The centre-back favours a move to the Etihad and City are prepared to deliver the 22-year-old for new manager Pep Guardiola and will not baulk at making him Britain’s most expensive defender. A firm bid is imminent with contact between the clubs already established and the prospect of an auction developing now seems unlikely with Stones keen to work with Guardiola. Stones was denied a move to Chelsea last summer with Everton rejecting a series of bids which went up to £35m. The TV money pouring into the Premier League means his valuation has risen since then despite a difficult season at club level and his failure to play a single minute at Euro 2016 for England, and Everton are determined to hold out for £50m. It is the same fee Paris Saint-Germain … [Read more...]
Euro 2016: Courtois criticises Wilmots decision
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois declined to back coach Marc Wilmots, who said he will decide his future at a later time after the Red Devils crashed out of Euro 2016 with a 3-1 quarterfinal defeat to Wales. Asked after the game if Belgium needed a new coach, Courtois replied: "This was an opportunity we may not get again. I gave him my opinion in the dressing room. He has to make his own decision." In his postgame news conference, Wilmots would not say if he would stay on as Belgium coach. "I said I'd make my decision after the European Championship. I won't make one straight after the game," the coach said. "There's a lot of adrenaline going. We'll have to see." Courtois told VTM that Wilmots used the same tactics as in Belgium's opening defeat … [Read more...]
Christian Benteke nears Liverpool exit
Eagles boss Alan Pardew has turned his attention towards Liverpool flop Benteke after missing out on compatriot Mitcy Batshauyi from Marseille who appears set to join Chelsea. Christian Benteke could be about to make the switch from Liverpool to Crystal Palace, with the London side agreeing a club record transfer fee for his services. Although he was well liked by Brendan Rodgers, the arrival of Jurgen Klopp at Anfield has cast his future into doubt and it seems as though he’ll have the option to leave. Close to €40 million could be departing Crystal Palace’s bank accounts if the transfer gets sealed, destroying the €15 million they paid to land Andros Townsend on Friday. Benteke has scored 10 goals for Liverpool since joining from Aston Villa last … [Read more...]
Euro 2016: Ramsey stars as Wales stun Belgium to book semi-finals ticket
A sensational display from Wales saw the underdogs fight back from a goal down to beat Belgium 3-1 to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2016. On a night dripping with raw emotion in northern France, Wales went one better than their 1958 predecessors who reached the last eight of the World Cup. They also did it the hard way after falling behind to Radja Nainggolan’s thunderous strike, with Ashley Williams, Hal Robson-Kanu and substitute Sam Vokes proving the goal-scoring heroes. They will now meet Portugal in the semi-final in Lyon on Wednesday, but must do so without Ben Davies and Aaron Ramsey, absolutely outstanding again here, who collected their second cautions of the tournament. It used to be asked who would provide Wales with goals if Gareth … [Read more...]
Manchester United sign Zlatan
Manchester United have confirmed that former Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has joined the club, and has signed a one-year deal according to reports. Ibrahimovic, 34, arrives as a free agent after his Paris Saint-Germain contract expired on Thursday when he announced on social media that he would be moving to Old Trafford -- writing on Instagram: "Time to let the world know. My next destination is @manchesterunited #iamcoming" The move will see Ibrahimovic reunited with United manager Jose Mourinho, whom he had worked with at Inter Milan during the 2008-09 season and United's confirmed was announced via a Twitter message with a seven-second video of Zlatan emerging wearing a United shirt before saying "It's Zlatan time." Are you ready? It's … [Read more...]
Ryan Giggs departs United after 29-years
Ryan Giggs has reached a settlement to confirm his departure from Manchester United – bringing an end to his 29-year stay at the club. Giggs, 42, had a year remaining on his contract as assistant manager but new boss Jose Mourinho intends to fill that role with long-time friend Rui Faria. Unable to reach agreement over another role at the Premier League club, Giggs, who made a record 963 appearances for the club, has decided to move on. United are expected to release an official statement in the coming days to officially confirm the Welshman’s exit. The club had hoped to persuade Giggs to take on a new role at the club, but having been overlooked for the top job, he has decided to move on. In the 2013-14 season, he was made a player-coach by David … [Read more...]
Manchester City sign Nolito from Celta Vigo
Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Nolito from Celta Vigo on a four-year contract. Nolito, 29, who had an €18 million (£13.8m) release clause in his Celta contract, will link up with new City boss Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium, having played under him during their time together at Barcelona. The Spain international, who will wear the No. 9 shirt at City, becomes the third signing of the Guardiola era following the arrivals of Ilkay Gundogan from Borussia Dortmund and Aaron Mooy from Melbourne City. #WelcomeNolito to #mcfc Manchester City (@ManCity) July 1, 2016 "I'll try to bring as much as I possibly can," Nolito told the club's official website. "I'll do everything that the manager asks of me, try my absolute best and do … [Read more...]