..::Football III::..

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Kompany praises Manchester City contract renewals

Vincent Kompany has hailed Manchester City's success in tying key players down to new contracts this summer.

Manuel Pellegrini has added to his ranks with the likes of Bacary Sagna, Fernando, Willy Caballero and Eliaquim Mangala since winning the Premier League crown in May.

However, Kompany believes the new contracts handed to himself, Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Samir Nasri, Aleksandar Kolarov and Edin Dzeko are just as important, providing City's squad with a stable and experienced spine."It is one thing to make new signings but it is another to make sure we have a core of players who know the league and have enjoyed success in the league - then we can move forward with a certain style and philosophy that has been successful for us," he told reporters.

"For me it is important to see quality, new players coming but it is as important to see players like David Silva and Kolarov and Nasri remaining at the club."
City face Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League on Monday.

 

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Dzeko signs new Manchester City contract

Edin Dzeko has signed a new four-year contract at Manchester City, the club have revealed.

It was reported on Sunday that Dzeko and Joe Hart would be the next City stars to pen new deals as the Premier League champions continue their summer policy of tying their big-name players to long-term contracts.

In August alone Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Sergio Aguero put pen to paper, and Dzeko is pleased to join them: "I’m really happy here at City, it's a second home to me, so it was an easy decision to stay for the long-term," he told the club's official website.

"I knew from the beginning when I started here that I wanted to stay for a long time - I can't see any place better than here.

"I'm settled perfectly to life here, I know my teammates, the club, the team, very well and I feel like I can improve even more.

"Over the last three and a half years we’ve made history together but I feel like we are only at the start of something really special.

"There are still so many objectives and goals that I want to reach from my career in the game and I believe that I am in the perfect place to achieve them all.

"The fans have always shown so much faith in my ability and I feel so much love, both from supporters inside Manchester and from those all over the world."

Dzeko had looked set to leave the club this time last season following the arrivals of Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo.

But thanks partly injuries to the two new signings and Aguero, particularly in the second half of last season, Dzeko flourished under Pellegrini with goals in three the final four matches which helped to secure the Premier League title.

And with Aguero and Negredo currently struggling with injuries, Dzeko has been forging a partnership with Jovetic during pre-season and opened his competitive account with the opening goal in the 2-0 win against Newcastle on Sunday.

 

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Markovic: My price-tag doesn't add pressure

Liverpool winger Lazar Markovic insists he does not feel under pressure to perform following his big-money move from Benfica.

The Serbian arrived at Anfield for a reported €25 million in July and could make his debut against reigning Premier League champions Manchester City on Monday.

But Markovic, who previously played with Partizan in his homeland before joining Benfica, is happy to ignore the price Liverpool paid for him and focus on settling into his new surroundings.

"I'm not afraid of challenges," he told the Liverpool Echo.

"It was the same when they took me on trial at Partizan, when the Benfica offer arrived and when Liverpool signalled that they wanted me in their ranks.

"I believe in myself and in the luck that’s following me. I believe in the people in charge of my career. That is why I go with my dreams.

"I'm not the most expensive signing of the summer but even if I were I wouldn't care much about that.

"I've never thought about anything in relation to money. I've never cared about or done anything for money in my personal or my professional life.

"What does it even mean to be more expensive than others? It absolutely doesn't matter. The pitch, not the money, is the measure of everyone's worth in football.

"I believe Liverpool fans expect a lot from me, and to be honest I expect a lot from myself. The same applies for the people who worked hard to bring me here.

"I do not have any fear or stage fright whatsoever. To tell you the truth, I can't wait to start playing for Liverpool."

 

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No Liverpool bid for Balotelli, claims Galliani

AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani has rejected claims that Liverpool have made an offer for Mario Balotelli.

The striker's future has been the subject of intense speculation all summer amid reports his relationship with the Rossoneri hierarchy has deteriorated after a season of underwhelming performances.

Arsenal have been cited as a potential destination for the troubled 24-year-old, while Liverpool are also reportedly monitoring his situation as they look to fill the void left by Luis Suarez's move to Barcelona.

Earlier this month Brendan Rodgers insisted that Balotelli could play for "any team in the world", but Galliani insists he has had no contact or discussions with the Anfield giants.

"At the moment no offer has arrived from Liverpool for Balotelli so there are no negotiations," he told ANSA. "The [transfer] window closes on September 1 so we'll see."

 

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Napoli sign De Guzman

Napoli have announced the signing of Jonathan de Guzman from Villarreal.

The attacking midfielder has spent the past two seasons on loan at Premier League side Swansea City, becoming an integral part of their first-team squad.However, it has now been confirmed that De Guzman has joined former Swansea team-mate Michu in making the move to Stadio San Paolo.

The Netherlands international, who signed for Villarreal in 2011, was brought to Swansea by then-manager Michael Laudrup during the 2012 close-season and made 37 league appearances during his first season in south Wales.He made a further 34 outings last term, taking his total goal tally to nine in the English top flight, and was linked with a return to the Liberty Stadium for a third season earlier in the transfer window.

More recent speculation has seen De Guzman spoken about as a potential transfer target for QPR, but Napoli have now won the race for his signature.His transfer comes on the same day that Napoli defender Federico Fernandez made the switch to Swansea.

 

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Arsenal's €25m Carvalho bid rejected by Sporting

Arsenal have had a €25 million bid rejected by Sporting Lisbon for William Carvalho, Goal can reveal.

The Gunners are working on a deal to capture the versatile midfielder in the final fortnight of the transfer window.

However, Arsenal's pursuit is complicated by Carvalho's third-party ownership, Sporting's €35m valuation and their own need to navigate a tricky Champions League qualifying tie against Besiktas.

The Gunners are expected to return with an improved offer for the 22-year-old, although the complex nature of the negotiations mean they are likely to go down to the wire.

Sporting are ready to cash in on Carvalho although, according to reports in Portugal, 40 per cent of his rights are owned by investment firm Banco Espirito Santo. The player is also represented by super agent Jorge Mendes, which has added a layer of difficulty to discussions taking place between the parties.

Arsene Wenger has sanctioned a formal move for Carvalho as he seeks to further strengthen his squad in the defensive midfield and centre-back positions.

The Portugal international started his career in central defence although he is now used more regularly in midfield.

Arsenal are also closing in on an €10m deal to sign Olympiakos centre-back Kostas Manolas, and their move for Carvalho is understood to be in addition to the expected capture of the Greece international.

The London club's willingness to push the boat out for Carvalho could be influenced strongly by the outcome of their Champions League play-off tie against Besiktas, with victory paving the way for a minimum windfall of around €30m.

The second leg takes place at Emirates Stadium next Wednesday following a goalless opening leg in Turkey on Tuesday night.

Wenger has turned his attention to Carvalho after Morgan Schneiderlin rejected an offer to join the Gunners in favour of pursuing a move to Tottenham, who are set to make a final bid of around €21m.

Arsenal have also considered Sami Khedira but have been put off by his demands for a basic salary of €250,000-a-week.

 

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Manchester United to offer Cleverley new contract

Manchester United are set to reward Tom Cleverley with a new five-year deal, Goal understands.

The England international had been expected to leave Old Trafford this summer following the €35 million arrival of Ander Herrera with Sunderland and Everton understood to have been monitoring the 25-year-old’s situation.

United manager Louis Van Gaal, however, has been impressed with Cleverley’s attitude and performances in pre-season and is keen to keep him at Old Trafford despite not including him in the squad for Saturday’s opening day defeat against Swansea.

Cleverley, a fixture in the side which won the Premier League during Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season, became a target for the Old Trafford boo boys in recent years, but is poised to sign a new deal that will see his weekly wage rise to €68,000-a-week.

United took their summer spending to over the €87m mark on Tuesday after the club confirmed the arrival of Sporting’s Argentine international defender Marcos Rojo in a deal that saw Nani move back to his former club on a season-long loan.

Louis van Gaal is hopeful of making further additions to his squad before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month with the club working hard on a deal to sign Fiorentina winger Juan Cuadrado and maintain an interest in Ajax defender Daley Blind.

Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has insisted that money is no object for United this season and suggested that they can afford to break the world record of €100m paid by Real Madrid for Gareth Bale.

Van Gaal has taken his time to assess the squad - which he feels drastically underperformed last term - and is now urging United to sign reinforcements to a group of players he has continually described as "unbalanced".

 

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Cleverley nam therumak nahaAparade new contract 1kak offer karanna hadana 1ka​

 

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Vidal not for sale, insists Juventus director Marotta

Juventus director general Giuseppe Marotta says that the club have not received any offers for Arturo Vidal - and have no intention of selling the midfielder anyway.

The Chile international penned a new contract with the Bianconeri last December, commiting himself to the Old Lady until 2017, but he has been linked with both Manchester United and Bayern Munich this summer.

However, Marotta insists that there is no truth in the speculation and insists that Vidal is perfectly happy in Turin.

"We have reiterated many times that Vidal is not on the market," he told Sky Sport Italia. "There have not been any offers.

"I understand that, in terms of the media, there are certain cliched narratives, which is why we're speaking about Bayern and Manchester United.

"But the facts are different. The renewal made during the middle of last season has consolidated the marriage between the club and the player, and there is every prerequisite for Vidal staying."

Marotta also ruled out of the possibility of Paul Pogba leaving Juve, revealing that the France international, defender Giorgio Chiellini and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon are all set to sign new deals.

"We are finalising the last details [of the contracts for Pogba and Chiellini]," he explained. "There are ongoing talks with Pogba's entourage and we are optimistic.

"Buffon is a symbol of this club. There's gratitude for what he has done and what he's still doing.

"His contract is already ready and when it arrives, he will sign it. Buffon will stay as long as he wants at Juventus."

 

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Meh news 1ka atthaknam thawa duratath Vidal gana balagena inna 1ka therumak naha​

 

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Official: Rojo completes Manchester United move

Marcos Rojo has penned a five-year deal at Manchester United after completing his move to Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon.

Louis van Gaal’s side are understood to have paid £16 million for the Argentina international, with Nani joining the Portuguese giants as part of the deal.

United’s third signing of the summer, – following the acquisitions of Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw – Rojo can play across a back three and is also adept at playing as a left full-back, as he did in Argentina’s run to the World Cup final.

"It is such an honour to say that I now play for Manchester United,” he told the club’s official website. “The Premier League is the most exciting league in the world and to have the chance to play in it for the world's biggest club is a dream for me.

“I am young and am very keen to continue to learn the game, so playing for such an experienced technical coach as Louis van Gaal is a fantastic opportunity for me. I have joined United to work hard with my team-mates to win trophies and I know that the manager shares that ambition."

Van Gaal had previously missed out on the signing of Thomas Vermaelen – the former Arsenal star instead joined Barcelona for £15m – but has expressed his delight at landing the 24-year-old.

"Marcos is a very gifted defender. He has played at the highest level in world football and can play either as a central defender or left-back," he added.

“He has ability, physical strength and a willingness to learn that means he has a very bright future ahead of him. He had a very strong World Cup and has been playing in Europe for a couple of years now.

“He is a very good addition to the team."

 

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Welcome to Manchester United Rojo!

Congratulations & Good Luck!

Nani ta Manchester United walin yanna wechcha 1ka gana nam dukai​

 

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Moreno: I hope to return to Sevilla one day

Alberto Moreno admits he hopes to one day return to Sevilla, having completed his move to Liverpool.

The full-back became the Reds’ eighth signing of the summer earlier this week, with the Premier League having agreed a €15 million fee with the Spanish side.

However, Moreno insists that Sevilla have not seen the last of him, revealing that he would like to make a fairytale return to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan later in his career.

"I arrived here in 2004. Sevilla is the club which has given me everything, helping me grow as a player and a person," he told reporters. "This isn’t a goodbye, but rather a farewell. I hope to be back here one day.

"I never imagined it would be as painful as this, but it’s true that when you start to say goodbye to your team-mates and all the people around the club, it hurts, but I leave to keep growing as a player."

Moreno struggled to contain his emotions at the press conference at which he was speaking, even breaking down at one stage, and was at pains to praise the club for helping him earn such a headline-grabbing move, before reiterating his plans to again pull on a Sevilla shirt before the end of his playing days.

'I want to offer my thanks to everyone at the club," he stated. "The president, the board of directors and all the managers I’ve worked with, through the youth system and I especially want to thank Unai Emery, who gave me the opportunity to be with the first-team and for always showing confidence in me.

"I also say farewell to the great fans of this club. I have always been comfortable with them and they have treated me superbly.

"It’s always painful leaving the club where I’ve always been and I hope to return one day.” Liverpool continue their Premier League campaign with a trip to Manchester City on Monday, having beaten Southampton 2-1 in their season opener.

 

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Stjarnan 0-3 Inter: Icardi, Dodo and D'Ambrosio put Italians in control

Inter triumphed 3-0 away to Stjarnan on Wednesday, in the first leg of their Uefa Europa League play-off.

Walter Mazzarri's men had too much class for their opponents in Reykjavik, with goals from Mauro Icardi and Dodo either side of half-time building an imposing lead for the Italians before Danilo D'Ambrosio added a third late on.

The visitors were rewarded for their first-half dominance at the Laugardalsvollur when Icardi finished off a dinked cross in from Dodo - with the Stjarnan defence unable to deal with it.

Dodo then doubled Inter's lead shortly after the interval, nodding home Jonathan's cross at the far post - and D'Ambrosio capped a complete performance in the 89th minute.

Dodo and Icardi earlier combined to create the first chance of the game in the third minute, with the former's corner finding the Argentine in the area – but his header went high over the crossbar.

Inter were building pressure and plenty of corners followed, although the hosts held firm - and even got off a shot on target of their own via American midfielder Pablo Punyed in the 11th minute, but it did not trouble goalkeeper Samir Handanovic.

Dodo and Mateo Kovacic were dangerous creators throughout the opening period, before the former provided for Icardi, who duly converted to give Inter the advantage.

Brazilian full-back Dodo then turned scorer, netting a header from fellow full-back Jonathan to strengthen Inter's position.

Making his competitive debut for the club, Dani Osvaldo hit the woodwork late on after coming on as a second-half substitute, before D'Ambrosio smashed a ball home into the roof of the net after Zdravko Kuzmanovic laid the ball off for him.

Inter will host the Icelandic club in the second leg on August 28, with one foot in the group stages.

 

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Barcelona will buy Douglas – Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo president Carlos Miguel Aidar has confirmed that right-back Douglas is primed to complete a move to Barcelona.

The Spanish outfit learned earlier on Wednesday that their appeal against a transfer ban owing to their signing of young foreign players had been rejected by Fifa, but their decision to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) means that they can continue to buy players in the meantime.

As a result, the Catalans are expected to be active in the transfer market before the end of August and have closed in on the 24-year-old.

“Barcelona will buy Douglas and loan him back to Sao Paulo for a year,” Aidar confirmed to the media. “In 2015 he will go to Spain.”

There had been rumours that Dani Alves could move in the opposite direction but those were put to bed by the Brazilian outfit earlier in the week, noting that the international star’s wage demands would preclude any deal being conducted.

Sao Paulo have said that they expect Douglas to complete his deal with the Camp Nou outfit on Monday.

 

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I can’t decide if Clasie will come to Porto - Martins Indi

Porto centre-back Bruno Martins Indi has hinted that he would like to see Netherlands international team-mate Jordy Clasie join him in Portugal, although he is unsure whether it is currently on the cards.

Clasie, 23, has been linked with a move to the Portuguese giants from Feyenoord, where he has been since joining their youth system as a nine-year-old. While Martins Indi hinted that he would like another Dutchman with him in Porto, he said he knows nothing about any potential deal.

“I have no idea if Jordy Clasie will come to Porto,” he told NOS. “I do speak with him, but I don't decide who comes to Porto. It's none of my business either.”

The defender was speaking after Julen Lopetegui’s took a step towards the Champions League proper following a 1-0 playoff first-leg win over Lille – a result that the 22-year-old, who left Feyenoord earlier this summer, feels was just.

“We had more possession in the first half, but after half-time it was a more open match. We scored an important goal so it looks well for us,” he said.

"We know we still have to do it in the second match.”

Porto will welcome Lille to the Estadio do Dragao next Tuesday for the vital second leg.

 

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Enyeama does not rule out Lille exit

Lille goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama has admitted that a transfer before the end of the summer window is a possibility, though he is stated he is not actively seeking a move.

The Nigeria goalkeeper made a number of good stops as the Ligue 1 outfit lost a Champions League playoff first leg 1-0 against Porto at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Wednesday evening, and with the financial situation of the 2011 Ligue 1 champions complicated, failure to reach the group stages could see them cash in on some notable assets.

Enyeama, who kept 21 cleansheets in 38 Ligue 1 appearances last season, is not pushing to be one of those.

“Leaving Lille? I can’t rule it out,” the 31-year-old told beIN Sports.

“I like Lille, the club, the city... If the club decides to sell me, that is their choice. Personally, I am not particularly looking to leave the club. I'm happy where I am. But if the club woke up and said, 'Vincent, you have to go’, I would thank them for what they have done and I will.”

Meanwhile, president Michel Seydoux spoke of potential transfers for captain Rio Mavuba and Salomon Kalou, who are both actively seeking moves.

“We have tremendous respect for Rio and Salomon,” he said. “The choice [to move] is personal and not that of the club. We would be delighted if they stayed. That would be good news for Lille.

“But if they have a chance to go then they must seize it. We will not hold players in handcuffs.”

 

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Maribor 1-1 Celtic: McGregor scores vital away goal in Champions League play-off

Callum McGregor scored a vital away goal for Celtic as the Scottish champions drew 1-1 with Maribor in their Champions League play-off first leg in Slovenia on Wednesday.

The Scottish champions are only participating in the play-off round after they were reinstated by Uefa following Legia Warsaw's sanction for fielding an ineligible player at the third qualifying stage.

And Ronny Deila's men will be satisfied with a draw against Slovenian champions Maribor.

As in the first leg against Warsaw, McGregor gave Celtic an early lead, stabbing home a loose ball after Jasmin Handanovic had parried Jo Inge Berget's initial effort.

McGregor's strike arrived in the sixth minute but Celtic's advantage was wiped out before the quarter-hour mark as Damjan Bohar slotted home.

Elsewhere in the play-offs, Zenit and Porto both claimed 1-0 wins, over Standard Liege and Lille respectively.

Andre Villas-Boas' Zenit took the initiative in their tie thanks to Oleg Shatov's 16th-minute goal, courtesy of an assist from Brazil international Hulk.

Porto, meanwhile, were grateful to Hector Herrera's winner just after the hour mark in France, which gave them a slender one-goal advantage to take into next week's return leg at Estadio Do Dragao.

In Denmark, AaB took a 16th-minute lead through Nikolaj Thomsen, only for Vinicius to hit back for APOEL to ensure the visitors return to Cyprus in the ascendancy.

Elsewhere, Slovan Bratislava needed a late Robert Vittek strike 10 minutes from time to earn a 1-1 draw at home to BATE, after Tomas Jablonsky had put through his own net in the 44th minute.

 

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Navas: I will try to learn from Casillas

Keylor Navas has declared his intention to not only battle Iker Casillas for the No.1 role at Real Madrid this season - but also learn from his captain.

The 27-year-old goalkeeper earned a summer switch to the Santiago Bernabeu on the back of a stellar season at Levante and a string of sensational displays for Costa Rica at Brazil 2014.

His arrival in the Spanish capital has already prompted the departure of Diego Alves for AC Milan and Navas is now set to challenge Casillas for a starting berth in Carlo Ancelotti's first-choice 11.

He insists that he does not want to develop a rivalry with the Blancos skipper but is nonetheless determined to fight for his place, just as he did at his former club.

"I had difficult moments with [former Levante goalkeeper Gustavo] Munua and I tried every day to improve and decided to never give up and I trained as though I would start every game," Navas told reporters on Wednesday.

"I have always faced everybody in a responsible way and I will do what I have always done.

"I will try to learn from Iker and I have to give one hundred percent.

"I can talk about what I have experienced so far and for me it has been worth it being at Madrid and nobody knows what will happen in the future.

"Right now I am here to enjoy the Levante fans and we'll see what the future brings. Only [Ancelotti] knows who the goalkeeper will be.

"I know what I have to do and I'm not thinking about anything else.

"I know what I am capable of and that is to train hard. I am relaxed and content.

"I want to repay the confidence Real Madrid have shown in me because they have made me feel very welcome."

 

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Marotta rules out Juventus bid for Falcao

Juventus director general Giuseppe Marotta has seemingly ruled out a bid for Radamel Falcao.

The Bianconeri have been heavily linked with a loan move for the Monaco forward, who is reportedly unsettled at the Stade Louis II, with Leonardo Jardim's men having lost their first two games of the new Ligue 1 season.

However, Marotta has explained that while Juventus could sign another attacker before the close of the summer transfer window, they will not bring in a big-name player.

"We're lacking a forward, a second striker in a compartment that already gives us many certainties, but it will not be a [player with] a major profile," the Juve director told Sky Sport Italia.

"We will not make big investments. But [one player] could arrive in the final hours of the window."

It has also been reported that Juventus are considering a move for Benfica captain Luisao but Marotta insists that they are not interested in the centre-back either, as he feels that the Italian champions are well stocked in defence.

"We have never contacted the player," he declared. "But this is the world of football.

"[Andrea] Barzagli is recovering quicker than expected [from injury] and [Luca] Marrone has shown himself to be comfortable in defence, so we could stay like this."

Juventus kick off the defence of their Serie A title with a trip to Verona to take on Chievo on August 30.