Chelsea are reportedly keen to signing Sevilla midfielder Steven N’Zonzi. The former Stoke City ace has impressed for the La Liga outfit since arriving last summer, helping them to win the Europa League for an unprecedented third year in a row. This has piqued the interest of incoming Blues boss Antonio Conte, but there is also competition from Leicester City according to The Sun On Sunday. With a £21 million release clause, any transfer for the 27-year-old won’t be cheap. However, with Nemanja Matic and John Obi Mikel criticised for their performances in the last campaign, N’Zonzi could be the man to improve the Londoners’ in defensive midfield position. … [Read more...]
England captain Wayne Rooney keen to see England get off to the best possible start against Russia
When England drew with Switzerland at Wembley back in the first match of Euro 96, it was largely met with disappointment by the home fans - but not by the players. “In any tournament,” said Paul Ince, “it’s always important to get something out of the first game. What you can’t do is lose it - then it becomes very tough and you have to win the next two.” But Wayne Rooney has set his sights higher and has urged his side to seize the moment against Russia on Saturday in their Euro 2016 opener. “The first game is massive,” the England captain said in the aftermath of Thursday night’s disappointing 1-0 win over Portugal. “It's important that we get off to a winning start. Everyone says you don't want to lose the first game but the difference it can make if you win the … [Read more...]
Inter not in a rush to sign Manchester City Midfielder Yaya Toure
Piero Ausilio insisted Inter are interested in Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure, but the Serie A side are in no rush to push through a deal. Chinese investors Suning Commerce Group are set to purchase a majority 70 per cent stake from Inter president Erick Thohir. And as the two parties complete the new ownership structure, Inter director Ausilio said the club's pursuit of 33-year-old Toure is not a priority at the moment. After six seasons at the Etihad Stadium and with former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola to take charge in 2016-17, Toure is tipped to leave with a year remaining on his contract. "Yaya Toure is a player that we really like," Ausilio told reporters. "But first we have to sort out [the] ownership change. "There are still … [Read more...]
United in pursuit of Villareal defender Eric Bailly
Villarreal’s Eric Bailly, is set to join Premier League side Manchester United with the deal expected to be closed later tonight. The Carrusel Deportivo sports programme (part of the Cadena Ser network) have confirmed that both sides are about to conclude the negotiation process with a fee of 40 million euro being agreed in securing the defender’s signature. United will not pay his buy-out clause which was fixed at 40 million but will pay the LaLiga club a quaintly that when varying add on fees etc. are added up will be close to the 40 million euro mark. Bailly arrived at Villarreal over 18 months ago following a move from Espanyol. The “yellow submarine” paid 5,2 million euro for his services with Espanyol retaining a stake in the player. Bailly has … [Read more...]
Jose Mourinho admits he must focus on the Premier League and not his rivalry with Pep Guardiola
The pair had an intense rivalry for a two-season spell in Spain when Mourinho was in charge of Real Madrid and Guardiola was manager of Barcelona. They each won La Liga title once in that period and faced each 11 times in all competitions - with Real collecting six red cards. But Mourinho, who poked Guardiola's assistant Tito Vilanova in the eye in one touch line bust-up, says the greater competition in the English top flight means they cannot afford to be absorbed with each other. "My experience does not allow me to be innocent," he said. "I was with Guardiola two years in a league where me or him would be champion. In England, if I focus on him or he on me, the champion will be another [coach]." Mourinho has ruled out the possibility of … [Read more...]
Radja Nainggolan confirms Chelsea interest
Radja Nainggolan has confirmed Chelsea are interested in signing him, but added he is "very happy at Roma." Nainggolan, 28, is wanted by new Chelsea manager Antonio Conte to bolster the club's options in midfield but he is not sold on the idea of a Premier League switch. "They want to strengthen and moreover you have a coach like Conte who has always wanted to sign me", Nainggolan told Belgian magazine Nina. "There has been contact between the two clubs, but as long as there is no agreement reached, I'll stay well out of it. Chelsea are a great team and it's good to be appreciated by them." The Belgium international has spent his whole senior career in Italy playing for Piacenza, Cagliari and now Roma and he thinks it would be difficult to leave … [Read more...]
Chelsea Boss Anthonio Conte wants Paul Pogba at the Bridge
Antonio Conte is desperate to sign Paul Pogba this summer and Chelsea are in talks with the Juventus midfielder’s camp over a British transfer record £76million move to Stamford Bridge. The 23-year-old left Manchester United for Turin in 2012 and he’s won four consecutive Scudettos with the Old Lady. The Frenchman has attracted interest from the majority of European superpowers and, according to Get French Football , Chelsea are in constant contact with the midfielder’s representatives over a move to bring him to west London this summer. The midfielder fueled talk of a move to the Premier League earlier this year when he was spotted in London when given time off by Juventus and Conte has identified Chelsea’s midfield as a priority in this summer’s … [Read more...]