..::Football III::..

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Hummels rejects Manchester United to stay at Borussia Dortmund

Mats Hummels has told Manchester United that he will not be moving to Old Trafford this summer, according to Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc.

United boss Louis van Gaal had made Hummels his No.1 defensive target ahead of the off-season transfer window, and the centre-back had himself already claimed earlier this year that the would be interested in a move.

But he now appears to have spurned the chance to move to England and will instead stay at Signal Iduna Park, according to an interview with the Dortmund chief which will be published in Thursday's edition of German magazine Kicker.

"It made sense that Mats was thinking about his future but I always pointed out that we plan [for the future] with him," he said, with further quotes about Hummels' decision expected tomorrow.

Argentine newspaper Ole, meanwhile, has reported on Wednesday evening that United have reached a deal with Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi.

Goal reported last January that United were interested in signing the Argentina international from Porto, only for him move to Mestalla on loan in the 2013-14 winter window, before making a permanent switch last summer.

According to the latest information coming out of South America, however, the 27-year-old will be playing at Old Trafford next summer, as long as a fee is agreed between the clubs.

United had made an attempt to sign Hummels last summer but were unable to prise him away from the German club.

Kicker also claims that United are interested in signing Bastian Schweinsteiger, the Bayern Munich midfielder who worked with Van Gaal during his time at the Allianz Arena.

The Dutch manager is expected to preside over another busy transfer window, with United already having signed Memphis Depay from PSV and linked with a number of players across Europe, including Real Madrid's Gareth Bale and Juventus' Paul Pogba.

 

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Guardiola has improved Bayern - Robben

Arjen Robben has thrown his weight of support behind Pep Guardiola by saying the Catalan has improved Bayern Munich since taking over two years ago.
The coach has been criticised for failing to take Bayern beyond the semi-finals of the Champions League following their last four exit to Barcelona last week.Guardiola has just one year remaining on his current deal at the Allianz Arena, but the Dutch attacker hopes to work with him for much longer.

He said: "He is a superb coach, one of the best in the world. He developed us further as a team. I would be happy if I could continue to work with him for two or three more years."We will be successful next season, I am convinced of that."

Another Bayern figure who has come under scrutiny in recent weeks is midfielder Mario Gotze, who has lost his place in the side, but Robben has backed the man who scored Germany's World Cup-winning goal to come through a difficult patch.
"You have to get through that, you have to fight. He is a good boy with his head in the right place. He has quality and he will do it."The winger has another two years left on his contract and admitted he is eager to remain at the club beyond the end of his current deal.

"Maybe I will stay here longer than 2017. I missed some time due to my injuries and that will be added at the end. Maybe I can play for four or five more years. I am optimistic."

 

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'You need guns and bombs to stop Barcelona'

Former Juventus defender Moreno Torricelli says his old club will need "guns and bombs" to stop Barcelona in the Champions League final.

The two teams meet in Berlin on June 6, having overcome Real Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively in the semis.

Barca have the edge heading into the game, according to the ex-Italy international, because of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, who have scored over 100 goals between them this season.

Torricelli, who lifted the trophy with Juve back in 1996, admits the Bianconeri may need to take extreme measures to halt that attacking trio.He told Esports Cope: "I think Barcelona start as favourites because of their forward line. You need guns and bombs to stop them!

"Defensively, Juve are organised but they will need great intelligence and preparation to stop Barca. They will have to work harder than they have at any other point this season."They've all got experience in this competition but Juventus can score goals and they will be a threat.

"They have nothing to lose and their fans will be with them all the way."

 

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Messi waxwork unveiled in New York

A waxwork of Barcelona star Lionel Messi has been unvelied in Madame Tussauds in New York.

The work depicts the Argentina international in action for his country during the World Cup finals in Brazil last summer.

The wax sculpture took four months to complete and more than 250 measurements were taken, using both photo and video references, in order to create best likeness possible.

The waxwork will be placed in a special sporting section of the gallery, where visitors can try to replicate their favourite stars' trademark style in a virtual arena.

Tennis superstar Serena Williams and boxing icon Muhammad Ali are also depicted in the same section.

 

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Fabregas ban reduced to just one match

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has seen his suspension reduced to one match after being sent off in the Blues' 3-0 defeat to West Brom on Monday.

Referee Mike Jones have the Spain international his marching orders in the first half of the clash after he kicked the ball against the side of Chris Brunt's head.

Manager Jose Mourinho was critical of the referee after the game insisting the red card was "bizarre" and describing a possible three-match ban as "Harsh? Of course it's harsh".

However, a subsequent appeal has been successful with Fabregas now set to miss just one match, Chelsea's final game of the season at Stamford Bridge against Sunderland on Sunday.

"A claim by Chelsea that the three-match suspension for Cesc Fabregas is excessive has been upheld by an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing," read a statement on the FA's website.

"Fabregas was dismissed for violent conduct during the West Bromwich Albion FC v Chelsea FC fixture on 18 May.

"The Regulatory Commission has reduced the Chelsea midfielder’s suspension to one match, to be served with immediate effect."

 

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'PSG could pay Ibrahimovic to leave'

Paris Saint-Germain may have to decide to pay Zlatan Ibrahimovic to leave the club, according to former defender Alain Roche.

The Sweden star has inspired PSG to three Ligue 1 titles since joining the club in 2012 and could complete a clean sweep of domestic silverware this season.

The 33-year-old's contract is set to expire next summer and former employers AC Milan have been linked with a possible move, even though his agent says such a transfer would be almost impossible.Roche, however, thinks the club must assess whether Ibrahimovic can offer the same level of excellence next season or if he should be moved on this summer.

"Zlatan Ibrahimovic? It's a question of choice. If the club considers it to be more of an advantage than a disadvantage, then they have the means to pay him to leave," he was quoted as saying by Le 10 Sport."Ibra, he's [worth] 20 to 30 goals in the championship, provided he understands that he can't do everything."

 

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Ibra PSG walin yai wage neda meh summer 1ke​

 

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Simeone warns Casillas: Time catches up with us all

Diego Simeone has fired a warning to Iker Casillas that he would be wise to consider leaving Real Madrid before he is forced out of the door.

Club captain Casillas has endured a plummet in popularity in the Spanish capital in the past 18 months and Madrid's pursuit of David De Gea has further suggested his time as No.1 at the Santiago Bernabeu could be drawing to a close.

"We all have a time frame and, bit by bit, time catches up," Simeone told 'Al Primer Toque' when asked about the World Cup-winning goalkeeper. "I hope he has the capacity to read this. I recognised this as a player with Atleti, I moved on before I was told to leave."

Simeone has also admitted it will take time for the 2013-14 Liga champions to return to a level at which they can realistically compete with Madrid and Barcelona again.

"It's been a difficult season, it hasn't been easy with so many changes and the players have competed really well," he said. "Until it’s over it’s hard to give you a mark out of ten. Valencia have not had the distraction of European football and Sevilla have been exemplary. Valencia can still clinch third spot too but it's very tight.

"The supporters are bright people. We all have our budgets. Madrid and Barcelona's are similar and if one of those two clubs don't win the league, then it appears to be a fiasco. What do Atleti need to do to win La Liga again? Keep working hard, coming second, third, third. At some point in time, we can get closer."Atletico have been linked with a summer bid for Edinson Cavani as they look to improve their goalscoring prowess ahead of next season.

Simeone has poured cold water on reports of an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain over a transfer and defended the tally of Mario Manduzkic this term."He's always mentioned, but nothing ever materialises," he said of Cavani.

"[Mandzukic] is a unique lad, with a big heart and full of personality. Until February he had scored 20 goals. He's annoyed with himself for not finding the net. However, 20 goals is no bad tally."Simeone did, however, have high praise for striker Jonathas, who has already confirmed he will leave Elche this summer.

"He's a great striker; he moves well, he's a tall player and has had a great season. It's also difficult to score in a team who struggle to create many chances."Lastly, the former Argentina midfielder hailed the legacy of Barcelona star Xavi, who is set to announce he will leave the Liga champions on Thursday.

"He's a great player, an example to the rest and a bright guy," Simeone said.

 

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Galliani: I'm in contact with Ancelotti

AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani has confirmed that he is in contact with Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.

The future of current coach Pippo Inzaghi has been the subject of much speculation in recent weeks, with rumours rife that the ex-Italy international could be replaced at the helm by former Rossoneri coach Ancelotti.

Galliani says that no decision has been made concerning the top job at San Siro but admitted that he is in touch with a number of the club's former employees.
"We always said that we want to finish the season with Pippo and then see," he is quoted as saying by Sport."There's a few days left then on June 1, we'll see what we need to do then make decisions.

"I always listen to Ancelotti. I'm always in contact with former coaches, including Arrigo Sacchi, Fabio Capello and Ancelotti."Milan finish their season with a home clash against Torino on Sunday before a trip to Atalanta the following week.

 

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Gomes: Tottenham have ruined Soldado & Lamela's careers

Heurelho Gomes has launched an astonishing attack on his former club Tottenham, claiming they are responsible for ruining the careers of Roberto Soldado and Erik Lamela.

Gomes, 34, spent six years on the books at White Hart Lane but claims he would advise any player against moving to the north London club.

A change of management in the summer has failed to kick-start the Premier League careers of record signings Lamela and Soldado, who cost Tottenham a combined total of just over £50 million (€70m).

"It’s the club [who are to blame]. Certainly, I would not recommend to anyone [to join Spurs]," Gomes, who will return to the Premier League next season with Watford, told ESPN.

"They paid £28 million (€40m) for Soldado, and they don't play him. Or look at Lamela, who was a great prospect in Europe, but today you watch Tottenham games and he looks like he can't play football at all."

 

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Depay doesn't have to be better than Rooney - Cruyff

Johan Cruyff has told new Manchester United signing Memphis Depay to keep forging his own path and try not to do too much in his first year in England.

The 21-year-old finished as the Eredivisie's top goalscorer and was named the best youngster in Netherlands, after inspiring PSV to the first Dutch title since 2008.

However, just like United boss Louis van Gaal, who has also issued words of caution, Cruyff believes that Depay must try to keep his cool when he arrives at Old Trafford this summer and not fall into the trap of trying to immediately prove himself a star player.

Speaking to De Telegraaf, the Dutch icon said: "Depay clearly made some major steps forward this year. He is a player that seeks adventure and always tries to decide a match.

"He has a good long distance shot and that's why he is so important for the team.

"These qualities made his transfer possible. And because he is still very young, I give him the advice to keep doing his own thing at Manchester United.

"In the first year you are at that club, you don't have to be better then Wayne Rooney."

Depay has already been compared to former United star Cristiano Ronaldo, though the youngster says he won't try to copy the Real Madrid man.

 

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Manchester United step up Ould-Chikh chase

Manchester United have approached Twente attacker Bilal Ould-Chikh’s entourage to sound him out about a potential summer transfer to Old Trafford.

However, Louis van Gaal’s side face stiff competition from Tottenham, Benfica and Porto, who have all been in touch with the 17-year-old’s representatives, too.

The Netherlands Under-19 international has a contract with his current club until June 2016 and the Eredivisie side were keen to tie the young winger down once he turns 18 this July.

However, talks between Ould-Chikh and Twente have broken down and the cash-strapped Enschede outfit are ready to cash in on the gifted youngster this summer if they receive an offer in the region of €1.5-2 million.

Ould-Chikh has long been attracting the interest of Europe’s finest, with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund keeping a close eye on him for over a year now, while AC Milan are also monitoring his contractual situation.

United, Spurs, Benfica and Porto have all taken action now, though, as the left-footed attacker is edging ever closer to the exit door at Twente.

The former Feyenoord starlet would be open to a move to all of the aforementioned four sides, but is keen to return to the Eredivisie on a one-year loan deal once any transfer has been completed to make sure his family does not have to relocate just yet.

Twente have yet to receive any formal offers for Ould-Chikh, but are ready to broker a deal now that the regular Eredivisie season has reached its conclusion and they have not qualified for the play-offs.

"There is a lot of interest in Ould-Chikh, but club and player agreed not to discuss a transfer until the end of the season," a well-placed source told Goal.

"Everything points to a transfer this summer, though. No final decision has been made as of yet, but both sides are calm about the situation."

Ould Chikh joined the Twente youth academy in the summer of 2012, after previous spells with Feyenoord, RBC and Willem II, and made his official first-team debut at the club in May 2014 at the tender age of 16.

The attacker scored his first Eredivisie goal in the 2-0 win over regional rivals Heracles back in January, but got little playing time in recent months after talks over a new contract had broken down.

 

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I could stay at Juventus for life, says Vidal

Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal says that he would find it hard to leave the club as he is so happy with life in Turin.

The Chile international has been a central figure for the Bianconeri since moving to Italy from Bayer Leverkusen in 2011, helping the Old Lady win four straight Serie A titles and reach the final of this season's Champions League.

A number of Spanish and English clubs have been linked with his signature, with Liverpool reportedly the latest side to express an interest in his services, but the 27-year-old has no thoughts of leaving just yet.

"Turin feels like home," Vidal told 24 Horas. "The people are very warm and passionate, very Latin, similar to in Chile. They say hello when I walk down the street.

"I could stay in Turin for my whole life, for my family and for the people who love me. Of course, Juve are also one of the best teams in the world. It’s really difficult to change club when you’re this happy."This squad is spectacular and after the Scudetto we want to win the Champions League."

Chile will host this summer's Copa America and Vidal is determined to enjoy a successful tournament, even if claiming the title might be beyond his side. "I will give everything for my country," he added. "I won’t say we’ll win the trophy, but we do want to make the fans happy. We’ll be competitive and united to try and win."

 

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Wenger: Arsenal did not look like scoring

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has bemoaned his side's lack of cutting edge in front of goal as they again failed to find the net against Sunderland.

The Gunners have drawn a blank in their last three home matches, though the point against the Black Cats all but secured third place for the north London outfit after their draw with Manchester United on Sunday.

"We can say that we dominated possession but we lack a bit of sharpness at the moment in our movement and the way we take our chances," he told reporters at the Emirates Stadium.

"We were a bit jaded tonight. Also we haven’t scored in the last three games at home and that played a big part in our spontaneous finishing.

"You have to expect your opponent to play well. We are in a strong position to finish in the top three, so let's do it.

"We didn’t look like scoring, honestly. Even if we had 20 shots on goal, there was always something missing. We needed something special to score tonight and they defended very well. There was always a body there, particularly [Sebastian] Coates and [John] O’Shea from crosses.

"The point we took at Manchester United on Sunday was vital. If we’d lost that game, we would be in trouble."

 

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'If Pogba joins Manchester City, it'll only be for the cash - a move to Real would be for prestige'


Money is the only reason why Paul Pogba would choose Manchester City over Real Madrid if he leaves Juventus this summer, according to World Cup-winning Frenchman Marcel Desailly.

Pogba has established himself as the most coveted young footballer in Europe since joining Juventus on a free transfer from Manchester United in 2012, winning the prestigious Golden Boy award in 2013.

Goal understands that Paris Saint-Germain have already had a £58 million bid accepted for the 22-year-old, who is carefully weighing up his options. City have also identified him as a priority target as they prepare to overhaul an ageing squad this summer.

But Pogba's outspoken agent Mino Raiola fuelled speculation around a potential move to Madrid by visiting the club’s training base earlier this month, and Desailly believes that if his countryman does decide to leave Juventus this summer, the Santiago Bernabeu is his only viable destination.

"Juventus are in the final of the Champions League, they won Serie A," the former Chelsea captain told Goal. "Why would he want to move from there unless crazy club comes in with big money?

"City, I think, would be just for the money. Madrid would be for the prestige. Madrid is probably the best club for him, where the philosophy is to play forward.
"If they play three in midfield Madrid could be tactically the best team for him to express himself. He would be an amazing player.

“The only problem he would have is on the left side you have Cristiano Ronaldo. If the new coach of Madrid [if Ancelotti is sacked] moves him up front and Bale plays on the left, you have a bit of a problem [for Pogba] on that side where he likes to play most of the time.

"But if he leaves Juventus, Madrid is the best club for him. If you leave Juventus - I know Serie A is not the best league but it is a prestigious club - you need to go to Real Madrid."

Desailly does not believe former club Chelsea will enter the scramble for Pogba because there is only one area of his Premier League title-winning squad that Jose Mourinho needs to strengthen – and it is not the midfield.

"Chelsea needs another striker," he added. "Costa has done well, Drogba also, but they need a third top player - a Cavani, a Higuain, someone very close to Costa [in ability] to be able to think about winning a Champions League.

"In other areas I don’t see anything unless a player leaves."

 

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Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland: Black Cats survive as Gunners tighten grip on third

 

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Henry: Sterling risks destroying his career

Former Arsenal forward Thierry Henry has warned Raheem Sterling that he risks destroying his career if he continues to wage a public war with Liverpool.

Goal understands Sterling will tell the Reds he wishes to leave the club this week having previously revealed he turned down a contract offer of €140,000 a week.

The winger's agent Aidy Ward has played down reports of his client's unhappiness, but did confirm talks are planned.

However, Henry feels Ward is badly advising Sterling and believes his conduct is disrespectful to Liverpool supporters.

"I think we all know that he's been receiving some bad advice," he told Sky Sports.

"You can't go out there and talk about your contract in the press. You have to respect your fans, respect the club that you play for.

"If you want to leave Liverpool or not, when you make the decision about leaving or staying, then do it. Don't discuss yourself in the paper.

"To an extent you can blame the agent, advisor, whatever you want to call them now [but] you need to be a man about it.

"You need to be able to say, 'Enough, you're destroying my life, you're destroying my career.'"

Sterling has been linked with a number of clubs, including Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal.

Henry admitted he would be happy to see Sterling move back to London and ply his trade for the Gunners.

"He's a great product for Liverpool and he's going to be a great product for England. I would be more than happy to see him play for Arsenal but he's still a Liverpool player," said the Frenchman.

"We all know he's a Londoner, and we know Arsene [Wenger] is interested in him."

 

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Moreno: I love the Europa League

Liverpool full-back Alberto Moreno insists that he is a "big fan" of the Europa League, with the Reds set for another campaign in Europe's second-tier competition.

Brendan Rodgers' side missed out on Champions League football in 2014-15 and appear set to secure a spot in the sister competition, despite both Tottenham and Southampton chasing their rivals ahead of the final day of the season.

A win over Stoke City on Sunday would guarantee Liverpool's passage into the Europa League and Moreno is looking forward to another European campaign.

"I'm a big fan of the Europa League, you know I can go home and look at my medal in my trophy cabinet at home which I’ve already won, I love it," Moreno, who won the competition with Sevilla last season, told the Liverpool Echo.

"For any player and any fan, winning any trophy - not least at a European level - is absolutely something positive.

"We always want to win trophies, let’s face it, and I enjoyed it when we won."

 

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Cruyff slates 'ridiculous' Real Madrid for La Liga failures

Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff has lambasted Real Madrid for their "ridiculous" record of one Liga win in their last seven attempts.Luis Enrique's men defeated last year's Spanish champions Atletico Madrid at the weekend to secure their fifth title since finishing third in 2007-08.

Real Madrid once again have to settle for second place domestically, which is scant consolation considering they were dumped out of the Champions League last week by Juventus.

Cruyff, who starred as a player at Camp Nou before becoming an iconic coach for the Catalans, slammed the Blancos' failures and even suggested the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale do not want each other to score.

"It's ridiculous that they have only won the league once in seven years," the Dutchman told De Telegraaf. "Losing the title race once isn't a problem, but doing so for so many seasons is unacceptable.

"I had doubts whether any Real Madrid players actually wanted their team-mates to score in recent games."That's the difference between them and Barca, where everybody pulls together to score goals.”

Cruyff also took a swipe at the cash-rich English clubs and Paris Saint-Germain for not performing in Europe this season, while praising Primera Division and Serie A sides.

"Spanish and Italian football have been a cut above the rest," he added. "The Premier League has been disappointing. It's been proven once again that it isn't all about money.

"I say that about both PSG and Manchester City, who had a lot more money to spend than Juventus. I have the utmost respect for Juve. They were in Serie B not so long ago, but they came back strong."

Barcelona will clash with Juventus – who are on track for a treble if they defeat Luis Enrique's men – in Berlin on June 6 for European glory.

 

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Bale is suffering at Real Madrid, says Toshack

Former Real Madrid coach John Toshack believes Gareth Bale is "suffering" right now and questioned what is going wrong for the winger.

The 25-year-old has netted 17 times for the Blancos in 2014-15, but he has only scored three times in his last 20 appearances to leave his future looking uncertain with one game of the season to go.

Toshack, who coached Bale for a brief time during his six-year Wales stint, is baffled by Bale's downturn in form and fitness problems, but does not doubt his compatriot's talent.

"There's something wrong with Bale," the two-time Santiago Bernabeu coach, who is currently in charge of Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca, told Marca. "At Tottenham he was at the centre of their attacks, he played with mobility."Bale is much better than he is showing for Real Madrid right now. Much better, not just a bit better. The situation is strange, he doesn't seem happy at all.

"It is true that playing for Real Madrid has a lot of pressure, but that shouldn't be the problem after two years. I see strange things, like Cristiano Ronaldo gestures and the way he looks.

"Injuries have impacted his ability to perform, admittedly. But he is suffering."
Manchester United have been strongly linked with Bale since January, with Louis van Gaal's men reported to be considering a €120m bid to bring the Welshman back to the Premier League.