..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger 'was always staying', says Arsenal director

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger "was always staying", according to club director Philip Harris.

The Frenchman's current contract expires this summer, with a lack of news on a renewal prompting concerns that his 18-year reign would be coming to an end.

But, having ended a nine-year trophy drought with FA Cup glory on Saturday, Wenger is set to finally put pen to paper on a new three-season deal.

"He was always staying," Harris told the London Evening Standard.

"There was never any doubt. He gave us his word back in the autumn, just after the season started.

"It was just a case of sorting it out. It was the press making all the problems."

Should Wenger sign a new deal, Harris has backed the 64-year-old to stay on beyond that period in the event of more success following their cup triumph.

"If he wins the league and the cup and the Champions League in the next three years then I'm sure he will stay [longer]," he remarked.

"Three years is a long time in football so let's see what happens. It's very hard to follow someone like [Sir Alex] Ferguson [who left Manchester United in May 2013 following 26-and-a-half years at Old Trafford] and I'm sure it will be very hard to follow Arsene."

 

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Rooney may be past his peak, suggests Manchester United legend Scholes

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes is concerned Wayne Rooney may be past his peak after playing too many games since his meteoric rise to prominence as a teenager.

The 28-year-old made his Premier League debut at the age of 16 before moving to Old Trafford as an 18-year-old, but has come increasingly under the microscope ahead of the World Cup.

With a huge burden of expectation on his shoulders for both club and country, along with the sheer quantity of matches that he has played, Scholes is worried Rooney may have reached his best earlier than expected.

"Wayne was in the Everton team at 16 years of age, in 2003," the former United midfielder wrote in a blog for Paddy Power. "Since then he's played at Euro 2004, two World Cups, Premier League and Champions League every year at United.

"There's a chance he's worn out.

"Wayne's peak may have been a lot younger than what we'd expect of footballers traditionally. Age 28 or 29 has been the normal 'peak'. With Wayne, it could have been when he scored 27 league goals in 2011-2012 when he was 26.

"Wayne might be a player who'd retire come 31 or 32, given the amount of football he's played."

Scholes also suggested Rooney would only cement his place as a world-class player if he performed at a World Cup finals. The Red Devils star has yet to score in the tournament despite playing in two and his former team-mate says that it is time for him to shine on the world stage.

"If Wayne is going to be one of the best footballers in the world, this World Cup is where he has to produce," Scholes added. "His best attributes are his energy, desire, a will to win which is unbelievable but, above all, his goals.

"He needs to use his energy more effectively now as he's a player who likes to be up front on his own and I don't think he's great with partnerships.

"I'm not saying Wayne needs to be dropped but, if form doesn't get up to scratch in the warm-ups, or in the first game of the World Cup, it'll be interesting to see if the England management team has the balls to make that decision."

 

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Uruguay optimistic over Suarez after successful surgery

The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) are hopeful Luis Suarez will be ready for the World Cup after he underwent a successful knee operation on Thursday.

The Liverpool striker complained of discomfort in his knee during a training session on Wednesday, with a scan revealing he had suffered a partial lateral mensicus injury.

A statement from the Uruguay FA said: "Luis Suarez suffered severe pain in his left knee during a warm-up with the ball on Wednesday.

"A scan confirmed a partial lateral meniscus injury. In the morning he underwent an arthroscopic partial resection of the meniscus. No other elements were noted in the lesion on his knee.

"He is not ruled out of the World Cup.

"As background information, Suarez suffered a blunt trauma to his left knee in the final Premier League game of the season against Newcastle on May 11 and complained of pain after the game."

England and Italy make up Group D, with Roy Hodgson's men set to face Uruguay on June 19.

 

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Leverkusen confirm Liverpool interest in Emre Can

Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller has confirmed that Liverpool are interested in securing the services of Emre Can.

The young midfielder has spent just one season at the BayArena after moving from Bayern Munich last summer in search of first-team football.

His performances have caught the eye of the Premier League runners-up and Voller has confirmed that there is a clause in his contract.

"We know of their interest, but there is nothing official," he told Bild.

"Of course Emre has a clause in his contract now. We're still waiting for a decision. [A €12 million return on a €5.5m] investment would be lucrative business.

"But that is not the sticking point. We are of the opinion that Emre would do well with another year with us. Roger Schmidt has already spoken to him, he is really into the player.

"I am convinced that Can would be even better with Roger."

Bayern have a buy-back clause with Emre and Voller says the Bavarians want the player to spend another year in the Bundesliga before returning.

"Of course I spoke with Karl-Heinz Rummenigge on the subject. Bayern think that another season at Leverkusen would be right for Emre."

 

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Hernandez expects a decision on Manchester United future

Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez admits he is unsure whether or not he will still be at Old Trafford next season.

The Mexico international has been United's fourth-choice centre forward behind Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck and started only 13 games in 2013-14.

Clubs in Spain have been linked with a move for his services but Hernandez says he is focusing his attention on the World Cup while his agents consider his options.

The striker told reporters: "My future could be decided tomorrow, a little after, inside three months. [I could] stay there [in Manchester], I don't honestly know.

"My people are working it out. I'm here [with the national team] trying to be 100 per cent focused."

Hernandez's international coach, Miguel Herrera, is of the opinion that his star forward needs more game time and would prefer for him to seek a move away from Old Trafford.

"In the case of 'Chicharito', I believe it'd be in his interest to leave so he is taken into consideration to play," he declared.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Tottenham ready to cut losses with Soldado

Tottenham are prepared to listen offers for Roberto Soldado this summer, Goal understands.

The Spaniard has been deemed surplus to requirements at White Hart Lane and the Londoners are prepared to sell him if they can find a buyer willing to match their valuation and his current €100,00-a-week salary.

Spurs instead intend to keep Emmanuel Adebayor, around whom they will build their attack regardless of the identity of their new manager, with Southampton's Mauricio Pochettino the favourite to succeed Tim Sherwood.

Chairman Daniel Levy is keen to recoup most of the €36 million fee spent on acquiring Soldado from Valencia last summer, which is unlikely given his return of just six Premier League goals and the fact he turns 29 next week.

Adebayor, 30, is at the same end of the experience scale but his form in the second half of the season is enough to grant him another year at White Hart Lane.

The Togo international flourished under Sherwood, scoring 11 league goals in 21 games, after being frozen out by Andre Villas-Boas and is believed to have verbally committed to another campaign at the club.

Adebayor has two years remaining on the contract he signed in 2012 after initially joining Spurs from Manchester City a year earlier on a season-long loan.

He faces a salary cut next season, as City will no longer be paying a hefty portion of his wages, which was part of the complex deal agreed to smooth his exit from Etihad Stadium.

City have been supplementing Adebayor's basic €120,000-a-week Spurs salary for the past two years with payments of around €50,000-a-week after the striker threatened to stay in Manchester and sit out the final 24 months of his contract unless they did so.

The extent of Tottenham's summer striker plans could now depend upon whether they can offload Soldado and free up both a space in the squad and on the wage bill.

Levy and director of football Franco Baldini are keen to recruit a marquee forward, with Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku among those on their target list.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wilshere No.7 & Welbeck No.11 as Hodgson confirms World Cup squad numbers

England boss Roy Hodgson has revealed his side's squad numbers for the World Cup in Brazil.

There are few surprises among a roster that could hint at how the Three Lions might line up in Manaus when they take on Italy in their opening match of the competition.

Joe Hart claims the No.1 jersey, while skipper Steven Gerrard will don No.4 after Frank Lampard took the No.8 shirt, which the Liverpool captain usually wears for the Reds.

Glen Johnson, Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka all claim the primary defensive numbers, suggesting that they could be the back line for which Hodgson opts in Brazil.

Jack Wilshere, meanwhile, has been handed the No.7 jersey, while strikers Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck will wear the No.10, No.9 and No.11 shirts, respectively.

England squad numbers in full:

1. Joe Hart
2. Glen Johnson
3. Leighton Baines
4. Steven Gerrard
5. Gary Cahill
6. Phil Jagielka
7. Jack Wilshere
8. Frank Lampard
9. Daniel Sturridge
10. Wayne Rooney
11. Daniel Welbeck
12. Chris Smalling
13. Ben Foster
14. Jordan Henderson
15. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
16. Phil Jones
17. James Milner
18. Rickie Lambert
19. Raheem Sterling
20. Adam Lallana
21. Ross Barkley
22. Fraser Forster
23. Luke Shaw

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Toni Kroos no longer a target for United

Manchester United are no longer trying to sign Toni Kroos after new manager Louis van Gaal decided to pursue other targets, a club source has told ESPN FC.

The Germany international midfielder was wanted at Old Trafford by former manager David Moyes, who scouted him extensively.But Van Gaal, who managed Kroos during his reign in charge of Bayern Munich, will not bid for the 24-year-old.

The 62-year-old Dutchman inherited a list of targets from Moyes, who revamped United's scouting system and compiled short and long lists of players to try and sign this summer.Moyes, who said United needed a "fundamental rebuilding" of the squad this summer, was eager to strengthen in the centre of midfield and Van Gaal is also expected to sign in that department.

Kroos, whose passing game has made him a key member of Bayern's team, was identified as a potential target because his current contract with Die Roten will expire in 2015.Bayern manager Pep Guardiola has suggested he is keen to keep Kroos and the club are eager to offer him an extended deal.

But the Bundesliga champions have also warned Kroos that they will not be held to ransom, with president Karl Hopfner telling kicker: "We will not overstep certain financial limits."Kroos responded to Hopfner's quotes later on Thursday, telling Bild he had expected the club to make such comments.

"I have to accept and respect it," he said. "But, honestly, I had expected nothing else when I turned down the club's offer earlier this year."Officials with the German national team have stated that they do not want Kroos' contract situation to interfere with his World Cup preparations.

Van Gaal has also been linked with Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman, a player he knows from his time managing Holland, and Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas, who was wanted by Moyes last summer.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Kroos ge interest 1ka iuwarailu?

anemanda meka atthakda boruwakda kiyalaKalin kiyala thibbe deal 1ka close kiyala...dan kiyanawa interest 1kak naha kiyala

Anyway Kroos wa gatthe nathnam loku paduwak...aparde pattama player kenek​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Moyes investigated over alleged assault

ormer Manchester United manager David Moyes is being investigated by police over an alleged assault at a bar in Lancashire.

Moyes is understood to have been involved in an altercation at the Emporium wine bar in Clitheroe on Wednesday evening.

Police said a 51-year-old man was under investigation regarding the incident, but have not confirmed it to be Moyes.

Lancashire police said in a statement: “Police are investigating a report of an assault at the Emporium wine bar in Clitheroe.

“Officers attended the bar at about 10pm on Wednesday and it was reported that a 23-year-old local man had been assaulted by a 51-year-old man. He did not require hospital treatment.

“Inquiries are ongoing and we are speaking to a number of people to try to establish the circumstances.

“There are a number of differing accounts, which we need to work through to try to establish exactly what has happened. No one has been arrested at this stage.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Marc-Andre ter Stegen is Unveiled by Barcelona at the Nou Camp

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations & Good Luck Ter Stegen!

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Tottenham to rival Manchester United and Liverpool for Song signature

Tottenham have joined Manchester United and Liverpool in the race to sign Barcelona midfielder Alex Song.

Spurs and big-spending Ligue 1 side Monaco have both indicated they are ready to rival the Old Trafford club and Brendan Rodgers' side for the former Arsenal star.

Goal learned last month that United had made a shock move for the Cameroon international, while there is also strong interest in the player from Anfield boss Rodgers.

The departure of David Moyes from Old Trafford has not ended United's pursuit, with new boss Louis van Gaal aware of the need to significantly reinforce his central midfield.

United have been dealt a significant blow in their pursuit of Toni Kroos, with the Bayern Munich midfielder ruling out a move to Old Trafford.

"The club [Bayern] was very clear and told me that a transfer in 2014 would not be possible," Kroos told Bild. "There have been many speculations, but Manchester United was never an issue and is no issue right now."

But United admire Song's ability to anchor the midfield as well as fill in at centre-back, and are also targeting Barca's Cesc Fabregas and Sporting Lisbon star William Carvalho.

Liverpool and Spurs are both in the market for a proven Premier League midfielder, with the Londoners expecting a bid from Chelsea for Brazil international Paulinho. Atletico Madrid and AC Milan are also monitoring Song's availability.

The 26-year-old appeared in 31 of Barcelona's 59 matches in all competitions this season but struggled to cement a regular first-team spot. He is now prepared to call time on his spell at Barca even though he has three years remaining on his contract.

The Spanish giants are willing to cash in on the Cameroonian although his fee is expected to be just under €10 million, little more than half of the €18.5m they paid Arsenal for him in the summer of 2012.

Song joined Arsenal from French club Bastia as an 18-year-old and spent seven years at the Emirates Stadium, where he established himself as a key component of Arsene Wenger's midfield before following in the footsteps of Fabregas by moving to Barcelona.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

David Luiz close to sensational €49 PSG move

David Luiz is on the brink of sealing a sensational €49 million move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Chelsea are in advanced talks to sell the defender to the French big spenders and the deal is expected to be finalised before the World Cup.

PSG have swooped for the Brazil international to fend off interest in Luiz from Barcelona, who are now likely to turn their attention to his international colleague Marquinhos. The 20-year-old, who only joined from Roma last summer, is likely to leave Paris as a result of Luiz's imminent arrival.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has given the green light to the departure of Luiz, who was forced down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge following the arrival of the Portuguese, who preferred the John Terry-Gary Cahill partnership at the back.

A fee of approximately €49m has been agreed with the French champions, and Luiz, 27, is preparing to interrupt his World Cup preparations to fly to Paris to finalise terms and undertake a medical.

The deal represents a huge flexing of PSG's financial muscle, with the fee a world record for a defender, eclipsing the €43m the club paid AC Milan for Thiago Silva two years ago.

It is the third significant profit Chelsea have made on a player this year who has not been a first-team regular under Mourinho.

Juan Mata joined Manchester United for £37.1m in January, shortly after Kevin De Bruyne moved to Wolfsburg for €18.5m.

With Luiz also handing Chelsea a transfer profit of around €18.5m, the Londoners are well placed to fall in line with Uefa's Financial Fair Play regulations.

Money has also been freed up for Mourinho to purchase his primary targets, including striker Diego Costa.

A €43m deal for the Atletico Madrid star has already been agreed and is expected to be finalised shortly after the Spanish club's participation in Saturday's Champions League final.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Atletico need to fight to the death, says Koke

Koke has called for Atletico Madrid to "fight to the death" when they face city rivals Real Madrid in Saturday's Champions League final in Lisbon.

Atletico claimed a first La Liga title since 1996 with a 1-1 draw at Barcelona last Saturday and have the chance to make it a memorable double with victory at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon this weekend.

However, Atletico will face a Real Madrid side motivated by the prospect of winning Europe's premier club competition for a 10th time and Koke believes Diego Simeone will be the underdogs."We have to be super-concentrated to beat Real Madrid," Koke told AS. "They have one of the best squads in the world and it will be very, very, very difficult to play against them.

"We were able to win at the Bernabeu and draw at the Calderon in La Liga this season, but they eliminated us from the Copa del Rey. It will be a very tight match where we will have to fight as if it were the last game of our lives."They are the favourites with such a large staff and all that money, but we will play with our humility, our heart and our will.

"They have one of the best attacks that there is. The entire team will have to defend to death."Koke has been linked with moves to Barcelona and Manchester United, but the 22-year-old insists he has no desire to leave his boyhood club.

He added: "I am very happy here in my home and there is nothing more to say."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Kagawa not using World Cup to impress Van Gaal

Shinji Kagawa is determined not to let the appointment of Louis van Gaal as Manchester United manager affect his performances for Japan at the World Cup.

Kagawa only started 14 Premier League games under David Moyes last season and made four appearances off the bench.

But rather than use the World Cup as a platform to impress Van Gaal, the playmaker is keen to focus solely on Japan.

"I think everyone knows I want to do well at the World Cup, and I'm sure everyone else does, too," he said, according to the Kyodo news agency.

"But I don't want to get my priorities mixed up here - the important thing is for Japan to win at the World Cup. I'm not using the World Cup as a place to showcase myself for [Van Gaal]."

Van Gaal was officially named Old Trafford boss on May 19, but Kagawa said the announcement was no surprise to the United players.

He added: "We've known for some time it was going to be him. We've got the World Cup first so I'll deal with all that after this is over."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ribery: Bayern still won four trophies

Franck Ribery has dismissed suggestions the 2013-14 campaign has been a disappointment for Bayern Munich following their Champions League semi-final exit at the hands of Real Madrid.

The Allianz Arena side had set their sights on back-to-back trebles after a historic 2012-13 season, but saw their European ambitions come to an abrupt halt following the 5-0 aggregate loss against Madrid.

Nevertheless, Ribery has insisted Bayern's season should still be considered a success given that they still managed to win four trophies.

"At the end of the day, it was a really good season. We won the Bundesliga title - and earlier than any other team at that," Ribery told the official Bundesliga website.

"Then, after a convincing performance against Borussia Dortmund - our fiercest rivals in Germany - we lifted the DFB Cup.

"Let's not forget, we also beat Chelsea to win the Super Cup and we won the FIFA Club World Cup. That's four titles. In that sense, I'm really pleased with the season.

"We racked up some unbelievable results, stretched our unbeaten run to 53 matches and were unbeaten for the first 28 games of the season. We played attractive football, too."

Ribery will be looking to add to his trophy cabinet when Bayern meet Borussia Dortmund for the German Supercup next season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Blanc hints at PSG move for Hazard

Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc has hinted he could make a move for Chelsea winger Eden Hazard.

The Parc des Princes side were hit with a fine of €60million earlier this month after breaching Uefa's Financial Fair Play rules and PSG have agreed to significantly limit their spending for the next two campaigns.However, Blanc is still confident the capital club will be able to improve their squad and has praised the individual qualities of Hazard as he draws up a list of summer targets.

"Hazard is the kind of player who can be decisive," Blanc told Le Parisien.
"You can talk about all kinds of things; tactics, strength of the team, individual class, but a player who is capable of beating three or four players is something else. You never know what to expect from him.

"Unfortunately for us, next year we'll be watched by Uefa. We will not be able to do what we want, but I think we will be able to improve the team anyway. We'll be working within UEFA's new constraints and want between two and four recruits."We already have a very good team in my opinion, so it does not take a lot of players. I think we'll get to do what we want to improve the team."

Blanc also confirmed that winger Jeremy Menez will leave the club and also hinted that defender Alex - whose contract expires at the end of next month - may depart as well."Menez will leave," Blanc added.

"With Alex the matter is more complex, but we think he may leave. Perhaps there will be movement with players under contract. We will try to anticipate their intentions."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Deco: Luis Enrique similar to Guardiola

Former Barcelona midfielder Deco is confident new coach Luis Enrique can rejuvenate the club after comparing him with former boss Pep Guardiola.

Barca lost the league title on the final day of the season following a draw at home to Atletico Madrid having been eliminated from the Champions League by Diego Simeone's side and lost the Copa del Rey final to Real Madrid.

Gerardo Martino consequently stepped down as the Catalans' head coach, thus making way for Luis Enrique, and Deco is confident the former Celta de Vigo boss can get Barcelona back to their best."Luis Enrique is a young coach who knows Barcelona very well. Hopefully he can get us back to the level we are used to," Deco was quoted as saying by Marca.

"They are different moments, because there were lots of changes with Pep. But with Luis Enrique, I'm seeing something similar to when Guardiola arrived."However, we'll have to wait and see if he has that ability to do the same thing and believe in the players so they can get back on top of their game.

"Barca have had a poor season because they haven't won anything, but you can't write off a side which has astounded the world of football with their play and their titles."

Deco wore the Barcelona jersey between 2004 and 2008, winning two Liga titles and the Champions League during his time at the club.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Silva: No reason for Toure discontent

Manchester City midfielder David Silva claims Yaya Toure's apparent discontent at the club comes as a surprise.

Silva, who is enjoying a break before joining Spain's World Cup squad, insists his club-mate has never shown any previous signs of discontent at the club, despite Toure's agent Dimitri Seluk claiming the Ivorian was upset the club failed to properly acknowledge his 31st birthday.

Seluk has gone on to reveal that the Cote d'Ivoire international wants an off-field role guaranteed for him at City when he retires.

But Silva says the whole saga has shocked him, given his relationship with his midfield partner.

"I've been playing with the guy (Toure) for years and I've always thought he was okay," Silva said.

"So I don't understand why anyone would necessarily think he was unhappy - he's always seemed fine to me."

Silva added he was also going nowhere, as he eyes European honours for the Manchester club.

"At the moment, I'm very happy and don't see any changes ahead," Silva said.

"You never get tired of winning, and at the moment I'm winning with City, so I don't have any ideas of making a change.

"I've always said I'm very happy at City. With football you can never predict what's going to happen. But at the moment I'm happy and happy to stay there.

"The manager has created a good atmosphere and brought a better energy to the pace, and the result of that is we won two trophies last season."