Germany manager Joachim Low praised substitute Bastian Schweinsteiger after the Manchester United midfielder saw his hard work result in a crucial goal against the Ukraine. Germany cruised to a 2-0 victory in their Group C opener at the European Championship, with Schweinsteiger adding the second in stoppage time after coming on in the 90th minute on Sunday. Speaking after the match, Low was pleased for the longtime Bayern Munich man, who had battled a knee injury for most of 2016. "I'm very happy for Bastian Schweinsteiger -- after all the work he's done in recent months, he scored the decisive goal," Low said. "It will help him and the team a lot." Germany left the result in doubt before Schweinsteiger's strike from a Mesut Ozil cross. While aware of … [Read more...]
Napoli warned they would take legal action against Chelsea over Kalidou Koulibaly transfer
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has claimed Kalidou Koulibaly has cost the club millions of euros in merchandising revenue -- and warned that he could take legal action against Chelsea. Last week, Senegal international Koulibaly said he was likely to leave the Serie A club in the summer and expected rumoured interest from the Blues to become more concrete. The defender told L'Equipe: "If nothing happens with Napoli, I'm going to start making contact with other clubs. "I'm going to make the most favourable choice, not only financially but also on a sporting level -- clubs of a high standing want me, and I've had no sign from Napoli." But De Laurentiis responded angrily, with Corriere dello Sport quoting him as saying: "I had thought … [Read more...]
Goalkeeping headache for Vincente Del Bosque
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque refused to confirm which of David De Gea or Iker Casillas will be starting goalkeeper when the defending champions meet Czech Republic in their opening match on Monday. Speaking on Sunday in Toulouse at his prematch press conference, Del Bosque said he will inform the goalkeepers of his decision in front of the rest of the squad. "I'm going to tell them together," he said. "I will tell the goalkeepers at the same time as the rest of the players. We have to think about situations for the team, we're not thinking just about the keeper [but] thinking about the whole team. The final decision will be made tomorrow." Del Bosque admitted he was not sure if Manchester United's De Gea had been affected by accusations made in a … [Read more...]
Arenal track fullbacks as fear of losing Bellerin to Barcelona grows
Arsenal are reportedly pondering moves for two-right backs amid fears Hector Bellerin will be joining LA Liga giants Barcelona. The Gunners have on Sunday been linked with a £15million swoop for Albania ace Elseid Hysaj, while Bayern Munich’s Rafinha, 30, is also reportedly on the Gunners’ list of targets. Barcelona are in the race to sign a new right-back with Dani Alves leaving for Juventus and are reportedly keen on their former academy star Bellerin, who did little to dampen talk of a return to his former club when asked recently. Arsenal, are therefore, reportedly drawing up a list of potential targets should Barcelona move for for Bellerin and Napoli right-back Hysaj, who played in his country’s opening Euro 2016 clash against Switzerland on Saturday, … [Read more...]
Inter set to sign Yaya Toure with a little help from China
Yaya Toure has been a transfer target for the Nerazzurri for a while and his acquisition could be a reality with a help from China After being linked with Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure for a long time, Inter might finally secure the Ivorian international with help from Chinese club Jiangsu Suning. Both Inter and Jiangsu are owned by the Suning Commerce Group and this situation will allow the Biscione to acquire the 33-year-old whilst dealing with the constraints of Financial Fair Play. Since the two clubs are part of different confederations, the move should not come under scrutiny from UEFA but the Italian giants would like to find a way to meet the Financial Fair Play requirements as well as the wage demands of the former Barcelona man. One … [Read more...]
MANCHESTER UNITED JOINS RACE FOR N’GOLO KANTE
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is ready to launch a £22m raid for Leicester midfielder N’Golo Kante, according to the Sunday Mirror. Kante, who played in hosts France’s 2-1 win over Romania on Friday, played a major part in the Foxes’ shock Premier League triumph. And Man United are now ready to trigger the release clause in his contract and bring him to Old Trafford. Mourinho wants the midfield powerhouse to add steel and energy to United’s midfield as he continues his plans to rebuild after the £30m signing of defender Eric Bailly from Villarreal . But United will face competition from Arsenal, Chelsea and PSG have all expressed their interest in the midfielder, who joined the Foxes in a £5.6m deal from Caen last summer. Meanwhile, reports … [Read more...]
Liverpool to swap Jordan Ibe plus cash for Southampton’s Sadio Mane
Jordan Ibe has failed to light up Anfield under Jurgen Klopp and may leave in cash plus swap deal for the Senegalese sensation If the Anfield club agree a straight cash fee with Saints for £30million-rated winger Mane, 24, Ibe would be a major loser. So they are willing to put him in the deal for around £10m. The former Wycombe wide man has clocked up a lot of games since coming to Liverpool and in loan spells at Birmingham and Derby. But his future chances look slim. Saints will need to wait for a new boss before proceeding with the Mane sale and possible swap but the ground is being prepared for the deal to go through … [Read more...]