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Zinedine Zidane compiles transfer shortlist amid Manchester United link

Joe Rooney — Sun, 09 Sep 2018 07:38:36 +0000

Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has reportedly compiled a four-man transfer shortlist amid the recent speculation associating him with the Manchester United job.
The legendary Frenchman is presently on a sabbatical after spending two-and-a-half seasons with Los Blancos where he went on to win three Champions League titles and a La Liga crown.
Over the past few weeks, Jose Mourinho’s future at Old Trafford has been called into question amid the club’s average start to the season and The Mirror reports that Zidane is supposedly keeping an eye on the proceedings.
Zidane is understood to have a lasting desire to succeed Mourinho at the Theatre of Dreams and The Mirror reports that the three-time Champions League-winning manager has already drawn up a shortlist of targets.
In his wishlist, the Frenchman is said to have Real Madrid duo Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez – currently on loan with Bayern Munich whilst Rodriguez’s clubmate Thiago Alcantara and Paris Saint-Germain’s Edinson Cavani are also included.
Nonetheless, Zidane may have a tough time convincing the United hierarchy to spend hefty sums on the quartet, given the club have recently urged Mourinho to concentrate on developing talents from the youth system.
Since their time under Louis van Gaal, United have certainly opened their cheque books to compete with Europe’s elite but of late, they seem to have taken a back step whereby the club are only seeking players, who could provide a re-sale value in the future.
Based on this, the likes of Cavani and Kroos, in particular, may not appeal the board in the forthcoming transfer windows, although nothing of this may happen, should Mourinho remain at the helm of things.
The Portuguese currently has the entire support from above despite the average beginning to the campaign and the coming months may decide whether he can preserve his position. United are presently 10th on the table after registering just six points from their opening four league games.

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£50,000-a-week defender committed to Chelsea despite transfer link

Joe Rooney — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 18:25:30 +0000

Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso has stressed that he has no desire to returning to Spain in the near future. The Spain international was linked with both Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid during the recent transfer window but he has now highlighted the ambition to stay put with the Blues.
In an interview with AS, Alonso indicated that he has three years remaining on his current deal with the west London giants and he aims to honour the length of the deal at the least. Alonso had found very little success during his Premier League stints with Sunderland and Bolton Wanderers in the past but things have paved for him differently since his Stamford Bridge move in the summer of 2016.
Initially, the Blues supporters were not very excited by the prospect of entertaining a Premier League drop but he has certainly lived to their expectations over the past three years where he has gone on to become the most effective Premier League defender, contributing 15 goals and a further eight assists across all competitions.
As such, the £50,000-a-week (The Daily Star)left-back has indicated that his international recognition with La Roja has come about due to his current Premier League stint and he is presently ‘very happy’ with his role with the 2016/17 English champions.
Aside from Alonso, both Eden Hazard and Willian were linked with probable moves away from Stamford Bridge during the summer but ultimately, the Blues managed to keep hold of the services of both.
Willian had captured the attention of Barcelona during the early stages of the transfer window but the arrival of a new manager (Maurizio Sarri) at the helm convinced him to continue his trade with the Capital outfit.
On the other hand, Hazard personally admitted that it could be time to move on after six seasons with the Blues but he thereafter said that he would remain committed for the ongoing campaign.
Hazard in particular has been disappointed with the club’s failure to qualify for this season’s Champions League and he could part ways with the Blues next summer, should they fail to either finish in the top four or win the Europa League altogether this term.

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£89m-rated Manchester United ace wants to play alongside Ronaldo

Joe Rooney — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 11:10:49 +0000

Manchester United superstar Paul Pogba is reportedly keen to push through an Old Trafford exit when the transfer window reopens in the New Year. The France international has not enjoyed the best of starts in the United shirt this campaign and he appears to have made his mind up for a fresh challenge elsewhere.
According to The Express, the Frenchman has handed a notice to the club’s hierarchy and he is prepared to push through a transfer at the turn of the year. It is added that the World Cup winner is keen to work alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus, where he won four straight Serie A titles between 2012 and 2016.
Pogba joined the Mancunian giants from Juventus on a club-record £89m fee in August 2016 and much was thereafter expected from the midfielder after his genuine success with the Bianconeri.
However, since then, his showing has been largely inconsistent with only glimpses of his potential showcased in Turin and The Express now claims that his relationship with manager Jose Mourinho has broken down.
Towards the backend of the 2017/18 season, Mourinho stressed that his relationship remains fruitful with Pogba and the rift was only a ‘lie’ but there seems something going between them after the midfielder admitting some differences with the manager during the summer.
Pogba has begun the ongoing Premier League campaign with two goals from the penalty spot from the opening four matches but he could have quite easily added to the tally, had he scored from the spotkick versus Burnley last weekend.
For now, the midfielder has refused to speak upon his position after admitting the fear of being fined, but it will be interesting to see how his situation paves when the January transfer window comes closer.

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Cristiano Ronaldo deal was 'never on the table', says Manchester United boss

Joe Rooney — Sun, 02 Sep 2018 11:31:47 +0000

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has refuted suggestions that he had declined the chance to sign Cristiano Ronaldo during the recent transfer window. The Portuguese superstar had a glorious spell with Real Madrid where he went on to win four Champions League crowns in nine seasons but he nevertheless decided to pursue a fresh move with Juventus.
Speaking after United’s 2-0 triumph over Burnley, Mourinho clarified that a deal was ‘never on the table‘ to lure Ronaldo back to Old Trafford despite the transfer speculation over the summer.
In the same interview, he added that the Bianconeri are at an advantage with the arrival of Ronaldo and the Portuguese could enhance their prospects of competing for this season’s Champions League crown.
Meanwhile, United returned to winning ways on Sunday after they secured a comfortable 2-0 triumph over Burnley and they could have easily scored more with the chances up for grabs.
Romelu Lukaku could have had the opportunity to score his maiden United hat-trick from the penalty spot but his chance was taken up by specialist Paul Pogba, who failed to convert his attempt past goalkeeper Joe Hart.
Nonetheless, United go into the international break with some positivity around the club and Mourinho will be hoping that the team can build up on a winning streak when they return in mid-September.
United’s September schedule remains relatively friendly but they need to be wary of the threat from Watford, who have made a strong start to the Premier League campaign under Javi Gracia.
The Hornets have the tendency to beginning with a bang in the every top-flight season and they have once more than that with the team currently one among three clubs including Liverpool and Chelsea to have made the perfect start to the campaign.

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Arsenal loan 18-year-old attacker to Hoffenheim after contract extension

Joe Rooney — Fri, 31 Aug 2018 11:27:42 +0000

Arsenal have confirmed the loan departure of Reiss Nelson to Hoffenheim shortly after the teenager extended his contract with the club. The 18-year-old had just 11 months remaining on his previous deal with the Gunners but he has now put pen-to-paper on an extension which should keep him at the Emirates Stadium until June 2023.
Nelson made his breakthrough during the 2017/18 season whereby former boss Arsene Wenger initially offered him opportunities in the Cup and European games. Thereafter, he was offered a few league matches towards the end of the season and he ended the campaign with 16 appearances across all competitions.
During the recent pre-season, Nelson was a regular fixture under manager Unai Emery but he has now been offered a temporary challenge with Hoffenheim after knowing that he may not feature extensively during the ongoing league campaign. Despite this, he has secured his long-term future with the north London club after penning a fresh extension before his Bundesliga move.
Hoffenheim have transformed into one of Germany’s regulars in the top four and Nelson’s move to the Rhein-Neckar-Arena is certain to help him earn the much-needed gametime to enhance his progress. Moreover, the youngster also has the opportunity to ply his trade in the Champions League which the Gunners can’t offer and strong performances in the competition would certainly encourage Emery to consider him regularly next term.
Aside from Nelson, the likes of Eddie Nketiah and Joe Willock have earned opportunities to impress in the Gunners first-team over the past season but they have been allowed to continue their progress with the Under-23 side with possible cameos coming their way in the League Cup this term.
Arsenal have made a below-par start to the Premier League season with just one win from their opening three matches and they are already six points adrift of the pace-setters at the top. They are scheduled to face newcomers Cardiff City in this weekend’s league meeting on the road.

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Arsenal's French striker weighing up summer exit

Joe Rooney — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 10:03:07 +0000

Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette has reportedly been linked with a surprise move away from the Emirates Stadium this month. The France international has made three substitute appearances under Unai Emery since the start of the season and reports now suggest that he could seek a surprise exit before the transfer window closes across Europe.
According to Le10Sport, the 26-year-old is deemed to be considering his Gunners future after failing to start a single game since the start of the campaign. It is added that the marksman is attracting plenty of interest from top European sides but the north Londoners remain reluctant to consider his position until January at the least.
Lacazette has become a regular from the substitutes’ bench since the arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang last winter but it would still come as a surprise, if he is to pursue a fresh challenge away from the Capital outfit.
Most recently, the Frenchman dismissed the suggestions that he is unhappy after talking up the prospect of securing a regular role under Emery and he could do the same before the international break.
Lacazette has looked lively on the playing field whenever he has come off the bench and last weekend’s game against West Ham United was a particular highlight after he was influential towards the Gunners’ second strike in a 3-1 comeback win.
Gunners boss Emery has been ringing in the changes in every game this term with under-performers being dropped to the bench and Lacazette could be one of those getting a run in the starting lineup at Cardiff City this weekend in Alex Iwobi’s expense.
Mesut Ozil is another who is in contention for a starting role after recovering from an illness but a report from The Telegraph has recently suggested that he may not retain a regular position unless he brings a consistency into his game.

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Manchester United reveal their January transfer plans to Jose Mourinho

Joe Rooney — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 21:43:24 +0000

Manchester United’s hierarchy have decided to allocate a transfer kitty for Jose Mourinho when the transfer window reopens in January. The Portuguese tactician was left frustrated with the limited transfer business during the summer, but it appears that the board are prepared to make amends by backing him during the New Year.
According to The Sun, the Mancunian giants are prepared to go on a spending spree during the winter transfer window but they are nevertheless said to have imposed a strict transfer requirement.
As per the publication, Mourinho could recommend any player to the board but business could only be done, if the target provides ‘value’ and is available at the ‘right price’ at the turn of the year.
Based on this, United could endure a repeat of the summer transfer saga, given it would be certainly be hard to prise top-quality talents from their respective clubs midway through the ongoing campaign.
Nevertheless, there remains the positive that Mourinho would at least have funds available for a potential purchase and it will be interesting to see whether the club make any big-money signings in January, which is often a rarity.
Manchester United had a rather frustrating summer where they were outpriced for many of their transfer targets and ultimately, they ended up with just three signings in the form of Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant.
Out of those, only Fred has played a prominent role through the opening weeks of the campaign but Diogo Dalot could as well make an impression, once he recovers from a knee surgery which he underwent at former club Porto.
Grant, on the other hand, has been brought in to play the role of the third-choice goalkeeper but so far, he has acted as the deputy to David de Gea with Sergio Romero still recuperating from a knee operation performed during the off-season.

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French forward makes transfer U-turn to stay with Manchester United

Joe Rooney — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 21:08:39 +0000

Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has opted against pursuing a potential move away from Old Trafford before the transfer window across Europe. The France international has regularly been associated with a United exit this summer but he now appears to fight for his first-team position.
Earlier on Tuesday, a report claimed that Jose Mourinho has become frustrated with the Frenchman’s average performances on the playing field and he would prefer him being sold before the transfer window closes overseas.
However, in response, the United board are deemed to have dismissed the possibility of Martial leaving Old Trafford and this appears to have encouraged the Frenchman to fight for his United future, The Sun reports.
Martial had commanded a regular role during the first half of the previous campaign and there was a stage in January where he contributed a goal in three straight Premier League matches.
However, his happiness was shortlived with Mourinho deciding to pursue Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal and the Chilean was thereafter drafted into the left-wing position where Martial found his entire success.
As such, Martial’s performances dropped with just one assist between February and May and things don’t seem to have improved with the new campaign after an average showing during the shock 3-2 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Martial’s start at Brighton came along due to Alexis Sanchez’s absence with a knock but the Frenchman may not warrant a similar role against Tottenham Hotspur with Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford waiting in the wings.
At present, the former Monaco youngster has just 11 months left on his United contract but the club have the option to exercise an extension clause on his deal which would prolong his stay until the summer of 2020.

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£200,000-a-week attacker will sign a new Chelsea contract under one condition

Joe Rooney — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 18:51:09 +0000

Belgium international Eden Hazard may consider signing a new long-term deal with Chelsea, should his requirements be achieved at the end of the campaign. The Belgium international has recently confirmed that he has no desire to leave the Blues during the ongoing season but that may not be the same in 12 months’ time.
According to The Sun, the 27-year-old has no plans to penning a new long-term deal at the moment but he could make the decision by the end of the campaign. The Blues are understood to have already proposed a £100,000 pay rise on his current £200,000-a-week contract but the attacker may not sign the deal unless the club return to the Champions League next term.
The west London giants have failed to qualify for the elite competition in two of the previous three campaigns and Hazard is said to be worried by the situation, given he has in the past cited his ambition of winning the Champions League crown. As such, the attacker appears prepared to play the waiting game and he may only agree upon an extension, should the Blues finish in the top four or manage to win the Europa League altogether.
Chelsea have made a strong start to the Premier League with back-to-back victories over Huddersfield Town and Arsenal, and this has already made new manager Maurizio Sarri a favourite among the club’s faithful. Nonetheless, the Italian has some work to do in the defensive side of the Blues game after they offered numerous scoring opportunities for Unai Emery’s side during the recent London derby which ended 3-2 in their favour.
In both of those matches, Hazard came from the bench to provide an assist but he may start from the off when the Blues make the trip to Newcastle United. The Magpies have had a splendid home record against the Blues with four wins and one draw in their last five matches and it will be interesting to see how the visitors fare this time around.

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Arsenal in advanced talks to sign another shot-stopper

Joe Rooney — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 22:57:07 +0000

Arsenal are reportedly leading the race to lure goalkeeper Yann Sommer from Borussia Monchengladbach this summer. The 29-year-old has plyed his trade for the Bundesliga outfit over the past four seasons but he could now pursue a fresh challenge with Arsenal and Barcelona among his admirers.
According to Marca, Barcelona are weighing up a move for the former Basel graduate with back-up shot-stopper Jasper Cillessen keen on securing regular gametime elsewhere. However, their prospects of signing the Swiss could be dented by the Gunners, who are reckoned to be in advanced talks to acquire his signature.
Unai Emery’s side have already recruited a quality keeper in the form of Bernd Leno and it has been widely expected that the German will take over the number one role from Petr Cech next season.
However, this may not be straightforward with another new keeper at the helm and it will be interesting to see how this transfer story revolves, considering the deal could also influence the future of Cech.
Until now, there has been the suggestion that David Ospina may part ways with the north London club with Cech likely to fight for the number one role alongside summer signing Leno.
However, should there be another addition between the sticks, the 36-year-old may seriously consider his Gunners future, given he could become the number one with a new club elsewhere.
Of late, Cech has been associated with a probable return to Chelsea with Thibaut Courtois fancied to part ways with the Capital outfit. Aside from this, AS Roma have also been linked with the former Blues ace following their decision to sanction the sale of Alisson Becker to Liverpool.
Both Leno and Cech are likely to be part of the travelling party for the Gunners’ pre-season tour of Singapore. Emery’s men take on Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain during their trip to the Far East.

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