..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Casillas 'flattered' by Roma interest

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas is "flattered" by interest from Roma, his agent claims, as the Spanish club's pursuit of David de Gea continues.

Casillas, 34, was the Blancos' preferred shot stopper in 2014-15 but had spent the previous two seasons in and out of the starting line-up under both Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti.

With all signs pointing towards Madrid bringing in De Gea from Manchester United this summer, Casillas will have to review his options if he wants to be playing first-team football regularly.

Reports in Italy have suggested Serie A's distant runners-up Roma have targeted Casillas as their new No.1 and the Spain international's agent has welcomed the Giallorossi's attention.

"Roma are a top team and Casillas is flattered by their interest," Carlo Cutropia told LaRoma24.it."Roma are one of the greatest clubs in Europe. We really love the city and the passion of their fans."

Roma's first-choice goalkeeper last season was Morgan De Sanctis but Rudi Garcia is believed to have highlighted the position as one in need of a revamp after the club fell out of the title race alarmingly in 2015.

After an excellent first half of the campaign in which they remained within touching distance of Italian champions Juventus, Roma only won only eight out of 22 Serie A matches this calendar year.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool in talks to sign Sweden U21 defender Augustinsson

Liverpool are in talks over the signing of Sweden Under-21 star Ludwig Augustinsson, Goal understands.

The 21-year-old hit the headlines earlier this month when he described England's Under-21 side as "a little overrated" - a claim backed up when Harry Kane and his Three Lions colleagues finished bottom of their group in June's European Championship.

The Copenhagen left-back also said "Some players go for such sick amounts of money in England and is a bit more expensive than what they are worth."

He will now be hoping not to become one of those as Liverpool look to make their sixth signing of a busy summer so far.

Talks between the Reds and Copenhagen, and with the player's representatives, have been held for the past couple of weeks and a deal is thought to be close.

With the transfer window not set to officially open until July 1, Brendan Rodgers has already secured the signatures of James Milner, Danny Ings, Adam Bogdan, Joe Gomez and Roberto Firmino.

A €17.5 million bid has also been lodged for Southampton right-back Nathaniel Clyne, while reports elsewhere suggest Christian Benteke is the subject of a €35m offer.

Augustinsson, who is already a full Sweden international with two caps to his name, now looks set to be added to those ranks and Liverpool have believe he can make an immediate impact at Anfield.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Aguero: Goals will come for gambler Messi

Argentina forward Sergio Aguero has lauded Lionel Messi's goalscoring persistence as they bid to win the Copa America together.

Aguero, 27, and Messi, 28, have played together for a decade internationally - at youth and senior level - winning the 2008 Olympics and the 2005 Under-20 World Cup alongside each other.

Having come so close to World Cup glory last summer - losing to Germany in the final in extra-time - Argentina are now the clear favourites to win the Copa America following the elimination of rivals Brazil.

Ahead of Tuesday's semi-final clash with the conquerors of Dunga's side, Paraguay, Aguero has defended Messi from criticism after the Barcelona attacker netted only once in his side's first four matches in the South American tournament.

"Messi always wants to do better and when he does not score goals he starts saying 'I did not get lucky,'" he told TyC. "But I tell him 'be quiet, the goals will come, you have to be patient'.

"Leo is always under such pressure to score goals. It is the same for me, though there are 10 other players in the team than yourself.

"Obviously everyone can make mistakes, but Messi always gambles and keeps going and going. And that gives us all confidence, because if Leo keeps going then we do too."

Aguero, who has scored two of Argentina's four goals so far in the Copa America, also downplayed suggestions that he will depart Manchester City ahead of the 2015-16 campaign.

"Every year I end up talking about my Manchester City future," he added. "But I'm comfortable and at peace there - I have not thought about going somewhere else."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Giggs reveals Manchester United summer transfer plans

Ryan Giggs has underlined Manchester United's need to strengthen over the summer as they look to mount a Premier League title challenge.

Louis van Gaal acted early to secure Memphis Depay from PSV in May but is yet to add further new arrivals, despite links to the likes of Sergio Ramos, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin.

United secured a return to the Champions League thanks to a fourth-placed finish last season but Giggs says improvement is vital and - given the increased commitments coming next term - players with a winning mentality are required to strengthen the team's core.

"If there are players available who are winners, who are proven, then yeah, let's go and get them," the United assistant manager told The Sunday Times.

"And with any good team the spine is important. Midfield, striker, centre-backs, goalkeeper. I'm sure we'll be looking to strengthen the spine all the way through.

"We obviously need to strengthen because we were fourth. We weren't first, second or third. And the teams above us will strengthen, too. There's the added challenge of the Champions League, and we need players that are going to improve us.

"But we're not too far away. We had a great record last season in the big games and the problem was the consistency. We dropped points we shouldn't have and got off to a bad start. We drew a lot of games away from home against teams we should have been beating.

"You tot up the games you think you should have won and think, ‘Yeah, we should have been much closer' – but you have to go out and do it, and in the Premier League that's not easy."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

"If there are players available who are winners, who are proven, then yeah, let's go and get them," the United assistant manager told The Sunday Times.

"And with any good team the spine is important. Midfield, striker, centre-backs, goalkeeper. I'm sure we'll be looking to strengthen the spine all the way through.

Kohomahari kamak naha Worldclass playersla set 1kak gannawanam echcharai

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Petr Cech to join Arsenal this week

Petr Cech will complete his long-awaited move from Chelsea to Arsenal this week, Goal understands.

On Friday Goal reported that the 33-year-old was set to undergo a medical with the Gunners, with personal terms already agreed and the two clubs nearing an agreement on a fee.

And there is an expectation that the deal to take Cech across London will be completed imminently, making him Arsene Wenger's first senior signing of the summer transfer window.

Jose Mourinho opposed selling his No.2 goalkeeper to a Premier League rival but has been forced to acquiesce to the wishes of Cech - who wants to fulfil his desire for first-team football in the capital for family reasons - and owner Roman Abramovich, who wants to show respect to a Chelsea legend for 11 years of distinguished service.

Cech has played a key role in the most successful era of the Blues' history, winning four Premier League titles, the Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup and League cup in his time at Stamford Bridge.

His departure leaves Mourinho in need of a new goalkeeper to provide cover for No.1 Thibaut Courtois, and Chelsea have identified Stoke City's Asmir Begovic as a primary target for the role.

Arsenal are expected to sell Colombia international David Ospina - reportedly subject to interest from Fenerbahce - to make room for Cech, with Wojciech Szczesny set to act as his understudy next season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sunderland striker Defoe sets 20-goal target

Jermain Defoe has set himself a target of 20 goals next season, and has expressed his delight that Dick Advocaat is staying on as Sunderland head coach.

Former Tottenham striker Defoe moved to the Stadium of Light from Toronto FC in January and subsequently scored four goals, including a stunning volley in a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United that was integral to Advocaat's side achieving Premier League survival.

The Dutchman originally stated that he would retire from football after his spell at Sunderland before performing a U-turn to sign a new one-year deal, and Defoe is confident of leading the line under the 67-year-old in 2015-16.

"He [Advocaat] just said from day one that all he wants is for the players to be sharp every day in training, apply yourselves and do the same in the game," Defoe told Sky Sports News.

"If you don't want to do that in training, then you won't play, it's as simple as that. He doesn't care who you are.

"When a new manager comes in, it keeps you on your toes and with someone like Dick, who has been in the game so many years, you respect someone like that.

"During the off-season I always keep myself fit. I try not to eat too much and get the rest - the season is so long - but after a couple of weeks I'm ready to go back, ready to train.

"Hopefully we'll have a good pre-season and we can start the season really strong. People say you should always aim for 20 goals in a season and if I'm scoring goals it's only good for the club and the team."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Jara told Cavani his father would be jailed for 20 years' - Uruguay assistant

A member of the Uruguay coaching staff has claimed Chile defender Gonzalo Jara told Edinson Cavani his father was “going to get 20 years in prison” in an attempt to provoke the PSG forward.

On Sunday Conmebol confirmed Jara has been handed a three-match ban for prodding Cavani’s backside with a finger, which led to Cavani being sent off for retaliation in his side’s Copa America quarter-final defeat to Chile on Wednesday.
And Uruguay assistant coach Mario Rebollo claims Jara also made remarks about Luis Cavani, who is facing a prison sentence after being involved in a traffic accident which killed a teenage motorcyclist.

“Not only did Jara touch Cavani as we saw in the pictures, but he also said something about what had happened the previous day,” Rebollo told Uruguay’s Radio Hora 25.

"He said that Cavani’s father was going to get 20 years [in prison].”Cavani returned to Uruguay after his side’s elimination to spend time with his family.

Jara’s ban means he will miss Chile's semi-final with Peru, in addition to a possible final appearance and the start of his side's qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup.

A statement from the Chile Football Federation (ANFP) confirmed it had accepted Jara's suspension, but also called on Conmebol to apply the same standards when it rules on an ANFP complaint against the conduct of several Uruguayan players after clashes between the two sides towards the end of the match.

Jara’s club Mainz have already indicated they are open to offers for the defender after expressing disgust at his actions.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barcelona must buy to stay ahead of Real Madrid – Bartomeu

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu says the club must continue to invest in the transfer market if they are to stay ahead of Real Madrid.Barca marched to a historic treble this season, adding the Champions League to their league and cup domestic double.

Sevilla’s Aleix Vidal is currently the club’s only summer signing, though he won’t be eligible to play until Barca’s current transfer ban is lifted in January.

"We can't let up and by so doing hand our rivals, such as Real Madrid, the advantage. They are actively buying and selling players in the transfer market,” he told a supporters group.

“The executive board should carry out functions that benefit the club,” he added. “Barça must strive to make the team more competitive for the coming season."

Bartomeu is facing competition from former chief Joan Laporta in the presidential elections, to be held July 18, though local reports have him ahead in the polls.

Marquee transfer signings have historically led presidential campaigns and Laporta has suggested he intends to bring Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba to the club.

Bartomeu has been indicted by a Spanish judge on charges of tax fraud over his part in the deal that brought Neymar to the club in June 2013.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Clyne set for Liverpool medical ahead of £12.5m move

Nathaniel Clyne will undergo his Liverpool medical on Monday ahead of completing a £12.5 million move to the club from Southampton, Goal understands.

The Reds have won the race to sign the right-back ahead of Manchester United, despite Clyne informing the Red Devils in April that he would be eager to move to Old Trafford.

Brendan Rodgers’ side have embarked on a major recruitment drive this summer and have agreed an initial fee of £10.5m with the Saints to acquire the 24-year-old.

Sources have now confirmed that Clyne will have medical tests imminently before officially rubber-stamping his transfer to Anfield.

Clyne will become Liverpool’s sixth signing of the summer following the acquisitions of Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Danny Ings, Adam Bogdan and youngster Joe Gomez.

Southampton signed Portugal international Cedric as a replacement for the outgoing Clyne earlier this month, while fellow full-back Glen Johnson is poised to leave the Reds on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of June.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

ow machan vidal sure karanna bae.habai vidal gaththe nathath ramsey ennawa
godakma defensive minded mid kenek thamai one Matic,Busquets wage. Kondogbia ganna thibba Inter giyane
Carvalho th patta machan.eye match eketh hodatama play karala.
Carvalho,Maxime Gonalons,Sven/Lars Bender, Giannelli Imbula wage player kenek aniwa ganna one

carrick thami thamath hodama english defensive mid. Schneiderlin hodai PL experince ekath thiyenawane

Aniwa bro W.Carvalho elatama play karanawa U21Godak durata W.Carvalho/Sven or Lars Bender ganiwi brohabai Arsenal lata meh window 1ke DM kenek nam onemai

Ow bro Carrick thamai best & Schneiderlin ganna 1kath hodai
​

 

[rcccc]

 

[rcccc]

 

[rcccc]

Congratz Cech

 

[rcccc]

Aniwa bro W.Carvalho elatama play karanawa U21Godak durata W.Carvalho/Sven or Lars Bender ganiwi brohabai Arsenal lata meh window 1ke DM kenek nam onemai

Ow bro Carrick thamai best & Schneiderlin ganna 1kath hodai
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bacca confirms Milan move is a 'reality'

Sevilla striker Carlos Bacca has confirmed he has reached an agreement with AC Milan.

The player's agent Sergio Barila revealed over the weekend that the player had chosen the Rossoneri following reports linking him with a host of clubs, including Liverpool.Bacca has now confirmed his representative's comments but also revealed the move is still not "set in stone".

"It has to be finalised and every day I am linked with a different club, but it is true that we reached an agreement with Milan," he told DeportesEH."We spoke to them, my representative spoke to them and we have an agreement with Milan, that is the reality.

"They are the club with 100 per cent possibility of signing me, but nothing has been set in stone yet."

Bacca, who netted a double in the Europa League final, has scored 34 La Liga goals in the past two seasons, including 20 in 2014-15 as Sevilla finished fifth.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Money-hungry Madrid want everything Barcelona have'

Real Madrid have been accused of being power-hungry and trying to have everything Barcelona have by the head of the Liga de Futbol Profesional (LFP) chief Javier Tebas.

Traditionally, Barca and Madrid have been able to negotiate broadcasting rights apart from the rest of La Liga, but that will change from 2016-17 when they will all be sold to external clients as one package.

This is an active effort to push the Spanish league system towards the Premier League's way of working, with the British top flight valued higher financially than any other on the planet.

However, Tebas claims Madrid were the only club part of negotiations who were against the move and criticised the club for being selfish.

"I talk again of a war in Spanish football because of all 42 clubs involved in the centralised distribution of broadcasting rights just one – Real Madrid – do not agree," he told AS.

"Why? Well you'd have to ask Real Madrid. If we knew the reasons why it signed a contract with [Spanish broadband and cable provider] Telefonica in May – an agreement which would qualify as strange to say the least – that would help us understand.

"Madrid are a great club who believes itself to be a champion of transparency; but the truth is that they have other interests than the rest of La Liga. I think Madrid wants to keeps control of its broadcasting rights.

"It's a mix of being money-hungry and power-hungry. It is not clear what they are up to. Their agreements with Telefonica and Microsoft are strange to me and I've told Madrid that.

"I believe their agreement with Telefonica is because Barcelona signed one similar with the same company several months earlier and – of course – we know that Madrid must have whatever Barcelona have. I suspect this whole mess stems from that."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mentioning Messi saved my life, says Argentine kidnapped in Nigeria

An Argentine kidnapped in Nigeria claims he owes his life to Barcelona forward Lionel Messi.

Santiago Lopez Menendez, a 28-year-old agricultural engineer, had been working in the west African nation since last year, planting soya and corn crops close to Kontagora in the north-west of the country.

But he was kidnapped earlier this week and beaten violently by his captors, who hardly spoke any English and thought he was north American.

It was then in desperation that Menendez tried to tell them he was Argentine and he was eventually able to calm down his aggressors with repeated cries of "Messi, Messi, Messi".

Held captive for three days, the engineer was eventually released after the company who employs him paid an undisclosed ransom to the kidnappers.

Back in Argentina, his brother Jorge spoke to Clarin and said: "'Tell them I am grateful to Messi', he told me. 'Naming him is what saved me.'"

Menendez is now safe and will return to his homeland in the next few hours.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Thorgan: I'll show Eden who's the best Hazard!

Eden Hazard's younger brother Thorgan is hoping for a Champions League showdown between Chelsea and Borussia Monchengladbach so he can prove he is the better footballer.

Eden, 24, was crowned the PFA Player of the Year after winning the Premier League and League Cup in 2014-15.Thorgan, meanwhile, secured an €8 million move away from Chelsea to Gladbach this summer after an impressive loan spell at the club last season.

A third place finish in the Bundesliga means the club will play in the Champions League next term and Thorgan is hoping for a meeting with his older brother in Europe.

"My desire is for Chelsea to be among Gladbach's Champions League opponents this campaign," the 22-year-old told Bild. "I've never played against my brother Eden competitively, that would be a great thing for our whole family.He added, chuckling: "Then we can see who the better Hazard is!"

Thorgan also insisted he would be endeavouring to demonstrate why he deserves the No.10 jersey in his second campaign in German football."The No.10 position is my best position, but I do not know how the coach plans to play me," Hazard added. "I have shown that I can also play on the wing.

"I learned a lot last season, I think I became a better player. I was able to play in one of the strongest leagues in the world.

"Of course, I hope that next season I will play a bit more, but I know that the competition for places is huge. This is normal at a big club. I will work hard and have to play well to assert myself."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Dzeko would run to Roma - Pjanic

Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic claims compatriot Edin Dzeko "would run" to join him at the Serie A club.Manchester City striker Dzeko has been linked with a move to the Stadio Olimpico, having found regular game time hard to come by in 2014-15.

The 29-year-old appeared only 22 times in the Premier League last term, his lowest tally since 2010-11, when he played 15 matches in his first season in Manchester after joining during the January transfer window.

And Bosnia-Herzegovina team-mate Pjanic has fuelled speculation that Dzeko will be playing in Italy next season by suggesting the Blues star would even be willing to take a pay cut to leave the Etihad Stadium.

"Dzeko would run to Roma and the wages won't be a problem, as he'd adjust to them," he told Romanews.eu. "It all depends on the club."Dzeko scored six goals in 31 appearances in all competitions last season.