Werder Bremen acquired Serge Gnabry from Arsenal in a “clever and creative” manner, according to a member of the club’s supervisory board. Gnabry’s exit from Arsenal on deadline day came as a surprise after Arsene Wenger had set he hoped to agree a new deal with the 21-year-old, whose contract at the Emirates was set to expire at the end of the season. Ultimately Arsenal accepted a bid of between £4-5 million from Bremen but speculation in Germany has claimed that German champions Bayern Munich had a part to play in the deal and may have an agreement in place with their fellow Bundesliga side. Whilst Wili Lemke did not confirm any involvement from Bayern in the deal, a suggestion that Bremen themselves deny, he did confirm that general manager Frank … [Read more...]
Romelu Lukaku reveals why he rejected Juve for Everton
Romelu Lukaku has claimed he could have joined Juventus in the summer transfer window but opted to stay at Everton. Chelsea are understood to have tried to re-sign Lukaku, who Everton reportedly valued at £75million. The Belgium international admits he is unhappy without European football and suggests he could still leave Goodison Park next summer. “It stings a little [not being in Europe], but I’m someone who believes that everything happens for a reason,” Lukaku said in an interview with Het Nieuwsblad . “Otherwise I would have gone to Juventus instead of staying at Everton. But I opted for Everton because it was too early for Italy and I have not done badly here. “Now we have a new coach and it is completely different from Mr [Roberto] Martinez, … [Read more...]
Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane opens up on Mourinho talks
Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has told Canal+ it was "difficult to turn down Jose Mourinho" and a move to Manchester United this summer, but says Zinedine Zidane's vote of confidence convinced him to stay in Spain. Varane, 23, has developed into a world-class centre-back since moving to Madrid from Lens in 2011 bearing the tag of being one of the game's most promising youngsters. That transformation was aided in great part by Mourinho during his three-year tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu, and the United coach hoped to reunite with the France international at Old Trafford this summer only for Varane to reject the move. "Of course it's flattering. Manchester United is a very big club. But from the moment when Madrid and I are in sync on my project, … [Read more...]
Jurgen Klopp calls Sadio Mane to check fitness amid injury concerns
Liverpool have been boosted by the news that Sadio Mane did not suffer a serious injury while on international duty. The winger was substituted midway through the second half of Saturday’s 2-0 win over Namibia, prompting speculation about his fitness. Jurgen Klopp is understood to have called the 24-year-old the following day to check on his status and was given a positive response and Mane was back in for training at Melwood on Monday. That was a welcome news ahead of the visit of Premier League champions Leicester this weekend for the first home match of the season, when Anfield’s new Main Stand will be officially used for the first time. Klopp will want his strongest line-up available, although he will have to wait until Thursday for the return of … [Read more...]
Toure treatment will cost Manchester City African fans – agent
Yaya Toure's agent says Pep Guardiola will cost Manchester City millions of supporters in Africa due to his treatment of the midfielder. Guardiola has sidelined the 33-year-old since taking over as City manager this summer. Toure has yet to feature in the Premier League this season and has been left out of the Champions League group stage squad. The Ivorian's representative, Dimitri Seluk, is unhappy with the way his client is being treated and claims it will have serious ramifications for the club. "They will lose a lot of millions of supporters from Africa because of this decision from Guardiola," Seluk said, in an interview with the Daily Mail. "Now they will support Manchester United. A lot of people in Africa say they will never see any more … [Read more...]
Norway 0 Germany 3: Muller’s brace sinks Norway
Thomas Muller made sure Germany made a successful start to the defence of their World Cup title with a 3-0 win over Norway in Oslo. Thomas Muller was on target twice while Joshua Kimmich's first goal for his country crowned an emphatic start to qualifying for Germany, who immediately took their place at the top of Group C. Manuel Neuer led Germany out for the first time since being named their new captain following Bastian Schweinsteiger's retirement from international football. (read) The Bayern Munich goalkeeper's touch of the ball during the coin toss was the closest he would come to seeing action for much of the game, though, as Joachim Low's team pressed from the beginning. Ten minutes in, Benedikt Howedes almost gave the guests the lead when he … [Read more...]
Slovakia 0-1 England: Lallana scores late to give Allardyce first England win
Adam Lallana grabbed an injury time winner to hand Sam Allardyce a 1-0 win over Slovakia in his first game in charge of England. Allardyce had looked as though he would have to settle for a deeply uninspiring stalemate in Trnava – the hosts having held firm in the World Cup Group F qualifier despite Martin Skrtel’s sending-off after a nasty stamp on Harry Kane. However Lallana picked a perfect moment to break his international duck and seal a 1-0 success. The Liverpool forward had already clattered the post when the ball broke for him inside the area, with seconds of the four added minutes left. He showed neat footwork and got his shot away, then turned away in celebration as Matus Kozacik let the ball squirm between his legs and over the … [Read more...]