Bayern Munich have confirmed that Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola is not contractually prohibited from signing players from his former club. Bayern's confirmation comes after Bayern Munich winger Douglas Costa was quoted by Brazilian television network Globo Esporte as saying the opposite, earlier this week. He said of his former coach Pep Guardiola: "It is something he has in the contract, a clause that he can't take anyone from Bayern." Sources at City, however, said that is not the case and City are free to do business with Bayern Munich in the future. Speaking at a German Football League meeting in Frankfurt on Thursday, the Bavarian's CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed the PA report. "There is no agreement," the Bayern Chief said, adding that … [Read more...]
Nemanja Matic to force his way out of Chelsea to link up with Mourinho
Nemanja Matic has told Antonio Conte he wants to leave Chelsea this summer and link up with former boss Jose Mourinho at Manchester United, according to The Sun . Mourinho brought the Serb back to Stamford Bridge during his second spell with the Blues and is hoping to sign him again this summer. Despite playing a key part in 2015’s title win, Matic was one of the team’s biggest underperformers when Mourinho was sacked last year. It was claimed the pair fell out when Matic was substituted just 27 minutes after coming off the bench in the 3-1 defeat to Southampton, but Mourinho is actually a big fan of the defensive midfielder. Matic was one of the few Chelsea players to speak out in support of the Portuguese tactician after he was fired. And alongside … [Read more...]
De Gea and Muniain’s WhatsApp conversations revealed
A conversation between the players has been made public by El Confidencial and Cadena Ser Two WhatsApp conversations have shed some light on the Spanish sexual assault case which has implicated Iker Muniain, David de Gea, and an as yet unnamed third player. A protected witness has accused Athletic club’s Muniain and another player of sexual assault during a sex party back in 2012, a meeting Spain goalkeeper de Gea is accused of arranging. “Muniain and the other player were at the hotel, I wasn’t there. It wasn’t me,” De Gea said, according to a source from El Confidencial, who leaked those messages. The witness and Muniain however made conflicting claims. “Muniain told me it was you [De Gea],” the witness insisted. When asked by the witness how much … [Read more...]
Liverpool keen on Udinese playmaker
One of Serie A’s most promising playmakers, Piotr Zielinski, looks set to be on the move this summer but Napoli will have to move quickly to keep him in Italy A fter a successful loan spell at Empoli last season, Piotr Zielinski has impressed Liverpool enough to table a bid for the Polish midfielder’s services. However, they could face competition in the form of Napoli. Due to the Partenopei participating in the Champions League next season, that may prove to be a decisive factor in Zielinski choosing the San Paolo over Anfield. Report have it that Liverpool have offered €12 million for Zielinski, and that he would like to join the club. Napoli are still in race, nevertheless, as talks are ongoing with Udinese. Wherever he ends up, Zielinski looks certain … [Read more...]
Euro 2016: Arsenal new boy Granit Xhaka set to do battle against his brother Taulant
The curious case of how two closely-knit brothers are about to make European Championship history by playing against each other for different nations is a symbol of these complex and diverse political times. Born in Basel to a family fleeing from Kosovo, Granit and Taulant Xhaka must put their love aside as they play against one another for Switzerland and Albania respectively on Saturday. F amily ties will be best kept off the pitch for two opponents at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Saturday, as Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka must participate in a nervy Euro 2016 clash against elder brother and Albania defender Taulant Xhaka. The brotherly battle is the first of its kind on the European Championship stage, with Kevin-Prince Boateng and Jerome Boateng … [Read more...]
Kolo Toure released by Liverpool
Kolo Toure has been released by Liverpool following the expiry of his contract, according to report. Toure's release ends his three-year spell at Anfield following his arrival from Manchester City on a free transfer in the summer of 2013. The former Ivory Coast international provided back-up for Jurgen Klopp's team last season, getting a regular run in the side after the suspension of Mamadou Sakho towards the end of the campaign. Toure, 35, started for Liverpool in the Europa League final defeat to Sevilla and made 25 appearances in all last term. He was brought to Liverpool by former Reds boss Brendan Rodgers to add some experience to the squad and in total made 71 appearances for the club. There was a point in the last month when there was a chance … [Read more...]
Man Utd keeper David De Gea denies organising underage sex parties for friends
Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has been drawn in to a sex scandal But De Gea has hit back at the claims and said the matter was being dealt with by his lawyers. He said: “It is all a lie. “I feel even stronger about staying with the national team… it is all false and it is in my lawyers hands. “I never thought about leaving. It gives me more strength to train even harder.” The allegations say the United number one arranged for his former Spanish under-21 teammate Iker Muniain and an unnamed player to meet the prostitute for sexual relations against her will. Spanish website El Diario reports the stunning allegations were part of evidence given to prosecutors in a high profile case that saw porn baron Torbe, real name Ignacio … [Read more...]