..::Football IV::..

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Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes to undergo Everton medical ahead of loan move

Everton are set to sign Andre Gomes from Barcelona on a season-long loan, with Goal of the understanding that a busy deadline day for the Toffees could also see them take Yerry Mina from the Camp Nou giants.Gomes will undergo his medical and complete his signing in Spain before travelling to Merseyside to be unveiled at Goodison Park.

He will become Everton’s fourth signing of the summer transfer window, with deals having already been put in place to take Richarlison from Watford, Joao Virginia from Arsenal and Lucas Digne from Barcelona.

Gomes has long been a fringe player at Barcelona, despite signing for a fee of €35 million (£31m/$41m) plus €20m in add-ons in 2016, with only 46 appearances made in La Liga since joining from Valencia.The 25-year-old began his career at Benfica, with his career highlight being a European Championship win with Portugal in 2016.

His arrival at Everton will help to bolster the midfield options available to new Toffees boss Marco Silva.The Portuguese coach is still looking for more players to come into his club ahead of his debut campaign on Merseyside and a third addition from Catalunya is possible as Mina remains a top £27 million ($35m) target.

Chelsea's Kurt Zouma remains a back-up option for Everton but he will only be signed on loan if a deal for Mina falls through – with that particular pursuit having frustrated the Toffees so far due to the complexity of getting it done.

 

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Everton la mesare hoda deals set ekak karagattha.Mina th on the way
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Courtois honoured to join 'best club in the world' Real Madrid


Thibaut Courtois believes he has linked up with “the best club in the world” after trading life at Chelsea for that at Real Madrid.

The Belgium international saw his switch to Spain announced on Wednesday, with the finishing touches having now been put to a €35 million (£31m/$40m) deal.Courtois has passed a medical in the Spanish capital and put pen to paper on a six-year contract.

The 26-year-old, who has never made any secret of his desire to return to Madrid following previous loan spells at Atletico, is delighted to have seen a protracted saga come to a close.

He is now free to focus on the future with Real and is relishing the opportunity to fulfil a childhood dream on the books of a global heavyweight.Courtois said at his official unveiling: “Arriving at the best club in the world is a responsibility and an honour.

“Today I fulfil a dream. You cannot imagine how happy I am and how much I have worked to get here. Since childhood, I dreamt of this moment.“I have been a rival and I know what it is to face Real Madrid. Today I'm one of you. Hala Madrid.”

Courtois had been preparing to enter into the final year of his deal at Chelsea, with no extension put in place.The Blues saw their hand forced as a result, with the decision taking to cash in on a saleable asset rather than risk losing him on a free in 2019.A deal with Madrid makes sense for all concerned, with Courtois now back around his young family in the Spanish capital.

Explaining the reasons for his move, the Golden Glove winner at World Cup 2018 said: “I wanted to be closer to my family. I want to say thank you to everybody who has made this possible, particularly the mother of my children. Although we are no longer together you remain a very special person for me.“Today I am just another Madridista.”

Keylor Navas has vowed to battle with Courtois for starting duties in Madrid this season, but the new boy will be looking to make his debut as soon as possible – with Real set to face arch-rivals Atletico in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.

 

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Man Utd need two deadline day deals - Rooney


Manchester United could do with two deadline day additions, says Wayne Rooney, with Jose Mourinho a couple of players away from competing for the Premier League title.

The Red Devils were the closest challengers to record-breaking rivals Manchester City in 2017-18, but still finished some 19 points off the pace.Only minor tweaks have been made to the playing staff at Old Trafford since then, with Brazil international Fred representing United’s most notable piece of business.

Mourinho remains in the market ahead of the window slamming shut on Thursday, and Rooney hopes to see late movement that will make his former club more competitive.

United’s all-time leading goalscorer told Sky Sports: “I think it will be difficult after the season they had last year. They [Manchester City] have been playing some great football.“But I hope someone can catch them - it would be nice, so hopefully Manchester United can. I think maybe another signing or two.”

Mourinho has been left frustrated in his efforts to get further deals over the line, sparking reports of a breakdown in his relationship with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.Those issues have provided an unwelcome backdrop to a difficult pre-season, United’s makeshift side having suffered defeats to Liverpool and Bayern Munich.

They are now a little over 24 hours away from opening the new Premier League campaign, with Rooney looking for the Red Devils to put any problems behind them and lay down an early marker in the battle for top-flight supremacy in England.

A man now on the books of MLS side D.C. United said: “I am sure Jose (Mourinho) has been getting the team right.“I know there has been a lot of talk about pre-season in the press but I am sure behind the scenes, Jose has been giving them the right amount of work.“They have the game against Leicester on Friday so hopefully they can go one step further this year than second and try and get the title back.”

 

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'I'm not confident' - Mourinho concedes defeat in pursuit of Man Utd deadline day signings


Jose Mourinho is “not confident” that Manchester United will be completing deadline day business, despite the Red Devils having endured a quiet transfer window.The Portuguese has regularly expressed his frustration at what has been a testing summer for those at Old Trafford.

He had been hoping for more additions to a squad which finished 19 points adrift of Premier League champions Man City in 2017-18, but has seen his hands tied in the transfer market.

Brazil international Fred is the only player to have come in that is set to challenge for an instant starting berth , with Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant merely squad options for the present and future.

United have been linked with several other signings, especially at centre-half , but Mourinho doubts deals will be done, telling reporters: “I'm not confident and the market closes today.“So it's time - at least for me - to stop thinking about the market because the market will be closed, so I will have to focus on the players I have in relation to this first couple of matches.

”Maybe [it’s] three matches because, after Spurs, there is [an] international break. It gives us a couple of weeks to recover people and to prepare people better and to focus on the players that are available.“So I'm not even thinking about that list of injured players – [Nemanja] Matic, [Antonio] Valencia and so on. I focus just on what we have and we go with everything we have to the first match.”

Asked to confirm that he is expecting no movement at all on Thursday, Mourinho added: “The information I have is no.”

Despite being frustrated in the recruitment market, United will be expected to challenge for major honours once again in 2018-19.They are set to open their Premier League campaign at home to Leicester on Friday.

 

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'I'm not confident' - Mourinho concedes defeat in pursuit of Man Utd deadline day signings

mechchara kal balagena hitiye okatane
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Man Utd bid for Godin rejected as defender closes in on new Atletico Madrid deal


Manchester United have had an approach for Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin rejected, with the Uruguayan set to sign a new contract with the Spanish club.

United have been linked with an array of central defensive targets during the summer transfer window, with Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld their number-one objective .

Ahead of Thursday evening’s transfer deadline the Red Devils have made various advances for Harry Maguire, Yerry Mina and Jerome Boateng as back-up options should they not push the Alderweireld deal over the line.

And Goal can confirm that they enquired about the availability of 32-year-old Godin in the days leading up to the deadline only to be told that the defender is set to agree a new deal at the Wanda Metropolitano and will not be leaving.

Although Godin has a €20 million (£18m/$23.2m) release clause in his current Atletico contract he is happy to stay with Diego Simeone’s side beyond the expiry of the existing deal.

He has spent the last 11 years of his career in Spain, switching from Villarreal to Atletico in 2010, and has won seven major trophies with the Colchoneros including the 2014 La Liga title. He has also racked up 122 caps for Uruguay and is Oscar Tabarez’s current captain.

The failure to lure Godin increases the possibility of United seeing out the transfer window with no further additions to their squad despite Jose Mourinho’s revelation earlier this summer that he is two players short of reaching the five-man target he set his club’s board in the spring.

And the Portuguese admitted on Thursday morning that he is expecting no further business over the remaining hours of the market.

“I am not confident, and the market closes today,” he said of seeing any more players arrive. “So it’s time, at least for me, to stop thinking about the market because the market will be closed. I will have to focus on the players I have.”
United have signed three players this summer, with Diogo Dalot, Fred and Lee Grant being added to the squad. However, Grant’s arrival on July 3 remains the club’s last piece of business to date.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Danata thiyana hodama option eka Toby Alderweireld.Ganna try karanne nahane
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[RiFTeR]

Deadline day ekatath awa

EPL teams walin Liverpool thamai meh Window eke methek hodama deals tika karagattheFabinho,Naby Keita,Xherdan Shaqiri & Alisson

Last day eke wath Manchester United hoda deals 1kak 2kak wath karagatthoth hodai.nathnam ithin godak amaru wei meh sare compete karannaWorldclass player kenekta kiyala gatthe Fred witharaine & Specially defence eka thamai stable natthehoda mid player kenekge aduwath hodatama danenawa.

Defence ekata Harry Maguire or Toby Alderweireld gatthoth hodai Boatang wa ganna balanawata wada & Mid player kenekuth one.ath meh yana widiyatanam ekath doubt ekak weida kiyalahope for the best.lets see​

Godin wa ganna gihilla wade hari gihilla na ne? U offer eka reject karala. dan kohoma hari Maguire ganna try karai.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Dembele airs Pogba ambition while ruling out deadline day move to Arsenal

Ousmane Dembele intends to remain at Barcelona , ruling out a deadline day move to Arsenal , and admits he is keen to play alongside fellow Frenchman Paul Pogba at some stage.

Having endured a testing time at Camp Nou following a big-money move in the summer of 2017, it had been suggested that the World Cup winner could head for pastures new before the current window closes.The Emirates Stadium has been mooted as one possible landing spot for a man who joined Barca in a €105 million (£95m/$122m) deal.

Dembele is, however, eager to stay put, even when taking into account added competition for places.He has seen the likes of Arthur and Malcom join Ernesto Valverde’s ranks over recent weeks , but his focus remains locked on battling with them for regular starting berths.Quizzed by fellow gamers on gaming network Twitch as to his future plans, the 21-year-old winger said:“I’m staying at Barcelona, I’m ready to play the Super Cup.”

La Liga champions Barca are set to open their competitive campaign with a Supercopa clash against Sevilla on Sunday.Dembele will be hoping to get the nod in that contest, having been restricted to just 12 Liga starts and three goals in an injury-disrupted 2017-18 campaign.

It could be that further additions are brought in alongside him before that challenge for more silverware takes place, with high-profile figures still being linked with Barca.Manchester United midfielder Pogba is among those to have seen a possible switch to Catalunya discussed this summer.

Dembele would welcome his fellow Frenchman onto the books at Camp Nou, but claims to have no knowledge regarding the chances of a deal being done.He added: “I would love to play with Pogba, but I have no information.”Goal revealed on Monday that United have no intention of parting with Pogba amid talk of mounting interest from Barca and Serie A champions Juventus.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho could go as Man Utd won't get close to City - Scholes


Jose Mourinho could leave Manchester United if summer struggles in the transfer market lead to another season of boring football behind the title pace, says Paul Scholes.

The Portuguese faced criticism of his methods in 2017-18, with the Red Devils considered to have adopted a defensive mindset as they ended the campaign empty-handed.A runner-up finish in the Premier League was secured, as was a place in the FA Cup final, but more is expected of a global heavyweight despite a tough pre-season.

Mourinho has had to work with a depleted squad on the back of the 2018 World Cup, while making only minor tweaks in his recruitment drive, with Scholes conceding that a proven performer now finds himself in “a difficult position”.The Old Trafford legend told Sky Sports: "Do I think he will leave? I've absolutely no idea. He needs to get off to a good start this season, there's no doubt about that.

"I think a lot will depend on how his team plays, you know. If his team don't do well, if they're not playing well, if they're not entertaining people, they're not challenging for the league, then he possibly could go.

"But he's got great experience, he's been at top clubs, he's been in difficult positions before, he's in a difficult position now I think, but he needs to try to find a way to get out of it."United are set to open the new season at home to Leicester on Friday, with it imperative that they get off to a flying start.

Scholes, though, fears that even a morale-boosting win over the Foxes will do little for the Red Devils’ cause in the long run, with rival outfits looking stronger and more likely title contenders.

He added: "When you look at Manchester City, possibly Liverpool, I don't think they [United] have the quality of those two teams at the minute.Liverpool have made some really good signings. United finished above them last season.

"I just don't see United getting closer to City. City are a really good side, great manager, some great players, a way of playing that they all know about and Manchester United seem to be not too sure what's going on.

"You don't really know the team, you don't really know the players, you don't know how they're going to perform from one week to the next. So I hope I'm wrong, but I don't see them challenging for the league this year."

 

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"I just don't see United getting closer to City. City are a really good side, great manager, some great players, a way of playing that they all know about and Manchester United seem to be not too sure what's going on.

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[Wolverine GTR]

Just 2 more hours remaining!
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Just 2 more hours remaining!
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19+

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Woodward karaya kawa Manchester United Summer transfer window ekaOne of the worst Manchester United' summer transfer windows ever

CB kenekge aduwa lokuawatama penuna last season eka purawatama.Stable naha kohomatathahem situation ekakdi mechchara time ekak thibilath deal ekak karaganna bari una nehAlderweireld thamai hodama option eka.ath Pochettino kiyana widiyata bid karalawath naha

Last season ekata wada hoda fight ekak balaporottuwenna puluwan City,Liverpool,Arsenal,Chelsea,Tottenham lagen + Everton lath team eka hodatama haduwa mehsare.so lesi wenne naha meh thiyana defence ekath ekka​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Atletico Madrid sign €15m Kalinic from AC Milan


Atletico Madrid have signed Croatia striker Nikola Kalinic from AC Milan for a fee reported to be in the region of €15 million (£13m/$17m).

Atleti confirmed the arrival of the Croatia striker on their official website, with Kalinic signing a three-year deal with the Liga side.Kalinic moved to Milan from Fiorentina on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy but his time at San Siro failed to catch fire.




The 30-year-old managed six goals in all appearances for the Rossoneri before leaving Croatia's World Cup campaign under a cloud.Kalinic refused to come on as a substitute during his country's opening 2-0 win over Nigeria at Russia 2018, citing a back injury, and head coach Zlatko Dalic decided to send him home.

Following Croatia's 4-2 defeat to France in the final, Kalinic elected not to receive a runners-up medal on account of his lack of contribution at the tournament.Gonzalo Higuain's arrival from Juventus pushed him further down the pecking order at Milan but Diego Simeone's Atletico represent an enticing fresh start for the former Blackburn Rovers forward.

He joins Antoine Griezmann, Diego Costa and fellow new recruit Thomas Lemar among an enviable set of attacking options at the Wanda Metropolitano.Kalinic, who was also linked with a move to Sevilla, could make his Atleti debut against Inter in the International Champions Cup on Saturday.

Simeone's men face rivals Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup in Tallinn next week before opening their LaLiga bid with a trip to Valencia on August 20.

 

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Mourinho conjuring up 'no miracles' as Man Utd prepare for 'serious stuff'


Jose Mourinho has warned Manchester United supporters there will be “no miracles” as he prepares his side for the start of “serious stuff” in the 2018-19 Premier League campaign.

The Red Devils will enter the new season hoping to piece together a sustained bid for the English top-flight crown.That cause has, however, been hindered by a lack of summer transfer activity and the delayed return of key men to the fold from World Cup duty.

It is possible that the likes of Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku could make an opening date with Leicester City on Friday, but Mourinho says his side cannot expect to be in peak condition.

The Portuguese told MUTV: “There are no miracles. The players with a proper pre-season, they are fit and they are strong.“For example, Alexis has played lots of matches and lots of minutes, he is more than ready.

“But you cannot have the players that arrived on the last Monday, after World Cup semi-finals, finals and three weeks of holidays, you cannot expect them to be fit.“Apart from that, we have some injuries. Some are expected and some are unexpected.

“[Nemanja] Matic, we weren't expecting him to be injured and needing a surgery after the World Cup. [Diogo] Dalot, we knew he had a surgery on his meniscus and we have to wait a couple of months before he is ready.”

Mourinho has also revealed the Ander Herrera, Sergio Romero, Marcos Rojo and Antonio Valencia will play no part against the Foxes, leaving him short of options.He is, however, ready for the resumption of competitive action, with it vital that United put their summer struggles behind them and pull together in the pursuit of collective goals.

“Now it’s serious stuff,” added Mourinho.“It’s not anymore about friendlies, it’s not anymore about preparation, it’s about points. Any point can be crucial - you don’t know what is going to happen in the end of the season.

“You have to try your best to get points and even with the difficulties that we had with our pre-season, now I don’t think is the time to be speaking about that. It’s time just to say, 'Tomorrow we have a Premier League match and we have to play to win it.'”

 

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Coutinho inherits legendary number seven shirt at Barcelona


Philippe Coutinho will wear the number seven shirt for Barcelona this coming season, the Liga champions have announced.Coutinho, who joined the Catalan club from Liverpool for €120m (£108m/$139m) in January, initially wore the No.14 shirt upon his arrival at the Camp Nou from Merseyside – but he now fills the jersey vacated by Arda Turan as Ernesto Valverde prepares for the new season.

The Brazil international, who featured for his country at the World Cup in Russia where they reached the quarter-finals, follows in the footsteps of club legends Luis Figo and David Villa in taking on the mantle.In his first half-season with Barca, the 26-year-old won the domestic double with the club, winning the Copa del Rey alongside the league, scoring 10 goals across 22 appearances.

In stepping into the storied legacy of the number seven shirt, Coutinho will hope to write his own legacy at Barca, similar to the mould of previous holders Figo and Villa, both of whom delivered triumphs during their stints.

The former helped the team to a domestic double in 1997-98 before his bitter transfer to Real, and the latter scored the winning goal in the team’s 3-1 victory against Manchester United in the 2011 Champions League Final before his transfer to Atletico Madrid.

His elevation to the number seven position sends a signal of intent to La Liga rivals and Champions League holders Real Madrid who are still looking to fill the vacancy left by Cristiano Ronaldo.The Portuguese superstar left the Spanish capital to join Serie A giants Juventus, where he has retained the same shirt number he held during his tenure at Santiago Bernabeu.

Coutinho’s new number also places him in direct contention with France’s World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe at Paris Saint-Germain, who himself took up the same jersey in the French capital this summer.

Barca face Sevilla in the Supercopa de Espana Final on August 12 before they kick off their Liga title defence against Alaves six days later on August 18.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Everton sign Bernard on four-year deal from Shakhtar Donetsk

Everton have completed the signing of Brazil winger Bernard on a four-year deal from Shakhtar Donetsk.The 25-year-old, who has won 14 caps for his country since 2014, links up with new Toffees boss Marco Silva at Goodison Park to become their fourth signing of the summer, and will wear number 20 for the club.

Bernard began his professional career at Atletico Mineiro in 2010 before joining the Ukrainian champions three years later, where he won the Ukrainian Premier League, Ukrainian Super Cup and Ukrainian Cup three times each.

At international level, he was also part of the Brazil team who won the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and played for his country at their home World Cup in 2014.Speaking to evertontv, Bernard said that the chance to join a “great club with great tradition” was the key driving factor behind his decision to sign for the club, vowing to help “make things happen” alongside former Watford manager Silva.

“I chose Everton because of all the things I had heard about Marco Silva and after speaking to him I was happy with what he said to me,” the midfielder said. “The manager made me feel confident about playing here. He has achieved really good things at other clubs.

“Everton is a club with a great structure and a lot of tradition. When I found out about this opportunity and what the manager wanted out of me, I was happy.
“I did not need any convincing to come here. I believe I will be able to show my best as a player here.

“I can promise I will try my hardest and dedicate myself to my work and to trying to make things happen for Everton.”Speaking on Bernard’s acquisition, Silva added: “Bernard is a quick player, very good technically and he can play on the left or right wings and as an offensive midfield player behind the striker.

“The fact he has 14 caps for Brazil is a further reflection of his quality.”The signing of Bernard was quickly followed up by the double capture of Colombian defender Yerry Mina and Portuguese midfielder Andre Gomes from Barcelona.

Everton begin their Premier League campaign away to Wolves at Molineux on August 11 before they host Southampton on Merseyside a week later on August 18.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mina completes €30m Everton move as Barcelona team-mate Gomes joins on loan

Barcelona have confirmed agreements with Everton that will see Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes join the Premier League side.

The Toffees will pay Barca an initial €30.25m (£27m/$35m), plus potentially another €1.5m in variables for Colombian defender Mina. The Catalan side also have a buy-back option on the 23-year-old, who joined from Palmeiras in January. Everton confirmed the pair of signings themselves later on Thursday.

Mina, a Colombia international who scored three goals at the World Cup, made only five league appearances as Barcelona won the title.

But he struggled to really establish himself in those outings and had been linked with a move away from Camp Nou since the end of last season. The centre-back fell even further down the pecking order when Barca brought in Clement Lenglet in July.Manchester United had been strongly linked with Mina but pulled out to pursue other targets , while Lyon had held out hope of signing him until the end. Everton have finally got the deal over the line, however, with Barca announcing their agreement shortly before the Premier League's transfer deadline.

Meanwhile, Gomes will join Marco Silva's side after Everton agreed to pay €2.25m to land him on loan for the season, while they will also pay his wages.The midfielder had also been unable to cement a spot in the first team since joining from Valencia in 2016 in a €35 million (£31m/$41m) deal.

The 25-year-old has opened up about his struggles at Barca, saying it felt like "hell" after the first six months.
Goal reported on Thursday that the Portugal international would have a medical in Spain before travelling to Merseyside before the close of the window.Mina and Gomes are not the only players who have gone from Camp Nou to Goodison Park in the transfer window, as Lucas Digne made the switch earlier on.

It was a busy transfer deadline day for Everton, who also signed Bernard from Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday, with the Brazilian winger signing a four-year contract.