The 28-year-old enjoyed a resurgent season at the Bianconeri last term with both the player and club intent on continuing the relationship. Serie A champions Juventus are set to hold talks with Premier League club Chelsea over the future of Juan Cuadrado as the Turin side prepare for a summer bid for the winger. The Colombian international’s rise to stardom at Fiorentina saw him complete a move to the Stamford Bridge outfit on a four-and-a-half year deal back in February 2015. However, Cuadrado was shipped off to Juventus at the beginning of 2015/16 for a loan deal worth €1.5 million after failing to become a regular feature in Chelsea’s starting XI. Following a resurgent season, coach Massimiliano Allegri is reportedly keen to see Cuadrado remain at … [Read more...]
Chelsea ready to chase Lionel Messi
If the Argentine doesn’t sign a new deal at the Camp Nou, coupled with complications in relation to tax issues, it could open the door to a move to England. Chelsea has joined Manchester City in the race to sign Barcelona forward Lionel Messi after his father was pictured on Roman Abramovich’s yacht. Messi has been handed a 21-month prison sentence after a court in Barcelona found them guilty on three counts of tax fraud, amounting to €4.1 million. Any fee to sign the Argentine would be over €117m, whilst Messi’s father, Jorge, has met with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, according to The Sun, amid speculation that the superstar could leave the Camp Nou. The meeting between the pair is thought to have taken place in the last 10 days on Abramovich’s super … [Read more...]
West Ham switch to Liverpool misfit after Tevez snub
Crystal Palace face competition from West Ham for Liverpool striker Christian Benteke after talks to bring back Carlos Tevez broke down. The 32-year-old Argentine striker is a cult hero amongst Hammers fans after his goal-scoring streak of seven goals in the last 10 games of the 2006/07 season helped keep West Ham in the Premier League. Hammers co-chairman David Gold revealed that the club did try and make an emotional return happen this summer, but Tevez’s excessive wage demands means the deal was never likely to happen. “We tried to get Tevez but he wanted £250,000 a week. In his last year at Juventus, he was great. But 250 grand a week?” Sullivan told the Daily Mirror. “He’ll probably stay where he is now, but he doesn’t pay a lot of tax down … [Read more...]
Nianggolan snubs Chelsea for Roma stay
The 28-year-old has been away at Euro 2016 , but following Belgium's exit Nainggolan has dispelled rumours over his future. Reports have it that Chelsea have been chasing the midfielder with new boss Antonio Conte keen on bringing him to Stamford Bridge. Nainggolan further demonstrated his top talent with two stunning strikes in five games for Belgium at the Euros. And Chelsea continued their efforts to sign him during the tournament but had a third bid of £33million rejected by Roma last week, according sources. With the Italians standing firm on their prized asset, Nainggolan has seemingly ended the Blues' hopes of capturing him this summer. "Everything is calm with (Roma's director of football) Sabatini," Nainggolan told Gazzetta World. "Will … [Read more...]
Sakho to have hearing on thursday
Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho will plead his case against a suspension for a failed drugs test to UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on Thursday. The France international tested positive for a ‘fat burner’ after the Reds’ Europa League tie against Manchester United at Old Trafford in March. He served a provisional 30-day suspension after opting not to have his B sample tested – meaning he missed the Europa League final defeat to Sevilla and selection for Euro 2016 – but the initial ban was not extended as UEFA launched an investigation into whether the substance Sakho took should even be on the banned list after new evidence came to light recently. With those enquiries now over an independent disciplinary body will sit in Paris on Thursday … [Read more...]
Chelsea set to launch bid for Alvaro Morata
Alvaro Morata returned to Real Madrid this summer, but Los Blancos may still decide to cash in on the youngster. With new Chelsea coach Antonio Conte looking to significantly strengthen the squad he has inherited at Stamford Bridge, reports have now emerged that the Italian is considering making a serious offer for Alvaro Morata. Morata recently returned to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu during the close season, after Real Madrid exercised their right to buy back the 23-year-old from Juventus for fee of €32 million. However, with Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo to choose from and the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal interested in the Spaniard’s services, Marca have revealed that Los Blancos may look to quickly offload the forward for a significant … [Read more...]
Ex-United players Ronaldo and Nani on target to send Portugal into Euro 2016 final
Portugal will face hosts France or Germany in the final of Euro 2016 after bringing to an end Wales’ impressive run with a 2-0 win in their semi-final clash in Lyon. The match had been billed in some quarters as a private duel between Real Madrid team-mates Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, and the Portuguese won it hands down after a cagey and scoreless first period. Ronaldo scored with a bullet header five minutes after the break and then quickly set up Nani as Portugal ran out convincing 2-0 winners. This has been a tournament where Ronaldo has not been at his brilliant best, scoring only twice in five games and throwing the odd tantrum both with his team-mates on the pitch and the media off it. But he delivered when it mattered and, when he … [Read more...]