..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Martinez refutes claims of Baines transfer request

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has moved to quash reports that Leighton Baines has demanded to be allowed to join Manchester United.

Rumours circulated on Wednesday evening that the left-back had requested a transfer in order to force through a move to Old Trafford, where he would join up with former boss David Moyes.

But Martinez, speaking to reporters after the Toffees' 2-1 win over Stevenage in the Capital One Cup, stressed that neither Baines or fellow United target Marouane Fellaini have made any such demands.

"No. You are going to get so many stories. The two players have been true professionals and that is what I want, players that are dedicated to the club and dedicated to the team," he said.

"I am not going to entertain any rumours or speculation. At the moment I really feel for the game. We are concentrating on rumours too much. There is nothing to tell. If there is anything to tell, we will tell our fans straight away."

Fellaini came off the bench to grab an injury-time winner against Stevenage on Wednesday, and Martinez has hailed the Belgian's ability to turn a match on its head.

"What I love about Marouane is his understanding of the game," he added. "He got involved in the creative part of our game and he is someone with a real threat in the final third. When he gets into the final third, he puts real fear in the opposition. He gave us that cutting edge we had been missing."

 

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Gervinho: Wenger had no confidence in me at Arsenal

Roma forward Gervinho says former manager Arsene Wenger did not give him the chance to reach his full potential at Arsenal.

The 26-year-old Ivorian forward said he did not always have the confidence of his French boss but is looking forward to a new challenge in the Serie A, after being moved on from the Emirates earlier in August."[Arsene] Wenger, well, I think he's one of the great coaches," he told reporters."He's someone I have great respect for and I'm also very happy to have been able to play for his club. Overall I just think it's his opinion.

"After five years, that's it, I'm gone. That's his opinion. I think forwards need to feed on the confidence of their managers, I would have preferred to have that chance."But that wasn't the case and the page had already turned.

"But now I'm totally focused on Roma and working with Rudi Garcia - for me that's the most important thing right now."Gervinho insisted he enjoyed his time at the north London club, but feels more playing time at Roma will see him improve.

"I think I had a great time during my spell in England, especially at Arsenal. I really enjoyed playing for that club," he added."It's true that I did not think I would leave after two seasons, but I'm pretty happy, but I don't really agree with the thought that everything was negative for me at Arsenal.

"I reckon I could have done better if the circumstances were different, I need a lot of playing time and that's why I decided to leave the club."The Ivorian insisted his move to Roma was not a step back in his career, claiming he was due a change of scenery after two years in London.

Gervinho was a second-half substitute in Roma's season-opening win away at Livorno, with the capital club's next assignment a home date with Hellas Verona on Sunday.

 

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Martino dedicates Supercopa win to Tito

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino has dedicated his side's Supercopa de Espana win at the expense of Atletico Madrid to former boss Tito Vilanova, who was forced to step down due to illness earlier this summer.

The Blaugrana recorded a 0-0 draw at home against Atletico on Wednesday after a 1-1 draw at the Vicente Calderon last week to win the Supercup for the 11th time in their history on away goals, and Martino was quick to highlight Vilanova's role in their success.

"It’s a final that we featured in because of the good work from last season. I’m here because of a tragedy. We’re champions because of the players, Tito and the coaching staff," Martino said at a press conference.Lionel Messi and Neymar started a competitive game together for the first time at Camp Nou on Wednesday, and Martino is hopeful it will prove to be the start of an exceptional partnership.

"They played a good game, even though it’s true that they didn’t link-up much.

"I’m certain, however, that they will find each other on the pitch."

Barcelona resume La Liga action on September 1 when they travel to Valencia.

 

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Flamini signs two-year Arsenal deal

Mathieu Flamini has become an Arsenal player for the second time after signing a two-year contract with the Gunners.

The Frenchman put pen to paper on the deal after reaching an agreement with the club following a final round of talks on Wednesday.

Goal understands Flamini will be paid £50,000-a-week and that the contract includes an option for a third year.

Arsenal will announce the deal after receiving the final clearance from the Premier League.

Flamini will be the second signing of the summer for Arsene Wenger — both free transfers — and the fourth old boy the manager has re-signed in recent years, following Sol Campbell, Jens Lehmann and Thierry Henry.

Arsenal anticipate the deal will herald an intensive recruitment drive in the last five days of the window.

Wenger's top target is Angel Di Maria and he has not given up hope of signing Wayne Rooney, Yohan Cabaye or a new goalkeeper.

Flamini was released by AC Milan at the end of last season and he has been training with the Gunners for the last three weeks while working on his fitness and looking for a new club.

Wenger decided to make the 29-year-old an offer after being impressed by his condition and attitude.

The France international, who quit Arsenal for Italy in 2008, will strengthen the central midfield and also offers the versatility of being able to fill in at full-back.

Flamini becomes the second Frenchman to join Arsenal this summer on a free transfer following Yaya Sanago, who signed after being released by Auxerre.

 

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Eriksen exit 'a huge blow for Ajax'

Ajax boss Frank de Boer admits losing Christian Eriksen to Tottenham would be a "huge blow" for his side.

The club's technical director Marc Overmars revealed that Spurs have opened talks with the Eredivisie club over the signing of the Denmark international earlier this week.

De Boer has paid tribute to the 21-year-old's attitude and admits it will be tough to replace the attacking midfielder should he seal a switch to White Hart Lane.

"We always got along together very well. Footballers who are good players and also ideal professionals, are ideal players for a coach," the Ajax boss told De Telegraaf.

"His departure is a huge blow for us, because Chris is terribly important for us.

"[Whether we can replace him] depends on which player we can buy or take over on loan. They won't be at the level of Eriksen, but close to it."

 

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AC Milan's killer instinct made the difference, says Bruma

PSV defender Jeffrey Bruma feels that AC Milan's clinical finishing made the difference in their Champions League playoff tie.

The Eredivisie giants were beaten 3-0 at San Siro on Wednesday after they were held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg at home, yet Bruma feels his inexperienced side were a little unlucky not to have progressed to the group stage.

"We lacked the killer instinct that Milan have and that's why they won. I think experience made the difference. They had four or five chances and scored three goals – this is the killer instinct that we don't have yet," Bruma told the official Uefa website.

"It was a good experience and we had a chance to go through as well. In the first game we were no worse than Milan and also Wednesday I think if we had made it 1-1 when we had the chance it would have been a different game.

"Then they made 2-0 and the game was nearly over. Obviously at this moment we are a bit angry but now we have to go on with the Europa League and give our best there."

Milan have been placed in pot two for Thursday evening's Champions League draw in Monaco, which takes place at 17:45CET.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal wait on €30 million Di Maria bid

Arsenal are waiting to hear if a €30 million bid for Angel Di Maria has been accepted as Real Madrid refuse to sanction any outgoings until Gareth Bale’s signing has been confirmed.

The Gunners tabled a formal offer for Di Maria after securing qualification for the group stages of the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Madrid indicated during a week of discussions with Arsenal that they are willing to off-load the Argentine winger as they prepare to trim costs and free up space in the team for Bale.But the bid has not yet been accepted and the Londoners will not be given the green light to hold personal talks with Di Maria until Real’s €100m world-record signing of Bale is finally secured.

Arsenal will have to persuade the 25-year-old Argentina winger to cut his ties with the Spanish giants and also see off competition for his signature from Galatasaray.
Di Maria’s public stance is that he wants to fight for his place in Carlo Ancelotti’s team although his position might change when Bale arrives.

Speaking to the Spanish press after setting up the winning goal for Karim Benzema in Monday’s 1-0 win at Granada, Di Maria said: "I understand the club are strengthening and they are precise in what they do. But I signed a contract until 2018 a year ago and my desire is to stay in the Bernabeu.”

Ultimately, Arsenal’s chances of capturing the player may depend upon Real’s desire to raise more money from sales, in which case they may encourage one of their attacking players to leave.

With Isco and Mesut Ozil both starting the new season in the team and taking up two of the three positions behind the centre-forward, Di Maria looks the odd man out for the Spaniards.One player who is unlikely to swap the Bernabeu for Emirates Stadium is Benzema, who was also the subject of an enquiry from Arsenal last week.

As reported by Goal, Real chiefs told the Londoners they will not sell the French striker unless they first secure a replacement and, with only five days of the window remaining, the chain of transfers is seemingly too complex for Arsene Wenger to land him.However, the move for Di Maria is now quite advanced and Wenger has also not given up hope of signing a marquee striker, with an audacious bid expected imminently for Wayne Rooney.

Chelsea have abandoned their pursuit of the Manchester United forward as they close in on the signing of Samuel Eto’o but Arsenal have privately been encouragement that the Premier League champions could be willing to sell them Rooney.

Wenger has not spend a penny on transfer fees this summer, with Yaya Sanogo and ex-Gunner Mathieu Flamini both free signings. Flamini signed a two-year, £50,000-a-week contract after reaching an agreement with the club following a final round of talks on Wednesday.Meanwhile, Aaron Ramsey is struggling to be fit for Arsenal's marquee Premier League clash against Tottenham on Sunday.

The midfielder, who has begun the new season in outstanding form, picked up a groin injury on Tuesday night, when he scored both goals in his team's 2-0 second-leg Champions League win over Fenerbahce, and is doubtful for the weekend visit of Spurs.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Podolski out for up to 10 weeks but Ramsey & Wilshere fit for Tottenham clash

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Lukas Podolski will miss up to 10 weeks with a hamstring injury, although Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere are fit to face Tottenham on Sunday.

The German limped off in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Fenerbahce shortly after half-time with a hamstring injury, although the Gunners had hoped the injury was not as bad as it first appeared.

But Wenger and his staff have now learnt that the 28-year-old will be sidelined for at least two months.

"It is bad news about Lukas Podolski as he will be out for eight to 10 weeks," Wenger told the club's official website.

"His hamstring is much more damaged than we thought at the start. It is very disappointing and we have paid a very heavy price for that win [over Fenerbahce]. We have to be patient now."Wenger did reveal, however, that midfielders Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey should be fit to feature in Sunday's north London derby against Tottenham despite the knocks they picked up against Fenerbahce.

"The news is quite positive. They just had bumps and bruises. They will be involved," Wenger added.

Meanwhile, the Frenchman also gave an update on the progress of Arsenal's long-term absentees.

He continued: "[Mikel] Arteta is doing okay but there are few weeks to go with him. Thomas Vermaelen could be back after the international break."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Get well soon Podolski!​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester City to make a late move for Porto defender Mangala

Manchester City are poised to make a late move for Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala.

The Premier League champions are keen to reinforce their defence still further despite agreeing a deal in principle with Atletico Madrid for veteran Argentina international Martin Demichelis.

City are unwilling to match Mangala’s €44 million release clause and value the player at closer to the €35m figure they were prepared to pay for Real Madrid star Pepe, before the 30-year-old indicated he would prefer to stay and fight for his place in Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

The Premier League club are yet to submit a formal offer for the powerful France international, 22, but it is understood they are ready to sanction a deal should the Portuguese club give an indication they are willing to sell at a price closer to City’s valuation.

City’s interest in Mangala, who has been capped three times by his country at senior level, has been long-standing. The club first sent scouts to monitor his progress during Porto’s Champions League last 16 clash against Malaga last season and new manager Manuel Pellegrini is a keen admirer of the player.

The 2012 Premier League champions started the new campaign by crushing Newcastle 4-0 at Etihad Stadium but the defensive vulnerability that was evident in their pre-season campaign reared its head during the shock 3-2 defeat at newly promoted Cardiff last weekend.

Pellegrini is particularly keen to strengthen his rearguard in light of the groin injury suffered by captain Vincent Kompany against Alan Pardew’s men, which forced Javi Garcia to play at centre-half against the Welsh outfit.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ronaldo set to snub Uefa ceremony for friendly

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to snub Uefa's Best Player in Europe ceremony in Monaco in order to face Deportivo in a low-profile friendly on Thursday.

The 28-year-old, who is shortlisted for the award along with Franck Ribery and Lionel Messi, was expected to be present for the prizegiving after the Blancos confirmed via their official website that he would be in attendance.

However, according to Madrid-based newspaper Marca, the Portugal international will skip the event to compete in the Trofeo Teresa Herrera an annual event hosted by Deportivo.

A source close to the Spanish giants confirmed the decision. They told AS: "It is a pity that all is happening at the same time, but Cristiano does not have the gift of bilocation.

"We would like it if he could be in both places, but it is impossible."

The Portuguese's absence is set to leave Madrid light on representation for Thursday's event as president Florentino Perez - who was also absent last year - will not be in the Principality due to prior engagements with his construction company ACS.

Ronaldo has been present for the last two ceremonies, where he lost out to Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi respectively.

Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti's men will discover who they will face in the group stages of the Champions League later on Thursday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lamela undergoes Tottenham medical

Tottenham are on the verge of completing the signing of Erik Lamela after the 21-year-old arrived at London's Holly House hospital to undergo a medical, Goal can reveal.

Roma confirmed that they had reached an agreement with Spurs over a €30 million deal for the Argentine forward on Wednesday as Andre Villas-Boas looks to bolster his squad ahead of the expected departure of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid.

Christian Eriksen is also due in London to carry out his medical on Thursday, while Vlad Chiriches is another player set to complete a switch to White Hart Lane as Spurs look to make further headway in the summer window.

The trio will add to the arrivals of Roberto Soldado, Paulinho, Nacer Chadli and Etienne Capoue as Villas-Boas continues to splash the cash ahead of receiving an €100m windfall when Bale concludes his record transfer to the Spanish capital.

Goal exclusively revealed that Spurs opened talks over a deal for Lamela back on August 14, while a move for Chiriches initially stalled after Steaua owner Gigi Becali pulled the plug on negotiations before the north Londoners came back in for the defender and struck a deal on Saturday.

Eriksen, meanwhile, had been courted by Liverpool in recent seasons although it's Villas-Boas and Tottenham that have seemingly won the race for his signature, with Ajax technical director Marc Overmars confirming on Wednesday that the Dutch club were in talks with Spurs over a transfer.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea sign Eto'o from Anzhi

Chelsea have confirmed the signing of striker Samuel Eto'o from Anzhi Makhachkala on a one-year deal.

Jose Mourinho has tracked Wayne Rooney for much of the summer, with two bids rejected, but has now moved for the 32-year-old after abandoning his pursuit of the Manchester United man.

Eto'o shone under Mourinho during Inter's Champions League-winning 2009-10 season, before becoming the highest-paid player in the world - earning a reported €300,000 (£167,825) a week - when he moved to Anzhi and is delighted to be reunited with the Chelsea boss.

"I am very happy to be here but also anxious because I want to get playing as soon as possible," he told the club's official website.

"It wasn't a hard decision. I saw the qualities Chelsea have, and I was very happy with Jose Mourinho before, so when the opportunity came, I was very happy to take it."

Eto'o becomes Chelsea's second summer recruit from the Russia outfit after Willian's arrival on Wednesday for £31.7m, joining Cristian Cuevas, Andre Schurrle, Mark Schwarzer and Marco van Ginkel at Stamford Bridge.

Goal understands Eto'o's arrival at Chelsea is likely to herald the departure of Ba on a season-long loan. The Senegal striker has attracted strong interest from West Ham and Roma.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations & Good Luck Eto'o!​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Samba latest to join Anzhi exodus

Former Queens Park Rangers defender Christopher Samba has become the latest player to jump ship from the Anzhi Makhachkala debacle.

The Congolese international was one of three Anzhi players to agree a deal with Dinamo on Thursday, alongside midfielder Alexei Ionov and goalkeeper Vladimir Gabulov.

"We had some good things going on at Anzhi," Samba told reporters.

"But I think that the decision of the club to change the structure meant we went apart in terms of ambition.

“I am grateful to Dinamo for giving me this opportunity. I am looking to have an even better time here."

That trio took the total of players to join the Moscow club from Anzhi to six in the past month following billionaire owner Suleiman Kerimov’s decision to pull funding from the Dagestan based side.

Yuri Zhirkov, Igor Denisov and Alexander Kokorin have previously teamed up with former Chelsea defender Petrescu, whilst Willian, Lassana Diarra and Samuel Eto'o are amongst the others who have departed Anzhi in an unprecedented player exodus.

Anzhi have either sold or released 20 of their first team squad in recent weeks following Kerimov’s decision to dramatically downsize the club's ambitions and budget.

Dinamo have been the main beneficiary of the fire sale, with coach Petrescu confident his new recruits will usher the team up from eighth in the Russian Premier League.

Petrescu said: "Every coach is happy when players of quality come to the club."

 

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'I will stay with Lyon for one more year' - Grenier

Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Clement Grenier has revealed he is happy to remain at les Gones, despite the club's Champions League exit.

Lyon entered the Europa League after Remi Garde's men were humbled 4-0 on aggregate by Real Sociedad in the Champions League play-off, prompting speculation that potential suitors could rekindle their interest in the Frenchman.

The 22-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Premier League outfit Arsenal earlier in the summer but, with days to go in the transfer window, Grenier - whose contract expires in 2016 - has ruled out a last-minute departure from Stade de Gerland.He told RMC Sport: "There is no question to ask. I will stay at least one more season.

"It will be complicated [when I want to leave], but then I must ask the president [Jean-Michel Aulas]. But I am happy in Lyon."Grenier initially put the rumours regarding his future to bed by signing a two-year contract extension in July with the French giants.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho: Super Cup not about me and Guardiola

Jose Mourinho insists he does not see Friday's Super Cup clash with Bayern Munich as a chance to get one over on old nemesis Pep Guardiola.

The pair had a long-running feud in Spain as Mourinho's Real Madrid sought to unsettle and replace Guardiola's all-conquering Barcelona as the dominant force in domestic and European football.

During that battle Guardiola only lost three of his 15 meetings with Mourinho, but the Special One insists personal success will not be on his mind when the teams take to the field on Friday.

"Your statistics are wrong, very wrong, but I don’t’ want to discuss that because it’s not relevant," he bristled when confronted with his head-to-head numbers against Guardiola.

"Go there and see what happened with Inter, the league of the records in Spain, the King Cup in Spain, the Super Cup in Spain, so you are very wrong. But it’s not me against him, it’s club against club.

"It’s not about me and Pep, it’s about Chelsea and Bayern Munich. Pep is not European champion and I’m not Europa League champion. We just coach here now, so it’s not about us."

When questioned on Bayern's biggest strength, Mourinho had no doubts. "Bayern’s strength is the team," he added. "The team is a team of players in the best moment of their career.

"All of them very, very, experienced - I think their average age is 27, 28 - year after year in the best competitions with their club and the national team.

"They also come from a season where they were the perfect team, because only perfect teams can win the treble.

"I played against Bayern many times, sometimes in the last years, others a long time ago. It doesn’t matter the system or the player, it’s always a powerful team and a big club."

Some see the Super Cup as a glorified friendly to kick off the European season, but Mourinho insists it will provide a valuable test for his young players, regardless of the result.

"Last year we played in the Europa League, so this is very important," he continued.

"I don’t want the players to think they can play at the same level as they did in the Europa League last season.

"The Champions League is a different planet, so it’s good for us that before we start, we play Bayern."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Real Madrid dismantle Bale stage as presentation is put on hold

Real Madrid are set to take down the stage set up at the Santiago Bernabeu for the presentation of Gareth Bale, with the Welsh forward now unlikely to be unveiled by the Spanish side until Monday.

Madrid erected the platform at the Santiago Bernabeu last Friday and had hoped to unveil the Tottenham midfielder on Tuesday, but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was upset by those tactics and also annoyed that Real president Florentino Perez coincided with Bale in Marbella earlier this week.

While a €100m deal is already in place, Tottenham are waiting to bring in replacements for the 24-year-old, with Willian's last minute change of heart having held up the announcement, after the Brazilian opted to move to Chelsea instead of White Hart Lane this week.

Despite that setback, Spurs have tied up a deal to bring in Erik Lamela from Roma and also hope to complete the signing of Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen.

Madrid, meanwhile, are in action in a friendly against Deportivo in Galicia on Thursday and are unlikely to announce any deal until Friday at the earliest, even though Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas has admitted that the move could go ahead "very soon".

That means the official presentation is set to be put back until Monday (the last day of the transfer window) and, with Madrid in action at home to Athletic Bilbao at midday on Sunday, the stage will need to be dismantled and then erected again after the Liga clash at the Bernabeu.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Juventus: Llorente is not joining Barcelona

Juventus sporting director Giuseppe Marotta has refuted speculation linking striker Fernando Llorente with a loan move to Barcelona.

The 28-year-old is reported to be struggling to adapt to life in Italy following his Bosman move from Athletic Bilbao earlier this summer, leading to suggestions the Spain international could be loaned back to his homeland before the transfer window closes.

The Blaugrana are among those said to be monitoring the striker's situation in Turin, but Marotta has dismissed the notion that his stint with the Bianconeri could be over already.

He told Tuttosport: "We believe in Llorente and we have no intention of selling him."

Llorente, whose contract expires in 2017, is yet to start a competitive fixture for the Italian champions, with the forward being reduced to an 89th-minute cameo against Sampdoria on Sunday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

UEFA Champions League Draw

Champions League draw: Real Madrid face Juventus, Barcelona meet AC Milan once again​

Nine-time European champions Real Madrid have been paired with Juventus in the pick of Thursday afternoon's Champions League draw in Monaco.​

Carlo Ancelotti's men and the current Serie A champions, who met in the final in 1998, have been joined by Galatasaray and Copenhagen in Group B.​

Barcelona and AC Milan will resume rivalries again after meeting four times in the last three seasons, with Lionel Messi inspiring the Blaugrana to a memorable comeback at the last 16 stage last time round. Joining them in an intriguing Group H is Ajax and Celtic.​

Arsenal face a difficult task in maintaining their record of consistently reaching the knockout stages after being joined in Group F by Marseille, Napoli, and last season's beaten finalists, Borussia Dortmund.​

Elsewhere, holders Bayern Munich will take on Manuel Pellegrini's Manchester City for the second time in three years, and Real Sociedad are rewarded for their play-off victory over Lyon with a trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United.​

The 2013-14 final will be held in the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon.​