposition at Prenton Park, with Danny Ings grabbing the only goal of the night. Mane, who joined from Southampton in a £30 million move earlier this month, impressed in a 45-minute outing in the first of nine Liverpool preseason … [Read more...]
Guardiola: facing Mourinho made me better
Rivals from their El Clasico days, the coaching duo will now lock horns on opposite sides of the Manchester footballing divide. As they prepare to renew their fierce rivalry, Pep Guardiola has claimed that Jose Mourinho has made him a better coach. The Spaniard will face off against his long-standing nemesis after taking the reins at Manchester City, the Portuguese pitching up just down the road at local rivals Manchester United. “It’s not about him or me,” said Guardiola to press who had gathered for his first press conference since … [Read more...]
UEFA drop charges against Sakho
Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has been cleared by a UEFA board after being suspended 30 days in an anti-doping probe in April. Sakho's suspension had stemmed from an alleged anti-doping violation following Liverpool's Europa League match against Manchester United in March, but UEFA have now dismissed the charges against him. The 26-year-old is now free to play for Liverpool ahead of the upcoming Premier League season after he returned to preseason training last Saturday. Sakho's 30-day suspension ended on May 28. He missed … [Read more...]
Leicester sign striker Ahmed Musa for club-record £16m
Leicester have completed the signing of striker Ahmed Musa from CSKA Moscow on a four-year deal, subject to Premier League and Football Association approval. The Foxes moved swiftly to make the Nigeria international their fourth signing of the summer after he hit 13 goals in 30 league games for CSKA last term. The 23-year-old joins Nampalys Mendy, Ron-Robert Zieler and Luis Hernandez as boss Claudio Ranieri looks to build on his side’s stunning title triumph last season. Musa told Foxes Player HD: “I feel very happy joining Leicester … [Read more...]
Klopp set to trim down squad
Jurgen Klopp is reported to have told his players which of them are free to leave this summer – with at least eight more set to be cut from Liverpool’s squad. With Kolo Toure and Jose Enrique released at the end of the season and Jerome Sinclair having been sold to Watford, the Reds are expected to sell off around eight more players this summer – with Joe Allen – despite his Euro 2016 heroics with Wales – and Christian Benteke heading the list. Allen, who has attracted interest from Sevilla , former club Swansea and Southampton, is … [Read more...]
Juventus set to lure Sanchez away from Arsenal
The Chilean forward has emerged as a potential signing for the Bianconeri, who are looking to strengthen their attacking ranks following the departure of Alvaro Morata . Keen to add to their forward line this summer following the departure of Alvaro Morata to Real Madrid, Juventus have submitted a bid of around €30 million for Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez. The big-money offer follows swiftly on from the Spaniard’s return to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, but is still believed to fall well short of the Premier League club’s … [Read more...]
Jurgen Kloop signs new long-term contract at Liverpool
After less than 12 months in charge, Jurgen Klopp has agreed to an extension of his Liverpool contract. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has signed a new long-term contract, the club have announced. The former Borussia Dortmund head coach was appointed in October last year after Brendan Rodgers was sacked following a disappointing start to the season. The 49-year-old has been rewarded for a promising first nine months in the role with a new deal which is reported to take him through until 2022, with his previous contract having been set to … [Read more...]
Arsenal make move for Subotic as Liverpool and Everton show interest
Arsenal have reportedly lodged a £12m bid for Neven Subotic after the defender was told he will be allowed to move to the Premier League this summer. Subotic has made 258 appearances for Borussia Dortmund since making his debut for the Bundesliga giants back in 2008 but the 27-year-old announced last month that he’s set to move on ahead of the 2016/17 campaign. The player fell out of favour at the Westfalenstadion last season and has since been told that he can leave the club, subject to an acceptable bid for his services coming in. “I … [Read more...]
Fenerbahce confirm talks with Skrtel over £5m deal
Fenerbahce have confirmed they have entered negotiations with to sign Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel. The centre-back signed for £6.5million back in January 2008 from Russian club Zenit St Petersburg and has made 320 appearances for the club over six years, scoring 18 goals. He was part of the Liverpool side that won the League Cup back in 2012, when he scored in the final against Cardiff City. The Slovakian was phased out as the club’s starting central defender under Jurgen Klopp last season, but still made the Xi on 21 occasions in … [Read more...]
Manchester United begin Pogba transfer negotiations
Manchester United are reported to have begun negotiations over a deal that could see Paul Pogba return for around £100m. Pogba, who is currently on international duty with host nation France at Euro 2016, has also been linked to Real Madrid with compatriot Zinedine Zidane thought to be a keen admirer of the 23-year-old. Sky Sports report that although Juventus are adamant they want to hold onto their prized asset, a world record offer from United worth £100million is likely to be too much for them to resist. Ed Woodward has entered into … [Read more...]