Thursday, 12 January 2017

Transfer talk

Liverpool's Adam Lallana has become a point of interest from top clubs, as Barcelona and Juventus join PSG in an attempt to sign him



TOP STORY: Lallana wanted by Barca, Juventus

Liverpool's Adam Lallana is a transfer target for European powerhouses Barcelona and Juventus, according to a report in The Times.
The newspaper reports that the Spanish and Italian giants want to rival French champions Paris Saint-Germain for the England midfielder, who is yet to begin talks over a new contract.
Lallana's improvement over the past year has in many ways been embodied the club's upturn in fortunes since Jurgen Klopp arrived at Anfield so it is no surprise that the 28-year-old has been linked with other clubs as his current deal is due to expire in 2019.
A reunion with his former Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino was recently mooted in the press, but The Times report sees Lallana now linked with a place among Europe's elite.

Batshuayi forced to stay put

Chelsea will not allow Michy Batshuayi to leave in January, despite loan offers from West Ham and Swansea, according to the Star. Despite the Blues looking to take Fernando Llorente to Stamford Bridge, Antonio Conte wants to keep the former Marseille hit man for his title push.
While Michy Batshuayi's opportunities have been limited at Chelsea, manager Antonio Conte is determined to keep the Belgian at Stamford Bridge.
While Michy Batshuayi's opportunities have been limited at Chelsea, manager Antonio Conte is determined to keep the Belgian at Stamford Bridge.
The £33m signing has been starved of game time lately but took his chance to score in the FA Cup victory over Peterborough, and he may play a role down the stretch to land the Blues' fifth Premier League title.
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Wednesday, 11 January 2017

Trending: Man United a one match closer to Wembley, as Schneiderlin is set for Everton

Trending: Man United step closer to Wembley, Schneiderlin set for Everton


Here are the latest stories for Wednesday.
MAN UNITED: Mourinho has identified Monaco's Tiemoue Bakayoko as his priority midfield summer target, but could accelerate a move for the youngster this month once Morgan Schneiderlin completes his £22 million transfer to Everton. But he insists the club are unlikely to bring in any player in January.
- Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini scored in the second half as Manchester United secured a 2-0 win over Hull City in the first leg of their EFL Cup semifinal on Tuesday night.
- Jose Mourinho has urged their fans to improve when the club face Liverpool in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Sunday -- telling them not to just "come to the theatre" but "play with us."
- Mourinho has said his players did not need to celebrate their first goal against Hull in the EFL Cup as much as they did. 
EVERTON: Man United have agreed to sell Morgan Schneiderlin to Everton for £22 million, sources close to the deal have told ESPN FC.
LIVERPOOL: Jurgen Klopp has said Daniel Sturridge has "absolutely outstanding" ability but that he has to overcome his continued fitness troubles.
- Klopp has said midfielder Adam Lallana showed courage to move out of his "comfort zone" when he left Southampton.
WORLD CUP: Anti-doping organisations have said Russia should be banned from hosting and competing in international sporting events, including the 2018 World Cup, until it can show it is compliant with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code.
- The United States, Canada and Mexico have begun informal talks about making a three-way bid to host the biggest-ever World Cup in 2026, the Associated Press has reported.
- Negotiations on how 16 extra World Cup slots will be allocated amongst FIFA's six confederations are to begin next month following the unanimous decision in Zurich to expand the tournament from 32 teams to 48.
REAL MADRID:  Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has rested Cristiano Ronaldo for Thursday's Copa del Rey game at Sevilla, with Luka Modric also absent but Sergio Ramos, Mateo Kovacic and Lucas Vazquez returning.
- Brazil legends Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos did not take too kindly to ex-Real Madrid teammate Michael Owen's joke about the former striker's weight issues.
ARSENAL: Roma defender Kostas Manolas' agent has claimed the Serie A club turned down a €40 million bid for his client from Arsenal in the summer but does not expect the Greece international to leave before the end of the season.
BARCELONA:  The Spanish Referees' Committee (CTA) has filed a complaint against Barcelona defender Gerard Pique after the player's remarks regarding the standard of officiating in the country, according to Sport.
ENGLAND: Deciding to play international football for Ivory Coast over England was the "right choice," according to Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha, with the winger adding he did not regret it.
ATLETICO MADRID: Antoine Griezmann and Angel Correa scored to help Atletico Madrid reach the Copa del Rey quarterfinals 4-3 on aggregate despite dropping the second leg 3-2 to Las Palmas on Tuesday night.
NAPOLI: Manolo Gabbiadini boosted his value in the transfer market by scoring for the third straight match as Napoli beat Serie B side Spezia 3-1 on Tuesday to advance to the Italian Cup quarterfinals.
MONACO: Monaco needed a late equaliser from Portugal midfielder Joao Moutinho and a penalty shootout before beating second-division Sochaux to reach the French Coupe de la Ligue semifinals on Tuesday.
CHELSEA: The club will hope to move a step closer to redeveloping Stamford Bridge when Hammersmith and Fulham Council hear a planning application on Wednesday.
BRAZIL: Football officials in Rio de Janeiro have called on police to take urgent action to prevent "the destruction of the Maracana," with valuables being looted from the famous old stadium.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN:  Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez is relaxed about his recent scoring slump and will certainly not be looking to any hypnotist to change his fortunes in front of goal.
- Hernandez has said he would rather move to MLS than China, but stressed that he wants to stay in Germany for now.
SWANSEA: United States national team coach Bruce Arena says he thinks countryman Bob Bradley got a "raw deal" from Swansea City when the Premier League club sacked him after just 11 games in charge.
UNITED STATES: D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid has withdrawn from United States national team training camp with a knee injury, U.S. Soccer said on Tuesday.

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I helped change Barcelona and end Real Madrid dominance says Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho: I helped change Barcelona and end Real Madrid dominance

Ronaldinho has revealed in The Players' Tribune that the proudest moment of his career was "helping to change football in Barcelona" through his style of play.
The former Brazil international won the World Cup, the Champions League, La Liga, Serie A and the Ballon d'Or in a career spanning three decades.
But he said he looked back most fondly on the impact he made at Barcelona after joining from Paris Saint-Germain in 2003.
In a letter to his eight-year-old self, he wrote: "What you'll be most proud of is helping to change football in Barcelona through your style of play.
"When you arrive, Real Madrid will be the power of Spanish football. By the time you leave, kids will be dreaming of playing 'The Barcelona Way.'
"Your role in this will be about much more than what you do on the pitch."
Ronaldinho left when Pep Guardiola was appointed as manager in 2008, having played a huge role in helping the club rediscover an identity lost in the post-Johan Cruyff years.
Guardiola continued that revival aided by Lionel Messi, who Ronaldinho was able to help develop from a highly-rated youth teamer into first team star.
"You'll hear about this kid on the youth team," he adds in his letter. "He wears No.10 like you. He's small like you. He plays with the ball like you.
Ronaldinho says Barcelona's freestyle has been carried on by Lionel Messi

 "You and your teammates will go watch him play for Barcelona's youth squad, and at that moment you'll know he's going to be more than a great footballer. The kid is different. His name is Leo Messi.

"You'll tell the coaches to bring him up to play with you on the senior side. When he arrives, the Barcelona players will be talking about him like the Brazilian players were talking about you.
"I want you to give him one piece of advice. Tell him: 'Play with happiness. Play free. Just play with the ball.' Even when you are gone, the free style will live on in Barcelona through Messi."
In the letter, he also recalled the excitement he felt when playing for Brazil for the first time.
"Playing for Brazil will change your life," he said. "All of a sudden, doors you never even knew were available to you will start to open."
Samuel Marsden covers Barcelona for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @SamuelMarsden.
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January Transfer News and Rumors

LIVE BLOG

17.29 GMT: West Ham are hoping to sign wantaway defender Jose Fonte from Southampton, The Sun claims. Fonte has submitted a transfer request to Southampton and the Hammers are hoping to capitalise on the situation by mounting a £4 million bid for the Portugal international.
17.17 GMT: DONE DEAL Chelsea have loaned out youngsters Fankaty Dabo, Charlie Colkett and Islam Feruz to League One side Swindon Town for the rest of the season...
Chelsea FC 
✔@ChelseaFC

Good luck at Swindon, lads! 💪http://che.lc/jAsyYG 

Photo published for Trio loaned west

Trio loaned west

Three Chelsea youngsters will spend the rest of the season on loan with Swindon Town...
chelseafc.com
17.10 GMT: Denmark international Simon Kjaer was reported to have been the subject of a £16 million bid from Chelsea, leading his club Fenerbahce to publicly dismiss the speculation. "Fenerbahce have not received any offers whatsoever for Kjaer and any claims suggesting a transfer could take place are wrong," a club statement read.
16.58 GMT: Sources have confirmed to ESPN FC that Swansea City are closing in on the signing of Norwich City defender Martin Olsson, with the Premier League club having agreed a fee in principle of £5 million for the Norway international with talks at an advanced stage. 
16.37 GMT: DONE DEAL Inter Milan have signed Roberto Gagliardini from Atalanta on loan until 2018, with an obligation to make the move permanent...
16.24 GMT: Not a transfer story as such, but former Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder Claude Makelele has joined Swansea City's coaching staff until the end of the season, where he reunites with head coach Paul Clement, who he worked with during his playing days at the Blues and while coach with Paris Saint-Germain.





Swansea City AFC 
✔@SwansOfficial
We're delighted to announce that former France international Claude Makelele has joined the club's coaching staff. 👍
16.18 GMT: A DONE DEAL concerning a former Manchester United player... Chris Eagles, who made a handful of appearances for United between 2003 and 2008, has joined Port Vale on a free transfer.



Port Vale FC 
✔@OfficialPVFC
We are delighted to announce the double signing of Chris Eagles on a free transfer and Callum Guy on loan until the end of the season 
16.11 GMT: News of a DONE DEAL in the Championship where Birmingham City have re-signed former Blue Craig Gardner from West Bromwich Albion... Gardner has rejoined his old club on loan until the end of the season and will then join permanently on a three-year-contract, with a further year's option, for an undisclosed transfer fee.



Birmingham City FC 
✔@BCFC
 Craig! 💙

We're delighted to announce that Craig Gardner has re-joined the Club on loan from @WBA 
15.59 GMT: Everton are on the verge of spending £22 million on Manchester United's Morgan Schneiderlin and, according to France Football, they are also set to splash out another £10.5m to bring in Standard Liege attacker Ishak Belfodli.
15.44 GMT: Morgan Schneiderlin's proposed move from Manchester United to Everton could help to kick-start the January spending across the Premier League, ESPN FC's senior football writer Mark Ogden writes. 
15.17 GMT: Clubs hoping to sign Andrea Belotti from Torino will have to match the striker's €100 million release clause, his agent has told Goal. "Many clubs are interested [but] €65m is not enough. His clause is €100m," Sergio Lancini said. 
14.56 GMT: Talking of John Terry, Sky Sports reports that the defender will stay with Chelsea and reject interest from Bournemouth...
Sky Sports News HQ 
✔@SkySportsNewsHQ
BREAKING: Sky Sources: John Terry to remain at @ChelseaFC despite interest from @afcbournemouth. More here: http://skysports.tv/tdmV44  
14.27 GMT: Is Jorge Mendes using the Chinese Super League to his advantage? Recent rumours linking Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo with a move to the Far East would suggest he is, writes Dermot Corrigan.
14.13 GMT: With Barcelona still working on a new deal for Lionel Messi, club CEO Oscar Grau has called for patience from fans, saying: "We're working hard to renew Messi. We're keen to get it done and I am sure we will find the formula. By saying this I want to reassure supporters."
13.48 GMT: Arsene Wenger has had this to say on new Arsenal signing Cohen Bramall...
"He will start with the under-23s," Wenger told the club's official website. "First [he has] to show at youth level that he can quickly make the first team. [He has] to prepare, to challenge the first-team players as quickly as he can. That could be in a very short period of time."
13.33 GMT: We've heard that Real Madrid apparently rejected a mammoth bid from China for Cristiano Ronaldo ... Well, according to AS, Ronaldo's teammate James Rodriguez knocked back a mega offer from Chinese Super League side Hebei China Fortune two weeks ago.
13.28 GMT: Swansea are closing in on a deal to sign PSV Eindhoven's Luciano Narsingh, according to the South Wales Evening Post, while the Daily Telegraph reports that Norwich defender Martin Olsson could also be heading to the Liberty Stadium...
John Percy 
✔@JPercyTelegraph
Swansea have agreed a fee of £5m with Norwich for defender Martin Olsson 
13.10 GMT: Bad news for Manchester United fans as Jose Mourinho has indicated that the club are unlikely to bring in defender Victor Lindelof or any other player in January. "I think that in this winter market we will only sell and not buy -- it is my feeling," Mourinho said. 
12.49 GMT: Minnesota United are in pursuit of Finland international and BK Hacken midfielder Rasmus Schuller, multiple sources have confirmed to ESPN FC.
12.26 GMT: Bournemouth have reportedly made a shock enquiry about taking John Terry on loan until the end of the season. ESPN FC's Chelsea correspondent Liam Twomey takes a look at the pros and cons of a temporary switch to the south coast for the Blues captain ...
12.15 GMT: Morgan Schneiderlin's move to Everton is edging closer. Sky Sports report the Manchester United midfielder is having a medical.
Sky Sports News HQ 
✔@SkySportsNewsHQ
BREAKING: Sky sources: @SchneiderlinMo4 having medical at @Everton ahead of move from @ManUtd. More here: http://skysports.tv/tdmV44  
12.07 GMT: There's a DONE DEAL to report featuring Manchester City. Don't get your hopes up about it being a big signing though.
It's news that Manu Garcia has joined NAC Breda of the Eerste Divisie on loan until the end of the season.



NAC Breda 
✔@NACnl
Welkom bij NAC, @Manugarcia_98! 
11.59 GMT: Christian Benteke will not move to the Chinese Super League this month, according to Sky Sports, but the striker could leave Crystal Palace this month.
The Belgium international only joined Palace in August on a four-year contract but reports suggest new Eagles manager Sam Allardyce could be prepared to part ways already.
11.47 GMT: Reports are doing the rounds that Neven Subotic could be on the move to the Premier League in the January transfer window, with Liverpool cited as one possible destination for the Borussia Dortmund defender.
However, ESPN FC's man in Germany, Stephan Uersfeld, says a move is unlikely with Subotic currently injured and not set to return to training until the last week of January.
11.29 GMT: Further to the news reported by Antalyaspor that Sandro has joined them on a free transfer, agreeing a three-and-a-half year deal, QPR have claimed the move has not happened yet... 



Antalyaspor 
✔@Antalyaspor
Antalyasporumuza Hoş Geldin Sandro Ranieri! 
QPR have released a statement to confirm that although they expect the move to happen, and soon, but for now he is still registered to them.
11.02 GMT: West Ham United and Hull City are interested in Southampton defender Cuco Martina, sources close to the player say.
The Curacao international's future at Southampton has been the subject of speculation for some time with the defender almost joining Everton in the summer, only for an injury to Jeremy Pied to halt the deal.
The 27-year-old has made 16 appearances in all competitions for Southampton so far this season, but just six of them have been starts in the Premier League, with Portugal international Cedric Soares their first-choice right-back.
10.41 GMT: The Times reports that Arsenal could send Per Mertesacker out on loan in an effort for the German to prove his fitness and earn a new contract with the club.
The 32-year-old is yet to make an appearance this season because of injury and has competition for his place from Laurent Koscielny, Shkodran Mustafi, Gabriel and Rob Holding.
10.28 GMT: Everton are not only looking to sign Morgan Schneiderlin this month. The Toffees, who are seventh in the Premier League table, have also been linked with 24-year-old Standard Liege striker Ishak Belfodil.
But at the moment Belfodil is still in Spain with Standard taking part in their winter training camp. Watch this space...



Kristof Terreur 📰 
✔@HLNinEngeland
Ishak Belfodil is still training with Standard on their winter training camp in Spain, according to my colleague @stijnjorisfh. 
Belfodil has eight goals in 19 appearances this season.
10.11 GMT: West Bromwich Albion have agreed a deal to loan Craig Gardner to Birmingham City, sources close to the Premier League club say.
Gardner is due to undergo a medical at Birmingham on Wednesday after Pulis gave him the green light to leave The Hawthorns.
09.58 GMT: Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has said he hopes to "pull off a big surprise" amid speculation the Ligue 1 club are working on a deal to sign Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj.
However, L'Equipe reports Lyon are not planning a move for Netherlands international Memphis Depay as he is deemed to be out of their price range.
09.44 GMT: Thomas Muller has wished Holger Badstuber good luck during his loan spell from Bayern Munich to Schalke.
The Royal Blues travel to Bayern in the Bundesliga on Feb. 4, so Badstuber will have the opportunity to make an impression against his parent club.
Thomas Müller 
✔@esmuellert_
All the best for my friend @Badstuber. Good luck at @s04. We will see us soon in Munich! 
09.33 GMT: Jonathan Tah has told Sport Bild he is happy at Bayer Leverkusen and has no plans to leave the Bundesliga club despite links with Liverpool.
Germany international Tah, 20, has been linked with a switch to Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp looks to bolster his defence.
"I am very happy at Bayer Leverkusen," the central defender said. "I don't want to leave."
09.18 GMT: Cologne coach Peter Stoger has dismissed reported interest in Germany international Jonas Hector from Chelsea this January.
"I am not losing any sleep," Stoger told reporters, and sporting director Jorg Schmadtke added that Hector will not leave the club.

"And we want Chelsea's Kurt Zouma, a great centre-back. But sadly, we won't get him," Schmadtke added in Express.
08.56 GMT: Manchester United have agreed to sell Morgan Schneiderlin to Everton for £22 million.
Mourinho confirmed to Sky Sports after the 2-0 win over Hull in the EFL Cup: "I can't give details but before the match, I was told by Mr. [Ed] Woodward that the situation is close. Morgan is more than probably going to Everton."

OptaJoe 
✔@OptaJoe
772 - Morgan Schneiderlin has made more tackles and interceptions combined (772) than any other PL player since August 2012. Influence.
The Portuguese then added in his news conference: "I'm sad and I'm happy. I'm sad because I like him. I am happy because this is what he wants. He wants to play and be an important player in a team. He is a very good professional."

 08.40 GMT: AC Milan have been lauded for their exciting youth with Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alessio Romagnoli and M'Baye Niang all starring in their rise under Vincenzo Montella.
But the Rossoneri have added some experience too, in the shape of 40-year-old Marco Storari, who rejions on loannfrom Cagliari.

View image on TwitterView image on Twitter


AC Milan 
✔@acmilan
Welcome back Marco ! ➡http://bit.ly/2iBQotf 
Bentornato Marco! ➡http://bit.ly/2jzZmvk  ❤⚫
He previously spent two brief spells -- making just 13 appearances -- at Milan before moving to Juventus in 2010 to back up Gianluigi Buffon. He left for Cagliari in 2015.

 09:18 GMT: Bournemouth make surprise move for john terry. Having made a loan move for Jack Wilshere last summer, Eddie Howe is hoping to now lure the former England captain in a similar deal, says the reports.
It remains to be seen what motivation would be there for Terry, who has already said he never wants to play in a Premier League side other than Chelsea, but there would be the chance of regular games to finish an incredible career.

 08.24 GMT: still on West Ham, Fiorentina, Genoa and AC Milan were among the sides looking to bring Simone Zaza back to Serie A.
The London Evening Standard now say Fiorentina may be leading the chase for the Italy international striker because their own man Nikola Kalinic is close to moving to Chinese Super League side Tianjin Quanjian in a £42m deal.

 08.03 GMT: Good morning and welcome to Wednesday's Transfer Talk live blog. We'll begin with West Ham United's seemingly never-ending search for a new striker.
After being linked with Jermain Defoe, Michy Batshuayi and plenty of others, it looked like Scott Hogan could be the man to bolster the Hammers' frontline.
But the Daily Mail reports Brentford have rejected a £12.5m bid and are holding out for £15m for a player who has scored 14 goals in 25 appearances this season.
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