..::Football III::..

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Mustafi 'proud' of Real Madrid interest

Shkodran Mustafi says he is "proud" to hear Real Madrid are interested in signing him.Mustafi signed for Valencia from Sampdoria in August 2014 after winning the World Cup with Germany in Brazil.

The centre-back impressed during his first season in Spain, making 33 appearances as Valencia finished fourth to secure a return to the Champions League.

His performances have led to speculation that Madrid are pondering a move, with the player's agent stating last month that the club and Barcelona were monitoring his situation.

"I think [interest] from another club is an honour. It proves that you played well and if the offer comes from Real Madrid, a club everybody knows, you can be proud," he told SPOX.com.

"But I don't look too far into the future because I am focused on my tasks at hand ... that is how I accomplish my goals. I don't waste time on such things."

Mustafi is keen to push on in his second season with Valencia, with his immediate focus on securing qualification for the group stages of the Champions League.

"First we have to qualify [for the Champions League]. We were fourth in La Liga so we first have to qualify and I think that will be hard. But the project intrigued me from the beginning. I wouldn't have gone there if that was not the case," he added.
"Playing with a lot of young players, we were the youngest team in La Liga and got to fourth place. Against the big teams, except Barcelona, we won at least four points and I think we developed as a team.

"This project we started in Valencia will pay off, it already has and I think it will in the future as well."

 

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Costa relishing Ribery and Robben competition at Bayern

Douglas Costa has admitted he is relishing the competition between himself, Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben at Bayern Munich.The Bundesliga champions completed the signing of the winger on a five-year deal from Shakhtar Donetsk earlier this month.

Bayern boss Pep Guardiola admitted his side need Costa's ability in one-on-one situations, with the Brazilian set to compete with Ribery and Robben for a wide role.And rather than be daunted by the challenge, Costa believes the experience will only improve him as a player

"I think I came here to learn a lot too, and with Franck here, with Robben, they are the best players you have in the world and are examples to be followed by me and by young players arriving at the club," he said. "I think it will be a healthy competition, I see no problem with that.

"I came here and met all the people in different positions who received me very well. It makes it easier, I think my first day was a lot of learning, I got to know my team-mates, my coach. I think I will match the expectations at the right time."

Costa also spoke of his excitement at helping Bayern challenge for major honours, adding: "I never imagined being able to wear this shirt, but it's a dream what I'm doing. I hope to win a lot of trophies and to be able to please the fans."

 

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'I'm so proud to be here!' - Van Persie lands in Istanbul ahead of Fenerbahce move

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has arrived in Istanbul ahead of the completion of his move to Fenerbahce and has revealed his pride at moving to the Turkish club.

Fener claimed a deal had been agreed to sign the Netherlands international on Saturday night as they look to bolster their attacking options.

And the club confirmed the striker was on his way to finalise the deal as they tweeted an image of Van Persie holding a Fenerbahce flag alongside the caption: "Robin van Persie is on his way to Istanbul!"

And, speaking to Fenerbahce TV after touching down, Van Persie enthused: "I feel so good. I'm very happy to be in Istanbul. I will be in front of fantastic fans. I can't wait to meet them. I hope to make them happy."

On the huge turnout at the airport to cheer his arrival, he added: "The things that I see here are incredible. Many thanks to everybody who came here for me. I'm very proud to be here."

The player himself also took to social media as he posted a picture of himself inside the plane's cockpit with the caption: "Ready for take off."
Van Persie will become the second United player to move to Fenerbache this summer after Nani completed a £4 million move on Monday.

 

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Casillas signs two-year deal with Porto

Porto have confirmed the signing of Iker Casillas on a two-year deal, with the option of an additional season.

The goalkeeper's departure from Real Madrid was announced on Saturday after weeks of rumours that he would leave the club.

Porto revealed in a statement on Sunday that the Spain international has put pen to paper on a deal that ties him to Julen Lopetegui's side until at least 2017.

"Goalkeeper Iker Casillas, 34, signed for Porto for the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons, with an option of further season," the Portuguese club said in a statement.

"The Spain international and former Real Madrid man becomes the player of the club with the richest history in the Portuguese league and also becomes the first former world champion teams to represent the Dragoes."

Casillas then gave his reaction to the move on Twitter: "Happy to start this new stage of my career #SomosPorto."

Casillas gave an emotional press conference earlier on Sunday in which he said goodbye to the club with whom he has been playing for since 1990.

Fabiano was Porto's No.1 last season but was signed by Fenerbahce earlier this month, meaning Casillas will be first choice for last season's Champions League quarter-finalists.

 

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Congratulations & Good Luck Casillas!

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Sir Alex Ferguson tells Juventus: Cash in on Pogba

Sir Alex Ferguson has told Juventus they would be wise to cash in on Paul Pogba amid heavy interest from Barcelona.

The former Manchester United manager controversially let Pogba to leave Old Trafford in 2012, with the midfielder moving to Turin on a free transfer.Barca executives met with their Juve counterparts last week before making an estimated €80 million offer and Ferguson believes they made a mistake rejecting the bid.

The United legend told Tuttosport: "I would sell Pogba. It's true I already let him go, but if I were Juve now then I would let him go."Ferguson also praised the current Juve side, who won Serie A and reached last season's Champions League final where they were beaten by Barcelona.

"Juve have a fantastic team, they have won four Serie A titles in a row and in my view were unlucky in the Champions League final," he added."They were hit by Barcelona counterattacks, but before those had dominated the game."

 

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'My destination is Man Utd... one last dream' - Schweinsteiger pens open letter to Bayern Munich fans

Bastian Schweinsteiger has penned an open letter to Bayern Munich supporters after it was revealed he would be leaving his boyhood club for Manchester United.

The two clubs confirmed on Saturday the Germany international would be leaving the Allianz Arena to join the Red Devils in a deal worth around £12 million.

And Schweinsteiger, who won eight Bundesliga titles and the Champions League title with the Bavarians, explained his decision to fans by claiming he wanted to experience life at a different club.

"Dear fans, after 17 incredible years at FC Bayern, 15 national titles, winning the historical triple and uncountable other highlights that I was fortunate enough to experience with my incredible team, all you exceptional fans and the co-workers at Sabener Strasse and Allianz Arena, I have decided to take a new career step," he wrote on his Twitter.

"This decision was very hard to make because you and FCB have, are and will always be an extremely important part of my life.

"Nevertheless, I would like to again gain experience at a new club. My destination is Manchester United. I hope you understand my decision.

"No one can take away the incredible journey we had together. #MiaSanMia."

'I'm going to Man Utd... one last dream'

 

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'I'm going to Man Utd... one last dream'

Welcome to Manchester United Schweini!

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Liverpool agree to sell Sterling to Manchester City for £49m

Liverpool have agreed to sell Raheem Sterling to Manchester City for a fee of £49 million, Goal can confirm.

The England international has been at the centre of a long-running transfer saga this summer, even threatening to go on strike before twice calling in sick to training in a bid to force a move away from the club, having told Brendan Rodgers of his desire to leave.

Sterling was included in the club's pre-season tour squad, despite informing his manager that he did not wish to travel, but his move to City edged closer on Sunday after he was withdrawn from the selection.

And Goal understands that Liverpool have now finally acquiesced to his sale, with City making an offer which is understood to be worth £44m up front and £5m in add-ons.

Sterling's agent, Aidy Ward, suggested earlier this week that there had been a "breakdown in trust" between the former Queens Park Rangers winger and Rodgers, suggesting that his client no longer wants to play under the Northern Irishman.

City have twice attempted to buy Sterling this summer, but saw both of their overtures snubbed by the Reds.

Their third offer appears to have matched Liverpool's valuation of the 20-year-old, however, and Sterling will subsequently become the club's record signing, eclipsing the £38m deal that saw Sergio Aguero join the club.

The bid will come as welcome news to QPR, with Sterling's former club due a 20 per cent sell-on fee, after a clause was included in the forward's contract when he initially moved to Anfield.

 

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Ausilio: Ibrahimovic incompatible with Inter's project

Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio has confirmed the club's interest in Mohamed Salah, Stevan Jovetic and Ivan Perisic - but has ruled out a move for the "incompatible" Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Nerazzurri have already spent heavily this summer, with the €40 million acquisition of midfield ace Geoffrey Kondogbia from Monaco their most significant outlay to date, but the only forward they have brought in is free agent Jonathan Biabiany.

Inter have been linked with Manchester City flop Jovetic, Wolfsburg attacker Perisic and Chelsea winger Salah - and Ausilio admitted that they are targeting the trio.However, he dismissed recent talk of the Nerazzurri bringing former forward Ibrahimovic back to the San Siro.

"Zlatan is certainly a player who needs no introduction but he's not economically compatible with Inter's programmes," Ausilio told the club's in-house TV channel.
"I don't think that he could be a part of our project... [Jovetic, Perisic and Salah] - those are the names."As for Salah, we're waiting to get a better understanding of his situation.

"However, someone has to also go. We must have 25 players and some players that have rejected transfers must understand that other opportunities like these might not present themselves."Salah is owned by Chelsea but spent last season on loan at Fiorentina, who feel that they retain the right to hold onto the Egypt international for next season.

The player and his agent disagree, though, and Salah refused to turn up for the start of the Viola's pre-season programme, prompting the Serie A side to threaten legal action.

Fiorentina have also lashed out at Inter for pursuing the ex-Basel man, claiming that they should already have been relegated for allegedly breaking Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.

However, Ausilio is uninterested in the furore, claiming that his sole focus at the moment is on providing coach Roberto Mancini with a squad capable of qualifying for Champions League next season."We're only at the start of the summer but we wanted to give Mancini some new faces with which to work," he added.

"[Jeison] Murillo, Miranda, [Martin] Montoya, Kondogbia and [Jonathan] Biabiany have all arrived."We will still do a little something more in attack. That's our priority now.

"The players that we're talking bout have contracts with other clubs. But we hope to do a deal before our Chinese tour."But we're very satisfied overall. We have managed to keep [Samir] Handanovic, [Mateo] Kovacic and [Mauro] Icardi.

"The latter want to play in the Champions League. But I told him that we will play there next year with Inter. It will be more beautiful for him."

 

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Bartomeu: Pogba not a priority for Luis Enrique

Signing Juventus ace Paul Pogba is not a priority for Barcelona boss Luis Enrique, according to club president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

Two of the men trying to dethrone Bartomeu in next week's election, Augusto Benedito and Joan Laporta, have repeatedly spoken of their hopes of bringing the France international to Catalunya should they claim the top job at Camp Nou.

However, Bartomeu is far less interested in any possible deal for the Juventus midfielder, suggesting that the coaching team have more important transfer targets.
"Pogba is not a priority for Luis Enrique but you cannot rule out for the future," he told reporters on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Bartomeu admitted that the relegation of Barcelona's B team to Segunda B must prompt a rethink on the club's handling of its most promising young players."I think Barca B's demotion was an error of planning and that we are doing something wrong," he added.

"Sometimes we put the best young players in the team too early."The most important thing about La Masia [Barca's youth academy] is that our players are allowed to continue with their learning process."

 

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Iniesta: Difficult for Casillas to leave the club of his life

Barcelona ace Andres Iniesta has expressed his sympathy for Iker Casillas for having to leave Real Madrid for Porto.

Casillas had hoped to retire at the Santiago Bernabeu but the academy product has been allowed to move to the Estadio do Dragao, with Los Blancos having made it clear that they want to sign a new No.1 this summer.

The goalkeeper's parents have reacted furiously to the transfer, claiming that their son has been forced out of Madrid by club president Florentino Perez and that the 34-year-old would have been better off moving to Barcelona than Porto.

Iniesta has spent his entire career at Camp Nou and he admitted that he would find it tough leaving the Blaugrana for another team."I haven't spoken with Iker but I guess it's not an easy situation," the midfielder told La Sexta.

"It's difficult to leave the club of your life, so we'll see what happens."Iniesta has spent the past nine years playing alongside Casillas for Spain, with the pair having won one World Cup and two European Championships together.

 

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Roma step up pursuit of Manchester City striker Dzeko

Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini has flown into Manchester to tie up a deal for out-of-favour striker Edin Dzeko, Goal understands.

The Giallorossi chief will meet with City bosses on Monday morning to try and push the deal through, with an agreement expected to be reached at £15 million (€21m).

The Bosnia and Herzegovina forward has fallen down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium following the arrival of Wilfried Bony from Swansea City in January.

Sabatini confirmed Roma's interest in the player last week, and he has now arrived in England in a bid to complete the move in the coming days.

Dzeko has always insisted he wants to stay with the Blues, and told Goal at the end of last season that he wanted to remain with the club despite being unhappy at his lack of playing time at Eastlands.

But the 29-year-old is set to agree a five-year deal with the Serie A outfit, though the two clubs need to firm up the deal before any contracts can be signed.

City manager Manuel Pellegrini has lost faith in the former Wolfsburg man following some disappointing performances towards the end of the 2014-15 campaign, and is willing to sell as he looks to rejuvenate his strikeforce.

And Roma are willing to sell Alessio Romagnoli to AC Milan in a bid to raise the funds required to complete the move.

 

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Sherwood hails Delph loyalty after Manchester City snub

Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood hopes to build his side around captain Fabian Delph after the midfielder turned down a move to Manchester City.

Delph looked set to complete an £8 million (€11m) move to City following an impressive 2014-15 campaign which saw him help Villa survive in their relegation battle, as well as reach the FA Cup final.

On Saturday, however, Delph released a statement confirming his intention to remain at Villa Park, and while the midfielder is not currently with the squad on their pre-season trip to the Algarve due to family commitments, Sherwood was full of praise for his skipper.

"We are looking to build something here and we're looking to keep our best players," he told the club's official website.

"Fabian is certainly one of those. It's just an example of the measure of the guy really that he decided to stay - the loyalty he's shown to the fans, the football club and the chairman. And I'm delighted to have him here next season.

"He stayed away from this trip because his wife is due their second child any moment. That's why he was always going to stay back.

"He had an opportunity to join Man City and he weighed up his options and decided to stay with us, which we're obviously all delighted about.

"Fabian is a leader. I could go as much as to say that if Fabian wasn't with us last season we wouldn't be in the Premier League now.

"He's someone I had the ear of. He was very instrumental in what I wanted to do. He knew exactly what I wanted from the team and he drove them on.

"It can't always come from the manager - the instructions - sometimes someone on the pitch needs to translate that information and Fabian certainly did that."

 

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Laporta: Failed Pogba bid made Barcelona duo look like fools

Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta has launched another attack on the club's current leadership, claiming that the recent bid to sign Paul Pogba from Juventus left sporting director Ariedo Braida and director of sporting insitutional relations Albero Soler looking like "fools".

Laporta, who is seeking a second term as president in next week's election, has already claimed that the failed attempt to sign the France international was "ridiculous" and made the Blaugrana "look bad".

The former Blaugrana supremo has now had another dig at the ruling regime at Camp Nou, reiterating that he knew all along that the move for Pogba was doomed to fail."The key is [agent] Mino Raiola," Bartomeu told Catalunya Radio. "He is the one who will decide.

"They [Soler and Braida] preferred to go talk with Juventus but they didn't know what to do and were made fools of."Laporta has repeatedly stated his intention to sign Pogba but he added that he never said he would do so this summer.

"I would not say anything other than Pogba will not come to Barcelona this year."
Laporta also suggested that Barca would have a better chance of securing their primary transfer targets if he, and his running mate Eric Abidal, are victorious in the July 18 election.

 

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Valdes not open to Manchester United exit, says agent

Victor Valdes wants to remain at Manchester United as his agent dismissed suggestions the goalkeeper was interested in a move to Turkey.

Antalyaspor president Gultekin Gencer had claimed 33-year-old Valdes was close to a switch to the Turkish Super Lig club.

But Valdes' agent Gines Carvajal rubbished the link and said he had never spoken to Gencer.

"I’ve been contacted by a series of individuals from Turkey to negotiate a move for Victor," Carvajal told AS.

"But I haven't spoken with the president of the Turkish club in question. I don’t know him. I have no plans to talk with them again as my player has no interest in a move to Antalyaspor."

Valdes has another year left on his contract at United, and could get a chance to push for a starting spot with David de Gea expected to leave for Real Madrid.

And Carvajal reiterated that Valdes wants to remain at Old Trafford, with Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris among those linked to Louis van Gaal's men.

"His only wishes are to remain at Manchester United and he has another year left on his contract.

"We don’t see any reason for him to leave the club. United are amongst the top two or three best teams in the world.

"Victor is keen to fight for a place next season and wants to help the club as much as he can."

 

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Casillas' mother apologises for Porto slurs

Iker Casillas' mother has back down from her claims that her son deserved to play for a better club than Porto.

Both Mari Carmen Fernandez and her husband, Jose Luis, were adamant that the Spain skipper were badly treated by Real Madrid, to whom he bid a heartfelt goodbye this weekend.

His mother went as far as comparing the Dragao outfit to a third-tier side but they have now backed down from the remarks."I could have been wrong," she is quoted as saying by Marca.

"I want to thank Porto for signing my son. I hope they can work together to contribute to the club's success. I want to apologise 1,000 times. I hope my son can succeed as he did at Madrid."Iker was eight years old when he had his trials. He always gave everything to the club. He has always been respectful.

"I think the fans have been great with my son. I've lived out the matches on the pitch and I beemed as they cheered my son."

 

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Manchester United agree Schneiderlin deal

Manchester United have agreed a fee with Southampton for midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, Goal can confirm.

The Frenchman underwent a medical at Carrington on Sunday and the deal should be official announced imminently, when he will become the latest big-money arrival in Louis van Gaal's summer overhaul.

Goal revealed that the Red Devils were pushing for a deal in June and have now met Saints' asking price, with the club hopeful he will be included in their squad for the upcoming tour of the United States.

Arsenal and Tottenham have both shown an interest in the 25-year-old in the past 12 months, but it is United who have won the race for his signature.

Schneiderlin will become the Red Devils' fourth summer signing after they completed deals to bring in Memphis Depay and Matteo Darmian as well as agreeing a fee with Bayern Munich to add Bastian Schweinsteiger to their squad.

Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin will battle with the likes of Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera and Juan Mata as United look to improve on their fourth-place finish in the Premier League last season.

Schneiderlin played a key role in the Saints qualifying for the Europa League last term as he scored four goals from midfield in his 26 league appearances.

Southampton are reportedly keen to replace the outgoing midfielder with Jordy Clasie after Feyenoord revealed he would not be playing any pre-season matches due to "concrete interest" from another club.

 

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Welcome to Manchester United MorganThawath pattama sign 1kak!​

Morgan gatthata passe Defendersla & Attakersla gana hithuwoth thamai hoda

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'Gerson will join Barcelona,' says father

The father of Fluminense starlet Gerson has claimed that the midfielder will join Barcelona in the January transfer window.Barca have first option on the 18-year-old but Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Manchester City have nonetheless been tracking the Brazil Under-20 international.


However, the player's father has now ended all speculation about his son's future by insisting that he will move to Camp Nou once the Catalans' transfer ban is lifted."Gerson will be staying with Fluminense for now and then join Barcelona in January," his father told Mundo Deportivo.


"We appreciate the interest of other teams, because it is a sign that Gerson is doing well, but we have taken our decision."He wants to play for Barcelona. That has always been his dream."Barcelona are the perfect club for him to grow. Gerson is ready to challenge for a first-team spot, but he is in no rush.


"He still has plenty of room for improvement. He will be one of the best players in the world in two years' time."Gerson has been likened to Juventus star Paul Pogba due to his style of play, but he aims to model his game on Andres Iniesta.


"Everybody says that he has the same characteristics as Pogba, but I don't think he is as strong as the Frenchman," he added."But he has great positional sense and his technique is a bit like Iniesta, who is his idol."