Ragnar Klavan have joined Liverpool from Augsburg in a deal reportedly worth £4.2m. The experienced central defender has been brought in as cover at centre-back with both Mamadou Sakho and Joe Gomez currently ruled out due to injury. Tiago Ilori had been expected to provide initial cover for the start of the coming season but his inclusion in Portugal’s Olympics squad has forced Liverpool to bolster their defensive ranks with new-signing Klavan. The central defender enjoyed four seasons at Augsburg, after joining in 2012, and made 181 appearances for the club. Speaking to Liverpool's official website, Klaven said: “I’m really honoured to be part of this amazing club, this amazing team. “It’s hard to put it into words, because it’s been a dream … [Read more...]
Premier League to clamp down on abuse of match officials
Premier League players and managers have been warned they face red cards for abusing match officials this season. Not one player has been sent off in the Premier League for insulting or abusive language towards a match official in the last five seasons, but that could change, unless they quickly accept and adapt. The Premier League, Football Association and English Football League on Wednesday announced an unnamed initiative seeking to address indiscipline in the game by reinforcing laws. The grassroots-to-elite initiative is unnamed, but has been a topic of discussions for a year and has support from the Professional Football Association and the League Managers’ Association. Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore said: “We’re looking to … [Read more...]
Mkhitaryan confident of winning titles at Man United
Henrikh Mkhitaryan has underlined his confidence that he can ‘win titles’ at Manchester United after facing the media for the first time since his £26million move from Borussia Dortmund. The 27-year-old arrived at Old Trafford earlier this month from the Bundesliga giants on a contract until 2020. Dortmund took a swipe at United by underlining he was joining the “fifth-place English team last season”, but Mkhitaryan is confident in helping his new club challenge for Premier League glory once more. “It’s a very good opportunity to play for Manchester after Borussia – Manchester is one of the biggest clubs in the world,” he said ahead of facing his former club in the unusual surroundings of Shanghai on Friday. “I am very happy to be here and I am … [Read more...]
Pogba keen on Manchester United move
After negotiations between Manchester United and Juventus officially begun on Tuesday, Paul Pogba has given his blessing for the move to go through. The 23-year-old Frenchman has been a target for the Red Devils for some time now, but the English Premier League giants had to wait until Euro 2016 concluded before they could make a concrete move to bring the star back to Old Trafford. But now that negotiations have begun, Pogba has let Juventus know – via his agent Mino Raiola – that he is keen on a move to United, with the promise of huge salary increase and the lure of Jose Mourinho too hard to turn down. Pogba currently earns €4.5 million a season with the Bianconeri, but United are prepared to blow that out of the water with a five-year deal worth €12m … [Read more...]
Diego Lopez Deal Close, Asmir Begovic to Everton Rumours
Asmir Begovic’s future at Chelsea is in doubt after the club made a move to sign AC Milan goalkeeper Diego Lopez. Begovic joined Chelsea from Stoke for £8million just 12 months ago and is the subject of interest from Everton. Thibaut Courtois will remain first-choice keeper at Stamford Bridge under new coach Antonio Conte according to reports. Belgium international Courtois has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid but Conte made it clear to him during their first meeting that he wanted him to stay. Begovic started 21 games for the Blues last season, the majority of which came while Courtois was ruled out for three months with a knee problem. Unless Courtois suffers similar misfortune, Begovic is set to play far less next term and will be … [Read more...]
Joel Campbell dismisses rumours linking him away from Arsenal
Joel Campbell has dismissed reports he is set for a move away from Arsenal as “rumours” as speculation mounts over his future. The Costa Rican forward has been a peripheral figure at the Emirates, despite big things being expected following some impressive loan spells away from the club and on the international stage. That has led to reports in Spain claiming Campbell is set to be jettisoned by Gunners’ boss Arsene Wenger this summer, with La Liga giants Valencia said to be at the head of the queue to sign him. However, he has distanced himself from suggestions he is planning on an Arsenal exit. “There are always rumours, but I don’t talk about those things,” Campbell said on his personal website. “I focus on doing my thing, which is to train day … [Read more...]
Arsenal join race for Riyad Mahrez
Arsenal and PSG are among the clubs to have joined the race for Riyad Mahrez after it emerged the Leicester star will reject new terms at the King Power Stadium. The future of the 25-year-old dominates the back pages following reports over the weekend which claimed the 25-year-old is to snub an increase in wages of nearly £50,000 per week to secure a move away from the Foxes. The news follows N'Golo Kante's departure to Chelsea and comes with reports the Gunners have also lined up talks with Inter Milan over Mauro Icardi as Arsene Wenger continues his search for attacking reinfocements. The Frenchman is also monitoring the situation of Gonzalo Higuain, Alvaro Morata and Alexandre Lacazette after missing out on £20million Jamie Vardy earlier in the … [Read more...]