Monthly Archives: March 2019

Great news for Tottenham: Real Madrid tipped to end interest in €250m-rated star

Real Madrid are reportedly set to end their interest in Christian Eriksen, which will be music to the ears of all concerned at Tottenham.

The 26-year-old creative ace has been hugely influential for Spurs since joining the club from Ajax in 2013, bagging 45 goals and 60 assists in 191 Premier League outings.

SEE MORE: Spurs prepared to offer £100,000 per-week wage packet to secure Bundesliga star’s signature

As he continues to play a fundamental role for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, the last thing that Tottenham will want is to lose him any time soon.

That has been the overlying threat in recent times, with Real Madrid heavily linked with a swoop. However, as noted by AS, the Spanish giants are said to be set to drop their interest in the Danish international.

It’s added that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was set to demand €250m for Eriksen, while the financial aspect of the deal does seem to be the main factor as to why a move won’t materialise, as it’s noted that Real Madrid expect his price-tag to be much higher than they deem realistic.

That’s not the first time that €250m valuation has been mentioned, with Marca suggesting that was the price involved last year too.

Nevertheless, there is still one key reason as to why Spurs will remain nervous over an exit, as Eriksen’s current contract only runs until 2020. With that in mind, they will surely not want to go into the last year of his deal with uncertainty over his future, and Tottenham fans will undoubtedly hope that a new agreement is reached well in advance of that.

Time will tell if it’s that simple, but based on the statistics above and Eriksen’s overall influence on Tottenham’s style of play, he is a player that they can’t afford to lose if they wish to continue to scrap for top-four finishes in the Premier League and kick on in their pursuit of trophies.

Deal closer: Manchester United put in pole position to clinch £128million DOUBLE transfer after huge developments

Manchester United have received two bits of positive transfer news today that can give their fans plenty to be optimistic about in regards to potential signings of both Gareth Bale and Matthijs de Ligt.

The Red Devils have been strongly linked with both players for some time now, and it seems like things are moving into place nicely for them to snap up both in this summer’s transfer window.

MORE: Manchester United given hope of sealing superb €70million transfer

Matthijs de Ligt in action for Ajax

Firstly, a report from Don Balon suggests Barcelona – previously the favourites for De Ligt – are set to cool their interest in the 20-year-old Dutchman as they’re happy with their current defensive options.

This is good news for United, who are also linked by Don Balon as still being in the running, as they’ll face one less major rival in the running for his signature.

Given that De Ligt is available for just £60million this summer, that should give the Premier League giants little trouble meeting his asking price and bringing in the world class centre-back they so urgently need.

(Photo) Barcelona star all but confirms Denis Suarez transfer to Arsenal with Instagram message

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez has appeared to confirm Denis Suarez is set for a transfer to Arsenal with this goodbye message on Instagram.

The Uruguay international can be seen hugging the Spanish midfielder, who is expected to join the Gunners on loan for the rest of the season.

BBC Sport’s David Ornstein has also suggested this move is close, and one imagines players feeling free to post stuff like this means it’s now pretty likely to all go through.

Luis Suarez posted this on Instagram

Suarez looks a promising signing for Arsenal in a problem position for the club, despite not featuring regularly for Barca in recent times.

Unai Emery knows the 25-year-old from Sevilla as well, so fans will hope the pair can strike up a strong relationship at the Emirates Stadium.

Manchester United joined by Liverpool and Tottenham in race to seal transfer of South American maestro

It looks like Manchester United are going to have to beat both Liverpool and Spurs in the race to sign Boca Juniors and Colombia star Wilmar Barrios. 

According to Don Balon, all three of the aforementioned Premier League clubs are keen on signing the Colombian international, with it also being noted that the 25-year-old is a very similar player to Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante.

Barrios has managed to make himself one of Boca’s most important players in recent years, with the midfielder playing a big part in the club reaching the Copa Libertadores final this year, a match which Boca lost to fierce rivals River Plate.

United are somewhat lacking in defensive midfielders, as the club only really have Nemanja Matic available to play in that role to a world class level, thus it sort of makes sense to hear that they’re keen on signing Barrios.

Given Spurs’ lack of transfer activity in both the most recent summer and winter windows, it’s no surprise to hear that they’re keen on signing players, especially one as good as Barrios.

The Colombian would be a fine signing for Spurs, as he would allow manager Mauricio Pochettino another quality option to choose from in the centre of the park.

United, Spurs and Liverpool are all in the race to bring Barrios to the Premier League

Liverpool don’t exactly need Barrios given the fact that they already have players like Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to choose from in defensive midfield, however we’re sure it wouldn’t hurt to have another fine player to pick from in midfield.

It’s definitely going to be interesting to see which club comes out on top in the race for Barrios, with the winner of said race set to get their hands on one of the best defensive midfielders to come out of South America in recent years.

‘You never know with him’ – Ex-Man United star warns key player could still seek summer transfer

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince insists Paul Pogba might still harbour hopes of leaving the club, despite a recent resurgence.

The Frenchman has been one of United’s best players over the last two months, helping the team secure eight successive wins across all competitions under caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The World Cup-winning superstar has been given a more forward-thinking role in the side under the Norwegian coach, which has seen him contribute plenty of goals and assists while leading by example in the middle of the park.

Pogba’s recent displays are a far cry from those he was producing during the first half of the 2018-19 campaign under Jose Mourinho, with many experts and fans accusing him of underperforming and having a negative influence in the dressing room.

Rumours of a behind the scenes row with Mourinho also surfaced, which led to speculation he could be sold at the end of the season, with Juventus reportedly keen on re-signing their former playmaker – as per Goal.

Ince, who played for United between 1989 and 1995, has warned fans that Pogba could still seek a summer transfer, as he told Talk Sport: “You never know with Pogba. We saw it under Mourinho. We know they didn’t get on, we saw it enough in the press. And I kind of feel that Manchester United fans were starting to turn on Pogba.

“We all know what a fantastic player Pogba can be but you have to do it week in and week out. This is what Man United fans expect.

 

“Paul Pogba’s got to get the fans back on side because I know they were turning against him. And his performances have shown that in the last four or five weeks.

“I think when we talk about the situation and the problems under Mourinho it was always Paul Pogba because he was the main one.

“There were four or five players who weren’t doing what they should have been doing but he seemed to be getting it all the time.

“Will he stay at the end of the season? I don’t know.”

paul pogba manchester united

Pogba’s next opportunity to shine will likely come on Tuesday evening as United host Burnley at Old Trafford, now within three points of Chelsea in the Premier League table.

The Red Devils want to overtake the Blues to occupy the final Champions League spot and with fixtures against Leicester City and Fulham to come thereafter, they could be in a strong position by the time their focus switches to Europe on February 12.

A huge last-16 Champions League tie against Paris Saint Germain is fast approaching, but with Pogba performing as he has done recently, United look capable of beating anyone.

His continued presence in Solskjaer’s team will be vital to their continued success between now and May, with supporters now hoping that Ince will be proved wrong and Pogba’s Old Trafford future will no longer be in any doubt.

Keylor Navas to leave Real Madrid and make shock switch to Premier League

It seems that Keylor Navas has finally had enough of playing second fiddle to an underwhelming Thibaut Courtois, the star is set to leave Madrid this summer.

According to Spanish outlet Don Balon, Arsenal are eyeing a move for the Costa Rican, it’s understood that the Gunners are aware that having a goalkeeper of Navas’ calibre could be what brings them some silverware.

The 32-year-old has plenty of time left in him, the decision to bring in Courtois in the summer wasn’t due to his age – it was more to do with the fact that Madrid had the opportunity to bring the Belgian to the Bernabeu as part of a very reasonable deal, considering he was entering the final year of his Chelsea contract.

Navas established himself as one of the world’s best goalkeepers prior to Courtois’ arrival, the Costa Rican was pivotal in Real Madrid’s record-breaking Champions League run in the last three years.

According to the report, North London could be the perfect destination for the stopper, as Arsenal are willing to match the star’s current wages as part of a two-year deal that they will put on the table.

Four other Premier League clubs at risk of facing same fate as Chelsea by receiving transfer bans

It’s been sensationally revealed that at least four more Premier League clubs are at risk following Chelsea’s fate by being slapped with transfer bans by FIFA.

According to The Sun, FIFA are investigating the youth recruitment policies of at least four other Premier League clubs, the identity of these clubs has yet to be revealed but if they are found to be guilty they will likely face a similar punishment to Chelsea.

According to The Guardian, the west London club received a two-window ban from Fifa for a ‘serious’ and ‘systematic’ breach of the rules, regarding the signing of overseas players under the age of 18. It’s understood that Chelsea will appeal the decision – this will allow them to sign players in the summer before the suspension kicks in.

Maurizio Sarri’s job is already on thin ice and Chelsea will have only the summer to sign players while they appeal FIFA’s decision – meaning that Chelsea have one chance at recruiting in the next year, this could force them into a managerial change.

The excitement around the English transfer windows could be gone just like that if four other teams join Chelsea by being transfer banned. Chelsea are obviously a big player on the market so there lack of presence will be felt when they serve their suspension, the Blues will be hoping that their rivals don’t sign their transfer targets while they are banned.

Man City considering transfer swoop for highly-rated Premier League defender

Leicester City defender Ben Chilwell has emerged as a top transfer target for Manchester City, as Pep Guardiola looks ahead to next season.

According to ESPN, the Spanish boss is keen to bring in a new left-back this summer, with Benjamin Mendy’s injury problems preventing him from having a prominent role in the team.

Chilwell is considered as a potential replacement, having impressed for the Foxes in the Premier League over the last two years, while also earning himself five England caps.

ESPN reports that Guardiola wants to have two high-quality players available in every position across the pitch and Chilwell would also help City raise their quota of homegrown talents, with the squad currently short on English-bred stars.

Fabian Delph and Oleksandr Zinchenko have been the men to fill in for Mendy whenever he has been absent, but neither is a long-term solution on the left for Guardiola, which has left him desperate to bring in fresh reinforcements.

Should Chilwell arrive at the Etihad in June, Mendy might ultimately lose his status at the club’s first choice left-back, unless he can finally prove himself able to cope with the regular demands of Premier League football.

Ben Chilwell

The Frenchman made his return to action after two months out against Burton Albion in the Carabao Cup earlier this month, but he was then forced to sit out City’s win against Burnley in the FA Cup on Saturday due to knee swelling.

Chilwell has no history of injury problems and given his age and immense talent, he could develop quickly if given the platform to succeed at a top-six club, with many experts and supporters already rating him among the best defenders in England.

At the moment, City are the dominant force in the Premier League and the young full-back would thusly be taking a huge step up in his career by accepting a switch to the Etihad, but it remains to be seen whether or not a deal will be arranged with Leicester.

This story could develop significantly in the coming months, particularly if City fall short against Liverpool in their bid to retain the title, with Guardiola’s need to strengthen his squad then likely to become all the more urgent.

Cristiano Ronaldo wants Juventus to make double signing to reunite with key duo

Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly eager to secure two reunions this summer as he’s said to want both Marcelo and Bruno Alves at Juventus.

The Portuguese superstar has wasted little time in making his mark on Italian football, bagging 16 goals and eight assists in 27 appearances so far this season.

SEE MORE: Video: AC Milan fan urinates on Gonzalo Higuain shirt following transfer to Chelsea

That has helped the Bianconeri remain on course for an eighth consecutive Serie A title as they sit nine points clear at the top of the table after 20 games, while they remain in the hunt for the Coppa Italia and Champions League having already claimed the Supercoppa.

With that in mind, things are seemingly going well for Ronaldo and he appears to be settled, and as per Calciomercato, via the paper edition of Tuttosport, it’s reported that he wants both former Real Madrid teammate Marcelo and compatriot Bruno Alves to join him in Turin.

Whether or not he gets his wish remains to be seen, as the Alves move would make sense with the report noting that Medhi Benatia could be heading for an exit. If that materialises, then Alves could potentially fill the void left behind by moving from Parma.

As for Marcelo, it remains to be seen if he can be prised away from Real Madrid firstly, while with Alex Sandro currently the first-choice left-back at Juventus, it’s difficult to see the compatriots being happy with scrapping for a starting role next season if they are both at coach Massimiliano Allegri’s disposal.

The Turin giants would arguably have to sell first which seems unnecessary given their success in recent years, and so time will tell if Ronaldo is able to secure a double reunion with Juve undoubtedly keen to keep him happy too.

Chelsea star reveals it’s his “DREAM” to seal permanent transfer to European giants

Chelsea loanee Tiemoue Bakayoko has revealed that it’s his “dream’ to stay with AC Milan and seal a permanent move to the Italian giants.

Bakayoko, who signed for the Blues from Monaco in the summer of 2017, flopped during his first season at Stamford Bridge, with the player subsequently being loaned to Milan last summer as a result.

The French international has since been a fantastic signing for the Rossoneri, with the player himself seemingly also enjoying his spell in Italy if his words are anything to go by.

As per the Sun, who are re-reporting from Corriere dello Sport, Bakayoko has stated that “staying at Milan is my dream and the fixed thought in my mind, but I have a contract with Chelsea”

These words probably won’t come as a surprise to most, as Bakayoko was very poor for Chelsea during the 2017/18 season, thus it’s hardly shocking to hear the player would rather stay in Italy than go back to west London.

Bakayoko’s dream is to seal a move to AC Milan and leave Chelsea behind

It doesn’t seem like there’d be much room for Bakayoko at Chelsea should he end up returning to the Blues, as the west London club already have stars like N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek to choose from in the centre of the park.

This is something that may have played a part in Bakayoko’s want to remain at AC Milan, news that will surely be great to hear for fans of the Italian giants.