..::Football IV::..

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Casillas hints at international retirement after Spain's Euro 2016 exit


Iker Casillas has hinted at international retirement following Spain’s elimination from Euro 2016.The former Real Madrid goalkeeper, now at Porto, is Spain’s most-capped player with 167 appearances having made his debut for the national side in 2000.

Casillas was named in Vicente Del Bosque’s squad for Euro 2016 but didn’t get off the bench as David De Gea was the first-choice goalkeeper for the duration of the tournament.

And the 35-year-old has now indicated that he is ready to end his time with Spain.
"So proud to feel the affection of the fans from #GraciasCasillas. Now and forever, we are all with Spain,” he posted on Twitter.

Alongside the message, the tweet also contained one of the final scenes in Rambo II where John Rambo says goodbye to Colonel Trautman and wants his "country to love us as much as we love it".

 

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'Dybala rejected €80m Barcelona move'

The founder of Grupo Mascardi, Gustavo Mascardi, has claimed Barcelona made an €80 million bid for Paulo Dybala, but insists the player has no wish to leave Juventus.

The Argentine starlet joined the Bianconeri last summer in a €40 million move from Palermo and has hit the ground running 19 Serie A goals and racking up nine assists in his first season with the Italian champions.

Naturally the 22-year-old has become hot property in the transfer market, but Mascardi is adamant that the player has a very clear idea of how to manage his future.“When I talk with Paulo and his agent, Pierpaolo Triulzi, I know that the lad is really on the right track,” he told Gazzamercato.

“A year ago Inter and Milan also wanted him, but he was right to choose the club which would give him more safeguards. His career at Juventus has just begun.

“Will he stay at Juve for a long time? The transfer market can offer a lot of temptations, but Paulo has shown himself to have clear ideas.“It’s true that in recent months Barcelona were interested in La Joya, I think they made a bid of double what the Bianconeri paid [€80m].

“But the player’s first consideration was that it was more important to consolidate his experience at a club which is giving him the opportunity to succeed at the highest levels.”

 

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Suarez claims Messi will reverse his decision to retire from Argentina

Luis Suarez believes Lionel Messi will reverse his decision to quit Argentina.

Messi called time on his international career in the immediate aftermath of Argentina’s defeat to Chile in the Copa America final.

The Barcelona star was left in tears having missed his penalty in the shootout, but several high-profile figures in Argentina, including the nation’s president Mauricio Macri and Diego Maradona, have urged the 29-year-old not to go through with his decision.

“I’m sure that he will change his mind, but whatever he decides he will still be the best ever,” Suarez told Radio Tenfield.

“Knowing Leo, I’m sure it was said in a moment of sadness and helplessness.

“It would be a shame for football if he took this decision, but I'm sure he will reconsider and change his mind.

“It's a difficult time. Everyone has the right to make decisions and they should be respected.”

 

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Nani to join Valencia, confirms Fenerbahce president

Portugal international Nani will play for La Liga side Valencia next season, Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim confirmed.Valencia are yet to confirm the deal but will reportedly pay €8.5million to lure Nani to the Mestalla Stadium.

The 29-year-old former Manchester United winger - on international duty at Euro 2016 - spent just one season with Fener in the Turkish Super Lig. "Nani will play for Valencia next season," Yildirim told AMK Sport.

Nani - preparing for Portugal's Euro 2016 quarter-final against Poland on Thursday - returned to his best form with Fener after falling out of favour at Old Trafford.

In 28 league appearances in 2015-16, Nani scored eight goals - 12 in all competitions - as Fener finished runners-up to rivals Besiktas in the Super Lig.

 

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'The situation has changed' - Man Utd improve Mkhitaryan offer

Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke has revealed Manchester United have made an improved offer for Henrikh Mkhitaryan.The Armenian netted 23 goals for Dortmund in 2015-16 and was voted the Bundesliga Players' Player of the Season.

Watzke told Kicker on Monday that he wanted the situation to be clarified by the time pre-season training began on Monday, a point he has reiterated.An agreement over a £26.3million fee to take Mkhitaryan to Old Trafford was thought to have been agreed.

However, the Dortmund CEO admitted United have raised their bid, with a £33m offer now reportedly on the table."We have to evaluate this as we start our pre-season training on Monday, and we will do that at the weekend," Watzke told WAZ.

"The situation has changed – Manchester United improved their offer."In situations like this you have to see things from different points of view and in the end we will make a decision.

"I have contacted the relevant people and we will decide at the weekend."We need the opinions of different people and after that the board of directors will decide."

 

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PattaMkhitaryan wa gatthoth nam niyamai

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Rooney: Next England manager could be foreign


Wayne Rooney says England's new manager does not have to be English, though admits it would be preferable if he were.

Roy Hodgson resigned on Monday following England's elimination from Euro 2016 at the hands of Iceland, and speculation is mounting that Gareth Southgate, currently in charge of the nation's under-21 team, is set to take on the role.
And while the England captain believes an English manager is preferable, he insists the nationality of the new boss does not matter.

"Of course it's better if he's English, but he has to be the right man for the job. He has to have the credentials and the ability to be able to do the job," Rooney said.
"Whether he's English or not we'll wait and see."He needs to put his stamp on the team, whoever he is."

Whoever gets the nod, Rooney feels they should be excited about the prospect of leading the Three Lions."I know one thing - if I was the manager coming in, I'd be very excited. It's difficult to see now, but we do have a good squad, an exciting squad," he said."Whoever comes in will have a tough job, but have the players to move us on from where we are and take us one step further.

"I've always tried to give honest answers to the questions I'm asked and we've never played with any fear. We've never played with any fear in this tournament as we have in the past."We just haven't been clinical enough [at the Euros], and it's cost us."

 

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We must take care of Messi - Argentina president

Argentina president Mauricio Macri revealed his discussion with Lionel Messi as he tried to convince the star to remain with the national team.

The 29-year-old stunningly announced he was set to retire from internationals after his side's penalty shoot-out loss to Chile in the Copa America Centenario final on Sunday.Fans and players have urged Messi, Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer, to reconsider.

Marci has tried to do the same and said the Barcelona star was huge for the country."I spoke with him to congratulate him and tell him he had done a great championship," Macri told reporters.

He added: "I don't understand. The truth is that it's a joy, a gift from God, to have the best player in the world in a country like ours."Messi is the biggest thing we have in Argentina, so you have to take care of him."

Macri spoke to Messi on Monday, a day after Gerardo Martino's men went down to Chile 4-2 on penalties.He also wanted the miraculous attacker to ignore critics, saying: "I told him not to pay attention to all the comments being made because, in truth, we are very happy."

Messi scored five goals at the Copa, but he put his penalty in the shoot-out over the bar as Argentina's 23-year trophy drought continued.
He is yet to speak publicly since announcing his decision.

 

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Galliani: Montella gives AC Milan a fresh start

Vincenzo Montella's appointment as AC Milan coach is a fresh start for the club, according to joint-chief executive officer Adriano Galliani.

Montella was announced as Cristian Brocchi's replacement on Tuesday, making him the club's fourth permanent coach since Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri was sacked in 2014.

The former Fiorentina coach will be tasked with rebuilding the Italian giants to their former glories, following last season's seventh-place finish in the Serie A - meaning another campaign without European football - and a runners-up finish in the Coppa Italia.

"We start again with Montella," Galliani told MilanNews."There's a lot of satisfaction, we believe we've made a good choice. Let's hope it goes well."

Montella enjoyed a win rate of over 50 per cent during his three-year stint at Fiorentina, taking the club to fourth place in the league three years in a row.
His most recent job came at Sampdoria, where he took over in November last year, before leaving to take on the job at San Siro.

 

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Emery a big loss for Sevilla, says Baptista

Former Sevilla forward Julio Baptista insists coach Unai Emery will be a tough act to follow at the Europa League champions following his departure.The worst kept secret in football was finally confirmed on Tuesday after Emery was appointed coach of French champions Paris Saint-Germain.Emery guided Spanish outfit Sevilla to three consecutive Europa League crowns in three-and-a-half seasons at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

And Baptista, who made a name for himself during his two years in Seville between 2003-2005, knows replacement boss and former Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli has a difficult task on his hands.

"It's a big loss. Emery has shown he can do a very successful job," ex-Brazil international Baptista told Omnisport ."He has got the club to a high level. Their consistency and work rate.

"The most difficult thing now is to keep the players at a consistent level like Emery has."In three full seasons at the club, Emery never finished lower than seventh in La Liga.

After replacing Michel in January 2013, Emery helped Sevilla return to European football via a fifth-place finish.From then on, the 44-year-old led Sevilla to a remarkable three Europa League titles in succession.

Baptista - now playing for Orlando City in MLS - added: "Sevilla have done a great job in getting players that are unknown and turning them into huge players.
"That is the result. Winning Europa League championships, now being one of the top clubs in Europe."

 

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Pato's agent still hoping for Chelsea deal

Alexandre Pato could still sign for Chelsea on a permanent deal, according to his agent Gilmar Veloz.

Goal understands Antonio Conte has opted not to offer the Brazilian a deal at Stamford Bridge after an unimpressive spell since joining on loan, with an option to buy in January.

Pato made just two Premier League appearances under Guus Hiddink, scoring once from the penalty spot and has been linked to a number of Brazilian sides, including former teams Internacional and Sao Paulo.

Corinthians president Roberto de Andrade has suggested Pato could return to the club and see out the remainder of his contract, which is due to expire in December.
However, Veloz still believes Chelsea could still exercise their option to retain the former Brazil international.

"Pato has already [reportedly] signed with Inter, Sao Paulo, Palmeiras, Flamengo – how is he going to sign when he has a contract with Chelsea until June 30?" he told Globo Esporte."He has a document there ready for a four-year contract if Chelsea wished to exercise it.

"I do not know if they are going to, I am not Roman Abramovich."If they decide not to buy him, it will be up to Corinthians to decide what to do.
"Pato is on holiday waiting on his future."

 

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Wenger tight-lipped on Lacazette interest

Arsene Wenger has refused to rule out interest in Lyon star Alexandre Lacazette, insisting any comment would prompt further speculation over the club's hunt for a new striker.

West Ham saw a club-record €40 million bid for the attacker rejected earlier in the summer, with the 25-year-old understood to opt against moving to Upton Park despite Lyon being happy with the deal on offer.

Lacazette has long been linked with a move to the Emirates after coming to the fore in Ligue 1 with a return of 48 goals over the past two seasons, but Wenger refused to confirm or deny interest in the striker.

"I neither confirm or deny interest," he told Canal+ Sport.

"If I say that I like the player it starts speculation."

Wenger has already spent big during the summer transfer window with the arrival of midfielder Granit Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach, and revealed last week he was hoping to seal a further two signings.

 

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Chelsea staff fly to Bordeaux to complete €40m Batshuayi deal

Michy Batshuayi looks set to sign for Chelsea in a €40m deal, with Belgium happy to give him special dispensation to complete the deal, Goal understands.

Chelsea staff have flown out to Bordeaux and completed a provisional medical with the 22-year-old amid interest from other clubs including Juventus, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham and Crystal Palace.

Batshuayi will be offered a five-year deal and will miss a scheduled appearance in a Belgium press conference to meet Blues officials. The striker has also started following a number of Chelsea related accounts on social media.

Marseille are under financial pressure to sell their best players and their club president, Vincent Labrun, accepted Chelsea's bid, as well as an offer from Crystal Palace a few days earlier.

Goal understands that Batshuayi, who has a great affinity to Marseille, rejected a move to Palace and also West Ham, and only wanted a move to a Champions League club. However, he was happy to make an exception for Chelsea.

Belgian club Standard Liege are set to recieve 35% of the fee after agreeing a clause but he will become the most expensive sale in Marseille’s history - beating the previous record of Didier Drogba to Chelsea in 2004 for £24m.

Chelsea will complete the rest of his medical at their Cobham training ground after Euro 2016 as Batshuayi aims to line up alongside Chelsea Belgians Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois.

Alexandre Pato and Radamel Falcao have already left London while Loic Remy looks likely to follow. The Blues will also attempt to sign another striker this summer as they target Gonzalo Higuain and Alvaro Morata.

 

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Leicester City labelled as favourites to sign Ben Arfa

Leicester City are favourites to sign Hatem Ben Arfa, according to Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas.

Goal understands that Sevilla have already reached an agreement to sign the 29-year-old on a three-year contract with a signing-on fee in excess of €10 million.

Ben Arfa, who is available on a free transfer after his contract with Nice expired this summer, has also attracted interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon following a stellar season in Ligue 1.

But Aulas believes his side are still in the race for the midfielder, but concedes the Premier League champions may have the advantage.

"Ben Arfa, it is a question of passion. He is close to our desire, our enthusiasm, to our fans. I think that he really wants to join Lyon,” Aulas told Canal+.

"If he does not come, it will be for reasons that have nothing to do with passion. I believe that it is more Leicester City in terms of the direction he is heading. That is what people have told me who spoke to him on the phone this afternoon."

 

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Hulk arrives in China ahead of €58m transfer to Shanghai SIPG


Hulk has arrived in China ahead of his €58 million (£48m) transfer to Shanghai SIPG.

The deal for the Zenit striker will set a new record for the largest transfer fee paid by an Asian club after Jiangsu Suning signed Alex Teixeira from Shakhtar Donetsk for €50m in February.

Hulk arrived at Shanghai’s international airport on Wednesday morning and was greeted by over 1000 fans, according to his new club.
Zenit have also confirmed that a transfer has been agreed for the Brazil international, who is reportedly receiving €20m per year.

“Zenit have reached a preliminary agreement with Shanghai SIPG concerning the transfer of Hulk, and on Wednesday the player will undergo a medical,” the Russian club’s press officer, Dmitri Zimmerman, told Sport Express.
“Zenit will receive around €56m [£46.3m], while a further €2m [£1.7m] could be added to the total price.”


Hulk was signed by Zenit from Porto in 2012 in a deal which cost the Russian side €60m (£47.5m).

 

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Barcelona agree deal to sign Lyon defender Umtiti

Samuel Umtiti has reached an agreement to join Barcelona, Lyon’s president Jean-Michel Aulas has confirmed.

The 22-year-old is one of the Spanish champions’ top summer targets alongside Paris Saint-Germain’s Marquinhos as they look to significantly strengthen their defence ahead of the new season.

But reports of a €30 million agreement have now been confirmed by Lyon’s chief, who insists he will not prevent the France international from joining Barcelona.

“We anticipate the eventual departure of Umtiti. Samuel has an exclusive agreement for him to join Barcelona,” Aulas told RMC Sport.

“We made a promise that if he could play for the club of his heart, he would leave. It’s part of the commitment which we have made, as was done for Karim Benzema when he went to Real Madrid.

“Right now, Samuel is with Les Bleus and is focussed on the Euro and the fact that he can play Sunday against Iceland. If the three parties agree, it is possible that he will leave us.”

 

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Hamsik: Bayern offer reports are nonsense

Marek Hamsik has signalled his intention to remain at Napoli for the rest of his career and branded reports of an offer from Bayern Munich as "nonsense".Captain Hamsik has been one of Napoli's stand-out performers in recent seasons, prompting links with a move to Bayern or Liverpool.

However, after returning from Euro 2016 duty with Slovakia, Hamsik is keen to sit down with Napoli officials to resolve his future.

"Everything is possible, we'll see what happens in the next few days," Hamsik told Slovakian news outlet Pravda."Now I just want to relax. The season has been long and difficult. I played a lot of matches and my body is feeling it."

Asked about the reports of an offer from Bayern, Hamsik added: "I don't know anything about that, it's nonsense. Even if I got any offer, I'd certainly offer an opinion.

"I feel good at Napoli, and I can imagine finishing my career there. Now what will be important is how the club reacts."Even before the Euros we had a first round of talks on the terms of a new contract. If they agree, I'll stay.

"However, if not, I'll have to make arrangements accordingly. Now I want to take some time off and spend it with my family, who I've been away from for too long."
Hamsik has made 319 Serie A appearances for Napoli since joining from Brescia in 2007.

 

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Arsenal launch offer for Japan forward Takuma Asano

Arsenal have launched a bid for Japanese forward Takuma Asano.

The 21-year-old currently plays for Sanfrecce Hiroshima and has been capped four times by Japan’s national team.

Asano has scored 25 goals in 91 appearances since making his debut in 2013 and is regarded as one of the brightest talents in Japanese football.

When asked about Arsenal's offer, Asano told journalist Shintaro Kano: “I was a little stunned.

"But I feel like I have the confidence to succeed wherever I go.

“And if I go, I do have an idea of what it would be like. If I am loaned elsewhere, my take on it is that I give it 100 percent.”

 

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Batshuayi all set for Chelsea as Belgium confirm medical


Belgium coach Marc Wilmots has confirmed that Michy Batshuayi was given permission to undergo a medical ahead of his expected move to Chelsea.

Goal revealed on Wednesday that the Marseille striker was given special dispensation to complete a provisional medical with the Blues ahead of sealing a €40m switch to Stamford Bridge.

And now Wilmots has confirmed the news, with the player, who scored in the 4-0 demolition of Hungary on Sunday, now all set to sign for the Premier League club.


"He did not ask for my advice," he said. "Marseille just asked me to release him for two hours for a medical visit between 10am and noon. That's all."

Full-back Thomas Meunier is also said to be on the verge of a transfer from Club Brugge to Paris Saint-Germain."I think it's best that the players are busy with transfers," Wilmots added. "This shows that they have worked well.

"They were given a free afternoon yesterday and some took the opportunity to move forward on the transfer issue. It's good to solve these problems."If a club like PSG is interested in Meunier it is because they have seen his qualities. They are not blind."

Belgium face Wales in their Euro 2016 quarter-final on Friday.

 

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Batshuayi hoda sign 1kak weiLast season stats unath godak hodai​