..::Football III::..

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Real Madrid sign Bale for world record fee

Real Madrid have announced the signing of Gareth Bale from Tottenham Hotspur for a record-breaking €100 million.

The Wales international succeeds new team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo as the game's most expensive player after penning a six-year contract with the Liga giants.

“I would like to thank everyone at the club, the chairman, board, staff, coaches and players – and most of all the fantastic fans who I hope will understand this amazing career opportunity," Bale told Tottenham's official website.

“I am not sure there is ever a good time to leave a club where I felt settled and was playing the best football of my career to date. I know many players talk of their desire to join the club of their boyhood dreams, but I can honestly say, this is my dream come true.

“I am well aware that I would not be at the level I am today were it not for firstly Southampton and then Spurs standing by me during some of the tougher times and affording me the environment and support they have.

“Tottenham will always be in my heart and I’m sure that this season will be a successful one for them. I am now looking forward to the next exciting chapter in my life, playing football for Real Madrid.

Bale, who will be officially unveiled as a Madrid player at a press conference at 13:00CET on Monday, first came to prominence as a 16-year-old with Southampton before joining Tottenham in 2007.

The then full-back initially struggled at White Hart Lane but he flourished after being converted into a winger, winning the PFA Players' Player of the Year in 2010-11.

Bale collected the same prize last year, after scoring 26 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions.

His fantastic form was not enough to earn Spurs a place in the Champions League but the 24-year-old will now feature in the competition this season after finally completing his drawn-out move to Madrid.

Indeed, the deal had been expected to be completed last week but Spurs refused to sanction the transfer until replacements had been signed.

However, after signing Erik Lamela and Christian Eriksen, the English outfit belatedly gave Bale's move the green light.

 

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Finally!

Congratulations & Good Luck Bale!

 

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Arsenal 'close' to signing Real Madrid's Mesut Ozil

The 24-year-old German has been at the Bernabeu since 2010 having moved from Werder Bremen.

And Ozil could be heading to the Emirates Stadium after Gareth Bale left Tottenham for the Spanish capital for a reported world record fee of £85.3m.
Ozil has played more than 100 games for Real who beat off competition from Arsenal and Manchester United to sign their man following the World Cup in South Africa.But now the Gunners are close to securing the player they wanted three years ago in a deal reportedly worth £42.5m.

Manchester United and Paris Saint Germain have also been strongly linked with Ozil in recent days.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Thawa hariyatama 20 hours wage thiyenne Summer Transfer Window 1ka close wennemeh period 1ke thamai ithin karana deyak karanna thiyenne

Adawath Moyes signs tikak karagatthoth shapenathnam ithin sorryma thamai

Moyes do something!

 

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[Persius]

Arsenal 'close' to signing Real Madrid's Mesut Ozil

The 24-year-old German has been at the Bernabeu since 2010 having moved from Werder Bremen.

And Ozil could be heading to the Emirates Stadium after Gareth Bale left Tottenham for the Spanish capital for a reported world record fee of £85.3m.
Ozil has played more than 100 games for Real who beat off competition from Arsenal and Manchester United to sign their man following the World Cup in South Africa.But now the Gunners are close to securing the player they wanted three years ago in a deal reportedly worth £42.5m.

Manchester United and Paris Saint Germain have also been strongly linked with Ozil in recent days.

he is a great playmaker...real madrid is going to loose such talent ....one of my favourite players...if i were the owner of REAL MADRID I WOULDNT BUY BALE and keep OZIL ..unfortunately real isnt got such luckso MOYES THIS IS UR LAST CHANCE .. DONT MAKE UR FANS GO INSANE..THIS is WHAT UR TEAM LACKS

 

[unicornx]

he is a great playmaker...real madrid is going to loose such talent ....one of my favourite players...if i were the owner of REAL MADRID I WOULDNT BUY BALE and keep OZIL ..unfortunately real isnt got such luckso MOYES THIS IS UR LAST CHANCE .. DONT MAKE UR FANS GO INSANE..THIS is WHAT UR TEAM LACKS

Na ban it seems Isco take over Ozil...OZIL IS A GREAT LEGEND. But mona karannada....I don't like to see him benched. Even y'day he was damn worried Anw Bale will be a great wing or may be a striker If i were the manager i will keep ozil and buy Suarez

 

[unicornx]

Moyes 'wouldn't be worried' if Manchester United make no new signings

Manchester United manager David Moyes has claimed that he "would not be worried" if Manchester United do not bring in any new faces in the wake of their 1-0 defeat against Liverpool on Sunday.

The Premier League champions rarely tested Reds keeper Simon Mignolet and looked to to be overran in midfield for large parts of the game.

The Red Devils drew 0-0 with Chelsea and beat Swansea 4-1 in their two opening Premier League fixtures, but Moyes believes his side's performance in defeat against Liverpool was the best of the lot.

"I thought we played really well, probably the best we have played this season. We just couldn't quite find the final ball or the right finish," he said to reporters, after telling BBC Sport: "From what I saw today, I'm more than happy with what I've got. I wouldn't be worried if I didn't add to the squad."

With United chasing Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini and Daniele De Rossi, as well as, according to reports, Luka Modric and Ilkay Gundogan, the Scot could not give an indication as to whether he would be able to bring in midfield reinforcements before Monday's 23:00BST transfer deadline.

"There isn't very long left," he added. "I couldn't give you a heads-up at the moment."

Moyes also revealed that Wayne Rooney will miss three weeks of action after sustaining a head injury in training on Saturday due to a collision with Phil Jones.

Buhahahahaaa..Kithulata gia minihata kianne dekuth tianawane Moyes da Moyes

 

[unicornx]

Gareth Bale's wage breakdown at Madrid:
Yearly: £15,600,000
Monthly: £1,200,000
Weekly: £300,000
Daily: £42,857
Hourly: £2,040
Minute: £34

 

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Valencia 2-3 Barcelona: Messi hat-trick settles thriller

Lionel Messi scored a sensational hat-trick as Barcelona held on to record a dramatic 3-2 victory over Valencia at Mestalla.

The reigning champions were in irresistible form for the first 41 minutes as they looked likely to take a 3-0 lead into half-time as their talismanic Argentine forward took his goal tally from two to five with a treble, but the hosts finished the first period brilliantly.

Helder Postiga produced two moments of excellence just before the break to bring the hosts within touching distance, but they were not able to capitalise in the second half as both defences remained solid.Following their 3-1 defeat at Espanyol in their previous fixture, the Valencia side included three changes as Sergio Canales, Andres Guardado and debutant Dorlan Pabon replaced Jonas, Jeremy Mathieu and Sofiane Feghouli.

Barcelona last played on Wednesday as they drew with Atletico Madrid in the Supercopa de Espana, yet despite this coach Gerardo Martino only felt two changes were necessary for the tip to Mestalla as Pedro Rodriguez and Andres Iniesta came in for Alexis Sanchez and Xavi.

The visitors’ start was ominous for Valencia as an 11th-minute Cesc Fabregas pass released Messi, who burst through the defence and poked the ball into the net from close range after riding challenges from Diego Alves and Ricardo Costa.

Valencia did improve as an attacking force before half-time as Pabon forced a good stop from Victor Valdes, but Messi completed his hat-trick in the final six minutes of the half as he exploited space on the right before firing across Alves and then stroked Pedro’s squared pass in from around the penalty spot.

Barcelona’s dominance was undeniable but Miroslav Djukic’s side gave themselves a fight chance at the end the first half as Postiga first sent Canales’ right-wing cross into the top corner of the goal with a fantastic scissor-kick before heading an Ever Banega corner past Valdes from the front post.

After a strong end to the first half, Valencia came out after the restart showing excellent intensity and created the first chance when Postiga played Guardado into the inside left channel, but he hammered his effort over the crossbar.

Barcelona may have been exhibiting some poor defending but in attack they looked imperious.

As the hour mark approached, Messi had two opportunities to get his fourth goal as Alves first parried away a shot from distance before stopping a tame effort from the edge of the area.

With Valencia’s attacking threat stifled for the time being, Barcelona had another great opportunity as Iniesta’s chipped cross from the left was met by Pedro, but the winger could only head wide.

The final 20 minutes saw the two sides exchange possession on a regular basis as both pressed for more goals, but it was the roaming triumvirate of Neymar, Messi and Pedro that looked the more dangerous, with the Argentine missing two glorious chances just a few metres from goal.

 

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AC Milan 3-1 Cagliari: Balotelli on target as hosts claim first Serie A win

AC Milan claimed their first victory of the Serie A season with a 3-1 triumph over Cagliari at San Siro.

Massimiliano Allegri's men made amends for last weekend's shock loss thanks to goals from Robinho, Philippe Mexes and the impressive Mario Balotelli to complete a much-improved week for Milan that saw them reach the Champions League group stages. Marco Sau ensured Cagliari supporters had something to cheer when he scored a wonderful solo effort just before the break before Balotelli sealed the win for Milan.

The result was the 10th time Cagliari have lost at San Siro to Milan and it highlights how much work they will have to do if they want to retain their Serie A status this season.Milan boss Allegri made three changes to the team that triumphed 3-0 over Dutch side PSV midweek, with Urby Emanuelson, Robinho and Andrea Poli all coming into the side.

New signing Alessandro Matri - formerly of Juventus - failed to make the starting line-up but was named as a substitute.Cagliari were unchanged from the side that beat Atalanta last week. Ivo Pulga left Davide Astori on the bench for the second match running, fuelling rumours that he could leave the club before the transfer window closes.

Milan got off to a flying start when Robinho tapped home in the eighth minute after a Balotelli cross from right that skimmed past the watching Cagliari defence.Balotelli's ball bobbled its way to the Brazilian at the back post and he made no mistake.

The playmaker could have scored again two minutes later when he fashioned some space on the edge of visitors' area, but his shot went just past goalkeeper Michael Agazzi's left post. Cagliari seemed to be overwhelmed by Milan's pressing in the middle of the park and frequently gave the ball away.

And it was the hosts who went two up after 30 minutes thanks to the unlikely figure of Mexes, who surged up from defence to volley home from close range after Balotelli again had been the central figure in the build-up.The former Manchester City man hit a superb shot that Agazzi did well to keep out only for Mexes to slam home the rebound.Cagliari, though, fought back almost straight away with a fine finish from Sau to keep the game alive.

The striker snaked in from the left and curled his shot away from the helpless Christian Abbiati into the far corner.The effort was Cagliari's only shot on target in the first half but Sau certainly made it count.

Cagliari started the second period with a sweeping counter-attack across the field that forced Milan's defence to desperately backtrack. But Radja Nainggolan on the left flank could not quite free himself from the clutches of Ignazio Abate in the attack's final move.Just after the hour mark, Balotelli finally got himself on the scoresheet.

A deep Abate cross was weakly headed away by centre-half Lorenzo Ariaudo and the ball fell at Balotelli's feet. The striker lashed it into the net to restore Milan's two-goal advantage.

Four minutes later, Matri was brought on for Robinho with Allegri perhaps sensing all three points were heading his way.

 

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Catania 0-3 Inter: Nerazzurri maintain perfect start

Inter made it two wins out of two in Serie A with an impressive 3-0 triumph over Catania on Sunday.

Rodrigo Palacio opened the scoring for Inter in the 19th minute before he turned provider after the break, setting up Yuto Nagatomo.

And Ricky Alvarez sealed the result 11 minutes from time with a sensational effort, as he raced through the Catania defence before producing a stylish left-foot finish.
Mazzarri has overhauled the Inter squad in the transfer window, bringing in a host of players as the San Siro outfit aim to improve on last season's ninth-place finish.
And the former Napoli boss already looks to be having an impact, as the Italian giants were excellent in Sicily.Inter made just one change to the side that beat Genoa 2-0 last week as Mateo Kovacic replaced Zdravko Kuzmanovic in the midfield.

Catania coach Rolando Maran also tinkered with his squad, selecting Nicola Legrottaglie and Sergio Almiron in place of Giuseppe Bellusci and Pablo Barrientos.

Both sides traded superb chances in what was a frenetic start to the match, with Sebastian Leto shooting straight at Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic with the goal gaping.Inter immediately countered and Legrottaglie was forced to clear off the line after goalkeeper Mariano Andujar failed to handle Jonathan's fierce drive.

Mazzari's men soon set about exerting their dominance and they claimed the lead in the 19th minute as Palacio tapped in from close range.Jonathan created the goal, breaking free down the right before delivering a superb low cross into the path of the in-form Argentinian.

Inter soon sat back after taking the lead, though, allowing their opponents into the contest, and Panagiotis Tachtsidis and Almiron went close with efforts on goal before the break.

Nagatomo went close early in the second half, with his far-post header brilliant saved by Andujar, but Inter got their second goal 10 minutes after play resumed.
Palacio did well to get free on the right before delivering a superb cross which Nagatomo finished with aplomb.Alexis Rolin forced a good save out of Handanovic at the other end, while Inter were initially denied a third goal when substitute Ishak Belfodil was adjudged offside after finishing from close range.

They did score again though, as Alvarez picked the ball up just inside the Catania half, before weaving past several defenders and firing past Andujar.

The upcoming international break will give Mazzarri two weeks to prepare for a crucial home fixture against Juventus, while Catania's next assignment is at Livorno.

 

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We need to work on our concentration, says Allegri

AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri warned his side against complacency in future matches after Sunday's 3-1 Serie A success over Cagliari at the San Siro.

The Rossoneri fell to a shock defeat against newly-promoted Hellas Verona on the opening weekend of Serie A and although they picked up their first three points of the season, their coach remains concerned by a lack of concentration in the side.

“I think we did well until we conceded the goal,” Allegri told reporters.

“What made me angry was we lost our focus for Cagliari’s goal. We shouldn’t stop playing like that and give the other team the chance to get back in the game.”

Allegri admitted he had reservations about his team’s fitness coming into the match on the back of their midweek Champions League Qualifier with PSV Eindhoven, but stated that number of his players had stepped up and delivered back on the Serie A stage.

“It was a very dangerous game we played here this evening as after the Champions League match, you can get bad reactions but that’s not what happened," he stated.

“Nigel De Jong worked hard and that’s good. Riccardo Montolivo played well in his new role and Nocerino did well when he came on.”

“Urby Emanuelson played well and we just have to work on not losing focus during matches.”

Milan are back in action after the international break when they travel to Turin to face Torino.

 

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Mazzarri demands Inter improvement

Inter boss Walter Mazzarri has called on his side to keep improving after their convincing 3-0 win over Catania on Sunday.

The Nerazzurri have taken maximum points from their opening two games this season, following up a 2-0 opening day triumph over Genoa with victory in Sicily.

However, the former Napoli boss believes they need to improve if they are to challenge for the Serie A title this term.

"I'm satisfied but we must keep improving," he told Sky Italia.

"We're still making mistakes in possession. We need to be more clinical at times too. We have to keep growing if we want to stay in the mix at the top.

"Jonathan and [Yuto] Nagatomo did well, they've come on a lot. The whole team is on the up in general. They were still feeling the psychological effects of last year – you should have seen how tense they were before the Cittadella game.

"Now we're gaining in confidence, winning games always helps in that respect."

Inter's next Serie A game is at home to Juventus on September 15.

 

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Arsenal in talks with Real Madrid over €47m Ozil

Arsenal are in advanced talks with Real Madrid to sign Mesut Ozil for €47 million.

High-level discussions have been held between the clubs in recent days and Arsene Wenger is increasingly hopeful that a sensational late move for the Germany international can be completed before Monday night’s transfer deadline.

Arsenal are willing to pay a club-record €47m to capture Ozil, who has privately indicated he is keen to move to the Emirates Stadium, despite his public claims he is happy to stay and fight for his place in Carlo Ancelotti's side.

The Gunners, who could face competition from Paris St-Germain, are battling to complete the deal in what promises to be a frantic final 24 hours of the window.Wenger is targeting at least three new signings on deadline day as he tries to make amends for what has been a frustrating summer of transfer activity for the club.

Arsenal have reached an agreement with Palermo to sign goalkeeper Emiliano Vivano on a season-long loan, with the Italian heading to London on Sunday night to discuss personal terms and undertake a medical.

Wenger is also working on a third deal as he seeks to strengthen a squad that has been severely weakened both by injury and high-profile departures in the past two summers.

Despite working with a transfer budget of up to €117m, Wenger has suffered repeated frustration in the transfer market this summer and is yet to make a cash signing.

The Frenchman’s priority has been to add a proven striker to the ranks but two bids for Luis Suarez were rejected by Liverpool, while moves for Gonzalo Higuain, Wayne Rooney and Karim Benzema have all been unsuccessful. Wenger turned his attention to Real Madrid’s battery of elite attackers after it became increasingly clear that Bale was set for a world-record €100m move to Spain.

The Gunners tabled a €30m bid for Angel Di Maria last week but the player has begun the season in impressive form and is reluctant to cut his ties with the Bernabeu.

However, Ozil was left on the bench for Real’s 3-1 win earlier on Sunday after being substituted during the 1-0 win at Granada six days previously, which he reacted to by storming down the tunnel and onto the team bus.Asked about overlooking Ozil in favour of Di Maria on Sunday, Ancelotti said: “It’s to be expected that he’s not happy. I don’t like players who are happy to be on the bench. It was a football decision to play Di María, who is playing well and with great intensity".

Arsenal have been given encouragement that Real are willing to off-load the 24-year-old playmaker as they prepare to trim costs and free up space in the team for Gareth Bale.

Ozil has been a fixture in the Real team, usually playing in the No10 role behind the centre-forward, since moving from Werder Bream in the summer of 2010. He has also won 47 caps for the Germany national team.

 

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Ozil Arsenal join wei

 

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Martino: Neymar & Messi to shine

Gerardo Martino claimed that any notion of Neymar and Lionel Messi being unable to play alongside each other had been extinguished after Barcelona’s display in their 3-2 victory over Valencia.

The Brazilian set up his Argentine team-mate for his hat-trick at Mestalla and Martino told reporters he cannot see why the South American duo won't continue to flourish in tandem.

“Yesterday there were doubts about the Messi and Neymar connection after their first game together," he mused. "Things have been solved within 24 hours.”

The former Paraguay coach declared the performance “the best version” of his side he had seen since taking the reins at the Nou Camp over the summer, as Messi fired the Blaugrana into a 3-0 lead in the first half, only for Valencia’s Helder Postiga to pull two goals back before the break and set up a tense second period.

“It is true that in the second half we could have increased the difference," he conceded . "But at the same time Valencia hit the woodwork and that’s what concerns me most,”

The 50-year-old played down the difficulties faced by the La Liga champions when balls were delivered into their area at the Mestalla, but admitted that even if the hosts had forced an equaliser he would still have been happy.

“I don’t think we’ve had a lack of control because we knew they would use their height," he argued.

“I believe that had the outcome have been different, I would still have been satisfied, because today we have found more football, more dynamics and more movement.”

Barcelona currently sit top of La Liga on goal difference and are one of four teams still with a 100 per cent record going into the international break.