Manchester City are said to be long admirers of Laporte, with a serious ankle injury sustained on France under-21s international duty not enough to quell their interest in the player. The France Under-21 international was not considered for the European Championship in France as a result of injury. One positive for City is that Laporte’s agents are Ivan de la Pena and Carles Puyol, the former Barcelona players who featured for the Catalans’ youth side at the same as Txiki Begiristain, City’s current sporting director, starred for the first … [Read more...]
Thierry Henry surprised at Jermy Vardy’s refusal to join Arsenal
Thierry Henry has spoken of his surprise as to why Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy is hesitating over a move to Arsenal. Vardy, 29, is currently weighing up whether to make the switch to the Gunners, with sources daying that he has already undergone the first stage of his medical at the club. The former Fleetwood Town player is currently on international duty with England and reports claim he will not make a final decision on his future until after Euro 2016. "All I can say is if I was playing for Leicester and I had Arsenal coming, and … [Read more...]
Rummeneigge: No contract prohibiting Pep from signing Bayern players
Bayern Munich have confirmed that Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola is not contractually prohibited from signing players from his former club. Bayern's confirmation comes after Bayern Munich winger Douglas Costa was quoted by Brazilian television network Globo Esporte as saying the opposite, earlier this week. He said of his former coach Pep Guardiola: "It is something he has in the contract, a clause that he can't take anyone from Bayern." Sources at City, however, said that is not the case and City are free to do business with Bayern … [Read more...]
Nemanja Matic to force his way out of Chelsea to link up with Mourinho
Nemanja Matic has told Antonio Conte he wants to leave Chelsea this summer and link up with former boss Jose Mourinho at Manchester United, according to The Sun . Mourinho brought the Serb back to Stamford Bridge during his second spell with the Blues and is hoping to sign him again this summer. Despite playing a key part in 2015’s title win, Matic was one of the team’s biggest underperformers when Mourinho was sacked last year. It was claimed the pair fell out when Matic was substituted just 27 minutes after coming off the bench in the 3-1 … [Read more...]
De Gea and Muniain’s WhatsApp conversations revealed
A conversation between the players has been made public by El Confidencial and Cadena Ser Two WhatsApp conversations have shed some light on the Spanish sexual assault case which has implicated Iker Muniain, David de Gea, and an as yet unnamed third player. A protected witness has accused Athletic club’s Muniain and another player of sexual assault during a sex party back in 2012, a meeting Spain goalkeeper de Gea is accused of arranging. “Muniain and the other player were at the hotel, I wasn’t there. It wasn’t me,” De Gea said, according … [Read more...]
Liverpool keen on Udinese playmaker
One of Serie A’s most promising playmakers, Piotr Zielinski, looks set to be on the move this summer but Napoli will have to move quickly to keep him in Italy A fter a successful loan spell at Empoli last season, Piotr Zielinski has impressed Liverpool enough to table a bid for the Polish midfielder’s services. However, they could face competition in the form of Napoli. Due to the Partenopei participating in the Champions League next season, that may prove to be a decisive factor in Zielinski choosing the San Paolo over Anfield. Report have … [Read more...]
Euro 2016: Arsenal new boy Granit Xhaka set to do battle against his brother Taulant
The curious case of how two closely-knit brothers are about to make European Championship history by playing against each other for different nations is a symbol of these complex and diverse political times. Born in Basel to a family fleeing from Kosovo, Granit and Taulant Xhaka must put their love aside as they play against one another for Switzerland and Albania respectively on Saturday. F amily ties will be best kept off the pitch for two opponents at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Saturday, as Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka must … [Read more...]
Kolo Toure released by Liverpool
Kolo Toure has been released by Liverpool following the expiry of his contract, according to report. Toure's release ends his three-year spell at Anfield following his arrival from Manchester City on a free transfer in the summer of 2013. The former Ivory Coast international provided back-up for Jurgen Klopp's team last season, getting a regular run in the side after the suspension of Mamadou Sakho towards the end of the campaign. Toure, 35, started for Liverpool in the Europa League final defeat to Sevilla and made 25 appearances in all … [Read more...]
Man Utd keeper David De Gea denies organising underage sex parties for friends
Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has been drawn in to a sex scandal But De Gea has hit back at the claims and said the matter was being dealt with by his lawyers. He said: “It is all a lie. “I feel even stronger about staying with the national team… it is all false and it is in my lawyers hands. “I never thought about leaving. It gives me more strength to train even harder.” The allegations say the United number one arranged for his former Spanish under-21 teammate Iker Muniain and an unnamed player to meet the … [Read more...]
Former City boss Manuel Pellegrini set to be named AcMilan coach
The Chilean boss spent three years at the Etihad and won three major trophies — including a Premier League title in his first season. Before moving to England, Pellegrini established himself as a top level boss following a successful ten-year period in Spain. He established Villarreal as a relative force in Europe by leading them to the Champions League semi-finals and quarter-finals. Pellegrini moved to Real Madrid in 2009 and signed the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso. The 96 points amassed in … [Read more...]
Aaron Ramsey believes Wales can spring surprises at Euro 2016
Wales’ 58 years of waiting finally comes to an end tomorrow when they play their first game of the tournament against Slovakia. And the Arsenal midfielder says his club boss thinks they can ruffle a few feathers in France. “He said we could be pretty dangerous so hopefully that proves to be right,” said Ramsey. “He’s a wise man.” The 25-year-old midfielder usually finds himself watching major tournaments while on his summer holidays, while many of his Gunners’ team-mates play for their countries on the highest stage. But this time he has … [Read more...]