Manchester United released their squad numbers for the upcoming season, and coincidentally omits the No.6 shirt for Pogba as reports suggest. There aren't many surprises, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic taking over the No. 9 and Anthony Martial switching to No. 11. All in all, it's entirely boring. Except there is the whole thing where they left the No. 6 unfilled. #MUFC 's provisional squad numbers for 2016/17: 5:00 PM - 21 Jul 2016 Manchester United @ManUtd You know, the No. 6 that usually goes to a do-it-all midfielder who is an automatic starter and might be considered the linchpin to the team. Someone like ... Paul Pogba? Oh hey, Pogba has been linked to Manchester United and the Red Devils are rumored to be on the brink of a world-record … [Read more...]
Leroy Sane wants Schalke exit as Man City monitors proceedings
Leroy Sane has told Schalke that he wants to leave the Bundesliga club, according to general manager Christian Heidel. The 20-year-old, who was part of Germany’s European Championship squad in France, has been linked with some of Europe’s top clubs, including Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Heidel told German newspaper Bild: “Sane has clearly expressed that he would like to change (clubs). We have to accept it. We will correspond if the conditions for Schalke are in order.” “I can not confirm that the deal is in the final phase. That would mean that he could be gone tomorrow or the next day.” Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola praised Leroy Sane on several occasions during his time at Bayern Munich and has been linked with a move for … [Read more...]
Kurt Zouma recovering ahead of schedule
Kurt Zouma 's recovery from injury is ahead of schedule and the Chelsea defender could return to action as early as October. The 22-year-old has not featured for the Blues since damaging his anterior cruciate ligament against Manchester United in February. An early diagnosis suggested Zouma would be unlikely to play again in 2016 but he has made good progress and is currently with the rest of Antonio Conte's squad on a pre-season training camp in Austria. The Italian coach is adamant Zouma will not be rushed back but the defender himself is hopeful he will soon be available for selection after featuring alongside his colleagues during a brief session involving ball work earlier this week. "I didn’t know I would be back on the training pitch by now, I … [Read more...]
Georginio Wijnaldum set for £25m Liverpool move
Georginio Wijnaldum will have a medical at Liverpool within the next 24 hours after they struck a deal with Newcastle for the midfielder. Sources say Liverpool will pay a maximum of £25million for the Holland international, taking into account various add-ons. It is believed Wijnaldum’s former club PSV Eindhoven are due a sell-on fee for a player who moved to St James’ Park a year ago for £14.5million. Manager Jurgen Klopp has been looking to strengthen his midfield options and turned his attention to Wijnaldum after giving up their pursuit of Udinese’s Piotr Zielinski. With the arrival of the attacking midfielder imminent it makes it more likely Joe Allen will depart. The club accepted a £13million bid from Stoke for the Wales international, who … [Read more...]
Juventus line up Matic as replacement for Manchester bound Pogba
Juventus are already in the process of lining up potential replacements for Pogba, as Chelsea's Matic is considered a possible target. Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic remains the top choice with Inter target Axel Witsel close behind, while Newcastle United’s Moussa Sissoko has launched himself into the mix after his performance in the Euro 2016 final. Blues boss Antonio Conte wants the Serbian to stay with the club despite his desire to leave, while Sissoko would cost at least €40 million, which could prove to be a stumbling block in negotiations. Inter have expressed much interest in Witsel, and the Belgian has reciprocated in kind, however, they would have to sell before they could buy him, which offers Juventus the opportunity to get one over their … [Read more...]
Middlesbrough sign former Man City striker Alvaro Negredo on loan
Middlesbrough have completed the season-long loan addition of striker Alvaro Negredo, subject to international clearance. The 30-year-old has joined from Valencia after two disappointing seasons as he looks to reignite his career. Boro are reportedly paying the entirety of his £100,000-a-week salary . It will be Negredo’s second spell in England following a solitary season at Man City in 2013-14. CONFIRMED | The club has agreed a deal with @valenciacf to bring @AlvaroNegredo_7 to #Boro – https://t.co/T66IUN5Hlw pic.twitter.com/ImtkbspKsb — Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) July 20, 2016 After joining for a fee of £16.4million, his career at City started brightly but he soon fell down the pecking order and was made available for transfer at the end … [Read more...]
Antonio Conte set Marco Parolo target
After growing fond of Marco Parolo during his time as Azzurri coach, Antonio Conte is now considering bringing the former Parma man to Chelsea. Having already snapped up Leicester City’s N’Golo Kante, Antonio Conte is now looking to add another midfielder to his ranks at Chelsea and has identified Lazio's Marco Parolo as his desired target. The former Italy manager holds the 31-year-old in high regard, having made him a regular starter in his Azzurri side during their Euro 2016 adventure in France which ended in defeat to Germany after a penalty shootout. Chelsea are more than happy to oblige their new coach’s wishes, according to Cittaceleste.it, especially as they previously kept tabs on the midfielder when he was with Cesena in 2011. As a player … [Read more...]