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Showing posts from July, 2017

LATEST TRANSFER NEWS

MAN UTD TO SEAL PERISIC SIGNING Manchester United are close to completing a £48 million deal to sign Ivan Perisic from Inter, according to The Daily Star. The Red Devils have been locked in talks with the Nerazzurri over the Croatia international, who has told the club he wants to leave. United were holding off meeting Inter's £50m valuation, but it seems they have managed to talk the Italian club down. CHELSEA TO MAKE OFFER FOR SANDRO Chelsea are ready to make a deal worth up to €70 million for Alex Sandro, according to an exclusive report from Calciomercato. Antonio Conte is also willing to afford the Italian champions first refusal on midfielder Nemanja Matic, as a additional bonus, should the Blues sign the Brazilian left-back this summer. PSG TO MAKE £35M ALEXIS OFFER Paris Saint-Germain are ready to up their bid for Alexis Sanchez to £35 million, according to The Express. The Chile international had been set to leave the Gunners for Manchester City, though th...

RAMOS: I HOPE NEYMAR LEAVES BARCA!

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RAMOS: I HOPE NEYMAR LEAVES BARCELONA FOR PSG 07:16 The World Cup winning-defender admits that a record-breaking transfer for the Brazilian would make life easier for the reigning La Liga champions Sergio Ramos wants Neymar to leave Barcelona as it would be "less of a problem" for Real Madrid, amid talk of interest from Paris Saint-Germain. Neymar's future at Barca is in serious doubt, with Ligue 1 side PSG ready to meet the Brazilian's €222 million release clause . The 25-year-old showed why he is the subject of interest after dazzling against bitter rivals Madrid at the International Champions Cup on Saturday, setting up two goals in a 3-2 triumph . Asked about Neymar's future after the game, Madrid captain Ramos said: "I do not know, everyone is free to choose their future. Zidane wants 'no changes' at Madrid "I hope [he leaves]. It would be less of a problem for us." Ramos, who made his first pre-season appearance for M...

MESSI AND SUAREZ MEET TIGER WOODS

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MESSI, SUAREZ AND NEYMAR MAKE GOLF LEGEND TIGER WOODS’ DAY AFTER MIAMI CLASICO 09:30 The Barcelona trio took the opportunity to pose for photos with the golfing superstar after beating Real Madrid The appeal of Barcelona duo Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez appears to know no bounds, with even golf legend Tiger Woods a huge fan. The 14-time major championship winner was among those in attendance at Saturday’s International Champions Cup clash between Barca and Real Madrid in Miami. The Florida-based superstar made no secret of where his allegiances lie, with his family all donning Barcelona jerseys. They had plenty to celebrate  as Barca secured a 3-2 victory , and Woods was all smiles afterwards as he got to mingle with iconic figures from another sporting field. While Messi and Suarez were the biggest draw for the Woods clan, the 41-year-old also met up with fellow ‘MSN’ member Neymar amid ongoing talk of a possible record-breaking transfer to Paris Saint-Germain for th...

ALVES URGES NEYMAR TO 'BE BRAVE'

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'YOU HAVE TO BE SELFISH' - DANI ALVES URGES NEYMAR TO JOIN PSG 06:12 The French side is still in pursuit of the Brazilian superstar, with his international team-mate pushing for him to make the move to Ligue 1 Paris Saint-Germain full-back Dani Alves has called on Barcelona star Neymar to be selfish and move to the Ligue 1 side. Neymar could be set to leave Barca, with French giants PSG ready to meet the 25-year-old's €222 million release clause. PSG's pursuit of Neymar has dominated headlines and former Barca defender Alves urged the Brazil international to be brave in his decision. "I speak with him every day, but not always about football," Alves said after scoring in PSG's 2-1 Trophee des Champions win over Monaco on Saturday, "I try to keep him calm because in these times when you listen to people from all over you can go crazy. "You have to be selfish because the clubs don't think of you once you don't produce result...

Transfers

DI MARIA LINED UP AS NEYMAR REPLACEMENT Paris Saint-Germain winger Angel Di Maria has been identified as a potential new signing for Barcelona should they lose Neymar to the Ligue 1 side, according to RMC. Rumours of a blockbuster €222 million move continue to circulate around the Brazilian, despite claims by Gerard Pique that he is staying put. And while Paulo Dybala and Philippe Coutinho also appear on the Barca shortlist, the Argentine is similarly seen as a possibility to fill the attacking vacancy that would be left by Neymar's exit. MONACO NAME MBAPPE PRICE Monaco would be willing to sell Kylian Mbappe if they were to receive a bid of €180 million, according to L'Equipe. The Ligue 1 champions are continuing talks over a contract extension with the teenage forward amid interest from Manchester City and Real Madrid. And they are now set to consider selling, but only if their demands are met financially. ARSENAL FAIL IN €50M LEMAR BID Monaco have rejected ...

MENDY COMPLETES MAN CITY MOVE

MENDY MAKES WORLD RECORD MANCHESTER CITY SWITCH 13:05 The France international defender has become the most expensive player of all time in his role as he becomes Pep Guardiola's fourth big buy Benjamin Mendy has completed his switch from Monaco to Manchester City, with the English side paying £52 million for the left-back. Man City favourites to win Premier League With the deal, Mendy, who turned 23 on July 17, has become the most expensive defender in football history and eclipses the £45m fee City paid for Kyle Walker last week that made the England star the game’s most expensive full-back. The France international has signed a five-year deal with the Etihad Stadium outfit, becoming their fourth major signing of a window that has also seen them sign Benfica goalkeeper Ederson as well as Mendy’s Monaco team-mate Bernardo Silva. Manager Pep Guardiola is focussing on the long term with City, explaining on Thursday that the players he is targeting this summer “are you...

MANCHESTER CITY SIGNS DANILO FROM MADRID

MANCHESTER CITY SIGN DANILO FROM REAL MADRID 09:08 The full-back is Pep Guardiola's fifth signing ahead of the new season and follows the likes of Kyle Walker and Ederson as a new face at the Etihad. Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Danilo from Real Madrid in a £26.5 million deal. The 26-year-old has joined City on a five-year contract and will immediately link up with Pep Guardiola's squad in the United States, where he may make his City debut in the International Champions Cup.  reported by Goal, City beat competition from Chelsea for the Brazil international and the club are also confident of securing the services of another full-back in Monaco's Benjamin Mendy, with confirmation of his arrival imminent. Danilo's arrival takes City's spending on full-backs past the £70m mark this close-season after they paid an initial £45m for Tottenham's Kyle Walker – a deal that could rise to an eventual £50m. City have seen a number of defenders...

LUKAKU MAKES BIG IMPRESSION AGAINST CITY

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BIG ROM'S BIG NIGHT - LUKAKU LEAVES FIRST LASTING IMPRESSION AS MAN UTD DOWN CITY 04:59 The £75m front man was the star of the 2-0 win over rivals City in Houston, with Marcus Rashford also playing a key role. Romelu Lukaku will take part in far more important fixtures during his Manchester United career but his first ever taste of Manchester derby action will take some forgetting. A spectacular opening goal crowned a wonderful personal display which will have United’s fans salivating at the thought of what he could deliver in the years to come. The 2-0 win over Manchester City in Houston came with an obvious string of caveats. The International Champions Cup clash had been played down as a competitive training session by Jose Mourinho in the lead-up, while City were always going to be behind the eight-ball given that they only recently arrived Stateside and were taking to the field for the first time. But none of those factors will stop Lukaku gaining a whole load of con...

WHY ARE EVERTON LETTING LEICESTER TAKE THE LEAD ON IHEANACHO?

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LEICESTER MOVE FOR IHEANACHO, BUT EVERTON NEED HIM TO REPLACE LUKAKU 16:27 The Nigeria international looks set to move to the King Power Stadium, but with a hole in attack, how are the Toffees not putting up a fight? It appears Kelechi Iheanacho’s Etihad nightmare is finally at an end. The 20-year-old is, according to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, set to complete a move within the next week, with the most likely destination being Leicester City. “We believe he deserves to play at that age,” said Guardiola. “That’s why we decided what’s best.” That indeed he does, and City’s insistence on a buy-back clause is an indication of (a measure of) continued faith in the player. However, with the club’s sixth all-time top scorer Sergio Aguero not even a certain starter, and the Citizens still interested in Alexis Sanchez, Iheanacho’s chances looked set to go from slim to non-existent very quickly. Leicester will get a player lethal in the box, an outstanding one-touch fini...

MOURINHO NOT HAPPY WITH MAN UTD TRANSFERS

MOURINHO NOT HAPPY WITH MAN UTD TRANSFER BUSINESS 11:09 The Portuguese admits that he "wants more" to add to the signings of Victor Lindelof and Romelu Lukaku but insists that he doesn't blame Ed Woodward Jose Mourinho is yet to be satisfied by Manchester United's dealings in the transfer window, despite the arrivals of Romelu Lukaku and Victor Lindelof. United missed out on signing Antoine Griezmann and have decided against bringing in Alvaro Morata up to now, while a reported chase of Eric Dier is expected to fall short due to Tottenham's demands. United beat Chelsea to the signing of Lukaku, who netted his first goal against Real Salt Lake on Monday, but Mourinho is targeting two more signings - with Ivan Perisic and Nemanja Matic thought to be top of his wishlist. "We always want more," Mourinho told ESPN. "We always feel there is room to improve, and I cannot say that I am happy with our transfer window. "What I can also say i...

TRANSFER NEWS

NEYMAR TOLD TO LEAVE BARCA Neymar is being encouraged to leave Barcelona by one element of his entourage so that he can step out of the shadow of Lionel Messi, claims Sport. The Brazilian moved to Camp Nou in 2013 and is under contract until 2021, with his current release clause standing at €200 million. The likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are all expected to be interested if Neymar becomes unsettled enough to look to leave Barcelona. CHELSEA WANT AUBAMEYANG DEAL Chelsea want to complete a deal to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund, according to Sky Sports . The Premier League champions lost out to Manchester United for the signing of Romelu Lukaku and, with Diego Costa tipped to leave, Antonio Conte wants to sign a world-class striker. Aubameyang’s name now appears to be at the top of Conte’s list, with reports claiming Dortmund will accept around £70 million for the striker, although the Bundesliga club want the s...

BALE REJECTS MAN UTD OFFER REPORTS

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BALE: NO OFFER FROM MAN UTD BUT I'M HAPPY AT REAL MADRID 10:00 The 28-year-old continues to be linked to a move back to the Premier League but he is working hard to play a key role for Madrid next season Gareth Bale says he is not planning to leave Real Madrid for Manchester United, stating no offer has been made. The Welsh attacker has long been linked with a move back to the Premier League, with the Old Trafford club the main suitors. The 28-year-old made just 27 appearances in all competitions last season due to injuries, but remains a key role to Madrid's famous BBC attacking trio alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. And he insists he is enjoying life in the Spanish capital. When asked if he has considered leaving, he told Marca: "No, everything has been complicated by my injury, but nothing else. "I can still play well and when I'm at the maximum I'll give my best again. I signed a long contract at Madrid and I'm happy here. ...

FRANCE ARE STAR SIXES WORLD CHAMPIONS

FRANCE ARE STAR SIXES WORLD CHAMPIONS 23:26 Youri Djorkaeff’s strike was enough to separate the two teams and give Les Bleus the world crown for football legends France have won the inaugural edition of the Star Sixes World Cup after defeating Denmark 2-1 at O2 Arena on Sunday evening. Goals from Ludovic Giuly and Youri Djorkaeff’s fired Les Bleus to World Cup glory as Daniel Jensen counted as mere consolation. That means a lot to @youridjorkaeff who gives France the lead #FRADEN #StarSixes pic.twitter.com/SCIuXerkRy — Star Sixes (@StarSixes) July 16, 2017 FT France 2-1 Denmark @piresrobert7's team win the first-ever #StarSixes title!! #FRADEN — Star Sixes (@StarSixes) July 16, 2017 Surprise package of the championship, Denmark failed to repeat the fluency and brilliance of their 4-2 semi-final romp against Brazil. Brazil suffered further humiliation as Spain silenced them 11-3 to claim the third place prize. FT Spain 11 (eleven) - 3 Brazil Spain wrap up in style...

COSTA MOCKS CONTE IN ATLETICO SHIRT

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CHELSEA STRIKER COSTA PARTIES IN ATLETICO SHIRT AND MOCKS CONTE 08:06 There appears to be no way back for the Spaniard at Stamford Bridge and he has made light of the situation in a live video on Instagram Diego Costa has been filmed partying in an Atletico Madrid shirt and taking a swipe at Chelsea manager Antonio Conte. In an Instagram live video, the Spaniard is seen wearing his former club's colours, while he wrote in Spanish in the comments section  "give a hug to Conte". The striker's future is very much up in the air at Stamford Bridge, with Costa having revealed that he has been told by Conte that he is no longer needed at the club. As a result, the 28-year-old has been excused from the start of pre-season training with the Blues in the hope that he will be able to find a new club and resolve his future. Costa has been strongly linked with a return to Atelti and the his latest performance on Instagram will undoubtedly excite fans of the Liga cl...

HART TO UNDERGO WEST HAM MEDICAL

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MAN CITY GOALKEEPER HART TO UNDERGO WEST HAM MEDICAL 08:00 The England international is set to move on loan to the London Stadium this summer, which could become a permanent move for around £15 million Joe Hart is set to undergo his medical at West Ham ahead of an initial loan move from Manchester City. The Hammers are keen to recruit a new goalkeeper this summer, and have swiftly negotiated a deal for the England international. Hart’s City contract expires in 2019, and he has, it is understood, been told to find a new club by manager Pep Guardiola. City allowed Hart to leave on loan to Torino last season and he is now set to move to London Stadium, with Guardiola’s side willing to subsidise his wages. West Ham are understood to have struck a deal that will see City pay half of Hart’s £100,000-per-week wages, and an option to buy will be included. Hart is now poised to formalise his move to the Hammers, which will likely lead to speculation over the futures of Adrian a...

ADEBAYOR REVEALS HIS BEST MANAGER

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ADEBAYOR REVEALS THE BEST MANAGER HE'S EVER WORKED WITH 12:30 The Togo forward, who has worked under Harry Redknapp and Arsene Wenger has explained why Jose Mourinho is the best manager he's ever had Togo international Emmanuel Adebayor has picked Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho as the best manager he has ever worked with. Adebayor who was loaned from Manchester City to Real Madrid in 2011 admitted that the Portuguese is truly the special one because he makes him special and remains the only coach who still keeps in touch with him. “Without a doubt, the best manager I ever worked with has been Jose Mourinho,” Adebayor was quoted by Turkish Football “Like everyone says he is the ‘Special One’, the guy is a special person and he is the only coach who still keeps in close contact with me. “We regularly talk, he is more than a manager. Mourinho holds a special place for me, he is on another level, there is nobody I have played under that is like him, t...

BUYING LUKAKU MOU'S WAY OF SLOWING CHELSEA

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NEVILLE CLAIMS LUKAKU SIGNING WAS MOURINHO STOPPING CHELSEA 22:13 The former defender feels the chance to stop the Blues from replacing Diego Costa may have played a part in Manchester United signing the striker Manchester United's signing of Romelu Lukaku may have been a move from Jose Mourinho to ensure Chelsea did not get stronger, according to Phil Neville. United snared Lukaku from Everton in a move reportedly worth an initial £75 million on Monday, the striker signing a five-year contract with an option of a sixth. The deal came after the Belgium international had seemingly been set for a return to former club Chelsea for much of the transfer window, while Mourinho's men had pursued Real Madrid star Alvaro Morata. Lukaku's move to Old Trafford caught Neville by surprise and he feels United stopping their Premier League title rivals from improving – particularly with Diego Costa expected to leave – played a part in Mourinho's decision. "It caugh...

TERRY TAKES ASTON VILLA CAPTAINCY

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TERRY TAKES OVER AS ASTON VILLA CAPTAIN 14:51 The 36-year-old will lead his new side in their battle for promotion from the Championship and wears the armband for the first time on Saturday John Terry has been named the new captain of Aston Villa after completing his move to the Championship club. The former Chelsea and England skipper takes over the armband from James Chester as Steve Bruce plots a return to the Premier League. "Aston Villa are pleased to announce John Terry as captain," the club said in a brief statement. "Terry will be skipper for the 2017-18 campaign." The 36-year-old, who said he signed for Villa to avoid having to play against Chelsea, captains his new side for the first time on Saturday in a pre-season friendly against Shrewsbury Town. Terry spent 22 years at Chelsea and captained them from the 2004-05 season, winning five Premier League titles as well as the Champions League and Europa League.

WENGER GIVES UP ON SIGNING MBAPPE

WENGER EXPECTS MBAPPE TO STAY AT MONACO 14:32 The French boss claims the Gunners have not made an offer for the attacker and feels the teenager will remain in Ligue 1 for another season Kylian Mbappe is likely to stay at Monaco, according to Arsene Wenger, who confirmed Arsenal have not made a world-record bid for the in-demand striker. Mbappe has been linked with Arsenal and Real Madrid after scoring 15 goals to fire Monaco to the Ligue 1 title, as well as hitting six goals in his side's run to the semi-finals of the Champions League. Wenger previously indicated that he would be interested in signing the precocious 18-year-old, but the Frenchman now thinks Mbappe will still be in Ligue 1 for the new season. "It looks like that,” Wenger told reporters when asked if Mbappe would stay at Monaco. "Maybe he had too much choice, so in the end people don't move." Reports in Spain claimed Arsenal had made a world-record bid of £123 million for Mbappe, but...

BAKAYOKO TO FINALISE MOVE ON SATURDAY

BAKAYOKO SET TO SIGN FIVE-YEAR CHELSEA CONTRACT ON SATURDAY 01:36 The Monaco midfielder's confusing transfer to the Premier League club is set to finally come to an end Saturday after he completed a medical Tiemoue Bakayoko's move to Chelsea is set to be completed Saturday.  Goal understands that the Monaco midfielder traveled to London on Thursday and passed his medical with the Blues a day later, despite lingering concerns over his knee. He was set to sign a contract later Friday, having spent the day at the club's training ground in Cobham and speaking with Antonio Conte.    However, the move was complicated by several factors, with Monaco vice president Vadim Vasilyev asking for a higher fee at the last minute and Bakayoko having signed several mandates with mulitple agents or intermediaries, making it difficult to identify the parties who needed to be paid and slowing down the process of finalizing the deal.  And later in the evening the p...

'ROONEY IS ENJOYING HIS FOOTBALL AGAIN'

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ROONEY HAPPY AGAIN AFTER MAN UTD EXIT, SAYS EVERTON TEAM-MATE SCHNEIDERLIN 14:30 Morgan Schneiderlin believes a return to Everton after 13 years at Manchester United is what Wayne Rooney needs to enjoy football again. Wayne Rooney is "happy" after scoring on his second debut for Everton, with the striker's return to the club exactly what he needs to begin enjoying football again, according to team-mate Morgan Schneiderlin. Rooney found the net with a dipping shot from 30 yards out in Thursday's friendly win over Kenyan side Gor Mahia to reopen his account for the club after completing a move from Manchester United. The all-time United and England record goalscorer had fallen out of favour for club and country prior to his return to boyhood club Everton and Schneiderlin says the move is what the 31-year-old needed to reignite his career. "I don't need to present him as a player, he has a hell of a lot of qualities," Rooney's former United ...

RUMOURS: CHELSEA, LIVERPOOL WANT AUBA

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CHELSEA, LIVERPOOL IN AUBA TUG OF WAR Chelsea and Liverpool will battle it out to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to The Sun. Both clubs have made contact with the 28-year-old's representatives over a potential £65 million move, with Liverpool the slight favourites due to Aubameyang's relationship with former Dortmund and current Reds boss Jurgen Klopp. WEST HAM END GIROUD INTEREST West Ham have ended their interest in signing Olivier Giroud after learning they are not the Arsenal striker’s first choice, according to Sky Sports. Giroud has been linked with a move away from Arsenal following the club record signing of Alexandre Lacazette, and West Ham had been keen to sign the France international. However, with Everton, Borussia Dortmund and Marseille also reportedly chasing Giroud, the Hammers have pulled out of the race. MONACO REJECT €45M MENDY BID Monaco have rejected a €45 million offer from Manchester City for left-ba...

KEITA PLEADS LEIPZIG FOR LIVERPOOL MOVE

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NABY KEITA TO REPEAT LIVERPOOL WISH AS LEIPZIG REJECT £57M BID 09:56 The 22-year-old wants to link up with Jurgen Klopp, with the Reds prepared to make him one of the biggest signings in Premier League history Naby Keita is expected to respectfully reiterate his desire to leave RB Leipzig for Liverpool as the determination to get a deal over the line is strengthened. The Reds have had an opening offer of £57 million rebuffed for their priority target as the Bundesliga side once again affirmed the midfielder is not for sale. News of the development broke via Bild on Thursday night, but it is understood the bid was submitted days in advance of the 22-year-old reporting back for pre-season training. Jurgen Klopp had alluded to the proposal last week when he highlighted the need for patience in the transfer window and said “even if you cannot see it, you can imagine we’ve done a lot behind the scenes.” The response Liverpool received to their formal approach wasn’t that Keita...

LACAZETTE THANKS IWOBI FOR ARSENAL GOAL

LACAZETTE THANKS IWOBI FOR ARSENAL DEBUT GOAL 00:59 The Frenchman singled out the Nigerian for praise after scoring in his first game for the Gunners against Sydney FC on Thursday Alexandre Lacazette has appreciated teammate Alex Iwobi after netting his dream debut goal in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Sydney FC in a pre-season game. The striker netted within 15 minutes of coming off the substitutes' bench to mark his arrival for a club-record fee in style. Iwobi made a great ground down the right before squaring for the onrushing Frenchman to slot home with a low finish. The France international who joined the Emirates Stadium giants for £52 million expressed his delight scoring his maiden goal before thanking the Nigerian for his assist. ''Happy to score my first goal with my new Team !! Thanks Alex Iwobi, great assist. #COYG #SydvARS,’’ Lacazette tweeted. Happy to score my 1st goal with my new Team !! Thanks @alexiwobi.. great assist#COYG #SydvARSpic.twitter.c...

'MBAPPE BORN TO BE THE BEST IN THE WORLD'

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MBAPPE BORN TO BE THE BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD - GALLAS 12:30 The Monaco star has shown extraordinary maturity in his short career so far and is destined for the very top, according to ex-France international Kylian Mbappe was “born to be the best player in the world” according to William Gallas, who urged his compatriot to stay put at Monaco for at least one more season. Mbappe, 18, caught the world’s attention with his displays during Monaco’s Ligue 1-winning campaign in which he emerged as the breakout star. Additionally, the teenager scored six knockout goals as the principality side made a run to the semi-finals of the Champions League forcing Europe’s top clubs to sit up and take notice. Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and Arsenal are among the clubs interested in Mbappe and Gallas is not surprised to see his compatriot in such high demand. “The guy is born to be one of the best players in the world,” Gallas, speaking on behalf of Betsafe at the Star...

MILAN'S BONUCCI BID IS STEAL OF THE CENTURY

BONUCCI €17M LESS THAN KYLE WALKER?! AC MILAN MAKING STEAL OF THE CENTURY AT €40M 10:45 The centre-half is a massive game-changer for the Rossoneri, while the disparity in fees underlines that English clubs have more money than sense. It was only three days ago that Slaven Bilic lamented, "The money in football is absurd but it is like that in other sports and also in show business. "You have [Justin] Bieber who is earning more than the Rolling Stones, not to mention Led Zeppelin or Elvis Presley. "Everything cracked. Nothing is normal anymore." Bonucci agent won't deny Milan deal Friday offers us further evidence of football's seemingly irreversible descent into insanity, with Kyle Walker set to join Manchester City for €57 million, €17m more than the fee AC Milan have agreed with Juventus for Leonardo Bonucci. Bonucci is one of the finest defenders in the world, the ball-playing centre-half within one of the finest back-lines the game has e...

MAKELELE: I SAVED BAKAYOKO'S CAREER

MAKELELE ADMITS HE HAD TO TALK TO BAKAYOKO 'EVERY DAY' AT MONACO TO TURN HIS CAREER AROUND Nizaar Kinsella 16:01 The Blues legend went to work in the principality and he made it his mission to turn the distracted young man into a great player EXCLUSIVE Tiemoue Bakayoko was always highly regarded, but when Claude Makelele was the technical director at Monaco, there were concerns that the midfielder may not live up to that potential. He was only 19-years-old at the time and he didn't see eye-to-eye with the club's head coach Leonardo Jardim, but conversations with Makelele saw the youngster change his diet, move house and simplify his life. Bakayoko demonstrated the quality of character needed to Jardim and helped Monaco to a Ligue 1 title and Champions League semi-final last season. Makelele opened up about his daily conversations with Bakayoko, who fittingly is set to move to Chelsea for £40 million to follow in Makele's footsteps. "When I came [to...

LACAZETTE SCORES FIRST ARSENAL GOAL IN DEBUT

SYDNEY FC 0 ARSENAL 2: LACAZETTE SCORES ON DREAM DEBUT Chris Myson 12:56 Arsenal recorded a comfortable victory over Sydney FC to begin their pre-season campaign, with Alexandre Lacazette making a dream debut. Alexandre Lacazette made a stunning start to his Arsenal career by scoring on his debut to wrap up a 2-0 victory over Sydney FC. The striker netted within 15 minutes of coming off the substitutes' bench late on at a sold-out ANZ Stadium to mark his arrival for a club-record fee in style. It had looked until that point that a fourth-minute strike from Per Mertesacker, magnificent during the FA Cup final in his last Gunners appearance, would be the only goal of the game. Danny Welbeck had a controversial second-half penalty saved by Sydney goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne, whose impressive performance ensured the match remained in the balance until Lacazette's late intervention. The match was Arsenal's first pre-season encounter, with a friendly against Western S...

TIME TO TAX AFRICA'S SUPERSTARS?

TIME FOR HIGH EARNING AFRICAN SUPERSTARS TO PAY SPECIAL TAXES? Lolade Adewuyi 07:56 Despite a slew of big-money moves featuring top players from the continent, governments back home enjoy very little from the success of their citizens.  Mohamed Salah’s 39million pounds move to Liverpool from AS Roma is the latest transfer record for an African footballer. Last year, Sadio Mane’s move to Anfield from West Ham United generated a now eclipsed record by his new teammate. Apart from the big money transfers involving the duo, Yaya Toure earns a princely sum of around 230,000 pounds every week at Manchester City. The Ivorian has been one of the highest-paid African footballer for many years. Nigeria’s John Obi Mikel also earns a tidy amount put by several sources at 140,000 pounds weekly at China’s Tianjin Teda while his compatriot Victor Moses has recently moved into the six-figure threshold at Chelsea. Kenya’s Victor Wanyama is reported by several sources as earning 70,000 p...

TRANSFER RUMORS

TRANSFER NEWS: THE LATEST RUMOURS FROM MAN UTD, CHELSEA, ARSENAL AND ALL THE TOP TEAMS 11:00TRANSFER ZONE Goal takes a look at the biggest transfer stories from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and beyond ahead of the opening of the summer window BARCA DITCH BELLERIN BID Barcelona have ditched plans to sign Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin during the summer transfer window, according to Sport . Bellerin had previously been Barca’s leading target to fill the right-back role next season, but Arsenal were unwilling to sell the Spaniard. And, with new coach Ernesto Valverde reportedly having doubts over Bellerin’s physical and technical capabilities, Barca have decided against pursuing a €40 million deal. DIER OPEN TO MAN UTD MOVE Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier is open to joining Manchester United, who would double the England international’s current £70,000 a week wages, according to The Guardian . United have already seen one offer for Dier rejected, but are pr...

CITY FURIOUS & FLAPPING AFTER ALVES SNUB

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GUARDIOLA & MAN CITY LEFT FURIOUS & FLAPPING AFTER DRAMATIC DANI ALVES U-TURN Sam Lee 07:00 The Brazilian had agreed a two-year deal to join Manchester City and was allowed to enjoy his holidays in peace, but secretly decided to sign for PSG SPECIAL REPORT On July 7, Pep Guardiola had lunch with Dani Alves in Barcelona and talked about the future of Manchester City. At around lunchtime on July 11, City officials were still expecting Alves to board their flight to the United States at the start of next week. A few hours later, Alves was having a medical at Paris Saint-Germain. What happened? What happens next? City are now scrambling around for the answers. James Rodriguez officially a Bayern player  It was the prospect of joining up with Guardiola at City which led to Alves becoming free to decide his own future in the first place. The Brazilian had had his head turned by the idea of playing for his old boss one last time and Juventus, extremely graciously it mus...

JAMES 'DREAMING BIG' AT BAYERN

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JAMES RODRIGUEZ 'DREAMING BIG' AT BAYERN MUNICH Chris Myson 12:01 Twitter @FCBayernEN In his first words since signing for Bayern Munich, former Real Madrid star is already looking forward to success at Allianz Arena New Bayern Munich signing James Rodriguez says he is dreaming big and is fully motivated as he prepares to start his career in Germany.  James has agreed to join Bayern on a two-year loan deal from Real Madrid, with the Bundesliga club holding an option to buy him permanently. The attacking midfielder is set to formally sign for the German champions on Wednesday, which is also his 26th birthday, after finishing the last of his medical checks. In his first interview after his move to Bayern was announced, James has revealed he is setting his sights high. "I'm very happy and looking forward to being at a huge club and in a great team," the Colombia international said to Bayerntv. "Everyone knows what FC Bayern stands for and what...