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AC Milan transfer news: €79m offer touted while winger eyed in January window

AC Milan are reportedly set to launch a big-money offer to prise Sergej Milinkovic-Savic away from Lazio, while Yannick Carrasco is also on their radar.

The 23-year-old has struggled to hit top form so far this season, bagging just three goals and an assist in 22 appearances in all competitions for the Serie A outfit.

SEE MORE: Chelsea and Tottenham set for transfer scrap over €40m-rated Serie A midfield star

Nevertheless, there is no doubting the potential and talent that he possesses, and that was showcased prior to the winter break with this stunning goal against Torino, as seen in the video below.

Despite his struggles though, it’s reported by MilanNews.it, via the paper edition of Il Messaggero, that Milan are still eager to sign him and will look to offer an initial €9m loan deal with a €70m obligation to buy with the instalments spread across three years.

Given Lazio are currently in a battle with the Rossoneri to secure fourth place and Champions League qualification, it seems highly unlikely that they’ll be willing to sell one of their biggest assets to a direct rival in January.

With that in mind, Milan may well have to wait until the summer, but it remains to be seen whether or not they can afford the figures touted above given that they have well-documented ongoing FFP issues to consider too.

While key injury setbacks have exposed it further, there is no denying though that the Italian giants need to reinforce their midfield moving forward in order to compete at the top level and it would appear as though they are looking to find a solution.

As for January, Calciomercato report that Milan are looking to snap up Yannick Carrasco on loan from Dalian Yifang as the Belgian international is keen to secure a return to Europe.

With Samu Castillejo and Suso as their only real natural winger options, Gennaro Gattuso would surely welcome additional firepower in that department, with Carrasco previously showcasing his quality for Monaco and Atletico Madrid.

In turn, he could prove to be a crucial addition in the second half of the campaign to help Milan achieve their objective of returning to Europe’s top table.

‘It’s up to me’ – Chelsea talisman Hazard addresses Real Madrid transfer speculation

Chelsea winger Eden Hazard has once again spoken of his admiration for Real Madrid as a club but remains coy on his Chelsea future.

The Belgian has been heavily linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu in recent months and even admitted back in October that he harbours ‘dreams’ of one day playing for the European champions – as per BBC Sport.

Madrid are on the lookout for a new galactico after Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure during the summer transfer window, as the team has struggled to maintain their high standards in his absence, slipping down to fourth in La Liga with five defeats to their name already.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are fourth in the Premier League after 16 matches of the 2018-19 campaign and currently sit eight points behind leaders Liverpool.

Hazard has been instrumental in the team’s recent success and is their top scorer with seven league goals this term, but he has come out to address the Real Madrid speculation on Monday.

As seen on Twitter below, he told RMC: “I have always liked Real Madrid as a club, with or without Zidane. At the end of this year, I have 1 year left on my Chelsea contract. We will see, it’ll be up to me to make the decision.”

 

The 27-year-old’s latest comments are typical of his vague approach to this transfer saga, as he seems to be leaning towards a switch to Madrid without actually confirming his intentions, which will surely annoy Chelsea fans across England.

Hazard is without a doubt the club’s most gifted player and perhaps even the most gifted in the Premier League, but if he is not fully committed to the cause at Stamford Bridge, it is better for both parties that he leaves in 2019.

The Belgium international would surely thrive at the Bernabeu but it is unlikely he could match the goalscoring exploits of Ronaldo, given the fact he has yet to score more than 16 goals in a 38 game domestic season.

This particular story is threatening to rumble on until at least the end of the current season and Chelsea supporters can only hope that it doesn’t derail the team’s chances of winning silverware over the next few months.

PGA Jr. League golfer Jack Spencer put on a putting contest to raise money for victims of Hurricane Harvey

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — The clink of the putter meeting the golf ball on a sunny Labor Day morning sounded like aid to victims of Hurricane Harvey in Houston. Dozens of people took to the green at Briarbrook Country Club in Carl Junction for a putting competition organized by 11-year-old Jack Spencer, a local golfer who decided to do something about the destruction he saw on TV.

"We watched a lot of coverage of Hurricane Harvey," said Kristi Spencer, Jack's mother. "He was really impacted by the stories he was hearing."

Over the past 10 days, as footage of floodwaters and rescues came across the the Spencer family's TV set, Jack started brainstorming ways to help.

At first, he wanted to donate his piggybank money. But after a day mulling it over at school in Carl Junction, he suggested a fundraiser at Briarbrook Country Club, where he spent the summer on the links.

 

 

The club holds an annual Labor Day tournament; Jack planned to offer the golfers a few warmup putts in exchange for a donation to the Houston recovery effort.

Many of the golfers who participated in the tournament already knew Jack, a member of club's PGA Jr. Team, and just about every one of them stopped to participate in the fundraiser.

When a putt went in, Jack cheered: "Racking them up!"

"I didn't think there would be this many people," he said. "I guess it's for a good cause."

To those who have gotten to know Jack on the course, his do-good streak was no surprise.

"He's a really good player, and he's always wanting to help the younger kids," said Mark Tackkett, golf professional at Briarbrook, adding, "He's got a great sense of duty. It's something when a kid that young comes and says, 'Hey, we need to do something.'"

Fran Englert, of Carl Junction, said she was glad to lend a hand to Houston by entering the putting competition.

"We know what it's like here in Joplin to step up during a storm," she said. "That's the least we can do."

Half of her $5 entry fee will be donated to Habitat for Humanity in Houston, a nonprofit that builds homes for low-income residents, many of whom have been displaced by flooding. Participants were also allowed to purchase mulligans for $10.

Spencer was surprised by the turnout at Monday's event, which yielded a donation of $1,000.

"It feels good to know that the money is going to a good place," he said.

This article was written by Koby Levin from The Joplin Globe, Mo. and was legally licensed via the Tribune Content Agency through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com.

Agent of €20m Arsenal transfer target in London as speculation intensifies

Reports suggest that the agent of Arsenal transfer target Ever Banega is in London amid ongoing transfer rumours linking him with a move to the Gunners.

Unai Emery seemingly addressed his midfield this past summer with the signings of Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi.

SEE MORE: Unai Emery eyes €16m raid on Real Madrid to replace Arsenal stalwart

However, while the Spanish tactician added plenty of physicality and defensive solidity, he arguably still lacks an individual capable of providing creativity in a deeper role.

Coupled with the fact that Aaron Ramsey looks set to leave the club when his contract expires in the summer, it’s a concern that could become more prominent ahead of next season.

With that in mind, Arsenal have been linked with a move for Banega, and according to Mundo Deportivo, his agent is currently in London which has led to talk of a move to the Emirates intensifying.

It’s added that he has a €20m release clause in his contract which Arsenal would have to meet, and so it remains to be seen if the reported visit to England is indeed linked with a possible move to reunite with Emery after previous spells working together at Valencia and Sevilla.

Banega, 30, is vastly experienced both at club and international level, and is known for his classy technical quality in midfield along with his ability to create and dictate play from a deeper role.

That is an area in which Arsenal could certainly improve, and so time will tell if they can secure a deal to sign the Argentine ace.

Should a move materialise as early as January, it would certainly give them a timely boost in their pursuit of a top-four finish this season. Arsenal currently sit in fifth place in the standings, just two points adrift of Chelsea who sit directly above them.

Three European giants HIT with Financial Fair Play sanctions

Three major European clubs have been hit with Financial Fair Play sanctions, according to a report from Sport Business.

The teams in question are Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon, Bulgarian side Levski Sofia, and Macedonian outfit FK Vardar.

MORE: Ronaldo deal brings big money for Juventus shareholders and fans

All three have been found of wrongdoing by Uefa, with Sporting found guilty of making payments of its overdue payables amounts after the deadlines provided for in the FFP rule books.

The club, who recently faced Arsenal in the Europa League, have been fined €50,000 as a punishment.

The other two have also been hit with hefty fines of €100,000 each.

Jose Mourinho forces Manchester United to delay crucial transfer plan

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is forcing his club to delay the appointment of a sporting director to aid them in the transfer market.

An astonishing claim from the Telegraph suggests the Red Devils boss is standing in the way of this potentially crucial attempt by the club to modernise and catch up with their rivals on recruitment.

MORE: Video: Manchester United wonderkid scores vs Chelsea after goalkeeper blunder even worse than Alisson’s for Liverpool

The report states the club are unsure of being able to bring in a director Mourinho would be happy with, while there’s also the feeling many of the best candidates would currently be unsure about joining.

United look in a dire state under Mourinho right now, so it’s little wonder the best sporting directors in the business might not be too keen to take on such a challenging job.

This is hugely worrying for MUFC fans, with the Portuguese coach once again proving to be a major obstacle to progress.

Jose Mourinho is having a bad season with Manchester United

Happy National Cliché Day — a tradition unlike any other

When it comes to celebrating the gala occasion in golf, well, we have a lot of green to work with. Let’s face it, clichés in golf are pretty much par for the course. 

But that’s golf. One cliché at a time. A guy needs to decide just which ones he needs in his bag, but he has to be careful how to use each. He can’t just grip it and rip it. And he has to say them in the right spot. That takes experience. 

He also doesn’t want to use too much cliché, or he might push it and end up in jail. 

If a guy’s cliché goes OB, well, he was probably aiming that way. You can't expect a cliché to hit a house. What he needs to do is keep his head down and his vocabulary straight. Or maybe the wind got it. 

RELATED: 9 times the rules of golf were broken, sometimes in bizarre fashion

But he doesn’t want to be quiet and lay up all day in the chatter, either. You know what they say about clichés: Never up, never heard.

Yes, it’s better to be wordy than good. Especially when you’re trying to talk the rest of the foursome into a Nassau or skins game, or maybe Bingo, Bango, Bongo.

After all, everyone knows, you drive for show, and talk for dough.

And he must have enough cliches for the entire tournament. After all, the clichés never really start until the back nine on Sunday. 

The best golf cliché is one that can be delivered with good touch, and correctly reading the break in the conversation. That way, the speaker can say his cliché and then shout, "get in the ear!" 

Or, if it comes in a little hot, he can hope it doesn’t get fly off and get lost in all the talk. He has to hope it sits.

MORE: 9 of your favorite games to play on the golf course

Then again, if it is uttered too softly, he might growl to himself, “Say it!” And hope it gets legs. Because if it doesn’t, one of the others might ask, “Does your husband say clichés too?”

But sometimes, no matter what, the words just won’t hunt. Maybe they came from a bad lie, and he said them fat. A golfer then has to shake it off and go on to the next cliché. Because it’s just a game, and he’s probably out there just for exercise. At last it’s better than going to the zoo, where tigers might be on the prowl.

So all let’s take a few practice clichés on the range, and then head for the first tee. You’re up, say away. 

Oh, good cliché, and this is the perfect day for it.

You da man.

Chelsea on the verge of beating Liverpool in the race to sign £45m Bundesliga star

Borussia Dortmund have reportedly approved Christian Pulisic’s move to Chelsea next summer, with Liverpool now set to miss out on the midfielder.

According to German publication Bild, the Blues have successfully negotiated a £45 million deal for the 20-year-old, who is now expected to arrive at Stamford Bridge in the middle of 2019.

The United States international joined Dortmund back in 2016 and has since gone on to make over 100 appearances for the club, contributing 15 goals from the middle of the park in the process.

This season, however, he has found himself on the fringes of the action under Lucien Favre at Westfalenstadion, after the emergence of Jadon Sancho as one of Europe’s most promising young players.

The English winger has been a regular starter for Dortmund which has seen Pulisic pushed to the bench, but there is still no doubt about the quality he possesses as either an attacking midfielder or a wide player.

Christian Pulisic

His versatility and technical ability on the ball at such a young age has earned him the interest of several top clubs, including Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea – as per ESPN – but it appears now that the latter has won the race to secure his signature.

Jurgen Klopp is thought to be a keen admirer of Pulisic and might have hoped he would be Liverpool’s new number eight next season, but he could end up being just as important for Chelsea if he does indeed opt for a switch to Stamford Bridge.

The Italian boss is moulding a new squad to fit his ‘Sarri-ball’ philosophy and Pulisic could slot nicely into the midfield, alongside the likes of N’Golo Kante and Jorginho.

The Blues are targeting major trophies next year and beyond, with major changes to the squad over the next few months extremely likely and this latest news will surely come as a huge boost to supporters heading into the second half of the 2018-19 campaign.

Manchester United transfer boost as £72million target’s head turned by major incident

Manchester United, Chelsea and other major clubs could be in luck in terms of pursuing the transfer of Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly.

The Senegal international is one of the finest players in the world in his position and seems an ideal fit for a leading Premier League club.

MORE: Video: Manchester United target produces wonderful last gasp goal-line clearance

United are in particular need of strengthening at the back after a difficult first half of the season, with players like Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Eric Bailly not really looking up to scratch.

According to Don Balon, United are one of the clubs interested in the £72million-rated Koulibaly, who is keen to escape his current club Napoli to win bigger trophies, while yesterday’s racist chanting has also made him keen on a move away from Italy.

Racism continues to be a big problem in Serie A, and while there have been some incidents in England in recent times too, it has generally been stamped out a little better over here.

Ed Woodward ready to release significant funds for Manchester United to pursue ambitious transfer

Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is reportedly only willing to sanction transfer funds this January for a top young player like Matthijs de Ligt.

The Netherlands international is widely regarded as one of the finest young players in Europe at the moment, and looks a defender already capable of playing for an elite club in one of the big five leagues.

MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo gives Juventus transfer advice after big development at Manchester United

Calciomercato recently claimed United had scouted De Ligt in Ajax’s Champions League clash with Bayern Munich, and there has now been another update.

While it’s not clear how realistic United’s prospects of competing for De Ligt are at the moment, the Times suggest he is a player Woodward would make an exception for this January.

The 19-year-old would undoubtedly strengthen what has been a problem position for MUFC this term, giving them a fine long-term solution in that area of the pitch.

Matthijs de Ligt has shone for Ajax