..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Tottenham closing in on Ben Davies signing

Tottenham are on the verge of signing Ben Davies from Swansea City after the defender joined their pre-season tour of the United States to undergo a medical.

Davies flew to Seattle on Saturday ahead of the €12.5 million transfer, with Gylfi Sigurdsson expected to move in the opposite direction.

Tottenham have fought off competition from Liverpool to sign the 21-year-old as they look to solve their problem left-back position.

The Welshman was expected to choose to join Liverpool for the opportunity to play Champions League football and re-unite with former Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers.

But Tottenham have worked hard over the last 48 hours to conclude the deal, convincing Davies to join the club with the promise of a regular starting place.

The deal was also smoothed by the fact that Spurs and Swansea are both on pre-season tours in the United States and have been in extensive talks, while there is a strong relationship between Tottenham executives and Davies's representatives.

Davies will become the first signing for the Londoners under new manager Pochettino, who oversaw a 3-3 draw with MLS side Seattle Sounders on Saturday.

Swansea are hoping to sign midfielder Sigurdsson in a €10m deal to improve their attacking options ahead of the new season.

Crystal Palace are also trying to sign Sigurdsson but the 24-year-old has indicated that he wants to take his time and assess his options.

Sigurdsson spent the second half of the 2011-12 season on loan at the Liberty Stadium, scoring seven goals in 18 Premier League appearances for the Welsh club.

 

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'Mourinho did not divide Real Madrid'

Former Real Madrid assistant Aitor Karanka has insisted that Jose Mourinho did not divide the team towards the end of his spell in Spain.

The Portuguese spent three years with the Blancos before leaving for Chelsea last summer and, though parts of his time in charge were victorious, rumours were rife towards the end of his time in La Liga that the dressing room was split.

His treatment of Iker Casillas was reported to have gone done poorly among some members of the Madrid squad, exacerbated when he refused to drop Diego Lopez after the club captain returned from injury.

Karanka, who was Mourinho's deputy at the Santiago Bernabeu, played down suggestions that Mourinho dividing his dressing room and insisted the decision to ditch Casillas was thought long and hard about.

"No, I don't think Mourinho divided Madrid," he told Marca. "What he did was try to do the best thing at any given time.

"Everyone talks, for example, about the thing with Iker Casillas. Dropping him wasn't a decision that was taken overnight. We took our time and decided that it was the best thing for the team at that moment.

"I felt mistreated by the press during my time at Madrid. I'd been a footballer for 15 years and I'd been criticised, I'd been praised... However, a lot of the time with Madrid they weren't criticisms, but a lack of respect."

When asked if he felt betrayed by some members of the Madrid squad for the way they turned on Mourinho and him, Karanka stressed that the backlash from players was much smaller than many people have assumed.

"I've been a player and you often realise that you have a longer contract than the manager, that you're going to stay, and you can change your mind," he continued. "But there were also a lot less players than people might think who kicked off.

"You can see it whenever Mourinho plays against a player who we had at Real Madrid. Some people talked about Ozil being against him but, when Ozil played against him, he gave him his shirt.

"The majority of players speak well of Jose in interviews. Some claimed it was almost as if we couldn't go into the dressing room. Another of the many lies."

Karanka left the Spanish capital club at the same time as Mourinho and currently manages English second division club Middlesbrough.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

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Kramer tempted by Napoli interest

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Christoph Kramer has admitted he is tempted by a summer move to Napoli.

Rafa Benitez has registered his interest in securing the services of the 23-year-old, who featured in the World Cup final as Germany lifted the trophy in Brazil.

He told Bild: "There is contact with Napoli. The offer is interesting, especially because Rafa Benitez is the manager and he is a great coach.

"At the moment I cannot say anything else. I could go back to Borussia - there are many possibilities.

Kramer spent last season on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach, with his impressive displays seeing him emerge as one of the Bundesliga's top young talents.

He covered more ground than any other player in the division and capitalised on injuries to Ilkay Gundogan and Lars Bender to secure a place in Germany's World Cup squad.

His current deal with Leverkusen runs until June 2015 and therefore he could be available for as little as €10 million.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool agree Lovren deal

Liverpool are set to announce the signing of Dejan Lovren after agreeing a deal with Southampton to sign the centre-back.

The Anfield club have sealed a move for the Croatia international after making a breakthrough in negotiations with the south coast outfit.

Lovren is believed to have turned down interest from both Arsenal and Tottenham to complete a move to Merseyside.

The defender had been furious with Southampton earlier in July for rejecting a bid he claimed to be worth £20 million from Liverpool.

"Liverpool sent the offer and the club haven't informed me," he told Sportske Novosti. "Not even about the subsequent Liverpool bids. That wasn't right.

"I found out about the bid from other people which disappointed me and I realised I've got no business staying at Southampton.

"Liverpool sent a £20m offer and [Southampton] paid £9m for me so they would've earned twice the amount.

"At this point, I don't know what I'll do and I don't like it. It was unbelievable that a few days ago I had an offer of £20m. It was in the morning and by the afternoon the club had said I was not for sale. Frankly, my head is already at Liverpool."

Liverpool could now announce the signing early next week, making Lovren Brendan Rodgers' fifth summer signing after Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Emre Can and Lazar Markovic.

Loic Remy is also expected to complete a move to Anfield next week in an £8m deal.

 

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Zuniga still receiving death threats over Neymar injury

Colombia star Camilo Zuniga has received death threats in the aftermath of the World Cup following his tournament-ending challenge on Neymar.

The defender sent the Brazil talisman crashing to the ground in agony in the 2-1 quarter-final defeat to the host nation, which saw the 22-year-old suffer a fractured vertebra.

Though there appeared to be no malice in the challenge, the Napoli man has since had to employ bodyguards, having been threatened via phone and email since the tournament.

The player's father has revealed the continued threat posed to his son and hopes in time supporters will move on from the episode.

He told Lancenet: "We heard nasty comments and threats by phone and email. They are crazy and rude messages.

"As a parent I am worried, but not only for him, but his wife and daughter, I hope that the dust will settle and we can all move on.

"Neymar has acquitted him of responsibility - my boy was not at fault. He is not violent and has no past history of nasty moves. What happened to Neymar happens to all players, injuries are part of football."

Brazil advanced to the semi-finals of the competition at Colombia's expense but were humiliated 7-1 by Germany with their star man watching from the stands.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ausilio reveals Inter transfer plans

Inter technical director Piero Ausilio has revealed the club are targeting a midfielder and striker as they continue to strengthen ahead of the new season.

Nemanja Vidic, Dodo and Yann M'Vila have already arrived at San Siro this summer, while Udinese revealed on Wednesday that Inter are battling it out with Juventus for the signing of winger Roberto Pereyra.

And further signings are set to follow after the club's technical director discussed their ongoing recruitment drive following the friendly victory over Prato on Sunday.

Ausilio said: "We're still looking to bring someone in in midfield and up top. But we have a big squad, so we will need to trim down on numbers as well."

A solitary strike from Ibrahima Mbaye handed Inter a 1-0 win on Sunday, with Inter set to face Real Madrid in America in their next pre-season friendly.

 

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'Watch this space' - Woodward pledges more Manchester United signings

Ed Woodward has told Manchester United fans to expect more signings this summer as new boss Louis van Gaal aims to bolster his squad ahead of the new season.

Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera have both already arrived at Old Trafford for a combined fee of €71 million, while Juventus star Arturo Vidal and Everton midfielder James McCarthy are also targets.

And Woodward - who drew criticism for United's pursuit of key transfer targets last summer - is confident he will have more new faces to present to the fans in the coming weeks.

"We’ve been working with Louis over several weeks with regards to targets and we’re continuing to move forward on some of those targets," Woodward told MUTV.

"We are still a huge attraction to top football stars around the world – there is no doubt about that. I hope [fans] will see the direction we’re heading in with the new manager, coaching staff and players, and a commitment to do what it takes to get back to the top.

"We are willing to invest. There is no fixed budget. Financially we are extremely strong and funds are available. Louis is assessing what’s going on and there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes, so watch this space."

When asked if players would be leaving Old Trafford to make way for new arrivals, Woodward added: "Yes, I think so. The manager makes that decision. A few players have already gone and there may well be a few others.

"It’s also worth commenting that we’re not in Europe this year, so there are fewer games and Louis may take the view that he wants a tighter squad to bed in."If you do the analysis over the last year, Liverpool performed extremely well with a smaller number of players, but that’s a decision for the manager."

Woodward also reiterated that a top-four finish is the minimum requirement for United this season after a disastrous campaign under David Moyes last term.
"We’re a club that absolutely should be in the Champions League," he continued. "That’s what our fans want, that’s what our players want and that’s what every member of staff wants.

"We have to strive to win. We’re not here to be an also-ran; we’re here to win trophies to add to that huge, incredible list that we’ve won over many years."

 

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[Wolverine GTR]

Bayern dismiss Cuadrado rumours

Bayern Munich sporting director Mathias Sammer has described rumours linking the club with a move for Fiorentina star Juan Cuadrado as "nonsense".

The winger was one of the stand-out performers at the World Cup in Brazil, as he helped Colombia to the quarter-finals of the competition.

Since then he has been linked with a host of big clubs, including Bayern and Barcelona, but Sammer has laughed off reports he is on their wish list.

He told TV1: "The rumours about Cuadrado are absolute nonsense. If all speculation were true, we would have a 57-man squad."

Midfielder Toni Kroos departed the Allianz Arena last week to join Real Madrid in a €20 million deal but Sammer was non-committal over the prospect of bringing in a direct replacement.

He added: "We must consider if it's good enough or if we will do anything further."

Bayern's World Cup stars will have just three weeks to recover before beginning the defence of their Bundesliga crown against Wolfsburg on August 22.

CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has criticised rival clubs and accused them of trying to "hurt" his side for failing to grant a later start date for the division and Sammer admits he is concerned over the fitness of several players.

"I am afraid because the mental and physical burden could lead to injury concerns."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal to finalise Ospina signing this week

Arsenal are confident of completing the €3.8 million signing of Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina this week, Goal understands.

The Gunners have agreed a fee with Nice for Ospina and have discussed personal terms with the player as well as his role at Emirates Stadium next season.

Arsenal are hopeful Ospina will undertake a medical with the club in the next 72 hours and link up with the squad on their forthcoming one-match tour of the United States.

The Londoners are confident that the keeper, who impressed at the World Cup, will become their third senior signing of the summer following the arrivals of Alexis Sanchez and Mathieu Debuchy.

As revealed by Goal, Arsenal have opened talks with Southampton over a £15m move for midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin although Tottenham are currently favourites to sign the France international.

The Gunners have also held extensive discussions with Atletico Madrid about signing Javier Manquillo on a season-long loan but the deal for the Spanish right-back is currently on the backburner and they are ready to pursue alternatives.

With a second right-back set to sign for Arsenal, Carl Jenkinson is expected to be sent out on loan to West Ham for the forthcoming season in order to play regular first-team football.

The expected signing of another senior international keeper will also provide strong competition for Wojciech Szczesny, who was the No.1 choice in both the Premier League and Champions League last season but was overlooked for the club's successful FA Cup campaign.

Wenger moved for Ospina after Arsenal failed to agree a fee for David Marshall during talks with Cardiff City.

Ospina, 25, is regarded as good value given his experience and the Gunners were able to negotiate a lower fee as he only has a year remaining on his Nice contract.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Roma signing Cole happy to get away from English press

Ashley Cole is looking forward to shaking off his "money-grabber" image after moving to Roma from Chelsea.

The former England international moved the Serie A runners-up on a two-year deal a fortnight ago, after a trophy-laden eight seasons at Stamford Bridge.

The left-back's supreme talent has seen him win three Premier League titles and the 2012 Champions League, as well as seven FA Cup medals - more than any other player.

But for much of his time in the Premier League Cole was an unpopular figure with the wider public, thanks to several off-the-field controversies and the perception that he left Arsenal for Chelsea for financial gain.

Having grown tired of the negative press in his homeland, Cole is looking forward to a fresh start in Italy.

He told Roma Channel: "I'm not the guy that people think. If you ask my friends and my family they know me as a kind, caring and considerate guy.

"I've made mistakes like anyone else but I'm kind of shy and try to keep myself to myself.

"In England it’s kind of hard with the press, it's different to here but this was another reason why I came here - to get away from that.

"It was kind of jarring in the end that everyone thought of me as a money-grabber, cheat or not a nice guy overall which is totally the opposite of what I am."

Cole also revealed he rejected offers from MLS in order to join Roma, who finished 17 points behind champions Juventus last term.

"It was the ambition of the club," he said of his decision to move to the Stadio Olimpico.

"It's a big club they came second last year when I spoke to the manager the desire they showed to win the Scudettowas something that I wanted to be part of.

"I had a few offers from lower-league teams, a few in America but I'm not ready to give up and just enjoy the life and sit on a beach - I'm here to win.

"I've had a lot of success in my career and I don't want to stop.

"I'm 33 and getting older, yes, but the determination and the desire to fight is still there."

 

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Real Madrid to unveil James Rodriguez on Tuesday

James Rodriguez will be unveiled as a Real Madrid player at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.

The European champions made the Colombia international their principle transfer target on the back of the 23-year-old's stellar performances for his country at this summer's World Cup in Brazil, with the attacking midfielder winning the Golden Boot after netting six times in just five games.

Madrid reached an agreement with Monaco over an €88 million transfer fee over the weekend and finalised personal terms with the player and his representatives on Monday.

James will now be presented to the press and Madrid fans on Tuesday, with the construction of a special stage for the ceremony at the Bernabeu already well under way.

The club have also confirmed on their official website that the official stadium tour will not follow the usual route on the morning of June 22 as the Presidential Balcony, where Madrid signings usually make their first appearance, will be off limits to the public.

Meanwhile, the Liga outfit are also still hoping to persuade Monaco to part company with another Colombia international, Radamel Falcao.

Indeed, los Blancos have already made a breakthrough in their bid to bring the former Atletico attacker back to the Spanish capital, but the proposed transfer hinges upon Madrid's medical department declaring themselves satisfied with the striker's recovery from cruciate ligament surgery earlier this year.

The James deal is also likely to leave Isco surplus to requirements at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Spain international only joined Los Blancos from Malaga last summer but, after struggling to nail down a regular berth in Carlo Ancelotti's starting line-up, could be offloaded, with Premier League outfit Liverpool closely monitoring the playmaker's current situation.

 

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Torres would be welcome back at Atletico Madrid, says Garcia

Atletico Madrid's Raul Garcia insists Chelsea striker Fernando Torres would be welcome back at the Vicente Calderon.

The 30-year-old has attracted interest from his former club and Inter, although Goal understands that the striker is not prepared to leave Stamford Bridge - despite Diego Costa’s arrival.

Atletic boss Diego Simeone has already bolstered his attack with the signing of Mario Mandzukic from Bayern Munich but Garcia believes Torres would strengthen the Spanish champions even further.

“I speak to him [Torres] a lot and he still feels very strongly about this club,” Garcia told reporters.

“His life has been defined by what he experienced here and he is another option just like any other that the media have mentioned.

“Any great player that can come here will be welcome.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Agger considering Liverpool future

Daniel Agger admits he is considering his future at Liverpool and insists he is not prepared to remain at Anfield as a squad player.

The Denmark international made 20 Premier League appearances last season but faces further competition in central defence due to the imminent arrival of Dejan Lovren from Southampton.

Goal understands that Liverpool have been open to offers for the 29-year-old since May and Agger admits he could move clubs this summer.

"It is no secret that I had problems last season and I am considering things," the centre-half told BT.

"How things turned out last season is not sustainable for me. I am here now and it is up to me to show the coach that I should play."

Agger also claimed that he would not rule out a return to Brondby, where he came through the youth team ranks before joining Liverpool in 2006.

“If the time is right and there are some things that go up to a higher level I will not reject it,” said the defender.

“There may be many things in football but I would not rule anything out.”