With Liverpool keen to get Mario Balotelli off their books, Turkish champions Besiktas will look to secure the Italian on a loan deal. The 25-year-old forward is on the market as the Reds see no future for him at Anfield, and he is being lined up to replace Mario Gomez in Istanbul. The German’s own successful loan spell has ended and he has returned to Fiorentina . According to Fanatik, Balotelli’s wages, currently standing at around €5.5 million each year, are far too much for Besiktas to consider a permanent move for the former AC Milan man. However, if Liverpool are willing to pay a percentage of his salary, the deal could go through. Indeed, Besiktas president Fikret Orman did not rule out the possibility when asked about the 25-year-old’s link … [Read more...]
Liverpool face competition for Moussa Sissoko’s signature
Liverpool have made a proposal to sign Moussa Sissoko from Newcastle, yet Jurgen Klopp will have to fight his former club Borussia Dortmund for his signature. The 26-year-old, who admitted he is looking to leave Tyneside following his “10 out of 10” performance for France at Euro 2016 , has been valued at £35m , but according to Le 10 Sport the Magpies have yet to receive a bid of this kind. The Frenchman currently has two contract proposals to consider, with Klopp’s ex-club Borussia Dortmund also keen on landing the former Toulouse midfielder. However, the Reds appear to be in pole position as Sissoko is thought to be favouring the prospect of staying in England rather than a move abroad. Liverpool also have the resources to meet Newcastle’s demands. … [Read more...]
Lyon reject Arsenal’s offer for irreplaceable Lacazette
Lyon have announced that they have rejected an Arsenal bid for striker Alexandre Lacazette and have insisted that their star striker is not for sale. Referring to a Le Progres report that said Arsenal had offered €48 million for Lacazette, 25, the Ligue 1 club issued a statement saying that was untrue and that the bid had actually been only €35m. Lyon said they had not followed up on Arsenal's offer because the France international is "irreplaceable." The statement read: "Olympique Lyonnais categorically denies having received an offer of €48 million from Arsenal for the transfer of Alexandre Lacazette as Le Progres claims in this morning's edition. "The club regrets once again that Le Progres did not bother to contact the club before publishing this … [Read more...]
Gonzalo Higuain seals Juventus move
In one of the biggest deals of the transfer window thus far, Serie A champions Juventus have snared Gonzalo Higuain from Napoli. Juventus have confirmed the signing Gonzalo Higuain from Serie A rivals Napoli for €90million. Lega Serie A announced the transfer of the Argentina striker to the Italian champions had been completed earlier on Tuesday. And the Bianconeri confirmed the deal has been ratified on their official website, the former Real Madrid player agreeing a five-year deal in something of a coup for Massimiliano Allegri's men. Napoli posted a tweet to announce Juventus had met a buyout clause in Higuain's contract and they will pay the hefty transfer fee - the third most expensive in football history after Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale's … [Read more...]
Coutinho: Mane faster than expected
Philippe Coutinho admits he can’t wait to see Sadio Mane use his pace against opposition defences after admitting he’s been impressed with Liverpool’s new signing. Mane joined the Reds from Southampton in a £34million deal following three years with the club. The Senegal international joins the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum, Loris Karius and Joel Matip as new signings at Anfield this summer and Brazilian midfielder Coutinho can’t wait to supply the ammunition for Mane to flourish this season. Speaking on Liverpool’s tour of the USA, Coutinho, admitted he was taken aback by Mane’s speed in training. “It’s been very good playing with Sadio so far, but if anything he’s too fast,” he told the club’s official website . “That’s good because you need this … [Read more...]
N’Golo Kante to wear the No. 7 shirt for Chelsea next season
N'Golo Kante has been handed the No. 7 shirt next season for Chelsea after his £32 million move from Premier League champions Leicester. Kante, who is currently on an extended vacation, is yet to join up with the Blues following his involvement at Euro 2016 with hosts France, but will meet his new teammates this week for their tour of the United States. Kante follows Brazil midfielder Ramires in wearing the No. 7, after the former Benfica star joined Jiangsu Suning in January. Other notable number changes include Pedro. The Spain winger has opted to wear No. 11 after initially wearing No. 17 upon joining from Barcelona last season. Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi has taken the No. 23 and Ola Aina -- fresh from signing a new long-term deal -- will wear … [Read more...]
Joe Allen excited to join Stoke City
Joe Allen, 26, has put pen to paper on a five-year contract after the clubs agreed a fee which Press Association Sport understands is £13million. He has struggled for playing time under Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, having been restricted to mainly Europa League appearances last season. But he was one of the stars of the Wales squad which reached the semi-finals at Euro 2016 earlier this summer. Stoke’s bid met Liverpool’s valuation of a player with less than 12 months remaining on his contract and means they recouped most of the £15million they paid Swansea four years ago. Allen told the club’s official website: “It’s been a whirlwind 48 hours for me, but I am delighted to have finally been able to put pen to paper. “I was really excited as soon as I … [Read more...]