..::Football III::..

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Arsenal transfer flop sold for a £6.4m PROFIT

It’s not often you make a profit on someone else’s outcasts - but that’s exactly what Roma have managed with Gervinho.

After just two seasons in the Premier League, Arsene Wenger had decided that the Ivory Coast international wasn’t going to cut the mustard at Arsenal and sold him for £8 million - a £2.8m loss - to Roma in August 2013.

Two seasons later, Gervinho has been on the move again as he’s sealed a switch to Hebei China Fortune - a team who only won promoted to the Chinese Super League last year.

But unlike Arsenal who decided to cut their losses, Roma managed to get €18 million for the 28-year-old, plus a potential €1 million bonus - all in all, the deal could total £14.4m.

 

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Bayern Munich still waiting to secure Coman future

Bayern Munich are yet to open talks over a permanent deal for loan star Kingsley Coman, despite the youngster’s sparkling form so far this season.

The 19-year-old moved to the Allianz Arena in August on a two-year loan from Juventus, having won both the Serie A and Coppa Italia in his brief stint with the Italian giants.

He has impressed hugely since moving to Germany, scoring three Bundesliga goals – only Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller have more for die Roten – and impressing in the continued absence of injured wingers Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben.

Bayern have the option to turn the loan into a permanent deal for a fee of around €21 million (£16m) and are extremely likely to do so, though are yet to discuss the possibility with Coman.

“Bayern have not spoken to us yet about what they are planning with Kingsley after 2017,” the teenager’s agent, Francois Gil, exclusively told Goal.

With Bayern eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table, Coman is closing in on a third different league title in as many countries, belying his tender years.
The former PSG and Juve man is keen for Bayern to make his deal permanent, and has expressed that desire publically already this season.

“I want to stay at Bayern for several years,” Coman told the Bundesliga’s official website earlier this month. “There’s a great environment here, I’m very happy.

“It just depends on me, if I keep my performance levels up then I’ll be able to stay in Munich for more than two years.”

Coman has made 12 Bundesliga appearances this season, scoring or assisting in four of those outings, while he also has four assists in the Champions League – the joint-most in the tournament.

 

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Van Gaal hits out at 'resignation' reports

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has hit out at media reports that he was set to leave Old Trafford, labelling the media "awful and horrible".

Several newspaper reports claimed Van Gaal had offered to resign from his position in the wake of United's 1-0 defeat to Southampton on Saturday.

But, as revealed by Goal on Tuesday, the 64-year-old had not offered his resignation.

"I think that I have not mentioned that ever," he said of an offer to quit the club. "You make your own stories and then I have to answer all your stories.

"I am not doing that because I think it is awful and horrible that you can write that and then I have to answer the questions on that story."

United travel to Derby County on Friday in the FA Cup fourth round, but Van Gaal said he remains worried about the attention drawn by the inaccurate reports in the build-up to the clash.

"I am very concerned that people are believing what you are writing, because I received a lot of calls and SMSs," he continued.

"It is this world that you can write what you want and you don't have to verify anything. This is the third time already that I have been sacked and I am still sitting here for you. I am here because I am obliged to do that.

"There are some people that I like because they put a question in a very respectful way, but a lot of it is also in a disrespectful way."

Van Gaal's future was cast into doubt after a run of only two league victories in two months which have seen United drop to fifth spot in the Premier League table, but he has says the backing of executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and the board is of some consolation.

"It’s fantastic of course, but also that gives you a lot of pressure, because when the board has such confidence in you, then the pressure is much higher than when they say it’s your last game or something like that.

"When your confidence is not so high, you can fight against it, but I always fight. I am always fighting. When you fight, you have a bigger motivation than when they support you."

The manager will be able to call upon Michael Carrick for the visit to Derby after the England midfielder's recovery from injury, but Van Gaal insisted he will not be able to play the full 90 minutes.

Elsewhere, Matteo Darmian will not be available due to the head injury he suffered against Southampton, while Phil Jones (foot) and Bastian Schweinsteiger (knee) are still absent.

"I cannot say [if they are close]," Van Gaal added of the latter pair. "Every time I make a remark about injuries it is always difficult because injuries have developments and you have to wait and see."

 

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'Victor Valdes wants to prove he's not dead'

Victor Valdes wants to prove to everyone that “he’s not dead”, according to Standard Liege coach Yannick Ferrera.

The 34-year-old has joined the Belgian club on loan until the end of the season after falling out of favour with Louis van Gaal at Manchester United.

Values has played just two competitive games since May 2014 but his new manager insists the goalkeeper is an “exceptional professional” and would already be fit enough to feature in a match.

“From what I’ve seen he’s very good to play now. You barely notice that he’s been out for a while," Ferrera told Marca .

“If tomorrow there was a match, he would [play]. He has been training at a high level these days and will provide the expertise we need in that position.

“I have found an exceptional professional. An hour before the session, he is preparing to train.

“He wants to prove he’s not dead. He has years of football. And, although I have not spoken to him, I don’t understand why he would not be able to go with the Spanish team to the European Championship. I do not know if he will have that goal, but I encourage him.”

 

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Van Gaal FINALLY shows the fight his Man Utd flops have been missing


It was the kind of battle and defiance that has been missing in Manchester United’s play for far too long. Faced with questions over his alleged ‘resignation’, Louis van Gaal left nobody in any doubt that he remains as committed and confident as ever.

His press conference ahead of the FA Cup fourth-round fixture against Derby on Friday night was always going to be a blockbuster event following reports, understood by Goal to have been wide of the mark, that he had offered to step down after Saturday's 1-0 defeat at home to Southampton.

And on Thursday afternoon, the Dutchman stood his ground and stuck out his chest, castigating those who had written the stories, and made it clear that the press are far from his favourite people.

“You make your own stories and then I have to answer all your stories. I am not doing that because I think it is awful and horrible that you can write that and then I have to answer the questions on that story,” Van Gaal told those assembled at Carrington.

“I am very concerned that people are believing what you are writing, because I received a lot of calls and SMSs. It is this world that you can write what you want and you don’t have to verify anything.

“This is the third time already that I have been sacked and I am still sitting here for you. I am here because I am obliged to do that.“There are some people that I like because they put a question in a very respectful way, but a lot of it is also in a disrespectful way.”

This was a man on the attack, somebody fighting for the sake of his club and his reputation.

This was not the response of a manager who had lost interest in the battle ahead, but one willing to dig in now that the going is proving tough. After being booed and jeered as he made his way to the tunnel at Old Trafford after Saturday's defeat to Southampton he could have gone into his shell, hiding away from the responsibility of winning back the fans. But that would not be Van Gaal's way.

He wanted to take his opportunity to set the record straight, and he did so with measured clarity. In terms of a vocal reply to United’s critics, it was about the best he could have mustered.

Now he needs his players to respond in a similar fashion. Just as Van Gaal came out with all guns blazing but without losing his head, the approach to Friday’s critical FA Cup tie needs to be made of the same fibre.

Much of that is obviously down to how Van Gaal prepares his squad, and the 64-year-old admitted the boardroom’s show of support at this time has been a source of comfort.

“It is fantastic of course, but also that gives you a lot of pressure, because when the board has such confidence in you, then the pressure is much higher than when they say it’s your last game or something like that.

“When your confidence is not so high, you can fight against it, but I always fight. I am always fighting. When you fight, you have a bigger motivation than when they support you.”

Fighting back is the first step from Van Gaal, but the wolves will remain by the door until United start picking up results and playing good football again.


If he can spark some life into his players with his own show of emotion on Thursday, then he might still have a chance of seeing the job through for the foreseeable future.

 

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Neymar: I would love to play for Guardiola


Barcelona star Neymar has admitted he would "love" to play for Pep Guardiola.

The Bayern Munich coach has revealed he will join a Premier League club at the end of the season, with Manchester City the favourites to secure his signature.

And Neymar says he would one day like to link up with the Catalan, who coached Barcelona before his arrival in 2013, as well as expressing an interest in eventually joining an MLS club.
When asked if there was one manager he would like to work with, Neymar told Red Bull's website: "Yes, there is one: Guardiola is a guy who I really admire and who I would love to work with.

"It is tough to say if I want to play in other countries. Nobody knows tomorrow, but I am very happy where I am right now at Barcelona.

"I have the will to go back to Brazil some day and I also would like to play in [the] USA - those two countries are two where I want to play later on in my career.
"[The USA] is a place where the game is growing and attracting the interest of lots of players, who are becoming more and more popular there.

"So this makes me curious, it makes me interested to see it closely."

 

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Manchester City star De Bruyne to miss 10 weeks with injury

Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has revealed that he will be out of action for over two months with the ankle and knee injuries sustained in the League Cup semi-final defeat of Everton on Wednesday.

De Bruyne landed awkwardly and had to be stretchered off the pitch in the closing stages of the dramatic game at the Etihad Stadium, in which City came from a goal down to beat the Toffees 3-1 to secure a 4-3 aggregate victory.

Following early scans on Thursday, it had been expected that De Bruyne would only miss six weeks but, after further examinations, the player himself confirmed via Twitter that it will be 10 weeks before he is back in action.

The Belgian had played a key part in City's League Cup turnaround, having come off the bench in the second half to score City's second and set up their third, but he left the Etihad on crutches and with heavy strapping on his right leg.

He had been in high spirits as he spoke to reporters on his way out of the ground and had initially said that he would be fit in time for the League Cup final against Liverpool on February 28.
But he is now unlikely to return until the start of April, meaning that he will not only miss the League Cup final but also City's Champions League last-16 second-leg tie against Dynamo Kiev and the Manchester derby in late March, among a host of other key fixtures.
But he is now unlikely to return until the start of April, meaning that he will not only miss the League Cup final but also City's Champions League last-16 second-leg tie against Dynamo Kiev and the Manchester derby in late March, among a host of other key fixtures.



His agent, Patrick De Koster, had earlier told Sky Sports: "I spoke with him half an hour ago and he is a little bit sad because he has got a tear in his ankle and also the ligament in his knee are touched. I think for sure he will need six weeks of rehabilitation.

"He is still going to do some more medicals today and at the end of the day, I think, at least tomorrow morning, we will have the time he needs to be 100 per cent again."

Sources had told Goal that the Belgian was relieved that the injury was not more serious and that he will be back for City's run-in, as well as remaining in contention for this summer's European Championship campaign with Belgium.

However, his injury also means that he is likely to miss the first international set of fixtures of the year, which are scheduled for the end of March.

 

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Van Gaal: I will NEVER quit Manchester United

Louis van Gaal says he will never quit the Manchester United job, dismissing claims he offered his resignation to executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward following the defeat against Southampton.

Reports had claimed the Dutchman tendered his resignation after the 1-0 loss on Saturday but Goal understands they were wide of the mark.

Van Gaal labelled the stories suggesting he had to be persuaded to stay as "awful and horrible" on Thursday and has further reiterated his desire to continue at Old Trafford.Asked about the claims he offered to walk away from the job, Van Gaal told reporters: "I have not mentioned that, ever. I am always fighting.

"I have signed a three-year contract here. It's a process, not one game, and I want to continue until the end. When I'm not willing to do that, I don't think I would have started here one-and-a-half years ago.

"When I have signed for clubs, I have always spoken a long time with the CEO or with the owners, not only at United, but also at Bayern Munich and Barcelona, and I have the faith that they always support me.

"But that gives more pressure to you, because you must fulfil the expectations they have of you. Of course we can fulfil those expectations. We are now only halfway."With United fifth in the Premier League and out of the Champions League and the League Cup, their FA Cup quest continues with a trip to Championship side Derby County in the fourth round on Friday.

And Van Gaal, claiming to have been sacked three times according to newspaper reports, added: "I cannot lose any more, because then I am condemned for the fourth time that I have been sacked.

"Then maybe you will have written the truth, because sometimes it happens."

 

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Firmino as good as Ozil & Iniesta, claims Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho has compared Roberto Firmino to Andres Iniesta and Mesut Ozil and believes Jurgen Klopp will build his Liverpool team around him.

Liverpool paid £28.7 million to sign Firmino from Hoffenheim in the summer and after a slow start to life in England, he has now started to repay the Reds's investment.

The 24-year-old, who was often been used as a centre forward this season, has found the net five times in the Premier League - with four of those coming in his last four games - and contributed five assists."I didn't ever question if he would be a great player for Liverpool, I knew that he would be," Ronaldinho told the Daily Mirror.

"He's one of the best at what he does in the world. He's in the same class as Ozil, [David] Silva, Iniesta, and all the other great players who play that role.

"He's the player that I'm sure Klopp will build his new Liverpool team around."Klopp is one of the best coaches in the world, he will know that Liverpool need better players, he will know that Firmino will need better players around him to get the most out of his game.

"I'm sure when he joined Liverpool, Klopp was promised he could bring in his own players, and with Firmino at the centre of the team, there's no reason Liverpool cannot challenge once again."

 

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Griezmann and Simeone staying for the 'long-term', warn Atletico

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo claims Antoine Griezmann is a "star" of world football and revealed the club have not received any approaches for the Frenchman. Griezmann has been in outstanding form for Atletico this season, with his 12 goals in La Liga helping the club mount a serious title challenge.

The 24-year-old has reportedly attracted interest from other top clubs, but Cerezo confirmed no-one has put in a bid for the forward. "Griezmann is a global football star," Cerezo told RMC . "Griezmann has a long-term contract, and no-one has spoken to us about a possible transfer.

"He is a world football star and he still has plenty of time with us. "And Atletico will allow him to go as high as possible."

Atletico coach Diego Simeone has also been linked with a move away from the Vicente Calderon, with Chelsea reportedly keen, but Cerezo insists the Argentine will be staying in Madrid.

"We have a coach who has a winning culture," he said. "Simeone has offered us come incredible years. "The mood of everyone is that Diego continues with us.

"He has a long-term contract, and for us he is very important."

 

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Arda Turan 'nervous' ahead of Aletico Madrid reunion

Barcelona forward Arda Turan is "nervous" about playing his former club Atletico Madrid and revealed the clash has been on his mind for a long time.

Turan was a €34 million signing by Barcelona in the off-season after spending four seasons with their La Liga rivals Atletico.

While Barcelona were unable to register him until January, Turan has already made two starts for the Catalans in the league and three in the Copa del Rey after making his debut on January 6. However, the Turkey international revealed he is feeling the nerves as he prepares to come up against his former team-mates for the first time.

"This game has been playing on my mind for a long time now," he told Barca TV. "Before the game and even after the game I will be nervous. "But I will concentrate, play and enjoy myself."

Barcelona are level on points with Atletico at the top of the La Liga table and Turan knows they will be a difficult opponent. "[Atletico] are always a difficult rival," the 28-year-old added. "It will be a special game though, a different one.

"Playing against them is always difficult, but we will try to win and go out and give everything we can to secure the three points."

 

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Xhaka going nowhere in January, insist Gladbach

Borussia Monchengladbach sporting director Max Eberl has ruled out a January exit for Granit Xhaka, who has been linked with both Arsenal and Liverpool.

Goal understands the 23-year-old is not currently a target for Jurgen Klopp, who has met recently with the player’s agent, although not to discuss a move for the midfielder.

Eberl has previously insisted there has been no contact from Arsenal and is adamant the Switzerland international will not leave the club in the immediate future.

"Granit Xhaka will not leave us during the winter break," he told Sport1. "Transfers in winter are extremely complicated I think.

"After all, no club wants to jeopardise their success, in the middle of the season.

"Normally we are not a club that has great winter activities, because we always plan the squad for a season.

"Our motto is for the coach to make the squad relatively early to enable it to work from day one with the players."

However, Eberl did hint that the club could be tempted to sell their prized asset in the summer, with the player having previously admitted it would be a "childhood dream" to play in the Premier League.

"In summer, every club readjusts and has more opportunities to elicit players somewhere," he explained

"We now have a second round, and which is considered to play it. And not if you get in the summer for a player 40, 50 or 60 million."

 

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Coentrao keen to stay at Monaco

Real Madrid defender Fabio Coentrao says he wants to stay at Monaco and help them challenge for silverware.

The left-back joined the Ligue 1 outfit on a one-year loan deal ahead of the 2015-16 campaign and has become an important part of the first team after overcoming a hamstring problem.The 27-year-old has made 11 league appearances for Monaco this season and is determined to prove his worth in the second half of the season.

"I came here to help Monaco achieve their goals and clinch second place in the table," Coentrao said at a news conference.

"I am very happy at Monaco and I am sure the club will be among the title candidates in the years to come. So I cannot see any reasons why I would not want to stay here.

"I played very little last season, so I knew I would struggle a bit early on. But I am getting better and better physically and I want to show my true face in the next four months."

Coentrao, whose contract with Madrid runs until June 2019, will be working under Zinedine Zidane if he were to return to the Santiago Bernabeu and he feels the Frenchman is the right man for the job after succeeding Rafael Benitez."Zidane really knows the club," he added. "He's the coach Real Madrid needed."

 

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Liverpool told to pay £50 million for Alex Teixeira

Shakhtar Donetsk CEO Sergei Palkin has told Liverpool that they must pay Alex Teixeira's £50 million (€70m) buyout clause if they wish to sign the Brazilian in the January transfer window.

Although the player has admitted he would love to move to Anfield immediately, the Reds have had their initial bid of £24m turned down, with Shakhtar preferring to hold on to the striker as they intend to go as far as possible in the Europa League.

"They offered €32 million (£24m) with a €4m (£3m) bonus," Palkin told TV channel Football 1. "We obviously refused to accept it.

"Our position is that we do not want to sell Teixeira today. We will sell only at the end of the season - we need to show serious results in Europa League and Ukrainian Championship.

"At the end of the season we will sit down at the negotiating table.

"His buyout clause is €70m. [Liverpool] can pay it now if they want. We don’t mind."

 

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Wenger explains why Arsenal will not be signing Hernandez

Arsene Wenger has ruled out a move for Javier Hernandez because he believes he has plenty of attacking options at Arsenal.

The Mexico international, who has scored 20 goals in 29 games for club and country this season, has been linked with a Premier League return, with both Arsenal and Liverpool reportedly frontrunners.

But Wenger insists he has enough “quality” in attack without the need to sign the former Manchester United striker.

“No. We have Danny Welbeck coming back now and Alexis Sanchez is back,” said the Arsenal boss.

“We have Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott, so you would not understand again why I don’t play Giroud and I play Hernandez. We have the quality and the number of players that we need.”

 

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Neymar must follow Messi example, not Ronaldinho - Edmilson


Neymar should take inspiration from Lionel Messi and not follow in the footsteps of Ronaldinho, according to former Brazil international Edmilson.

While Messi has shown to be a model professional throughout his career as Barcelona's key man, Ronaldinho's illustrious career has latterly been hindered by his love of the nightlife, which led to his release from the Catalan side.

Edmilson believes five-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is the perfect leader for Neymar, urging him to follow his example instead of that of his compatriot Ronaldinho.

"Ronaldinho followed an erratic path, perhaps he had no one to advise him off the field," the retired defender told Caneda Ser .

"I hope Neymar follows the path of Messi, in the sense that he should grow every year and be the best for 10 years.

"To reach the level of Ronaldinho, he has to enhance his decisiveness in big games. Neymar is a lot like Ronaldinho - he's very cheerful and always happy."
Edmilson also dismissed the idea of Neymar joining Real Madrid when his deal expires at Camp Nou.

"Neymar has won five titles and that marks you at the club for the rest of his life. His dream was Barcelona, he chose it over offers from other teams, he would not leave the club for Madrid."I have no doubt, I know Ney and his father, they do not see him going to Madrid. It would break the story he is writing here.

"Neymar is still young but is excited about being the number one, and Brazilians are proud to have Neymar playing at this level. I am very pleased."

 

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Former Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic retires

Former Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic has announced his retirement after being released by Inter.

The Serbian centre-back, who started his career at Red Star Belgrade, spent eight years at Old Trafford, winning five Premier League titles, 3 League Cups and the Champions League under Sir Alex Ferguson, but departed for the Italian club in 2014.

Vidic made only 28 appearances for the Serie A side, however, and failed to make a single appearance in 2015-16, with hernia and back injuries leading to his contract being rescinded last week.

The former United captain has now issued a statement confirming his retirement, calling time on a professional career that has spanned 16 years.

In a statement released via the United website, Vidic said: "The time has come for me to hang up my boots. The injuries I have had in the last few years have taken their toll.

"I would like to thank all the players I have played with, all the managers and staff I have worked with, and say a big 'thank you' to the fans for their support over the years."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Great defender!

Vidic Inter join wechcha 1ka aparade

Anyway good luck for the future Vidic!

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Derby County Vs Manchester United

Derby County Starting Line-up

Scott Carson
Cyrus Christie
Richard Keogh
Jason Shackell
Stephen Warnock
Bradley Johnson
Jacob Butterfield
Nick Blackman
Thomas Ince
George Thorne
Chris Martin

&

Manchester United Starting Line-up

David De Gea
Chris Smalling
Daley Blind
Gullermo Varela
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson
Juan Mata
Anthony Martial
Marouane Fellaini
Morgan Schneiderlin
Jesse Lingard
Wayne Rooney
​

 

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Good Luck Manchester United!
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