All posts by KANKENNEWS

€100 Serie A superstar favours a move to Real Madrid over Barcelona next year

Juventus midfielder Paulo Dybala’s preferred next destination is Real Madrid, as he plots a move away from Turin in 2019.

According to Don Balon, the Argentine superstar has become frustrated by his role at Juve since the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid over the summer, having slipped behind the Portuguese as the club’s standout figure.

Don Balon reports that Dybala is the subject of interest from both Real Madrid and Barcelona, but he would prefer a move to the former, where he could once again be the main man.

Lionel Messi is Barca’s talisman and will remain so until the end of his career in all likelihood, which means the disillusioned Juve star would face the same problem at the Camp Nou as he does now at the Allianz Stadium.

However, at the Santiago Bernabeu, there is still a Ronaldo shaped hole, which the likes of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Isco have all failed to fill over the last few months, leading to plenty of transfer speculation over who will be their next Galactico.

Don Balon states that Madrid could bring in Dybala for €100 million, which is merely a drop in the ocean for a club of their size and stature.

Paulo Dybala

After a frustrating first half of the 2018-19 campaign at Juventus, Dybala is hoping to reignite his career elsewhere and Madrid could be the perfect place for him to thrive and take his game to the next level.

Last year, the 25-year-old scored 22 goals in 33 games from the middle of the park as the Old Lady stormed to yet another Serie A title, but this term he has only managed to find the net twice in 14 games.

As he approaches the prime years of his career his ambition might see him outgrow Juventus and there is no bigger step up than joining the Blancos in the Spanish capital.

That being said, Massimiliano Allegri’s side are one of the favourites to win the Champions League come May and they would surely be reluctant to lose one of their prized assets before the current campaign ends.

Manchester United duo urged to stay as club confident Jose Mourinho departure boosts their hopes

Manchester United duo David de Gea and Anthony Martial have been urged by interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to sign new contracts with the club.

Both are hugely important players for the Red Devils, but both have seen their long-term Old Trafford futures plunged into doubt of late.

Things haven’t been helped by United making a poor start to the season and looking an unhappy squad under Jose Mourinho until his recent departure.

This now gives MUFC some increased confidence of tying De Gea in particular down to a new deal, while it’s also noted that Martial had his issues with the Portuguese, according to the Daily Mail.

Solskjaer, meanwhile, has been quoted in the piece as urging the players to sign, speaking about his own time as a United player when he had options to leave after not playing that often.

The Norwegian, however, insists they are at the best club in the world and shouldn’t think the grass is any greener somewhere else – words that will please United supporters.

A private driver, butler and bodyguard: Kylian Mbappe’s demands Real Madrid must meet to seal stunning transfer

Kylian Mbappe is one of the hottest prospects in world football, and given his exploits with France at the World Cup this past summer, it’s easy to see why some of the planet’s biggest clubs are keen on signing him. 

The Frenchman, who only recently turned 20, is one of the best forwards in the world, something he’s already managed to prove despite only making his professional debut a few years ago.

Mbappe would easily get into any side in world football, and one team that seemingly needs him the most are Spanish giants Real Madrid, who’ve have looked lost in attack this season without Cristiano Ronaldo in their side.

And it seems like Real Madrid are keen on signing Mbappe if Diario Gol‘s report is anything to go by, however it looks as if Los Blancos are going to have to bow down to Mbappe’s demands if they are to bring him to the Spanish capital.

According to Diario Gol’s report, Real are said to be in the hunt for Mbappe, with it also being stated that the club are going to have meet the player’s numerous demands if they want to sign him.

As per the report, Mbappe’s list of demands are as follows: be made the club’s highest paid player, get a bonus of €500,000 for winning the Ballon D’Or, be handed the club’s no.10 shirt, a private driver, a butler, a bodyguard, a house that’s similar standard to that of a ‘mega star’, and 50 hours usage of his own private jet.

Real Madrid are going to have to meet Mbappe’s huge list of demands to sign him

These list of demands from Mbappe are somewhat ludicrous, as we struggle to see why a 20-year-old footballer would want 50-hours worth of rides on a private jet, especially when you realise players travel to away games as a squad and not individually.

It seems like Real are going to have to pull out all the stops of they’re to sign Mbappe, something that may just be worth doing considering the potential the forward has in his locker.

Zac Oakley shoots 66, wins Event No. 2 of PGA Tournament Series

PORT ST. LUCIE – Zac Oakley’s second swing of the day turned out to be an omen – even if he didn’t see the result.

Oakley holed a 110-yard wedge on the first hole for eagle Tuesday and added a traditional eagle four holes later, jump-starting a 6-under 66 that enabled him to win Event No. 2 of the PGA Tournament Series at PGA Golf Club.

“The first hole I didn’t see it land,” Oakley said. “My partner said it went in the hole. I went up there and it was in the hole. I felt good after that.”

Oakley felt even better when he eagled the par-5 fifth hole on the Dye Course, making a 20-footer. He clinched the victory with a tap-in birdie on the par-5 17th, finishing at 8-under 136, two shots ahead of Danny Balin (68) and Brett Walker (68)

“This is definitely my biggest PGA win since I’ve been in the program,” said Oakley, a part-time Palm City resident who caddies at famed Seminole Golf Club. Oakley was congratulated after the victory by his father, former Senior British Open champion Pete Oakley.

Balin was bidding to win his second consecutive PGA Tournament Series event. The Rockville, Md., native had four birdies in a five-hole stretch after the turn to move into a tie for the lead.

But Balin three-putted the 17th hole from 15 feet, and when Oakley birdied the hole, the two-shot swing left Balin tied for second with Walker of Jupiter.

“I thought I needed to make the putt on 17 and I just misjudged the speed,” Balin said. “I was playing catchup with Zac all day.”

Oakley earned $5,000 for the victory.

Marc Issler of Jupiter was alone in fourth with a 67-139. Three players tied for fifth at 3-under 141: Omar Uresti (69), Andy Hansen (71) and Jonathan Mansfield (71).

The PGA Tournament Series is presented by Golf Advisor.

Chelsea star ready to cancel current deal in order to clinch transfer to Premier League rivals

Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham is reportedly ready to make a surprise decision on his future and seal a January transfer to a Premier League club.

The Blues youngster has shone on loan at Aston Villa this season, scoring 14 goals in just 19 games for the Championship side.

MORE: Chelsea star takes important step to impress clubs ahead of potential transfers to Arsenal and two other Premier League suitors

However, Abraham seemingly now wants a bigger challenge as he senses a top-flight move could be realistic for him as the Sun list a number of suitors for his signature.

It remains to be seen how this will pan out, but Chelsea would likely prefer him to be playing in the Premier League as well in order to gain that top-level experience.

The 21-year-old looks an exciting talent who could one day be good enough for the CFC first-team, though he didn’t have the best time on loan in the Premier League with Swansea City last season.

The Sun now list Chelsea’s London rivals Fulham as among his admirers this winter, along with Huddersfield, Brighton and Bournemouth.

Tyrrell Hatton retains Dunhill title, Ross Fisher shoots record 61 at Old Course

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — Tyrrell Hatton retained his title at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Sunday after a final round at St. Andrews in which Ross Fisher shot a course-record 61 at the home of golf.

On a calm day on the storied Old Course, even a bogey-free round by Fisher containing 11 birdies could not reel in overnight leader Hatton, who shot 66 for a three-stroke victory over his fellow Englishman.

Hatton became the first player in the 17-year history of the Dunhill Links to successfully defend the title in a tournament played over three Scottish courses — the Old Course, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie. His aggregate score of 24-under 264 was a tournament record, after rounds of 68-65-65-66.

Both of Hatton's career titles have come at the Dunhill Links.

Fisher was runner-up for the second straight year. He had a putt for eagle from the Valley of Sin on No. 18, which would have sealed the first round of 59 in the history of the European Tour. It fell two feet short and he missed the birdie putt back, though still broke the course record — held jointly by six players — by a stroke.

Rory McIlroy shot even-par 72 to finish tied for 63rd on 4 under par, meaning he ended a season without a victory for only the second time in his professional career.

This article was from The Associated Press and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com.

Jose Mourinho makes three big transfer requests if he is to accept Real Madrid job

Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly only willing to accept the Real Madrid job if the club clear out some of their big names.

In a surprise report from Don Balon, the Portuguese tactician is said to want three of Madrid’s long-serving superstars out of the Bernabeu: Sergio Ramos, Marcelo and Karim Benzema.

MORE: Isco out, Premier League superstar in – How Real Madrid could line up after the January transfer window

While Benzema does admittedly look past his best for Los Blancos, the other two remain key players for the club and axing them now may be a big mistake.

Having sold Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus in the summer, Real could probably do without a big overhaul of other experienced stars who continue to serve the side well.

Still, this is the territory that comes with hiring Mourinho, with the 55-year-old known for being a big personality and liking a great deal of control over personnel in his dressing room.

Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid?

US looks to recapture Llandudno Trophy in showdown with Great Britain & Ireland in 28th PGA Cup

OTTERSHAW, Surrey, England – For those American players present two years ago, watching their Great Britain & Ireland counterparts taking turns leaping into a pond by the 18th green at CordeValle in San Martin, California, was unsettling.

The first U.S. loss on home soil in PGA Cup history stung, and now sets up a compelling weekend nearly 27 miles southwest of London. The 28th PGA Cup, the premier international event for PGA Club Professionals, opens Friday at Foxhills Club & Resort’s Longcross Course.

The U.S. owns a 17-6-4 series lead since the event began in 1973, and is 6-5-1 on the road in the chase for the Llandudno International Trophy.

To set the stage for Friday morning’s four-balls, the Americans got a heavy dose of encouragement following Thursday’s opening ceremony. They viewed a video in the Team Room featuring Jack Nicklaus, Paul Azinger, Dave Stockton, Lee Trevino, Ben Crenshaw, Maj. Dan Rooney, Golf Channel announcer/North Florida PGA Member Charlie Rymer and reigning PGA Champion Justin Thomas.

MORE: Full coverage of the 28th PGA Cup from Foxhills Club & Resort

If that wasn’t enough, U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Jim Furyk dialed in from Florida, asking the team to “set the winning plate for us as we come over next year.” Furyk closed by saying, “Play your own game. I promise you it’s good enough.”

PGA of America President and U.S. Captain Paul Levy of Indian Wells, California, said he likes what’s he’s seen in his team during practice.

“We have five veterans that have played in these matches before and five who haven’t. But there are also a lot of mature guys,” said Levy. “It’s not like we have a team of 25-year-olds. We have got a lot of experienced players – even those who haven’t played in the match before – who have been top-notch club professionals, tour experienced-type players. So we are excited. We think we’ve got a great team.”

Among the veterans is a twosome who competed at CordeValle in 2015: reigning PGA Professional Champion Omar Uresti, a PGA Life Member from Austin, Texas; and Jamie Broce of Indianapolis, the new head men’s and women’s golf coach at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).

“I feel like I take a lot of responsibility for my singles match in 2015,” said Broce. “I played great, and the guy I played made two eagles and three birdies in the last eight holes on me. He won the match and he really played well. I think their whole team played well and they earned it. We didn’t give them anything. For us to come over here to reclaim the Cup, we’re going to have to earn it. We’re not going to be able to back into anything.”

This marks Uresti’s third international team event, having competed in the Japan Friendship Matches as a junior at the University of Texas. “We definitely want to win the Cup back. To be on the first team that lost the Cup on U.S. soil was disappointing,” he said. “They have good players on their team and we have good ones on ours. We’ll be playing a course that is narrower than the old U.S. Open courses we’ve played.”

The 6,751-yard, par-72 Longcross is deceptively inviting in length, but has been honed to the specifications of Great Britain & Ireland Captain Albert MacKenzie. The fairways, according to Foxhills Director of Golf Chris Fitt, “have been pinched to provide bottlenecks” as a defense to the longest hitters.

There are no par-4s over 400 yards on the back nine, which leads to a shotmaker’s course and ideal for match play.

Great Britain & Ireland’s original plan was to utilize the longer Bernard Hunt Course. Both courses are well known to PGA Members here, as they host the annual Senior PGA Professional Championship.

“We just felt the Longcross Course was a little bit more British in its nature, where precision may be par around that course,” said MacKenzie, who was vice captain to winning 2015 Captain Jon Bevan. “Aesthetically, it’s easier on the eye and would provide a great theater for match play and the opportunity for more birdies on the back nine.

“Having been here the last four years for the British Seniors Championship, and finishing runner-up here in 2014, I am very fond of Foxhills. It is a wonderful resort, and offers virtually anything you want.”

MacKenzie doesn’t hide the fact that planning two years ago was paramount to bringing momentum to Great Britain & Ireland. “That was a great week,” said MacKenzie, “Jon (Bevan) was an inspirational Captain. We prepared very thoroughly. I would say the year before the PGA Cup, Jon and I had spoken 250 of the 365 days. It was a fantastic journey. We put a lot of effort into it. We had a template that we studied very closely for what happened in CordeValle and I pretty much used my personal twists.”

For Levy and his team, the task was aligning compatible partners who could mount a challenge. He also will call upon veterans in two-time PGA Professional Champion Matt Dobyns of Glen Head, New York; Mark Brown of Oyster Bay, New York; and 2013 PGA Professional Champion Rod Perry of Port Orange, Florida.

“It’s really exciting to represent your country. It’s a great honor, It’s something that most people don’t get to do very often,” said Dobyns, a PGA Head Professional at Fresh Meadow Country Club in Lake Success, New York. “It’s also to be on a team, which in golf we don’t get to do very often. It brings back a lot of good memories from college. Being in England, adds another dimension to it, taking a special trip and kind of living the life of a tour player is really exciting and something we all cherish.”

MORE: Get to know the U.S. PGA Cup team members

Perry arrived Wednesday morning, having secured his family and home following the passing of Hurricane Irma. He was one of the fortunate to get early clearance for a flight from the nearby Orlando International Airport. The PGA Head Professional at Crane Lakes Golf & Country Club in Port Orange, who missed two days of practice here, was not using any excuses.

“I was ready to play and really enjoyed my time around the course. Playing with Jamie (Broce) was a lot of fun,” said Perry, who competed in 2013 at Slaley Hall in Northeast England, when the U.S. forged a tie to keep the Cup for two more years. “We know we are in for a tough match.”

Brown, a 51-year-old PGA Head Professional at Tam O’Shanter Club in Glen Head, New York, last competed in the PGA Cup in 2000. He’s a three-time runner-up in the PGA Professional Championship.

“When we get on the course, we’re pulling for each other,” said Brown. “When you see that flag on the back of your shirt, it is really a special honor. Hopefully, we’ll take care of business.”

Levy said that he is pleased with the pairings that have come together through the practice rounds.

“The most important things about putting people together are all about relationships. After three days, we have a good idea and two players and want to win a match,” said Levy. “The golf course is very narrow and some areas the rough is tough. When it’s all said and done it’s about getting the ball in the hole faster than the other.”

The U.S. PGA Cup “rookies” include 2016 PGA Professional Champion Rich Berberian Jr. of Hooksett, New Hampshire; Paul Claxton of Claxton, Georgia; Dave McNabb of Newark, Delaware; Adam Rainaud of Chester, Connecticut; and Josh Speight of Locust Hill, Virginia.

“When my brother and I found out that I had made the team, it was the most pumped up that I have been,” said Rainaud, a PGA Assistant Professional at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York. “We get the camaraderie of the team and are friends forever.”

It’s been a season of major highs for McNabb, who competed in the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, was runner-up to Uresti in the PGA Professional Championship; and added appearances in the U.S. Senior Open and the PGA Championship.

“I think this would be one of the highlights of my career, to be one of the top 10 PGA Professionals in the country and to represent my country,” said McNabb, the PGA Head Professional at Applebrook Golf Club in Malvern, Pennsylvania. “I think we have to play good solid team golf and bond together as a unit to get the job done.”

28th PGA Cup

United States 
Captain: Paul Levy, Indian Wells, Calif.
Rich Berberian Jr., Hooksett, N.H.
Jamie Broce, Indianapolis, Ind.
Mark Brown, Oyster Bay, N.Y.
Paul Claxton, Claxton, Ga.
Matt Dobyns, Glen Head, N.Y.
Dave McNabb, Newark, Del.
Rod Perry, Port Orange, Fla.
Adam Rainaud, Chester, Conn.
Josh Speight, Locust Hill, Va.
Omar Uresti, Austin, Texas

Great Britain & Ireland
Captain: Albert MacKenzie, Devon, England
Phillip Archer, Warrington, Cheshire, England
Robert Coles, Romford, Essex, England
Matthew Cort, Leicester, England
Christopher Currie, Clydebank, Dunbartonshire, Scotland
David Higgins, Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland
Gary Houston, Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales
Greig Hutcheon, Banchory, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Chris McDonnell, Chichester, West Sussex, England
Damien McGrane, Kells, County Meath, Ireland
Andrew Raitt, London, England

Friday Morning Four-Ball Pairings

7:30 a.m. (2:30 a.m. EDT): Rod Perry, Port Orange, Fla. & Jamie Broce, Indianapolis, Ind. (USA) vs. Greig Hutcheon, Banchory, Aberdeenshire, Scotland & Damien McGrane, County Meath, Ireland (GB&I)

7:45 a.m. (2:45 a.m. EDT): Rich Berberian Jr., Hooksett, N.H. & Adam Rainaud, Chester, Conn. (USA) vs. Robert Coles, Romford, Essex, England & Chris McDonnell, Chichester, England (GB&I)

8:00 a.m. (3:00 a.m. EDT): Matt Dobyns, Glen Head, N.Y. & Mark Brown, Oyster Bay, N.Y. (USA) vs. Phillip Archer, Warrington, England & Andrew Raitt, London, England (GB&I)

8:15 a.m. (3:15 a.m. EDT): Omar Uresti, Austin, Texas & Paul Claxton, Claxton, Ga. (USA) vs. Chris Currie, Clydebank, Dunbartonshire, Scotland & David Higgins, Killarney, Count Kerry, Ireland (GB&I)  

Arsene Wenger’s surprise stance on Arsenal keeping Mesut Ozil amid Unai Emery struggles

Reliable Arsenal blogger Arseblog claims former Gunners manager Arsene Wenger had some reservations about the new contract for Mesut Ozil last year.

The German playmaker ended up committing his future at the Emirates Stadium after a protracted contract saga and links with other big clubs.

MORE: Unai Emery ready to sell Arsenal star to raise transfer funds after completely giving up on player

However, things have not exactly worked out well for Ozil since then, with Wenger leaving Arsenal in the summer and being replaced by Unai Emery.

Far less ready to indulge star players, the Spanish tactician has quite quickly frozen Ozil out of his first-team plans, leaving him on the bench or out of his matchday squad altogether at various points this season.

The 30-year-old is now being linked with an exit once again as the Daily Mail claim Emery is ready to cash in on the player and get his £350,000 a week wages off the club’s wage bill.

Mesut Ozil’s Arsenal future looks in doubt after a tough start under Unai Emery

Brett Melton wins Event No. 5 of PGA Tournament Series Presented By Golf Advisor

PORT ST. LUCIE (Dec. 15, 2017) — It’s not often when you start the final round tied for the lead, shoot even par and lift the trophy.

But that’s what happened to Brett Melton on Friday at PGA Golf Club.

He shot a 72 to win Event No. 5 of the PGA Tournament Series by two shots over Rod Perry, Frank Bensel and Adam Rainaud. Melton finished at 4-under 140 to earn $5,000 for his third career PGA Tournament Series title.

“I got it to 7-under after three straight birdies (at 5, 6 and 7) and just tried to make pars from there,” said Melton, a PGA Assistant Professional at Radley Run Country Club in West Chester, Pa. “But the tough course took over.

RELATED: Final results from Event No. 5 of PGA Tournament Series

“I feel fortunate to shoot even par and not get passed today with the quality of the field.”

Perry (74) had an uncharacteristic up-and-down day, making five birdies, five bogeys and a double bogey on a difficult Wanamaker Course. He was a shot back heading to 18, but made a bogey after his approach barely cleared the water.

“I made too many mistakes and you can’t do that on this type of course,” said Perry, the PGA Head Professional at Crane Lakes Golf & Country Club in Port Orange.

Perry’s third runner-up finish of the PGA Tournament Series leaves him $653 behind Danny Balin ($9,555) for leading money winner of the PGA Tournament Series. Perry has been leading money winner twice, but that’s not his goal for next week’s Event No. 6.

“Winning a tournament,” Perry said. “That’s what we’re all out here for.”

Melton agreed. “Winning never gets old,” he said.

Bensel, who spends his winters working at the two Breakers golf courses, notched his second runner-up finish in the last week. He shot a 73.

“I just couldn’t get it in the hole,” Bensel said. “The greens were really difficult.”

Rainaud started the round tied for 11th, but moved up after a 72. Nick Latimer-Zabor (71-143) was alone in fifth.

The PGA Tournament Series is presented by Golf Advisor.