..::Football IV::..

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Richarlison completes £40m move to Everton on five-year deal

Everton have completed the signing of Richarlison for £40 million ($53m) from Watford, with the Brazilian penning a five-year contract.

The 21-year-old forward only moved to England in the summer of 2017, but quickly set about making his mark in the Premier League.A productive debut campaign sparked talk of interest from afar, with Chelsea and Manchester United among those to have been linked with big-money moves at various stages.

Richarlison is, however, to continue his career at Goodison Park under the guidance of former Hornets boss Marco Silva.

He told Everton’s official website of his ambition on Merseyside: “I want to have a lot of success with Everton. I think it is going to be important for me here to be with Marco Silva again. I will learn more because I am still learning as a player and I aim to develop and grow here.“Everton have put their faith in me and I intend to honour this shirt and demonstrate on the pitch why I came here.“I’ve known the manager for a while obviously, so I know how he works.

“I developed really well with him while he was with me at Watford. It was really good working with him and one day I believe he can help me to be selected for Brazil in the full national team.“But that is for the future and my present is here with Everton. I want my dreams to become a reality here at one of the biggest clubs in England.”Richarlison added: “I want to score more goals, provide more assists for my teammates and help in whichever way is possible.“Everyone in the world knows Everton. It is a very big club, one of the biggest in England as I said. I am really happy and honoured to be here.”

Silva is delighted to have completed his first piece of business as Everton boss, with Richarlison a player he knows well and one he has brought the best out of in the recent past.He said: “He is one more player who can help us. He is a good player who will make our team and our squad more competitive.

“The competition between our players is really important to me. This is what will make us better as a club, always that competition within the squad.“The player himself is fast, strong, very good technically and he can play in three positions across the front line. He can also score goals.“Evertonians will see a player who will be 100 per cent committed to helping our team always.”

 

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Moutinho swaps Monaco for Wolves in £5m move

Wolves have strengthened their Portuguese contingent with the signing of midfielder Joao Moutinho from Monaco.The Premier League new boys have paid a reported £5 million ($7m) for the Portugal international, who has agreed a two-year deal.Moutinho made three appearances for Portugal at the World Cup, also starring in their Euro 2016 triumph, and has won 113 caps for his country in total.

The 31-year-old will likely line up with compatriot Ruben Neves in the Wolves midfield, with coach Nuno Espirito Santo having also signed goalkeeper Rui Patricio.

"During these five seasons in Monaco, Joao Moutinho was a major player in the club's return to the forefront," said Monaco's vice president and chief executive officer Vadim Vasilyev."Through his performances, he has contributed to the outstanding sporting results of recent seasons - thanks to his professionalism and his rigor, he helped our young players in their progression. Joao will always be welcome at Monaco."

Moutinho is a four-time league champion, having helped Monaco top Ligue 1 in 2016-17 after collecting a trio of Primeira Liga crowns with Porto in his homeland.

Wolves, winners of the Championship last season, open their Premier League campaign at home to Everton on August 11, with Moutinho and Patricio in line to make their debuts.

 

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Roma find Alisson replacement as they wrap up €8.5m Olsen deal



Roma have announced the signing of Sweden international Robin Olsen as a replacement for Alisson.

The Serie A side have spent an initial €8.5million (£8m/$10m) to bring the goalkeeper in from Copenhagen, who could receive a further €3.5m in add-ons. He will wear the number one shirt.Olsen replaces Alisson after the Brazil international moved to Liverpool for a fee that could rise to £65m ($85m), a world record for a goalkeeper.

"I'm feeling happy, I'm very excited," said Olsen, who has signed a five-year deal with Roma."It's a big honour to come to Roma. It's the next step for me and I cannot wait to get started."Olsen, 28, started all five Sweden fixtures at the World Cup as his side reached the quarter-finals, where they lost to England.

Monchi has been extremely busy in the transfer market, completing deals for players including Javier Pastore, Ivan Mercano, Davide Santon and Justin Kluivert.And Roma's sporting director believes Olsen is ready to slot into Eusebio Di Francesco's team for the 2018-19 season.

"Robin is a goalkeeper with international experience and I think he can bring that level to Roma with him," Monchi said.

"I am confident he can build on the quality that has seen him firmly establish himself as Sweden's number one."Olsen's arrival comes after Roma missed out on the signing of Brazilian winger Malcom from Bordeaux.Although Roma had agreed a €38m (£34m/$44m) deal with the Ligue 1 side, Malcom instead joined Barcelona on Tuesday.

 

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Are Man Utd Premier League title challengers? Mourinho refuses to rule his side in


Jose Mourinho has refused to rule his Manchester United side into the 2018-19 Premier League title race.

The Red Devils were the closest challengers to champions Manchester City last season, but still finished 19 points adrift of their record-breaking rivals.Mourinho, in his third campaign at the helm, is under pressure to bridge that gap and put United back in contention for domestic supremacy.

He has bolstered his ranks this summer with the additions of Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant, while talking up the expected impact of January arrival Alexis Sanchez in his first full season at Old Trafford.Mourinho is, however, reluctant to be drawn on the chances of his side capturing a first top-flight crown since Sir Alex Ferguson slipped into retirement back in 2013.

Asked whether the Red Devils can be considered serious challengers ahead of an International Champions Cup clash with AC Milan, the Portuguese said: “I don't answer to your question.”Mourinho has admitted that he would like to add at least two more fresh faces to his ranks this summer before the transfer deadline passes.

For now, though, his focus is locked on readying his side the best he can for the challenges which lie ahead.He has had to work with depleted ranks in America as a result of World Cup stars taking much-needed breaks on the back of their efforts in Russia.

United are preparing to welcome the likes of Nemanja Matic, Fred and David de Gea back onto their squad, while Marcos Rojo could follow suit, but Mourinho is not happy with how his preparations have gone so far.

He said: "I have got good facilities, as always.

"I have got incredible commitment of the people that are involved with the process of preparing a good pre-season."I am happy with the matches, the evolution of the matches, but I don't have the players to work."I don't have the majority of the players that are going to be in the squad on the 9th of August, when the (transfer) market closes and we can make the squad official for the season.

"Of course I am not happy."After facing Milan on Thursday, United will then take in ICC meetings with Liverpool and Real Madrid.They return to Europe to face Bayern Munich before opening the new Premier League season at home to Leicester in August 10.

 

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Mourinho: Alexis ready to deliver for Man Utd


Jose Mourinho believes Alexis Sanchez is in the “perfect” place, with Manchester United set to see the best of the Chilean forward in 2018-19.

The Red Devils acquired the 29-year-old forward from Arsenal in January, with a swap deal seeing Henrikh Mkhitaryan head in the opposite direction.
Sanchez struggled to make much of an impact during a testing opening to his Old Trafford career, recording just three goals in 18 appearances.

His signing was, however, considered to have been quite the coup for United – with arch-rivals Manchester City having also expressed an interest – and Mourinho believes a proven performer will come good with a full pre-season under his belt.

He told ESPN: “It is not easy to come in the middle of the season.“I’m not a big fan of the winter market because the players are coming in the middle of the season and it is not easy for them to adapt.

“So I think after a few months with us, now to start the season I think it is a perfect moment for him to establish himself as an important player for us.”Sanchez has been a late addition to United’s squad kicking off the summer in America.

Visa issues prevented him from travelling with the rest of his team-mates, forcing him to initially work alone at the club’s Carrington training base.He has, however, linked up with Mourinho’s side and played 65 minutes of a goalless draw with MLS outfit the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday.

United are likely to call on him to provide attacking inspiration once again when they open their International Champions Cup campaign on Thursday.
The Red Devils are set to take on AC Milan in California before going on to face Liverpool and Real Madrid.

They will then return to Europe to take on Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich before starting the new Premier League season with a visit from Leicester City on August 10.

 

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Barcelona seal €41m Malcom deal after hijacking Roma move

Barcelona have completed the €41 million (£36.5m/$48m) signing of Malcom from Bordeaux, with the Liga giants having hijacked a proposed switch to Roma for the Brazilian forward.It was announced on Monday that an agreement had been reached to take the 21-year-old to Serie A.

He is, however, set to continue his development in Catalunya as he prepares to enter into a five-year deal.

Goal revealed earlier on Tuesday that Barca had made a stunning late move for Malcom as he closed on a switch to Italy.

They have now got their man, with a statement on the club’s official website reading: “FC Barcelona and Girondins de Bordeaux have reached an agreement for the transfer of the player Malcom Filipe Silva de Oliveira. The operation will cost 41 million euros and 1 million in variables.

“The player will sign with the club for the next five seasons, until the end of the 2022-23 season.”Barca added: “Malcom is an attacking player with a great future ahead of him. He stands out due to his electrifying pace and his technique with the ball at his feet.

“Malcom is a daring, pacey forward with an ability to shoot from distance. Despite being left footed, he is no slouch with his right also and can play on either flank.

“He has mainly operated on the right hand side so far in his career to great success, attacking defenders and getting into the box at every opportunity.“Aside from his speed, he also has great technical ability and links up well with his team mates, one of the main aspects of Barça’s football.”

Malcom moved to Europe with Bordeaux at the age of 18, having already tasted title success in his native Brazil with Corinthians.He made 96 appearances for the Ligue 1 club, netting 23 goals.The highly-rated youngster is the third addition to have been made to the Camp Nou ranks this summer, with Barca having already completed deals for Arthur and Clement Lenglet.

 

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Mourinho wants two more Manchester United signings this summer


Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho hopes to sign two new players but is not sure the opportunities will arise.

United have added Brazil midfielder Fred to their squad for the 2018-19 season, along with teenage full-back Diogo Dalot and goalkeeper Lee Grant, who is set to serve as a back-up to David de Gea and Sergio Romero.Anthony Martial has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford, while Harry Maguire, Miralem Pjanic and Ivan Perisic are among United's reported targets.

Although Mourinho was not giving anything away, the United manager hinted he is not fully satisfied with the club's transfer business.

"One thing is what I would like," he told ESPN. "Another thing is what is going to happen."I would get two more players."United's strength in depth could be tested further due to the injury suffered by Antonio Valencia in the friendly draw with San Jose Earthquakes.

Mourinho confirmed the right-back will miss much of the club's pre-season campaign out of precaution, given that Dalot is out until September and Matteo Darmian has been tipped to return to Serie A."I don't think he will be available to play any one of the three matches of the International Champions Cup," Mourinho said of Valencia, who is expected to be named Michael Carrick's successor as club captain.

"It's not a moment to take any risks. Antonio is a player that's not a young boy anymore. We have to take care of him and to try to have him ready for the start of the season."We bought a fantastic player [in Dalot]: young, 19 years old, but I think probably the best right-back at that age in European football.

"But he had a surgery last May and is recovering for that, so one more reason to take care of Antonio."United face AC Milan, Liverpool and Real Madrid in the International Champions Cup before a friendly match against Bayern Munich.They then get the 2018-19 Premier League season underway on August 10 against Leicester City.

 

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Ibrahimovic hints at 'special' signing for Man Utd as Mourinho prepares to reveal 'secret'


Zlatan Ibrahimovic is predicting "something special" for Manchester United, with the club's former forward suggesting Jose Mourinho could land a big transfer deal.Ibrahimovic left United to link up with MLS side LA Galaxy in March but joined his old colleagues at a training session on Tuesday.

And the former Sweden striker hinted Mourinho is working on major transfer targets, with players including Alex Sandro, Willian, Harry Maguire and Miralem Pjanic linked to United.

"Hi everybody. Guess who is back watching United train?" Ibrahimovic said in a video message on Instagram."I see a lot of quality, but not quality like me but that's okay! It is great to see the guys, to see them happy and to see them training good.

"Be ready for this season because something special will happen and I think the boss has something going on."We will keep that a secret! Enjoy the season, I wish you all the best and happiness."

Mourinho has already bolstered his ranks this summer, with deals being done for Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant.

 

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"Be ready for this season because something special will happen and I think the boss has something going on."We will keep that a secret! Enjoy the season, I wish you all the best and happiness."

Ibra!
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No Pjanic buys for Guardiola as Man City boss hints at end to additions


Pep Guardiola has ruled out Manchester City making a move for Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic and suggested that his summer spending could already be at an end.The reigning Premier League champions required no major restructuring on the back of a record-breaking campaign and it may be that only minor tweaks are made.

Riyad Mahrez has been acquired from Leicester for a club-record £60 million ($79m), but that could be the only movement in the arrivals lounge at the Etihad Stadium.

Pjanic certainly will not be making his way to England, as previously revealed by Goal, with Guardiola quick to quash those rumours as he weighs up his options.He told reporters: "No, Pjanic is a player of Juventus in Turin."We are not interested in Pjanic. Saying that, he is a top player but we are not interested.

"We'll see, we still have a few weeks to decide [if we want to bring players in]."Maybe one will come, maybe not, we'll see, but at the moment we have a good enough squad. We can handle players in different positions and we'll see in the last days - we'll decide to buy one player or wait till next season.

"The scouting department are always looking for players in all positions. In the holding midfield position we don't have less players because Fernandinho is still there one more year, [Ilkay] Gundogan can play there, Fabian Delph can play there. Oleksander Zinchenko, if he stays, can play there, we have players can play that position."

City are currently on International Champions Cup duty and Guardiola believes that whatever they achieve across all competitions this season, they will struggle to replicate their efforts from 2017-18.He added: "We are not going to break any more records in the Premier League, it is impossible... it is almost impossible.

"I have to see the faces of my players in the next two weeks when they are together because we are here without 15 players. When we come back we have four or five days to prepare for [the Community Shield] against Chelsea and we are going to see their faces.

"The target is win the next game and how to prepare to win the game, that is the target. The records we took last season was a consequence of what we've done every single day. That is the point."If we are going to compare November, December, January, comparing the position, we are going to lose all the comparisons with what we have done last season."

City are set to face domestic rivals Liverpool in ICC competition on Thursday, with Guardiola expecting the Reds to post a serious threat to his Premier League crown after a big summer spend.He said: “The contenders to win the title? We are one of them and there are many.

“Always, Liverpool is a contender. With the beautiful history they have they will always be a contender to win the Premier League.”

 

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Barcelona’s hijacking of Malcom move sparks threat of legal action from frustrated Roma


Monchi says Roma are considering legal action after a proposed deal for Bordeaux winger Malcom collapsed, with the Brazilian instead joining Barcelona.Bordeaux announced on Monday a deal, reported to be €38 million, had been agreed with the Serie A side subject to a medical and personal terms being agreed.

But soon after the Ligue 1 side's statement was released, Barcelona's interest emerged and the La Liga champions moved to complete a deal worth up to €41m (£36.5m/$48m) on Tuesday.

Malcom subsequently agreed a five-year contract with the Catalan giants and sporting director Monchi is frustrated at the way Roma's planned move for the 21-year-old fell apart."I am very sorry for what has happened, but I believe that we had a complete agreement with Bordeaux – and then offered even more than that to get it done again," Monchi said to Roma TV.

"President [James] Pallotta made the decision to make the best offer possible, but when the negotiation became an auction we decided to withdraw from it. If someone wants to come to Roma that is great, but ultimately if they do not want to come to Rome then we do not want them.

"I want to tell our fans that we are continuing to work hard, working to identify a player that wants to come to Roma and is the equal or even better than Malcom.

"Now, within the club, we are looking at our options and seeing if we have a legal case. It is true that nothing was signed, but there are many messages with the agents and their president that are at least worth being assessed."Monchi explained Roma are unhappy with the way Bordeaux handled the deal, having wanted to keep the proposed transfer under wraps until it was official.

"What happened with Malcom is easy to explain, but perhaps a bit harder to fully understand," Monchi said. "He is a player that we liked a lot from a footballing perspective, he had the attributes that we were looking for."We started a negotiation with Bordeaux and the player, through his agent, more or less a week ago. After three of four days of intensive negotiations, yesterday at about 17:00 [Italian time] we found an agreement; with the agent, with the player and with Bordeaux.

"The deal was done, and we had permission for the player to travel to Rome for a medical. There was a plane scheduled to leave at 21:00 that would arrive at 23:00; everything was sorted. Because of this we were calm and collected.

"Once we found the agreement with Bordeaux, about 30 minutes later their president, Stephane Martin, called me to tell me that there were a lot of rumours surrounding the deal, and for them it would be better to make an official statement.

"I told him that, for us, it would not be ideal – as we are listed on the stock exchange and have to respect certain rules – but he insisted, and they ultimately did a tweet to announce the agreement.

“Because of this, we also followed up with the same statement. Everything was done, but about an hour after the announcement, there started to be suggestions of a new interest from Barcelona.

"It is true that, a few days ago, I was aware that a lot of squads were keen on Malcom – Barcelona among them. Because of this we got the deal agreed as quickly as we could: it was done. So I was very surprised when one of the representatives of the player called me to tell me that Bordeaux had withdrawn permission for the player to travel to Rome.

"I called Martin, and he told me that an offer had come in from Barcelona that was better than ours and that if we did not raise our offer we could not have the player. I told him that we had an agreement, we had made the deal, but he said that nothing had been signed and that, despite having exchanged some documents to be signed, nothing could be done."

 

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Dortmund chief willing to spend €100m to bring Lewandowski back


Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke would be willing to spend €100 million (£88.8m/$116m) to bring Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski back to the club, saying: "We could handle that."

Dortmund have spent a combined €53m on centre-back Abdou Diallo and midfielders Thomas Delaney and Marius Wolf ahead of the 2018-19 season but Watzke made it clear he would happily break the club's transfer record to secure the services of one of Europe's top strikers.Lewandowski left Dortmund for Bayern in 2014 and has since scored 106 Bundesliga goals in four seasons.

Bayern president Uli Hoeness insisted the 29-year-old, who is contracted until 2021, is not for sale at any price, but Watzke would not be afraid to make a nine-figure bid for his services."Robert knows the business, the league, even the club and we know he would work right away," Watzke told SportBILD.

"Only a handful of players in the world can give you this security."For such a player, I would be willing to pay even 100 million euros."Dortmund's most expensive signing to date is Andre Schurrle, who joined for €30m from Wolfsburg in 2016, but Watzke made it clear the club would not be left behind by the rising cost of attracting the game's best talent.

However, having seen players such as Ousmane Dembele, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan rise to prominence at Signal Iduna Park in recent years, Watzke's preference is for the club to develop its own greats.
"The players in the top segment no longer cost 50, but rather 100 million euros," he said.

"We could handle that, too, if we absolutely want to have a player and are a thousand per cent convinced."But to be honest, I much prefer to create such players myself. BVB has always been strongest when developing its stars."

 

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'I feel sorry for the fans' - Ibrahimovic reveals his Man Utd regret


Zlatan Ibrahimovic has spoken of his regret at not joining Manchester United earlier in his career, stating that fans would have seen "a different lion" instead during his time at the club.Ibrahimovic, the leading international scorer in Swedish history, spent the best part of two seasons at Old Trafford following his arrival in 2016 from Paris Saint-Germain, and helped the Red Devils to win the EFL Cup in his first year.

A severe knee injury sustained late in the 2016-17 campaign restricted his appearances the following season however and he transferred to LA Galaxy in March this year, having last played for United against Burnley in December.

"I would need more time to explain my feelings but let's start with a big thanks to everybody - what they did was amazing and I hope they are as happy as I am," Ibrahimovic told United's official website.

"I feel sorry for the fans - if they'd seen me younger, they'd have seen a different lion. For the Premier League, it would have been dangerous, as I would have eaten them for breakfast; instead, I took them for lunch.""I gave as much as I could for as long as I could; when I got injured, I got support in a different way. They always stood behind me and my team-mates."

Ibrahimovic, who also had stints with Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan and Barcelona before joining United, has tipped his former side to have a "special season" after he attended a training session on their International Champions Cup tour of the United States.

"They are special: everywhere I see red, I think about United," he added. “It will remain in history and my career; when I look back at my time with United, I will do it with a smile. I wish them all the best in the future."United, under Jose Mourinho, kick off their ICC campaign against Ibrahimovic's old side AC Milan in California before they meet Liverpool in a Premier League derby at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.

They then conclude their trip to the USA against Champions League holders Real Madrid at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

 

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"I feel sorry for the fans - if they'd seen me younger, they'd have seen a different lion. For the Premier League, it would have been dangerous, as I would have eaten them for breakfast; instead, I took them for lunch.""I gave as much as I could for as long as I could; when I got injured, I got support in a different way. They always stood behind me and my team-mates."

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'There is contact between Boateng and PSG' - Bayern Munich chief confirms possible transfer


Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed that defender Jerome Boateng is in talks with Paris Saint-Germain about a possible transfer.

The 29-year-old is believed to be on his way out of the Allianz Arena this summer, with Bayern having signed 22-year-old Niklas Sule last summer as his medium and long-term replacement in Munich.

Germany international Boateng is valued at between €50 million (£44m/£58m) and €60m (£53m/$70m), so a deal will have to be agreed between Bayern and PSG, with Rummenigge claiming that the clubs themselves have yet to discuss a price.

"At the moment there is no direct contact between the clubs," Rummenigge told reporters. "But there is contact between his agents and PSG. We have to wait, if we could find a basis for a transfer."Now we have to wait and see whether at the end of the day we find a basis on which we can agree on a transfer. We have to find a transfer fee that would be acceptable for both.

"In principle, we have enough players at this position, even if Jerome leaves."As well as Sule at centre-back, Bayern Munich also have Mats Hummels, Javi Martinez and teenage defender Lars Lukas Mai, who made his senior debut last season, while full-backs David Alaba and Joshua Kimmich have both played in the middle in the Bundesliga.

Bayern have also been linked with a move for Stuttgart defender Benjamin Pavard, who excelled for France during their World Cup triumph, but the club have played down talk of a transfer for the 22-year-old despite strong rumours speculating that he has agreed a switch for summer 2019.

 

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Mourinho: Man Utd new boy Fred is not a replacement for Carrick


Jose Mourinho says Fred is not a direct replacement for Michael Carrick, but adds the Brazil ace could be a key player in Manchester United’s midfield this season.The playmaker joined the Red Devils from Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk last month for £52.5million ($70m).He is yet to feature for United in pre-season after World Cup duty with the Brazilian national team.

The 25-year-old will be a welcome addition to United’s midfield this term following the departure of Michael Carrick, who retired at the end of last season to take up a coaching role at the club.

But Mourinho believes Fred will bring creativity and flair to the centre of the park – and something different to the long-serving midfielder."Nemanja Matic, Marouane Fellaini, Paul Pogba and even Ander Herrera are physical and strong players, he told reporters.

"We think having a player like Fred in the squad – who is more technical, more quality of passing in short spaces – he can maybe connect [with] the attacking players."He could be an important player for us, but let’s wait. Michael Carrick is Michael Carrick and there is no successor."

United continue their pre-season campaign on Wednesday when they host Serie A side Milan in Pasadena.The Red Devils have played out two draws against Club America and San Jose Earthquakes so far.

 

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Pavard's stunner beats out Messi and Ronaldo to claim World Cup goal of the tournament


Benjamin Pavard's sensational volley against Argentina has been voted the World Cup's goal of the tournament, FIFA has announced.The full-back's sweet strike with the outside of his right boot into the top-left corner had goalkeeper Franco Armani grasping at thin air as France levelled the thrilling last-16 encounter at 2-2 shortly before the hour.

Kylian Mbappe's quickfire brace set Les Bleus on their way to a 4-3 victory and eventual glory in the final over Croatia, but it was Pavard's stunning effort that endured as the lasting memory of that run to lifting the trophy in Moscow.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Philippe Coutinho, Nacho Fernandez and Jesse Lingard all netted with spectacular efforts during the finals, with Argentina's captain making the cut for his wonderful control and finish against Nigeria and Ronaldo gaining recognition for beating Spain's David de Gea with a free-kick.But Pavard's glorious volley - best viewed via slow-motion replay from an angle directly behind the defender - was voted as the best of the lot by fans from around the globe.

"The ball bounced up as it came to me. I didn't even think about it. I just tried to get over it and keep it down," Pavard told FIFA.com after the clash in Kazan."I was trying to hit it in the direction it came from, which is what the strikers always tell me. I didn't think it over, and when it went in I just felt so happy."

Pavard's performances in Russia have seen him linked to a move away from Stuttgart, with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich said to be interested in taking the 22-year-old to the Allianz Arena.

 

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Congratulations Pavard!
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Monaco beat Chelsea to €30m Golovin signing


Chelsea have been handed a blow in the transfer market as Aleksandr Golovin has opted to move to Monaco rather than Stamford Bridge, with the Russia international set to put pen to paper on Friday.

Golovin's transfer will cost the Ligue 1 outfit €30 million (£26.5m/$35m) up front, Goal understands, with CSKA Moscow in line to receive a percentage of any future sale of the 22-year-old star.The player will undergo a medical on Thursday and will sign a five-year deal with the Ligue 1 side, with his presentation likely to be on Friday.

Golovin, tipped to be a future star ahead of the World Cup, had been linked with The Blues for some time, with the London club's Russian links making the move seem all the more achievable.

Russia performed well above expectations as they hosted football's biggest tournament this summer, with Golovin playing a key role in the nation's exciting progression to the quarter-finals, helping to boost his market value.

It is true that Golovin had been in advanced talks with Chelsea, so much so that Juventus were scared away from the negotiating table, but The Blues' decision to sign Jorginho, another midfielder, saw doubt creep into Golovin's mind over playing time.As such, the offer from Monaco became all the more appealing, with the Ligue 1 side able to offer more in the way of guaranteed time on the pitch.

Chelsea, who still wanted to sign Golovin even after Jorginho's arrival, will now be forced to look elsewhere to bring in another midfield reinforcement.

 

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Rugani's agent confirms Chelsea's interest in Juventus defender


Daniele Rugani's agent Davide Torchia confirmed Chelsea are interested in signing the Juventus centre-back .

Rugani has been heavily linked with Chelsea after former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri replaced Antonio Conte at the Premier League giants.The 23-year-old Italy international defender worked under Sarri during his loan spell at Empoli.

Speaking prior to Juve's International Champions Cup clash with Bayern Munich in Philadelphia, Torchia acknowledged Chelsea's pursuit, though he insisted Rugani is happy with the Serie A holders.

"The interest from Chelsea is there for Rugani," Torchia told Radio Sportiva .
"Beyond the figures though there's a technical question, neither the player nor Juventus have ever said they want a sale."The operation with Chelsea is separate from [Gonzalo] Higuain, each deal has a different cost and different dynamics.

"The two players can bring in different profits. Rugani is calm and happy, he's at the pre-season training camp and he's thinking about Juventus."Tonight he'll play against Bayern Munich, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have offers, just that he's thinking of his current club, which is at the highest level."

Juventus continue their U.S. tour with a clash against Benfica on Saturday before taking on the MLS All-Star team next week.