..::Football II::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Illarra expecting tough battle for places at Real Madrid

Asier Illarramendi has admitted that he expects a tough battle for places in the Real Madrid midfield this season.

The 23-year-old joined Madrid from Real Sociedad for a transfer fee of €32.19 million earlier this summer, but he acknowledges he be far from a guaranteed place in the starting XI with the likes of Luka Modric, Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira all vying for spots.

"I still have a long way to go to get into the starting team, which is very difficult in a team like this, but I'll try," the midfielder told reporters after making his Madrid debut in the 6-0 friendly win over Bournemouth.

"I concentrate on playing, I have very good people around me and I am very happy to play with them."

Illarra then went on to discuss his relationship with head coach Carlo Ancelotti and stressed he is pleased to be working with the former Paris Saint-Germain boss.

"He is very close with the players and has a good relationship with us. I like that sort of coach."

Fellow new arrival Daniel Carvajal, meanwhile, was equally positive about the Italian boss and is confident that Madrid's policy of signing young Spanish players will pay off.

"The coach is quiet and gives us conviction and confidence. This first week has been great," the full-back said.

"We are a young team with a low average age. Spanish players have been brought in this year and I’m sure it will work out well."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher to miss start of season

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher will miss the start of the new season as he continues his recovery from a bowel operation.

The Scot has made just nine starts in the past two seasons for the Old Trafford outfit, having seen his participation limited by an ongoing battle with ulcerative colitis that forced him to recently undergo surgery.

When asked to put a date on his return, Fletcher told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Hopefully, not too long after the start of the season. I think I will just miss the beginning of the season."

The 29-year-old also underlined the importance of going under the knife to his long-term health prospects and spoke encouragingly about his prognosis ahead of a potential return to the field.

"I've had it for five years but really struggled to control it for the last three years," he explained. "It's had a big impact on my day-to-day life, never mind trying to play football.

"Medication wasn't helping me but surgery was the only solution if I wanted to have not only a future playing football but even a quality of life going forward.

"It's all going well. I am still under the hands of the medical team just now and the surgeon who is looking after me. Everything is going to plan so far and I am not that far away now.

"I am doing exercise on my own. I've not been given the green light to join in contact in football training but I am doing my own running and physical activities and feel great.

"Hopefully, in the next few weeks I am going to get the green light to join in and to start making the comeback, which is looking very good."

Fletcher has made over 300 appearances for United, winning five Premier League titles and one Champions League during that time.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bournemouth 0-6 Real Madrid: Ronaldo at the double as Ancelotti era starts in style

Real Madrid started their pre-season campaign efficiently with a comfortable 6-0 win over Bournemouth in evening sun on Sunday, in front of a sell-out crowd.

Despite facing an outfit who have only recently climbed into the second tier of English football, Carlo Ancelotti was to take no prisoners with his starting line-up, deploying his star players to devastating first-half effect.

Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Sami Khedira, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria and Casemiro gave los Blancos a high-scoring win, with Bournemouth doing little to threaten their clean sheet.

Fielding an almost entirely different outfit in either half, Madrid were to utilise all of their options to victorious, free-flowing effect.

Bournemouth went close to having a fairytale start, as a tantalising cross from Brett Pitman was permitted to flash across the face of goal by Pepe, with striker Lewis Grabban inches away from poking the unclaimed delivery beyond Diego Lopez.

The script was to revert to normality soon after, however, as Ronaldo converted a trademark long-range free-kick on 22 minutes. The Portuguese rattled a dipping effort into the bottom right corner, leaving Cherries keeper Darryl Flahavan helplessly sprawled in his goalmouth.

Karim Benzema was then given two chances in quick succession, but the Frenchman was denied well by Bournemouth Player of the Year Tommy Elphick. Courtesy of a miscue from the impressive Elphick, his missed clearance allowed for Ronaldo to ruthlessly capitalise on the Englishman's error, skipping past Flahavan in the Bournemouth penalty area before sliding the ball home.

It was 3-0, as Sami Khedira was allowed time and space to connect with an Isco corner, despite Cherries' midfielder Shaun MacDonald failing to clear the Germany international's effort off the goal-line, giving Real Madrid a deserved half-time lead.

After 15 minutes of respite for the English club, Higuain smashed home Madrid's fourth a minute after the restart. New signing Asier Illarramendi threaded the Argentine through on goal, and Higuain wasn't to make any mistake from eight yards.

The floodgates weren't to open following the substitutes' strike though, as chances became limited, the best of which was a Higuain effort that was acrobatically turned over the crossbar by Flahavan.

It was the turn of another Argentine talent to imprint himself on the match, as Angel Di Maria fired himself onto the scoresheet. Cutting in from the right flank, the 25-year-old beat two men before placing the ball in the bottom corner with his left foot, leaving Flahavan no chance.

Ancelotti will be encouraged by tidy performances from the younger contingent of his newly-inherited squad, none more-so than Casemiro. The Brazilian youngster strode powerfully into the box on 83 minutes, thrashing the ball home at the near post after wrong-footing Flahavan, to complete the friendly rout.

Real Madrid next face Olympique Lyonnais on Wednesday in good spirits, as Madrid look to gather some momentum in their pre-season campaign, following an efficient display at Seward Stadium.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Hamburg: Klopp's men seal third place in Telekom Cup

Borussia Dortmund sealed third place in the Telekom Cup with a 1-0 victory over Hamburg at Borussia-Park on Sunday.

After their narrow defeat to Borussia Moenchengladbach in the semi-final stage, Dortmund recorded their fifth win of pre-season with a Jonas Hofmann first-half strike.Jurgen Klopp's side had to withstand some early Hamburg pressure but remained solid in defence and always looked dangerous going forward.

Hamburg's side contained two ex-Dortmund players, Lasse Sobiech and Kerem Demirbay, while neither Henrikh Mkhitaryan nor Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were involved for Dortmund.

Marco Reus impressed in attack for BVB and although he was unable to test Sven Neuhaus directly, he turned provider midway through the first half for Hofmann.
The Germany international played a perfect through-ball to find the run of the 21-year-old behind the Hamburg defence, with Hofmann spinning away from Slobodan Rajkovic before curling a shot beyond Neuhaus to give Dortmund the victory.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal can win the Premier League - Podolski

Lukas Podolski insists Arsenal can end their eight-year trophy drought by winning the Premier League title this season.

The Gunners have not been crowned the best team in England since the 'Invincibles' season of 2003-04, while their last silverware came in the form of the 2005 FA Cup final triumph over Manchester United.

But Podolski is confident Arsene Wenger's current side can end the club's drought, though he admits winning trophies in England is a lot harder than in other leagues around Europe. "It will not be easy," he told The Daily Mirror. "Everyone thinks it's easy to get a trophy.

"You have five or six teams who fight for first place. It's not like in Spain where it's just two teams and in Germany you just have Dortmund and Bayern."It's not easy in England. It's so competitive.

"At Arsenal we have good players, a great coach and great fans. If we can pull it together then I believe we can win the Premier League."Podolski finished third in the club's goalscoring charts last season behind Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud, and is hoping to raise his performances for the new campaign.

"I will try to play better, score more goals and do some assists for Arsenal," he added. "It's very important that we qualify for the Champions League and fight for the championship."It was my first year and I'm very happy. We will see how much I can improve and whether I can get better."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Moyes reveals second Manchester United bid for Fabregas

David Moyes has revealed that Manchester United have made a second bid for Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

Last week United revealed an opening offer for the playmaker of €30 million had been made to Barca on Monday. However, Barca vice president Josep Maria Bartomeu insisted on Friday that the 26-year-old is not for sale.

The latest offer is reported to consist of €35m plus add-ons, while the former Arsenal midfielder is contracted to the Blaugrana until 2016.

The United manager told the club's official website: "My understanding is that Ed [Woodward, United's executive vice chairman] had a response and he spoke with them. I think we made a second offer but Ed is dealing with that personally, rather than me."

"When you're interested in good players you want to give it every opportunity to materialise and I'll do that.

"I hope things can continue and move forward. At this moment in time I can only tell you that Ed Woodward is working hard trying to make the deals happen.

"We can only hope that some of them fall into place shortly."

Long-serving midfielder Paul Scholes retired at the end of last season, and the Red Devils' options in the middle of the park going into the new season were further depleted following the news that Darren Fletcher will miss the start of the season as he recovers from surgery.

The Red Devils had previously targeted Spain's under-21 European Championship winning Thiago Alcantara, but the 22-year-old opted to join former Blaugrana manager Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, while the former Everton manager has also been linked with a move for the Toffees' Marouane Fellaini.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barca set to appoint Martino

Barcelona are set to appoint Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino on a three-year contract, according to various reports in the Spanish media.


Martino will replace Tito Vilanova who stepped down on Friday as he continues to receive treatment for throat cancer.Former Newell’s Old Boys coach Martino, 50, quickly emerged as a leading candidate for the post, alongside ex-Barcelona B manager Luis Enrique, who recently took up a position at Celta Vigo.


Barca sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta was believed to have travelled to Buenos Aires in order to hold talks with Martino, and now multiple outlets claim a deal has been agreed with AS reporting a three-year contract will be signed imminently.The sports daily also claims that Tata Martino will bring over his assistant from his spell at Newell’s Old Boys, Jorge Pautasso, as well as fitness coach Jorge Paulo Rosso, and Adrián Coria a coach who trained Leo Messi when he was at Newell’s as a youngster.


El Mundo Deportivo reports that an agreement was reached this morning, with a number of telephone calls and video-conferences taking place between Rosario and Barcelona. According to the paper, the Argentine is waiting for definitive confirmation from the club before he boards a plane to the Catalan capital, but ‘El Tata’ is expected in Barcelona on Wednesday.However Barca’s new manager will not arrive in time to make his debut in the dugout against the Catalans’ former coach Pep Guardiola and his Bayern Munich side in Wednesday night’s friendly.


Martino, like Leo Messi, is from Rosario, and was voted Newell’s all-time best player in a fans’ poll. The 50-year-old, who also spent time at Tenerife during his playing career, has coached a number of club sides and the Paraguay national team, but currently finds himself without a job. He was voted South American coach of the year in 2007.


Marca suggests that Martino’s appointment would be popular with both his compatriot Leo Messi, who began his youth career at Newell’s before heading to Barcelona aged 13, and Messi’s Father Jorge who counts ‘El Tata’ as one of his football idols. After Newell’s Old Boys won the Clausura title under Martino last season, Messi said of his countryman: "I like Tata Martino. He is a great coach, as he showed in the Clausura with what he did for the team, the way it ended and how they won it. He gets his teams playing well and all the players respect him."


And it would seem that the Argentine coach would fit in well at the Camp Nou, with Sport calling him a ‘Bielsista’. Former Athletic Bilbao manager Marcelo Bielsa had huge influence on Pep Guardiola, and Bielsa's footballing philosophy of possession and pressing are the cornerstones of ‘the Barca way’.

 

[rcccc]

Nagoya Grampus 1–3 Arsenal: Giroud on target again as Gunners win in Japan

Arsenal picked up their third win of their pre-season tour, and their first of their two matches in Japan, with a 3-1 win over Nagoya Grampus.

Olivier Giroud continued his fine early season form with his sixth goal of the tour so far, while local favourite Ryo Miyaichi delighted the huge crowd with a penalty and Theo Walcott added a third before the hosts pulled one back.

The Gunners began the game quickly with Giroud on the scoresheet after just three minutes.

Carl Jenkinson began the move, finding Rosicky on the right and his superb cross on the run was headed powerfully home by the Frenchman.

A second nearly followed immediately with Walcott going down in the box under pressure, but denied a penalty before Miyaichi slashed a shot wide of the goal.

After continuing to dominate the early exchanges, however, it did not take Arsenal too long to double their lead.

Mid-way through the first half. Giroud was involved once again, his cut-back to Miyaichi clearly handled in the area, with the referee pointing straight to the spot.

Up stepped Miyaichi, to a huge roar from the fans, the 20-year-old smashing home a fine penalty kick to double Arsenal’s lead.

Yet for all the visitors' good work, they were a little fortunate not to concede just before half-time with the hosts fashioning two fine chances, only to be denied by poor finishing.

Yoshizumi Ogawa was the culprit, first heading a great chance straight at Fabianski, when unmarked, before moment later scuffing another effort goalwards when clean through.

Predictably the Gunners made changes at half-time, with Jack Wilshere introduced and two further substitutes Serge Gnabry and Lukas Podolski combining to good effect immediately.

Podolski showed neat feet in the area to set up his countryman but he could not find the finish to match, firing wide of the near post from close range.

Substitute Gnabry then brought the crowd to its feet, throwing in a step over and beating two players before aiming a shot that was millimetres away from nestling in the top corner.

A minute later and the ball was in the back of the net again though, this time set up by another substitute, 16-year-old Gedion Zelalem.

The teenager picked out Walcott in the box with a glorious pass allowing the England international, wasteful until that point, to take a touch before dinking the ball over the goalkeeper.

The chances continued to come with Wilshere and Walcott denied by some good goalkeeping before the hosts managed to grab a consolation.

A corner was swung in from the right by Tanko and found Yano in between centre-backs Mertesacker and Sagna, who headed home strongly.

Wenger then opted to throw on youngsters Chuba Akpom and Chuks Aneke who, along with Zelalem and Gnabry, looked hugely promising as the Gunners saw out the rest of the game comfortably.

 

[rcccc]

Wenger ta karana deyak ikmanata karanna wenawa Higuain wa gannawanam

Suarez wa ganna try karanne
anthimata dennama naethi weyi wage

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Beckenbauer looking forward to Guardiola reign

The Bayern Munich icon is eager to see how the former Barcelona boss innovates the German champions ahead of the start of the new season Bayern Munich legend Franz Beckenbauer says that he is intrigued as to what Pep Guardiola does during his first season at the club.

The Spaniard moved to the Allianz Arena in the summer, replacing Jupp Heynckes, and the 67-year-old is looking forward to seeing how he goes about improving the German champions.

“I am interested in what he does and how he will try and bring his unique thoughts to the team and whether it will work or not,” Beckenbauer told AZ.

“He is a world class footballer and he will bring that expertise to any position on the pitch. I can imagine he has already begun to experiment with the image of the team as he imagines it. The way he behaves makes him a welcome addition, he is a popular figure.

“I do not know how the players perceive the hype surrounding Pep. It always used to be the players in the headlines, but you don’t even know who’s playing anymore just because Guardiola is always the one in the headlines.

“It will slowly begin to even back out, however. I wish him 10 great years at Bayern.”

Beckenbauer went on to say that he is impressed with the Bavarians' squad ahead of the new season and admitted that Mario Gomez, who joined Fiorentina earlier this month, did not fit in with the new blueprint.

“Anything is possible when you have a squad with Thiago and Gotze. I don’t know him very well, but he played for Barcelona’s first team, so he cannot be bad.

“No one other than Gomez has gone until now. But he’s the type of player who doesn’t fit into the system of someone like Guardiola, who emphasises attacking play. So I am pleased with the signing of Thiago.

“We really have a surplus in the midfield, even without the Spaniard Thiago. Pep wants to increase the competition, but too much competition does not work.

“They must loan or sell Luiz Gustavo. He already said he does not see a future at Bayern, even though he is a regular for Brazil.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Martinez rules out Porto exit

Jackson Martinez has insisted does not want to leave Porto despite interest from Borussia Dortmund and Napoli.BVB see the Colombia striker, 26, as a potential replacement for Robert Lewandowski next season, while Rafael Benitez's side are still looking to fill the void left by Edinson Cavani's departure to Paris Saint-Germain.

Porto have already lost influential figures in Joao Moutinho and Jamez Rodriguez to Monaco this summer but Martinez insists he is not about to follow in their footsteps and exit the club."I am happy to be here at a club like this," he told Renascenca.
"I am enjoying the opportunity to play here.

"I want to repeat what happened last season and win more trophies with Porto."
Martinez, whose contract runs out in 2016, scored 26 goals in 30 league games last season

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Several clubs want Verratti - agent

Donato Di Campli, the agent of Marco Verratti, has confirmed that several clubs are interested in the Paris Saint-Germain star's services.

The highly-rated Italy international moved to the French capital last summer from Pescara, snubbing interest from Juventus in the process.

However, he has consistently been linked with a move to his homeland or to Real Madrid, but Di Campli says he is eager to stay put.

“He wants to stay in Paris and be treated like all the other players,” Di Campli told Le10Sport.

“Of course, if he were to leave, then he’d be spoilt for choice. Clubs are lining up ready to pay any sum in order to sign him.”

The agent went on to confirm that talks over a potential contract renewal for the 20-year-old have yet to start.

"It has not been decided yet and it will take time because you have to negotiate, but this is not meant to be blackmailing to anyone.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bayern stars must accept rotation - Sammer

Matthias Sammer has warned Bayern Munich's stars that they are no longer guaranteed a regular starting spot every week.

The Bavarians have added the likes of Thiago Alcantara and Mario Gotze to their ranks this summer and the Borussia Dortmund legend that competition for places will be fierce.

"The days of a starting XI are over," he told Kicker.

“The large squad of 2012 was a response to the previous year. And everyone benefited as the result.

"Our coach will handle it in a way that everyone gets enough chances. But if an individual puts himself first he will find trouble."

Pep Guardiola has taken over from Jupp Heynckes as trainer in the close season and Sammer says he has been impressed by the Spaniard's methods.

"He is full of energy and full of ideas," he continued.

"His changes are understandable, because it clearly conveys what he wants."

Bayern's first competitive fixture of the season is against Borussia Dortmund in the DFL Supercup on Saturday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool manager Rodgers keen to add left-back cover

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed he is keen to add a left-back to his squad before the start of the new campaign.

Rodgers lost first-choice option Jose Enrique to a hamstring injury in January and had to use Glen Johnson and Andre Wisdom in the position instead.

And the former Swansea boss feels it is important to bolster his squad and provide cover for the Spaniard before the transfer window shuts.

"There are obviously certain areas of the squad where we're a bit thinner than others," Rodgers said.

"We probably need a bit more support - that extra bit of quality - at the top end of the field and that's something we'll look out for.

"That'll be mixed with needing cover in the left-back position - that's something we're looking at. It's not really about numbers, it's about quality.

"If we can do that over the next number of weeks we'll be happy."

The Reds recently made an approach for Chelsea and England left-back Ryan Bertrand, who is Ashley Cole’s understudy at Stamford Bridge.

However, the club dropped their interest upon finding out the 23-year-old would demand a salary package worth more than £60,000-a-week, as exclusively revealed by Goal.

Nevertheless, Bertrand later insisted he would not consider leaving the Blues as he wants to bide his time and become the club’s No.1 left-back.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Trezeguet joins Newell’s Old Boys

Newell’s Old Boys have agreed to sign David Trezeguet from River Plate on a year-long loan deal.

The former France international, 35, who scored three goals in 16 appearances in an injury-plagued season for River, is already targeting a major milestone at his new club.

“It’s a very special day for me, this signing brings me great joy,” he told reporters.

“I want to thank all the clubs in Primera B Nacional and B Metropolitana who were interested in me, but I decided on Newell's because it is a club that is doing well and is well respected in the world.

“I would like to leave something with the club and personally I would like to reach 300 goals in my career. Moreover, with Newell’s I will have the opportunity to play in the Copa Libertadores tournament.

“When River Plate decided I was not going to be part of their project it was a delicate moment of reflection and one difficult day for me.”

Newell's club president Guillermo Lorente also had his say on the new signing.

He added: “Welcome, King David. I give you the shirt that will allow you to communicate with the public from today on."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool manager Rodgers keen to add left-back cover

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed he is keen to add a left-back to his squad before the start of the new campaign.

Rodgers lost first-choice option Jose Enrique to a hamstring injury in January and had to use Glen Johnson and Andre Wisdom in the position instead.

And the former Swansea boss feels it is important to bolster his squad and provide cover for the Spaniard before the transfer window shuts.

"There are obviously certain areas of the squad where we're a bit thinner than others," Rodgers said.

"We probably need a bit more support - that extra bit of quality - at the top end of the field and that's something we'll look out for.

"That'll be mixed with needing cover in the left-back position - that's something we're looking at. It's not really about numbers, it's about quality.

"If we can do that over the next number of weeks we'll be happy."

The Reds recently made an approach for Chelsea and England left-back Ryan Bertrand, who is Ashley Cole’s understudy at Stamford Bridge.

However, the club dropped their interest upon finding out the 23-year-old would demand a salary package worth more than £60,000-a-week, as exclusively revealed by Goal.

Nevertheless, Bertrand later insisted he would not consider leaving the Blues as he wants to bide his time and become the club’s No.1 left-back.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal boss Wenger lauds Miyaichi potential

Arsene Wenger says there is more to come from Ryo Miyaichi after his goalscoring performance in Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Nagoya Grampus.

Wenger handed the Japanese starlet a start against his former club on Monday, and the 20-year-old restored his faith with a fine penalty in the first half.

Miyaichi has been linked with a second loan move to Eredivisie outfit Feyenoord in recent weeks, but Wenger suggested that he wants the midfielder at his disposal next season.

"He is not completely ready physically. He was not completely fit to play but it was a special occasion that I did not want him to miss," he told the club’s official website.

"He just needs to come back to full fitness and then the rest will come along. His pace, his mobility and his movement off the ball.

"I like players who can move when others have the ball. There is also his attitude, commitment and desire. That is why I decided to keep him."

Olivier Giroud scored his sixth goal of the pre-season tour and won Arsenal a penalty, which local favourite Miyaichi stepped up to score, before Theo Walcott found the net.

Wenger says he was pleased with Arsenal's performance and that his side are starting to look promising ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

"It [the penalty] was not planned. When Ryo scored I thought it was a good decision from [Mikel] Arteta," he added.

"It was a game played at a good pace. Of course it was a special event and the stadium was full. We played with greater fluency, especially in the first half, and we created chances.

"We played with good focus and a good attitude. At this moment of the season we look quite sharp."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hamburg reveal interest in Everton striker Jelavic

Hamburg sporting director Oliver Kreuzer has revealed the club are considering a bid for Everton striker Nikica Jelavic.

The Bundesliga side are looking to strengthen their attacking options with Heung-Min Son leaving for Bayer Leverkusen this summer while attacker Artjom Rudnevs has limited competition up front beside him.

And Hamburg are now ready to test if Jelavic is still needed on Merseyside next season or whether Martinez will allow the Croatia international to leave this summer.

"I have heard that Everton's new manager wants to sell him," Kreuzer told Hamburger Morgenpost.

"He is a great player. I know him very well. I wanted to get him out of Rapid Vienna and to Graz in 2010 before he went to Rangers. That transfer only just failed.

"But we have to scrutinise whether it is financially possible."

Kreuzer admitted that the Bundesliga outfit will need to offload some fringe players before making a move for the 27-year-old, who is likely to cost around €7 million.

"Day in, day out, I talk to all the agents, but nothing has come up yet," he added. "If we manage that [to sell two or three players] we could work out if a loan or a payment in instalments would be possible."

Jelavic scored 11 goals in his first 16 appearances for the Toffees but was unable to recreate that form last term, with just eight goals in 43 appearances.

 

[ABACUS]

ela ela
ohoma yan

 

[Wolverine GTR]

I have no reason to leave PSG, says Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has refuted allegations that he will leave Paris Saint-Germain following the club's €63 million deal to bring in striker Edinson Cavani.

Ibrahimovic, 31, netted 30 goals and added 10 assists in 34 league games in his first year with the club.

However, speculation has continued to mount around the Sweden international's future at the Parc des Princes with the purchase of Cavani, but Ibrahimovic says he has never considered exiting Laurent Blanc's side.

“I don’t have any reason to leave,” he told reporters.

“I play for PSG and I haven’t thought about leaving. I have to discuss the details with the club, but there’s nothing important to say.

“These rumours come about every summer. The press has me signing with every European club.

“I have a contract with PSG, but I have not yet met the president. I still have two years on my contract, and since I am a professional, I went to meet them.”

Ibrahimovic does not feel his position is under threat following the purchase of the Uruguayan striker and is rather excited to welcome him to Paris, along with new coach Blanc.

“I’ve never played with [Cavani] before. As is with any player, you have to adapt. He must learn the team and the club and the city. He will be a good reinforcement for us," he continued.

“I knew Blanc before he came to the club. I met him during the last Euro [Championship] and a few other times. The club is new for him and I, and we must prepare for next season. We need to know ourselves. We have nothing to lose. I’m sure he will succeed in Paris.

PSG, who spent over €113 million on Lucas Digne, Marquinhos and Cavani in the past week, have been somewhat overshadowed by newly promoted Monaco.

The principality-based club have invested €147 million on six players, including names such as Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho this summer, but Ibrahimovic remains confident in his team.

He added: “Of course I see Monaco as a great competitor. They have a large project. The difference is that we have one or two years in advance.

“I’ll leave it to others to talk about my comparison with Falcao. The key for me is to win with the team. I prefer to let others do the talking.”