Jose Mourinho has reacted at criticism from Arsene Wenger and Jurgen Klopp over the fee for Paul Pogba. Manchester United are thought to be closing in on a deal to sign Pogba, one which will cost a world-record fee. Juventus have demands upwards of £100m for the player they signed from United four years ago, and the deal is now reported to be close to completion. Last week, Arsenal manager Wenger claimed that the money involved in signing the 23-year-old was “madness”. “It’s complete madness,” said the Frenchman, “but it seems that if you can afford to do it, you can justify it. Football has become a global competition and that is why clubs are chucking these kinds of sums around.” Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp questioned the fee last month, saying: “If you … [Read more...]
James Milner retires from international football
James Milner has retired from international football following talks with new England manager Sam Allardyce. Milner, 30, has been part of the England squad at the last four major tournaments and earned 61 caps but managed just three minutes as a substitute at Euro 2016. The Liverpool midfielder had already indicated a willingness to make way for the next generation and officially called time on his Three Lions career after a recent meeting with Allardyce. The Football Association announced his decision on Friday. We can confirm that James Milner has retired from international duty after 61 appearances for the #ThreeLions . cards.twitter.com/cards/18ce53vi… 4:00 PM - 5 Aug 2016 England @England thefa.com Milner, who is the country’s … [Read more...]
Branislav Ivanovic expecting a successful season under Conte
Branislav Ivanovic is sure Chelsea will improve, but is unwilling to set unrealistic goals in the Premier League. Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic insists it is "dangerous" to look too far ahead as his side target improvement in the Premier League. Now under Antonio Conte, Chelsea are looking for a much better campaign after a disappointing 10th-place league finish last season. The Italian has added the likes of big-money signings N'Golo Kante and Michy Batshuayi to his squad in the off-season. But while Ivanovic expects better from the club, he warned against setting unrealistic goals. "With the new signings and the new system we will improve a lot. It will make our players much better," he said. "If all our squad is on top of our … [Read more...]
Mourinho: Man Utd will sign ‘one more player’, plays down Pogba interest
Jose Mourinho has reiterated his desire for his final signing of the summer to be completed by next Friday, with Manchester United set to ramp up their pursuit of Paul Pogba in an effort to see him return to the club before the start of the Premier League season. United take on Leicester City this Sunday in the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium in the annual curtain-raiser to the English season, although the possibility of Pogba signing for United before the match is reducing as each day goes by. The Juventus midfielder has enjoyed a post-Euro 2016 holiday in the United States while the transfer saga has unfolded, with reports of an agreed deal and rival interest from Real Madrid failing to formalise. Mourinho spoke to the media after Wayne Rooney’s … [Read more...]
Manchester City close in on Marlos Moreno
Manchester City could make a third signing this week and are close to signing Colombia international Marlos Moreno, it is understood. The 19-year-old winger would cost around £4.75million if a deal to bring him from Atletico Nacional is completed. Moreno’s arrival would follow those of Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus, whose deals have already concluded this week, although reports have suggested he could immediately be loaned out for experience. Spanish club Deportivo la Coruna are a reported potential destination for the player, who came through the youth system at Atletico and has earned seven caps for Colombia. His signing would continue a busy summer at City following the appointment of Pep Guardiola as manager. Ilkay Gundogan, Oleksandr Zinchenko … [Read more...]
Kouyate double seals Europa League play-off spot for West Ham
Cheikhou Kouyate first-half double meant West Ham could enjoy their start to life at the Olympic Stadium as they saw off Slovenian side Domzale with ease in the Europa League . Cheikhou Kouyate scored twice and new signing Sofiane Feghouli opened his account as the Hammers, who left Upton Park at the end of last season, secured a 4-2 aggregate win to reach the play-offs for the group stages of the competition. Four years to the day since Mo Farah, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Greg Rutherford wowed the nation on Super Saturday at London 2012, the Olympic Stadium – now known as the London Stadium – finally welcomed its new tenants and West Ham could scarcely have wished for more obliging opposition as they overturned last week’s shock 2-1 first-leg loss in … [Read more...]
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 to the Stadio San Paolo instead. Zielinski joined Udinese from Zaglebie Lubin at the age of 17 and made his debut for the Stadio Friuli side in November 2012. He was unable to secure regular first-team football at … [Read more...]