..::Football III::..

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Arda Turan denies signing for Barcelona

Atletico Madrid winger Arda Turan has moved to deny reports he has already agreed to join Barcelona.

The 28-year-old's agent has already confirmed the player will leave the Vicente Calderon this summer and the Turkey interntional himself has posted a farewell message to Atleti supporters.

Reports in Spain late on Wednesday suggested Arda had already agreed a deal to join Barcelona for €35 million but the versatile attacker insists the claims are false.
"Some reports that have appeared in the press are incorrect. I'm just on holiday and resting," he posted on his official Twitter account.

Former Barcelona defender Eric Abidal, who could become the club's new sporting director should Joan Laporta win the presidential elections, said earlier this week that Arda could struggle to adapt with the European champions."Arda is a good player, important for his team, but I don't know if he would adapt," he said.

 

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Arda Turan denies signing for Barcelona

Arda Turan ge next club 1ka ada(Friday) thamai announce karanawa kiyala kiwweGodak durata Chelsea wenna puluwan​

 

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Tsunami survivor Martunis signs for Sporting Lisbon

Sporting Lisbon have announced the signing of Indonesian talent Martunis, who famously survived the 2004 earthquake and tsunami that devastated his home region of Aceh.The then-eight-year-old was playing football with his friends when the disaster - which killed his mother and both his sisters - struck, with the youngster forced to cling on to debris as the wave powered through the region.

Martunis survived for the next 20 days on food floating in the water after being washed onto swampland, before finally being rescued by a British journalist and appearing on media around the world.

Footage of the boy subsequently attracted the attention of Sporting graduate Cristiano Ronaldo, whose support for him and his father allowed the teenager to finish high school before enrolling in the Portuguese giants' famous youth academy.

"It's great to be here, this club makes my dream possible," he said at his presentation. "I am incredibly excited about this opportunity. Viva Sporting!"
"Martunis will work at the academy. We will work with him also in his development as a human being and as a man," president Bruno de Carvalho added.

"Helping to make dreams come true and others to live decent lives honours the mission of the club and its place in society."

The 17-year-old had previously stated his intention to follow in his grandfather's footsteps and become a professional footballer, four years on from the tsunami disaster which killed close to 230,000 people in Asia and Africa.

 

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Congratulations & Good Luck Martunis!

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[laMir]

 

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West Ham 3-0 Lusitanos: Sakho double gives Hammers commanding lead

Diafra Sakho scored a brace as West Ham beat Andorran minnows Lusitanos 3-0 in their Europa League first qualifying round first leg clash on Thursday.

The Andorran side managed to frustrate their Premier League opponents until the 40th minute, when the previously profligate Sakho opened the scoring.

The Senegal international doubled his tally before the break and West Ham captain James Tomkins ensured the Londoners began their final season at Upton Park with the anticipated victory.

New West Ham manager Slaven Bilic was introduced to a sell-out crowd before kick-off, but academy boss Terry Westley took charge of a team blending youth and experience on the night - including Reece Oxford, who became the club's youngest ever player.There was an early scare from the hosts when Sakho failed to clear a free-kick and Jose Manuel Romero scuffed wide.

Winger Matt Jarvis had plenty of joy down the Lusitanos left, but his numerous dangerous deliveries went unconverted.

Sakho headed wastefully over following good work by Diego Poyet and Andy O'Brien in the 31st minute, while Reece Burke had an effort cleared off the line before West Ham's pressure told.

Mauro Zarate embarked on a mazy run down the right and chipped the ball back for Sakho to head home.The duo combined once more in first-half stoppage time as Zarate's cutback left Sakho with a simple finish.

The goalscorer then turned provider with a deft flick on for Morgan Amalfitano to draw an early second-half save from Lusitanos goalkeeper Gerardo, who was at full stretch to keep out an audacious 40-yard effort from the same player in the 50th minute.Oxford sent a drive narrowly wide before Jarvis' fine work was finally rewarded by Tomkins nodding in after 58 minutes.

Other West Ham youth products impressed the Upton Park faithful as the clock ticked down, as Elliot Lee brought a sharp stop from Gerardo and then set up fellow substitute Josh Cullen to rattle the crossbar in stoppage time.

 

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Chile must focus on Argentina, not just Messi - Claudio Bravo

Claudio Bravo has warned his Chile team-mates there's more to than Argentina than just Lionel Messi.La Roja's keeper plays with the Albiceleste captain for Barcelona and knows what his side will be up against in the Copa America final on Saturday.

And though he admits Messi will pose a significant danger, he suggested that Chile must focus on the entirety of Gerardo Martino's side and not just one player.

"The truth is that it is not easy, seeing the quality that Leo has and what he has done throughout his career, it's been amazing," Bravo said in a press conference."I think that our focus is the team - that as a team we can control Leo and the other class players.

"Javier Mascherno is a very valuable player who gives character to your team, is the heart of the side."The performance of the team does not only go through Javier or Leo."

Ahead of the clash at the Estadio Nacional, Bravo insisted Chile are not afraid of taking on the World Cup 2014 runners-up and that Jorge Sampaoli has prepared the team well."We never have fear with any team. We have the maximum respect for all national teams," he added.

"The feeling which is not only mine, but of all my team-mates, is of great happiness to see that the work we are doing is on track."By continuing the style of play we had under [former coach Marecelo] Bielsa we have always tried to capture the idea that Chile play as equals with any team.

"We are prepared, we know how he have to play. We have always tried to play and suffocate with our pressing."

There have been worries of the fitness of La Roja's star striker Alexis Sánchez, but Bravo was quick to allay suggestions that he may miss the showpiece event. "He worked normally, is fine and in good condition. No player has been ruled out."

 

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Fenerbahce near deal for Nani

Fenerbahce have announced they are nearing a deal for Manchester United winger Nani.

The Turkish Super Lig side say they have agreed a transfer fee with the Red Devils for the Portuguese midfielder and that he is due to arrive for a medical on Sunday.

The club posted a statement on their official website, reading: "Fenerbahce Club Football Department has began the negotiations with Luis Nani and Manchester United for the transfer.

"Nani will come to Istanbul on 5 July and will undergo medical examinations. The negotiations will continue in Istanbul"

The 28-year-old impressed on loan last season at Sporting, scoring 12 goals in 35 appearances, but does not appear to have done enough to convince Louis van Gaal to retain his services for the 2015-16 season.

Nani has made over 200 appearances for United since joining the club from Sporting Lisbon in 2007 in a £17 million deal.

 

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I want to sign Pogba for Barcelona – Laporta

Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta says he will try to secure a deal for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, if elected.

Laporta, who oversaw two Champions League crowns and four Liga titles during his presidency between 2003 and 2010, is hoping to seal a return when the club members go to the ballots on July 18.

Barca have already had a bid for the France international rejected and fellow candidate Agusti Benedito has said Juvenuts will not negotiate with the club until after the elections.

"There is a player we like very much - Paul Pogba,” Laporta told BBC Sport."We know the agent of the player - that is key in this operation. We will have to negotiate with the agent and Juve."

Pogba’s agent, Mino Raiola, dealt with Laporta over the 2009 transfers of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Maxwell from Inter.

Laporta has said his would-be assistant, Eric Abidal, could also play a role as he knows Pogba personally.However, recent polls suggest current president Josep Maria Bartomeu is a slight favourite to win a second term.

Laporta went on to say that, if elected, he would do all he could to ensure Lionel Messi remains at Camp Nou for his entire career."The answer is the same as the past - Messi is not for sale," he said.

"I will do my best to keep him at the club until the end of his career. He's the best player in the world. Thanks to Messi we can make dreams real. "We will do our best to make him comfortable and feel happy. He projects a great image of Barcelona."

 

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Aguero: Winning Copa America would repay World Cup debt

Sergio Aguero is hoping that triumphing in the Copa America 2015 final with Argentina can make up for his inability to perform at his best during the World Cup.

La Albiceleste went all the way to the showpiece event in Brazil last year before suffering defeat to a Mario Götze extra-time winner for Germany at the Maracanã.
Agüero struggled for form and fitness throughout that tournament, but has impressed for Argentina in Chile with three goals so far and hopes he can repay the debt he feels he has accrued from his below-par contribution in Brazil.

"I always said that what happened at the World Cup, because I did not get there in the best condition, kept a thorn in me," Agüero told La Nacion.

"Now I feel better, I arrived better and it's a debt that I'm trying to pay in the Copa. We will always have a bitter taste from the final with Germany, but winning the Copa would give us much happiness."The Manchester City striker is La Albiceleste's highest-scoring player in Chile, while captain Lionel Messi has only found the net once so far.

However, Agüero defended his team-mate's contribution and insisted he is always good to have in the side."He is calm. If the team wins, he's OK," he said.

"What happens is that everyone goes out to mark him, two or three defenders, and it leaves others free."It's always good to have Leo and the goal will come."

 

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Mena: Chile and Argentina deserve place in Copa America final

Eugenio Mena said he believes Chile and Argentina are worthy Copa America finalists as they have been the best sides at the competition.

The left-back came on from the bench for the second half of the 2015 hosts' semi-final clash with Peru on Monday, when Jorge Sampaoli's men booked a spot in the final with a 2-1 win.Chile have never won the tournament in its 99-year history - finishing as a runner-up on four occasions.

He feels that his side and Gerardo Martino's men both deserve their place in Saturday's showpiece in Santiago, and insisted that the hosts are not scared of taking on Lionel Messi and co.

"La Roja and Argentina are the two best teams at the Copa America 2015 and deserve to be in the final," Mena told a news conference.

"We have to work to the maximum, as the occasion will ask for it. We know that Argentina have dangerous players in midfield and going forward."We are not scared. We will play as we always play. We go out to play in the same way no matter who we face.

"Argentina have various options in attack, but we will work hard to nullify them and their system."The result could be dependent on anything, but we must stay focused on our own game."

Fellow Chile defender Jose Rojas emphasised the importance of team unity as they prepare to take on what he considers to be one of the best sides in international football."We all have one dream and as a team and a country we have to stay closely united," the Universidad de Chile man said.

"We are facing up against one of the best national teams, but the script is always thrown away for a final. On Saturday we have to show that we have the home advantage in Chile, at home and with our people."

 

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Pastore: I play to make things easier for Messi and Di Maria

Argentina midfielder Javier Pastore says his main role is to help get the best out of Angel Di Maria and Lionel Messi.


The Paris Saint-Germain ace starred in his national side’s 6-1 Copa America semi-final thrashing of Paraguay on Tuesday, netting the second goal and creating the third.


The 26-year-old has become a more permanent fixture in the national team of late and was praised by coach Gerardo Martino following his impressive performance in Concepcion. And Pastore says he is relishing his role as the side’s midfield playmaker.


“I am playing here to make things easier for Leo and for Di Maria,” Pastore told the Copa America website.


“What I like most is setting up goals. When I give a pass that ends up being a goal I enjoy it more than anything else.


“Messi likes all sorts of passes, because whether you give it to him on his chest, his head or his feet, he always controls it well.



“He likes short passes a lot, so that he can play a one-two. He does that a lot for his club and I have seen it in training here. What he likes best is to have players nearby so he can receive the ball back.”


On Saturday Argentina go up against in-form hosts Chile in the Copa America final, aiming to end a 22-year wait for a major title at senior level.But Pastore says he won’t endure any sleepless nights ahead of the big kick-off in Santiago.


“I sleep normally, as always. It's something that always happened to me. Even though it's a final, playing football is what I have done my whole life,” he says.“It would be an immense shame if this generation won nothing… Not having won the World Cup, which was incredible, upset me.



“Let's hope they can get some kind of revenge and that we can lift this cup. Above and beyond the happiness it will give me and my family, I will be happy for my team-mates.”

 

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Manchester City set to sign Delph for £8m

Manchester City are on the verge of making Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph their first major signing of the summer, Goal can confirm.

Delph will move to the Etihad Stadium in an £8 million deal and sign a long-term contract that will see his wages rise to £100,000-a-week as City continue their home-grown recruitment drive.

The England international understands he will be a squad player at City but has been assured he will be granted a similar level of first-team opportunities to what James Milner enjoyed in his five-year stint at the club.

Delph was set to be a free agent this summer before signing a new four-and-a-half-year contract at Villa in January, but the deal included an £8m release clause that City have wasted little time in activating.

Villa have already moved to replace the outgoing 25-year-old by signing Senegal international midfielder Idrissa Gueye for €12.7m (£9m) from Lille.

But losing one of the emerging leaders of his squad will be a significant blow to boss Tim Sherwood, particularly given that captain Ron Vlaar is out of contract and actively considering offers from rival Premier League clubs as he weighs up his future.

Christian Benteke is also the subject of serious interest from Liverpool, though Goal understands the Merseysiders are unwilling to meet the £32.5m release clause that Villa are demanding be met if they are to part with their star striker.

City, meanwhile, hope the signing of Delph will prove just the start of a significant summer transfer spend as they pursue key targets Raheem Sterling and Paul Pogba to reignite their Premier League title aspirations.

 

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Manchester United outcast Hernandez out for a month with broken collarbone

Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez has been ruled out for at least four weeks after surgery to repair a broken collarbone, the Mexican Football Federation have confirmed.

Hernandez was taken to hospital after a first-half clash with Honduras defender Brayan Beckeles during Mexico's final Gold Cup warm-up match sent him tumbling to the floor, leaving him clutching his shoulder and signalling to the bench.

Further examination revealed the striker had fractured his collarbone and he underwent successful surgery that will sideline him for the entirety of Mexico's Gold Cup campaign as well as the start of United's pre-season.

Hernandez's United future is in doubt after spending last season on loan at Real Madrid, and Goal understands he will seek talks to clarify his Old Trafford future once he returns to pre-season training and wants a final decision made before Louis van Gaal's men embark on their tour of the USA.

The 27-year-old has scored 40 goals in 74 appearances for Mexico, making him the second most-prolific goal-scorer in his country's history behind Jared Borgetti (46).

 

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Barcelona looked ridiculous with Pogba bid – Laporta

Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta says the club made themselves look ridiculous in their failed bid for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba.


Laporta is currently hot on the campaign trail as he prepares to challenge standing president Josep Maria Bartomeu at the ballots on July 18.


In recent weeks Laporta has made Pogba the focus of his candidacy and says that the current management were made to look ridiculous when they went to Italy to try to secure an €80 million deal for the France international midfielder.


“[Sporting director Ariedo] Braida's meeting with Juventus and [director of sporting institutional relations Albert] Soler was a failure, it was ridiculous and made Barcelona look bad,” Laporta told Cadena Ser.
“Soler acts in ignorance of the world of football.”


Not for the first time, Laporta stressed “the key to the transfer of Pogba is his agent Mino Raiola,” before dismissing Barcelona’s reported interest in Atletico Madrid midfielder Arda Turan was simply a diversion tactic.


Laporta is hoping to seal his second spell as president of the club after leading them to two Champions Leagues and four Liga titles during his period with the club between 2003 and 2010.

 

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No bids for Llorente or Vidal – Juventus

Juventus chief executive Giuseppe Marotta says the club have not received any bids for Real Madrid targets Fernando Llorente and Arturo Vidal.


Striker Llorente was forced to play a bit-part role in Turin last season as former Madrid forward Alvaro Morata became a regular in attack, while Vidal has repeatedly been linked to the club in recent seasons.


New Blancos coach Rafa Benitez is reported to be interested in bringing the pair to the Spanish capital but while Llorente could be set for a summer move, Marotta says the club have no interest in allowing Chile international Vidal to leave.


“We have not received any offer for Llorente or Vidal,” Marotta told La Gazzetta dello Sport.


“There are no ongoing negotiations for Vidal, who has been the object of desire for half of Europe."


Llorente has been targeted to bolster Madrid's attacking options after Javier Hernandez returned to Manchester United following his loan spell at the Santiago Bernabeu.


Juventus marched to their fourth straight Serie A title and the Coppa Italia last season before falling to Barcelona in the Champions League final.


Carlos Tevez has since departed for Boca Juniors, but Marotta says he is delighted with the business the club has carried out this summer following the arrivals of Mario Mandzukic, Paulo Dybala, Sami Khedira, Simone Zaza and Daniele Rugani.


“We moved in good time, anticipating the competition, and gained some important players,” Marotta said.



“We lack nothing, the team is complete and ensures another year at a very high level, with some eclectic options that allow the coach a lot of opportunities to rotate the squad.”

 

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Manchester United would regret selling Di Maria, insists Forlan

Diego Forlan insists Louis van Gaal should keep faith in Angel Di Maria and warns that Manchester United would regret selling the Argentine.

Goal understands that Di Maria is looking to leave Old Trafford this summer after becoming disillusioned with Louis van Gaal's management, although the Argentine has publicly stated that he wants to stay at United.

Forlan, who scored 17 goals in three seasons at United, believes the Argentina international deserves a chance to prove himself next season but admits Van Gaal may not be able to get the best out of the 27-year-old.

“I thought he was a superb signing for United because he is one of the best players in the world, but I was slightly surprised too. Louis van Gaal has never been a fan of South American players, as my good friend Juan Roman Riquelme will tell you from his time under the Dutchman at Barcelona,” Forlan wrote in his column for The National.

“Di Maria started out in England like the player we knew he was at Real Madrid in the 2013-14 season. He looked a class above opponents, he ran at defenders, he was a danger around the box and he covered so much ground. Less talented players have felt they were too good to work as hard as him.

“Players are not robots and if there’s something wrong then their coaches need to find out what the problem is. Di Maria is worth the effort. He offers something different from almost every other player.

“United will regret it if he leaves. He should be given another season to prove himself and United should try to understand him better and trust him.

“Great coaches and great players don’t always get on and not every player fits into rigid systems, but Di Maria is worth persisting with.”

 

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Di Maria wa keeyatawath sell karanne naha
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Official: Chelsea agree Falcao loan deal

Chelsea have agreed terms with Monaco over the season-long loan of striker Radamel Falcao.

The Colombia international, who was a £50 million signing for the Ligue 1 side in 2013, will spend the duration of the 2015-16 campaign at Stamford Bridge.

"I am very happy to be joining Chelsea and can't wait to start training and help with our aim of retaining the league title and being successful in Europe," Falcao told the Blues' official website.

The 29-year-old scored nine goals in 17 games in his first season with Monaco but had his campaign ended by a serious knee injury and missed last summer's World Cup.

Falcao then sealed a similar loan switch to Manchester United but struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford, scoring only four times in 29 games.

Prior to his move to Monaco he was recognised as one of the world's leading strikers, scoring 70 goals in two seasons at Atletico Madrid and netting a hat-trick in the 2012 Super Cup against Chelsea.