..::Football II::..

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Perez: Ronaldo wants to retire at Madrid

The Portugal international has been repeatedly linked with a move away but the Blancos president insists the 28-year-old wants to see out his career at the club
Cristiano Ronaldo wants to retire at Real Madrid just as previous greats of the game have, says club president Florentino Perez.

Ronaldo, 28, has two years to run on his contract at los Blancos but continual rumours have linked him with a move away to either Manchester United or Paris Saint-Germain.

And although no negotiations have taken place to extend Ronaldo's stay at the club, Perez remains convinced that the Portuguese star wants to retire at Madrid.

"The person who wants to retire at Real Madrid is Ronaldo, and Real want him to retire here too," Perez told broadcaster Univision.

"There haven't been any negotiations [on a new deal] because he is on holiday. Be in no doubt, Cristiano will retire here because he wants to. Just as [Zinedine] Zidane and other great players have done."

Ronaldo has scored 201 goals in 199 appearances for the Liga giants.

 

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Dortmund confirm Mkhitaryan transfer

The 24-year-old Armenia forward will sign a deal in the next few days following successful talks between the BVB and Shakhtar Borussia Dortmund have confirmed on their official club website that they have agreed a deal to sign highly sought-after Shakhtar Donetsk attacker Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Mkhitaryan, 24, will complete a switch to Dortmund later this week for a fee reported to be around €25 million and will sign a four-year deal with the Bundesliga runners-up.

The Armenia forward, who also plays in midfield, completed his medical with BVB on Monday and although a contract is yet to be signed, the stock market has been alerted.

A statement on the German club's official website read: "Borussia Dortmund AG and FC Shakhtar Donetsk have agreed on the transfer of the Armenian international Henrikh Mkhitaryan, born on 21 January 1989, to Borussia Dortmund.

"Borussia Dortmund and the player have reached a general agreement about the financial conditions of a contract running until 30 June 2017. Details are yet to be agreed upon."

Mkhitaryan joins Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Saint-Etienne and Werder Bremen, respectively, as Dortmund's latest recruits since losing Mario Gotze to Bayern Munich.

Mkhitaryan, who was also wanted by Liverpool this summer, scored 44 goals in 106 matches for Shakhtar.

 

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Bayern confirm Gomez will join Fiorentina

The club have agreed a deal in principle with the Viola and the move will be finalised in the coming days Bayern Munich have announced an agreement in principle has been reached with Fiorentina over the transfer of Mario Gomez.

The Germany international struggled for regular first-team football at the Allianz Arena last season after losing his starting berth to team-mate Mario Mandzukic.

The move will be officially completed within the next couple of days following talks on Monday between Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Viola president Andrea Della Valle.

"It was the desire of Mario Gomez to leave Bayern Munich for Florence. We have now complied with his wish," Rummenigge told the club's official website.

"He has made a major contribution to two German championships and two DFB Pokal victories. The highlight was of course the Champions League victory and winning the treble last season.

"I would like to thank him for his Bayern performances. On behalf of the club, I wish him luck and success in Florence!"

Gomez became the most expensive player in Bundesliga history when he signed for Bayern from Stuttgart in 2009 for €30 million. Since then Javi Martinez and Mario Gotze - both Bayern players - have surpassed that milestone.

Gomez played 174 games for Bayern, scoring 113 goals.

The striker becomes Fiorentina's eighth acquisition this summer having landed among others, goalkeeper Gustavo Munua; defender Marcos Alonso; and midfielders Massimo Ambrosini, Juan Cuadardo and Joaquin.

 

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Liverpool captain Gerrard targets top-four finish

The midfielder is confident the Reds, who finished the season in style, can topple the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham to qualify for the Champions League Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard believes the club has the capabilities to finish in the top four next season.

Brendan Rodgers' side finished 12 points off the Champions League spots last season, ending the campaign in seventh as they failed to qualify for European competition altogether.

However, Gerrard feels Liverpool, who lost just one of their last 13 games in 2012-13, can overhaul the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham and secure a place back among the continent's elite clubs.

"The final five or six months of the season were fantastic, we showed fantastic form - I think it was top-four form," Gerrard told the club's official website.

"We certainly finished the season really strong, but we were very inconsistent from August to Christmas - that's the reason why we never managed to achieve what we set out to do, which was a top-four finish.

"But I felt at times in the season we played some brilliant football. If we can find that level on a consistent basis, I've got confidence we can break into the top four.

"The realistic message is to say to the fans that the last four or five months of the season were really positive, we played well.

"If the fans get behind us and show the support that we know they can, I believe we can push into the top four. That would be a fantastic achievement if you look at the standard of the teams in this league."

Gerrard is also quick to praise manager Rodgers, who he thinks is improving the team despite a slightly disappointing first season at Anfield.

He added: "I think the manager has done well - he's taken a huge job on at a young age.

"I think he's moving the team and the club forward and making good progress. If he gets the backing from the owners, and the current squad that we've already got improves, I'm sure we can make the fans happy."

 

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Bojan regrets Milan & Roma spells

The attacker is very pleased with his loan to Ajax and feels his decision to make the move to Serie A two years ago was a mistake New Ajax signing Bojan Krkic feels that he made the wrong decision to leave Barcelona for Roma in the summer of 2011 and then join AC Milan the following season.

The 22-year-old completed a loan move to the Dutch champions at the weekend and he has now admitted that he regrets not making the move to the Eredivisie at an earlier stage of his career.

"My choices for Roma and AC Milan were wrong. Perhaps I should have already opted for the Eredivisie back in 2011," the attacker told De Telegraaf.

"I am a young player and I need to get regular first team action. I cannot make progress if I only get 18 games or so per season. I will get the chance to take the next step in my development at Ajax.

"I really wanted to get this loan move wrapped up as soon as possible. Leaving Barcelona could have been more difficult if Alexis Sanchez or David Villa had been sold, so I wanted to complete the move quickly."

Bojan could make his official Ajax debut in the Johan Cruyff Schaal encounter against AZ on July 27.

 

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Blanc: Cavani & Ibrahimovic are compatible

The recently appointed PSG coach would welcome the Napoli man with open arms and has revealed that they are interested in signing Yohan Cabaye as well
Laurent Blanc is confident that Edinson Cavani would form a good partnership with Zlatan Ibrahimovic if his proposed transfer from Napoli to Paris Saint-Germain goes through this summer.

PSG sporting director Leonardo confirmed at the weekend that the Ligue 1 champions have made a formal bid for the Uruguay international and expects the transfer to move forwards in July.Blanc, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti as head coach on June 26, recently voiced his admiration for Cavani and he has now insisted that the 26-year-old would be a perfect team-mate for Ibrahimovic.

"I would be very happy if Cavani were to join PSG," Blanc was quoted as saying by L'Equipe. "Cavani and Ibrahimovic are compatible. Their styles compliment each other.

"It would be a great coup from a sporting point of view if we sign Cavani and it would be a signal of intent toward our rivals in France and Europe."The former France boss is busy preparing his squad for the 2013-14 season and is actively looking for new recruits including, the coach has confirmed, Newcastle United midfielder Yohan Cabaye.

"Cabaye is a wonderful player but it depends on what players we have available," Blanc added. "We are interested because he provides options."One player who has been linked with a move away from the Parc des Princes is Thiago Silva, with Barcelona reportedly preparing a deal for the Brazil international.

Blanc, however, has refuted claims that the centre-back will join the Liga champions, adding that he could be handed the club captaincy."I think he will be in Paris this season and he has a great chance to be the captain," Blanc added.

 

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Moyes eyes historic quadruple at Manchester United

The Scot says he will compete on all four trophy fronts this season before admitting he hopes his inherited squad agree with his appointment New Manchester United manager David Moyes has insisted he will challenge on all fronts during his first season in charge at Old Trafford.

Having wrestled the Premier League title off city rivals Manchester City last season, United will start their campaign on August 11 against Wigan in the Community Shield before embarking of their three-pronged domestic run and the Champions League.

United last won the FA Cup in 2004 and Capital One Cup in 2010 and, despite failing to win silverware during 11 years in charge at Everton, Moyes is gunning for a historic quadruple.

"You have to do well in all competitions - not just the Premier League," he told The Sun.

"When you are at Manchester United my thinking is you have to go for everything, you attempt to win everything.

"Maybe you miss out sometimes, but you have to try to win all the trophies.

"I’ve done it everywhere else I’ve been and I’ll certainly do it here because I have a bigger squad, quality players and a club with the tradition of being used to winning things."

Moyes officially took over from the retired Sir Alex Ferguson on July 1 to become the club's first new manager in 27 years.

The Scot was handed a six-year deal when he agreed his departure from Goodison Park and hinted that such confidence in him from the Old Trafford hierarchy should relay back to the squad.

He added: "I’ve talked to the players and told them I hope they respect his decision to pick me."

 

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Monaco sign Abidal

The experienced defender has signed a one-year deal with the option of a second following his release from Barcelona earlier this summer Monaco have secured the services of Eric Abidal on a free transfer, according to the club's official website.

The left-back, who was released by Barcelona this summer, has signed a one-year deal at the Ligue 1 side with an option for one additional season.The 33-year-old started his professional career at Monaco, but left the club for Lille in the summer of 2002. He also wore the Olympique Lyonnais jersey before joining Barcelona in 2007.Abidal won four La Liga titles, two Copas del Rey and two Champions Leagues during his six years at Barcelona, but spent the majority of last season on the sidelines due to health problems.

The defender was diagnosed with a liver tumour in March 2011 and underwent a transplant last April which kept him out of action for nearly a year.

He was keen to continue his career at Barcelona, but the Catalans eventually opted not to offer him a new deal.

Clubs such as Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain had also shown an interest in signing Abidal.

 

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Barcelona agree deal with Atletico Madrid for David Villa

The Liga club look set to beat Tottenham to the signing of the Spain international having reached an agreement with the Catalan giants for a fee that could rise to €5.1 million Barcelona have confirmed they have reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid over the transfer of forward David Villa.

The Spain international will move to the Vicente Calderon, subject to the agreement of personal terms and passing of a medical, in a deal worth an estimated €5.1 million, with €3m being paid if Villa remains an Atletico player during the 2014-15 and 2015-16 campaigns.

The Catalan giants will also retain 50% from any future transfer involving the former Valencia striker.

Tottenham had emerged as the front runners to sign the 31-year-old attacker, with Goal exclusively revealing last month that Villa had given the green light over a move to White Hart Lane.

Atletico appear to have gazumped Spurs and won the race for his signature, however, as they search for a replacement for Radamel Falcao, who sealed a big-money move to Monaco back in May.

The Madrid club, who finished third in La Liga last season, had been in the hunt for Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo although Manchester City now appear favourites to sign the 27-year-old Spaniard, with top target Edinson Cavani expected to join Paris Saint-Germain.

Villa joined Barca in 2010 from fellow La Liga side Valencia and has scored 48 goals in 119 appearances across all competitions.

 

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Real Madrid say Arsenal have made no bid for Gonzalo Higuain

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has dismissed speculation Gonzalo Higuain is about to join Arsenal by revealing the Premier League club are yet to make an offer.

Higuain, who told the media on the final day of the Primera Division season that he was going to leave Madrid in the summer, was reported to be on the verge of a £23millon move to Emirates Stadium.However, during an interview with Univision, Perez said: "We don't want Higuain to leave."What's more no-one from Arsenal has come to us and made us any offers at all for him. There are no offers on the table."

Madrid have made two signings so far this summer, bringing defender Dani Carvajal and midfielder Isco to the Bernabeu from Bayer Leverkusen and Malaga respectively, but Perez remained tight-lipped on future transfers.

However, it has been reported Madrid will sign Spain Under-21 midfielder Asier Illaramendi from Real Sociedad in the coming days.And although Perez did not confirm a move for the 23-year-old, he indicated Madrid were looking to sign a long-term replacement for Xabi Alonso, who will turn 32 in November and who suffered from a groin injury towards the end of the season which forced him to undergo surgery in June.

He admitted: "We are concerned about the state of Xabi Alonso. Defensive midfield is a very important position and we should be looking to strengthen there."
Uncertainty remains at Madrid over the long-term future of Cristiano Ronaldo, but Perez said he was calm about the situation.He added: "Ronaldo wants to retire at Real Madrid, and we want him to retire here, just like Zidane and so many other great players did. You can be absolutely certain that Cristiano will retire at Real Madrid."

 

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Sevilla say no bid has been received from Manchester City for Alvaro Negredo

Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido insists the club have still not received any offer from Manchester City for Alvaro Negredo.Negredo has indicated he would like to leave Sevilla this summer and has been closely linked with a number of clubs, including Premier League outfit City, whose new coach Manuel Pellegrini will know all about the Spain striker from his time in the Primera Division.

However, Del Nido said last week that City had not made a bid for the 27-year-old and he confirmed today there was nothing new to report with regards the prolific striker's future.Speaking at the presentation of new Sevilla signing Nico Pareja, Del Nido said: "There hasn't been any change with respect to Negredo's situation.

"There hasn't been any communication between the English club and Spanish club, and Negredo is training with his team-mates and has three more years on his contract."There hasn't been any offer from Manchester City."

 

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Higuain & Negredo ta thama bids naha kiyana 1ka puduma wadak neh​

 

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Real Madrid want Higuain to stay, insists Perez

 

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Real Madrid say Arsenal have made no bid for Gonzalo Higuain

Higuain & Negredo ta thama bids naha kiyana 1ka puduma wadak neh​

ekane

 

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Gareth Bale and Robin van Persie make shortlist for UEFA award

Gareth Bale and Robin van Persie are on a 10-man shortlist for UEFA's 2012/3 Best Player in Europe award.Tottenham forward Bale has already earned the PFA Footballer of the Year award and the Football Writers' equivalent for his performances last season.

And van Persie, who finished as the Premier League's top scorer as he won the title with Manchester United, is another candidate for an award inaugurated in 2011 by UEFA boss Michel Platini.Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta were the previous winners, and Messi again makes the final cut along with his Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Paris St Germain is France's sole representative, and the remainder of the list is made up of Bundesliga players.Treble-winning Bayern Munich have four players on the shortlist - Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, Thomas Muller and Bastian Schweinsteiger - alongside Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski.

The shortlist will be reduced to three early next month before a winner - elected by journalists from each of UEFA's member countries - is announced at the draw for the Champions League group stage on August 29.

 

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Gareth Bale and Robin van Persie make shortlist for UEFA award

Gareth Bale and Robin van Persie are on a 10-man shortlist for UEFA's 2012/3 Best Player in Europe award.Tottenham forward Bale has already earned the PFA Footballer of the Year award and the Football Writers' equivalent for his performances last season.

And van Persie, who finished as the Premier League's top scorer as he won the title with Manchester United, is another candidate for an award inaugurated in 2011 by UEFA boss Michel Platini.Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta were the previous winners, and Messi again makes the final cut along with his Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Paris St Germain is France's sole representative, and the remainder of the list is made up of Bundesliga players.Treble-winning Bayern Munich have four players on the shortlist - Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, Thomas Muller and Bastian Schweinsteiger - alongside Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski.

The shortlist will be reduced to three early next month before a winner - elected by journalists from each of UEFA's member countries - is announced at the draw for the Champions League group stage on August 29.

 

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Failure to sign Nilmar would be traumatic, admits Dunga

The 49-year-old is refusing to get his hopes up over the prospect of bringing the former Villarreal striker back to Brazil Internacional coach Dunga has played down the prospect of the club re-signing Nilmar by stating it would be too "traumatic" should the move fall through.

The 28-year-old, who has enjoyed two previous spells with the Brazilian giants, was rumoured to be interested in returning to the Porto Alegre-based club for a third spell, with club president Giovanni Luigi admitting his eagerness to make the move a reality.

However, while Dunga admits the striker - who now plays for Qatari outfit Al Rayyan - would be a welcome addition at any club, the former Brazil boss is worried that any bid for the former Villarreal forward could yet fall through.

"Any club would have Nilmar," he told reporters at a press conference. "But it would be very difficult if we dreamt of signing him, and he did not arrive. The trauma would be higher."

Meanwhile, president Luigi confirmed the striker was on their radar, but admitted it would be "very difficult" to make the dream a reality.

"We are always monitoring Nilmar," he added. "He has a great affection for the club, but it's very difficult to make it happen."

 

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Liverpool making progress under Rodgers, insists Alonso

The former Reds star believes the current team is progressing well despite a difficult first season, and hopes to see them back in the Champions League before long Former Liverpool star Xabi Alonso believes Brendan Rodgers' Anfield revolution is progressing well, despite a difficult first season for the former Swansea boss.

Rodgers' men played exhilarating football at times but struggled for consistency, eventually finishing seventh in the Premier League, 28 points behind champions Manchester United.

But Alonso remains adamant his old club is on an upward curve, and is looking forward to seeing them back in the Champions League in the near future.

"Well I think, especially at the end of the season, we could see the fruits of his work," he told estoesanfield.com.

"When Brendan arrived we knew it was a project for a few years, and step by step he started the season trying to establish his methods.

"Maybe he found it a bit harder than he expected, but at the end of the season with the new signings the team played quite well.

"So we trust that in the next years, the team will come together, become more competitive and reach the Champions League. That is where we want to see it."

Alonso also revealed he remains as fond of the Liverpool fans as they are of him, and admitted he still savours the memory of the club's miraculous Champions League final comeback in 2005.

"Well, it is the same affection I have for them," he added. "I enjoyed five wonderful years, we had great nights and great games.

"We achieved a Champions League, and I think that will remain in the history forever, so I was a little part of the history."

 

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'I am staying with Lyon' - Gonalons

The 24-year-old has moved to play down speculation linking him with the likes of Napoli and Arsenal, insisting he is happy to stay in France Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Maxime Gonalons has stressed he intends to remain with the club this summer.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a switch away from les Gones during the off-season, with Napoli among those rumoured to be interested in swooping for the France international, while Arsenal have been long-term admirers.

Last week, the France international suggested his future could lie elsewhere but, while he admits he has been approached by suitors, he intends to continue his footballing development with the Ligue 1 side.

He told RMC: "Things are clear. I'm going to stay at Lyon next season because I still have things to learn and things to prove.

"I want to win with Lyon. I have been approached this summer and it's always good to know that you're been followed by great clubs."

Gonalons is contracted to Lyon until 2016.