Mkhitaryan has just one year remaining on his contract and has been linked with both Arsenal and Chelsea. Henrikh Mkhitaryan has rejected Borussia Dortmund’s latest approach to open contract talks, with reports of a Premier League move to either Arsenal or Chelsea growing stronger by the day after his agent admitted they are “looking at his options”. Mkhitaryan has been linked with a move to England, although Dortmund are hugely reluctant to see another of their players leave the club after seeing Mats Hummels return to Bayern Munich last month. 27-year-old Mkhitaryan impressed last season as Dortmund finished as runners-up in the Bundesliga as well as reach the DFB-Pokal final, only to lose out to Bayern in a penalty shootout. Having scored 11 goals last … [Read more...]
Jose Mourinho Set to axe Juan Mata and Daley Blind from Manchester United squad
Jose Mourinho has already decided Juan Mata and Daley Blind are surplus to requirements at Manchester United, according to reports. The former Chelsea manager was confirmed as Louis van Gaal’s successor last week and has set about improving his squad and formalising his transfer plans with Untied’s executive vice chairman Ed Woodward. Mourinho sold Mata to Manchester United for £37 million in January 2014 after the then reigning Chelsea player of the year, had spent most of the first part of that season on the bench. The Portuguese is reported to still harbour doubts that the former Valencia forward possesses the requisite energy and defensive diligence to fit into his ultra disciplined tactical system. Blind, meanwhile, has been a solid, if not … [Read more...]
Chelsea weigh defensive options as Rudiger joins Roma
AS Roma have signed German defender Antonio Rudiger on a long-term contract until 2020, making permanent his loan move from VfB Stuttgart for a fee of nine million euros ($10.02 million), the Italian club said on thereby ending speculations he could join Chelsea. The 23-year old joined the Italian club on a one-year loan deal from Stuttgart in September for an initial fee of four million euros and has made 30 appearances in Serie A. Chelsea boss Antonio Conte reportedly lined up a £16m bid for the Germany international, but have to look elsewhere as the German sealefd his move to Roma. Meanwhile, there are claims in Italy that Chelsea have agreed an £8.4m deal with Juventus for Swiss right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner. The defender could join Chelsea when … [Read more...]
Raheem Sterling gunning for European glory with the Three Lions
RAHEEM STERLING praised England boss Roy Hodgson for helping to put back his career on track and hopes him and his teammates can win England the European championships. The Manchester City star revealed that Hodgson's influence and tactics had played a major part in lifting his game at a time when he appeared to be struggling with injury and form. Sterling, whose performance in the 2-1 warm up win over Australia, said the England manager's decision to give him a role operating more in the middle had given him a huge boost. "It's a position I can get in behind and I'm closer to the goal," he said. "Some times I been drawn into staying out too wide, but against Australia I got closer to the box and created stuff. "It's really a positive when the manager tells … [Read more...]
Chelsea rules out defender sale despite bumber offer
Chelsea will not sell Andreas Christensen to Borussia Monchengladbach, according to reports. Christensen is half-way through a two year loan spell with the German club and has cemented himself in the starting XI. The centre-back made 39 appearances in all competitions last term for the Bundesliga side and scored three goals. And according to German newspaper Bild , Gladbach want to make the deal permanent and will table an offer in the region of £15million - a record for the club. They will also reportedly include a buy-back clause in any deal for the Denmark international to smooth things over with the Blues. However, reports from Italy says the Premier League side are not willing to part company with the 20-year-old and are keen for him to … [Read more...]
Morgan Schneiderlin gets late call-up for injured Lassana Diarra
Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin has been called into the France squad for Euro 2016 after Lassana Diarra was ruled out with an injury. The Marseille midfielder has swelling in his left knee, the French Football Federation announced on Tuesday night. Diarra played the first half of Monday's 3-2 win over Cameroon and was replaced at half-time by Liecester City's N'Golo Kante. The FFF said the combative midfielder informed coach Didier Deschamps that he was not fit enough to play at the Euros. The hosts, the favourites to win the tournament, have already been forced to call Sevilla's Adil Rami and Samuel Umtiti of Lyon into the squad after injury ruled out Real Madrid's Raphael Varane and Barcelona's Jeremy Mathieu. Didier Deschamps' side … [Read more...]
Middlesbrough keen for out of favour Martin Skrtel
The Liverpool defender is under contract until 2018, but having fallen out of favour under Jurgen Klopp his days look numbered. Newly-promoted Middlesbrough are keen to bring him to the Riverside. Report claims Aitor Karanka wants to add the Slovakian’s Premier League experience to his squad as his side prepare for life in the top flight. Skrtel is also attracting interest from abroad with Turkish outfit Besiktas showing interest. The 31-year-old’s agent Karol Csonto has denied that a deal has been agreed with Besiktas, but is almost certain Skrtel will leave Anfield. He said: "It’s complete nonsense, he has not signed any contract (with Besiktas). I’ve even talked with Martin about another club. "Besiktas is one of those interested in Martin, but … [Read more...]