..::Football IV::..

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Manchester United target Dier is worth more to Tottenham than £50m

Eric Dier continues to be linked with a move from Tottenham to Manchester United this summer. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy takes a particularly hard-line stance when it comes to transfers - the sales of Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Carrick to United were protracted affairs - and is understood to have placed a value of around £50 million on the England international.

However, in today’s market, that appears to be exceptional value for a player who has excelled in both defensive midfield and central defence. As such, Tottenham would do well to revise their valuation, as Dier is one of the most grossly underappreciated players in the Premier League right now.

Neil Custis, a journalist for The Sun newspaper, claimed on Radio Five Live recently that Dier had been “led to believe he is better than he is”. This came after a display against France where the Three Lions were beaten 3-2, despite Les
Blues being reduced to 10 men.

Dier was overrun but, on the night in questioned, he had been supported by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, a winger, and Dele Alli, a No.10, so it was unsurprising that Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante won the battle for midfield supremacy.

Assessing one’s value on international performances is a folly. Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard would be seen as average midfield players if England displays were used as a barometer. Ditto Michael Owen, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Cole. In fact, even Harry Kane would be widely seen as a lumbering striker if Euro 2016 was used to assess his abilities.

Dier is far more effective in Tottenham’s cohesive unit. Deployed alongside Mousa Dembele at White Hart Lane, he greases the wheels of Spurs’ attacks, showing off his remarkable ability to both win the ball cleanly and distribute it effectively, either to the wings or through the middle, to Kane.

Mauricio Pochettino, a manager who covets multifunctional players and those willing to go above and beyond for the cause, adores Dier. He missed just two Premier League games in 2016-17, a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough and a 1-0 loss to Manchester United.

"I think that together we created a new style of player," the Spurs boss enthused in May. "He can play different roles.'It's fantastic, that flexibility he provides with his quality for the team. He's been a fantastic signing for the club."

The work done by Dier is unspectacular but that does not, and should not, decrease his value to Tottenham. In 36 games for Spurs, Dier has more successful passes (1656) than Christian Eriksen (1541), Dembele (1345) and Alli (1053), with an 86.7 per cent accuracy – only worse than that of the Belgian, who boasts an impressive 92%.

Dier’s defensive stats are equally as impressive; his 35 interceptions top the superb Toby Alderweireld, who has just 26, while he has blocked just four less shots than the Belgian – 17 to 21.

Only two Manchester United players – Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera – boast more successful passes than Dier. Only Eric Bailly and Herrera have more interceptions.

Dier would slot seamlessly into United’s starting XI but he does not boast the ‘Galactico’ quality the Red Devils so desperately crave. Cristiano Ronaldo is flirting with his former club, while Andrea Belotti, of Torino, and Alvaro Morata, of Real Madrid, are reportedly targets.

Dier is not the kind of player to barrel into a new club and immediately grab headlines. After all, Spurs secured his signature for just £4m from Sporting Lisbon in 2014 and he has since gone about his business quietly but effectively.
He is a Premier League centurion, and is captain material at both club and international level.

In recent weeks, we have seen Jordan Pickford – a goalkeeper with one full Premier League season under his belt – move to Everton for £30m, while reports continue to circulate suggesting that both City and United could spend as much as £500m this summer.

Securing Dier for a fee of £50m would be something of a bargain for United, but he is indispensable for Spurs, and they would dearly regret letting him go.While United would be securing a superbly talented player, Spurs would be losing one like no other.

 

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Dortmund invite offers for Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City target Aubameyang

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has invited interested clubs to make a formal offer for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.The Gabon international has been heavily linked with a move away from Signal Iduna Park with the likes of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City all credited with an interest in signing the prolific attacker.

Goal revealed on Monday that City are not yet considering an approach, while PSG have pulled out of the race for his signature, and Dortmund remain adamant they are yet to receive any bids for Aubameyang.The Bundesliga side remain hopeful of holding on to their star forward, but Watzke will consider realistic offers.

"We will listen to it when a club is willing to show its appreciation for Aubameyang in a financial way as well," Watzke told Bild.

Aubameyang has a contract with Dortmund until June 2020, but the club could decide to cash in on the former Saint-Etienne man if an offer in the region of €70 million comes in.

 

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'Rashford wanted to be like Pirlo' - Man Utd forward now urged to be next Van Nistelrooy

Marcus Rashford may be an exciting striking option at Manchester United, but former youth coach Paul McGuinness has revealed that he once “wanted to play like Pirlo”.A product of the Red Devils’ academy system, the 19-year-old started out as a playmaking midfielder.

Seeing himself as a creative influence in the mould of Juventus and Milan legend Andrea Pirlo, Rashford would often look to get involved in proceedings as much as possible and dictate the play.United, though, saw greater potential in the youngster as a fleet-footed forward and quickly sought to nudge him in a different direction.

McGuinness told the Manchester Evening News: “We decided, myself, Warren Joyce and Colin Little, that he was a very good footballer. He could be a No.10, a winger, beat people, he used to drop off into midfield.

“There was one tournament where he wanted to play like Pirlo. But we saw his potential to be a striker.“We worked on his body shape, different runs. He’s a really, really intelligent lad in terms of football. He picked it up very quickly."

Having burst onto the scene at Old Trafford with a flurry of goals under Louis van Gaal, Rashford found the going a little tougher in 2016-17 under Jose Mourinho – despite seeing plenty of game time.

He is now being urged to work on becoming a more predatory frontman, with United eager to see him follow in the footsteps of an iconic figure from the not too distant past.McGuinness added: “Marcus can score all sorts of goals, but to be a goal-scorer you need more of the Ruud van Nistelrooy type of goals.

“If it hit the goalkeeper - there was Ruud. If it hit the bar, post, deflected - he was there.“Marcus has got a bigger range, but he needs more of those.”Rashford netted 11 times in 53 appearances for United across all competitions in 2016-17.

 

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Oscar banned for mammoth eight games after inciting China brawl

Former Chelsea attacker Oscar has been banned by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) for inciting a brawl in Shanghai SIPG's 1-1 draw on Sunday.

The Brazilian kicked the ball violently and purposefully against two Guangzhou R&F players, resulting in a fight on the pitch between both sets of teams.

Oscar will now not be eligible to play in the Chinese Super League until August 13 while also receiving an additional $5,000 fine from the governing body of Chinese football.

“Oscar’s immoral foul, which sparked a massive bust-up on the pitch, has had a huge negative impact on China’s professional football leagues,” read a statement of CFA.

“The CFA alway attaches great importance to the issue of discipline, taking great pains to root out the violent fouls and other unsportsmanlike behaviour.

“Hopefully disciplinary offences would be severely punished by all clubs and efforts shall be made to maintain the order of the games and protect the development of football.”

Initially, the governing body were unsure as to how to punish the midfielder and wrote to FIFA for advice following a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday.
Oscar did not attend that hearing and was later pictured wearing a t-shirt with the words "nothing to do, nothing to say".

Oscar has made 21 appearances for the Chinese club, scoring four goals and providing 10 assists.

 

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'Schmeichel to Man Utd would be a dream' - Leicester keeper's legendary father talks up move

Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel admits it “would be a dream” to see his son Kasper follow in his footsteps at Old Trafford.The Red Devils have been linked with a move for Leicester City’s Premier League title-winning goalkeeper amid speculation regarding David de Gea’s future.

Talk of a transfer to Real Madrid for the Spain international has eased of late, with Madrid president Florentino Perez suggesting that his club are no longer interested in the long-term target.

It could, however, be that Schmeichel gets the chance to join the Red Devils are some stage, with his father admitting that such an opportunity would be too good to turn down.

A man who spent eight years at United, capturing five Premier League crowns and the Champions League, told talkSPORT when asked if he would like to see Kasper make a move: "It would be a dream.

"For me, trying to be as neutral and unbiased and not like a father, I think he has done well enough to convince everybody that he can play at the highest level.

"The doubts were there when he first went into the Premier League over whether he was good enough, but he proved that and in the Champions League last year I thought he did really well. If clubs need a really good goalkeeper, well he is somebody who can be trusted to do that.

"Having said that, I am crazy about Leicester, I am crazy about the owners - they are fantastic and really good for the Premier League. There is no shortage of will and money to make Leicester a top four club, or at least top six, top eight. They are prepared to do that and that is a really interesting environment to play football in.

"There is no ‘Kasper needs to move’ kind of feel at the moment, but if an opportunity like that [moving to United] came around, that would be fantastic."

Kasper Schmeichel has been with Leicester since 2011, helping them to promotion out of the Championship and to a remarkable top-flight title success over the course of 261 appearances.

 

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Mathieu to be released by Barcelona

Jeremy Mathieu will be released by Barcelona in the coming days, despite having a year left on his contract, Goal can confirm.The veteran defender, who will turn 34 in October, played only 16 matches for the Camp Nou side last season in all competitions, mustering a single goal.

Injuries hampered his campaign, with muscular, ankle and Achilles problems reducing his game time and meaning that he started only twice since picking up a knock against Atletico Madrid in a 2-1 February win.

Reports from Radio Kanal Barcelona suggest that Mathieu’s contract will be terminated in the coming hours, freeing up €2.4 million of wages.

Mathieu has spent the last two seasons at Barcelona, having previously spent five years at Valencia and the four prior to that in his homeland with Toulouse, after graduating through the Sochaux youth system. It is expected that the former France international defender will join Sporting CP on a free transfer.

Over the course of his career, he has won the Champions League, two Liga crowns and the Copa del Rey on three occasions.

 

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Juve and Cuadrado's agent yet to be contacted amid Arsenal links

Juan Cuadrado’s agent claims neither he nor Juventus have been contacted amid rumours linking Arsenal with the forward.

The Colombia international only recently saw a two-season loan from Chelsea turned into a permanent deal with the Serie A champions.He is, however, already seeing his future called into question and Goal revealed on Wednesday that an offer of around €30 million could tempt Juve into a sale.

Premier League side Arsenal are among those said to be weighing up the merits of such an approach, but the winger’s representative insists that no formal offers have been made as yet.

“Juan does not want to leave Juve and Juve do not want to sell him so there are no ongoing negotiations at the moment,” Alessandro Lucci told Gianluca Di Marzio.
“Nobody has neither contacted me nor Juventus and I am the only one in charge to talk about the future of Juan.”

Cuadrado has also been linked with a move to Tottenham, with Mauricio Pochettino looking to bolster his squad for another shot at the Premier League title in 2017-18.They, too, would appear to be biding their time, with the 29-year-old one of several options being considered by a number of clubs.

A deal may happen at some stage, though, with Goal revealing that Juve are willing to cash in to help finance moves for Bayern Munich’s Douglas Costa and Fiorentina star Federico Bernardeschi.


Cuadrado has made 85 appearances for Juve to date, netting eight goals, with his form rediscovered after a forgettable spell at Chelsea in which he struggled for game time.

 

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PSG make world-record Mbappe bid

Paris Saint-Germain have stepped up their pursuit of Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe and have made an offer of over €135 million, Goal understands.

The 18-year-old striker caught the eye last season when he scored 26 times for the Ligue 1 champions in 44 outings, leading to interest from many of the world’s biggest clubs, including Arsenal and Real Madrid.

Initially, PSG were not interested in a mammoth offer for the France international, but since Antero Henrique became their sporting director earlier this month, their priorities have changed. He has even met twice with Mbappe’s father.

The Paris native, who remains very attached to his hometown, sees the Parc des Princes side as the ideal springboard to achieve his dream of playing for Real Madrid, despite all this could choose to remain at the club that gave him his break.

Monaco are well placed financially after selling Bernardo Silva to Manchester City, and with two years left on the youngster’s contract are under no obligation to allow him to leave. Indeed, they are ready to prolong his contract and offer him a huge wage upgrade.

Mbappe will make his decision when he returns from his holiday.

 

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World-class striker Aubameyang is perfect for the Premier League

Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang finished third in the European Golden Ball standings and topped the Bundesliga goalscoring chart, but despite being linked with a host of clubs, it seems nobody really wants to splash out €70 million on the 28-year-old.

A host of Premier League clubs have been rumoured to be interested, with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City among the potential suitors for Aubameyang, but all have decided to prioritise other options in the transfer window.

City are interested in Aubameyang, but only as a backup plan if they fail to land Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez, while Jurgen Klopp has different targets at Liverpool despite knowing the Gabon international from their time together in Dortmund.

After finishing runner-up to Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the Ligue 1 top scorers list at Saint-Etienne, Klopp spent €13m to buy Aubameyang in 2013, where he was used out wide with Robert Lewandowski the central striker.

Under Klopp, he impressed on the flanks, but really flourished once the German manager and the Polish striker both left the club. Aubameyang scored 16 goals in all competitions at BVB, and has improved on that in each season, with a fantastic return of 40 goals in 46 appearances in 2016-17, with 31 in 32 in the Bundesliga.

His obviously goalscoring talent is accompanied by great off-the-ball movement and a ridiculous burst of pace. He can run 30 metres in 3.7 seconds, which is comparable with Jamaica sprinters Maurice Green's 3.77 seconds and Usain Bolt's 3.78 seconds for the same distance. Aubameyang has claimed he can run a full 100m in 10.3 seconds, which would have been better than 17 of the athletes in the 100m Heats at the 2015 World Athletics Championships.

This explosive pace causes problems for defenders, and surely would have a major impact in the Premier League, where the 28-year-old would be crucial to a counter-attacking approach. As well as this, he brings a level of determination wherever he goes. At Saint-Etienne, he initially struggled in front of goal, but worked hard at improving his technique and his aim, helped by their manager Christophe Galtier, who is still full of admiration for his former protege.

"His greatest quality is humility," Galtier told Bundesliga.com. "He has a lot of humility, respect, and he has something else: when he hasn't done something right in a match, he asked to do it again in training, to change how he had done it and do it right."

On the last day of the Bundesliga season, he netted twice against Werder Bremen to snatch the Bundesliga top scorer award from former team-mate Lewandowski, once again proving his class. He has impressed in Europe too, scoring seven in nine Champions League games, helping Dortmund finish ahead of Real Madrid in the group stage.

Aubameyang's talents have been roundly praised, even by rival players. Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann believes the Gabonese striker is one of the best in the world, praising his overall ability and how much he has grown in the past season.

"He is definitely a world class striker who has an incredible consistency in his game," Griezmann told Reviersport. "Over the past few months, he has developed steadily. With him, you always realise that he is happy on the pitch."

Aubameyang is reaching his peak, having proven himself in Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga. If a Premier League club does decide to splash the cash on him, they will be greatly rewarded. He is one of the world's best strikers and would be a sensation in the English top flight.

 

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Auba EPL enawanam Liverpool / City / Chelsea thamai favourites join wenna​

 

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Germany 1 Chile 1: Stindl denies record-breaker Sanchez

Lars Stindl's equaliser ensured Germany made Chile and record-breaker Alexis Sanchez wait for a place in the Confederations Cup semi-finals with a 1-1 draw in Kazan.

Sanchez became Chile's all-time record scorer early on, passing Marcelo Salas with his 38th international goal after a mistake from Arsenal team-mate Shkodran Mustafi.Eduardo Vargas hit the crossbar for Juan Antonio Pizzi's men, but Stindl struck for the second consecutive game before half-time.

A quieter second half did not produce a winning goal, meaning Chile and Germany stay level on four points at the top of Group B, three clear of Australia and Cameroon, who also drew 1-1 earlier on Thursday.

The two teams will progress to the last four if they avoid defeat in their final matches on Sunday, Chile facing Australia and Germany up against Cameroon.

The world champions are still waiting for their first victory against South American opposition in the tournament, having previously lost twice to Brazil and drawn with Argentina.

Chile took the lead after only six minutes, Sanchez capitalising on Mustafi's misplaced pass to play a slick one-two with Arturo Vidal and stab a left-footed finish in off the near post from eight yards.

Stindl forced a sharp save from Johnny Herrera with a low strike at the other end, but it was Chile who came within inches of scoring the game's second goal.

Vargas seized on a loose ball 25 yards out and smashed a dipping strike against the underside of the bar, which bounced agonisingly to safety, having had Marc-Andre ter Stegen beaten.Germany levelled four minutes before half-time when Emre Can's throughball found Jonas Hector, whose superb cross from the left allowed Stindl to slide in and convert from inside the six-yard box.

Sanchez worked space for himself and forced a one-handed save from Ter Stegen before the end of a first half which ended level.The Arsenal star curled a free-kick just over after the break, while Vidal's looping header and Vargas' clever effort also narrowly missed the target.

Stindl's shot led to an unconvincing save from Herrera at the other end, but there was little late drama as Germany, who did not make any substitutions, extended their unbeaten streak to 12 matches.

 

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Liverpool complete record signing of Mohamed Salah from Roma

Liverpool have sharpened their attack by completing the signing of Mohamed Salah from Roma on a five-year deal.

Goal broke the news of the club’s interest in the 25-year-old on May 9, with the explosive forward passing a medical on Thursday before finalising his switch to Anfield.

The Serie A club have disclosed the transfer is worth over £36 million, which could rise by another £7m due to add-ons, which would make him the Merseysiders' record signing.Salah will earn in the region of £90,000 a week and takes over No. 11 from Roberto Firmino, who becomes the club’s No. 9.

The desire to see the Egypt international in a Liverpool shirt precedes this summer, with the Merseyside outfit failing in their attempts to recruit him from Basel at the turn of 2014 as Chelsea moved rapidly to snap him up instead.

His £12m switch to Stamford Bridge ultimately proved unsuccessful before loan spells followed at Fiorentina and Roma, the latter making the agreement permanent last August.

Salah proved a revelation at the Stadio Olimipico, contributing 19 goals and 12 assists across all competitions last season.
With manager Jurgen Klopp determined to add another intelligent, fluid and formidable player to his frontline, Liverpool would not miss out on the Egyptian again.

The Reds had an opening offer of £28m rebuffed by Roma at the start of June and persisted in negotiations despite the Giallorossi demanding over £40m at one stage.

Salah’s tirelessness, speed and decisiveness in the final third is perfect for the 50-year-old’s assertive blueprint and complements the attributes of an already accomplished attack.

He joins Dominic Solanke as an incomer ahead of 2017-18, with the Under-20 World Cup winner swapping Chelsea for Liverpool. The talented teenager will officially link up with the Reds on July 1 following the expiration of his terms at Stamford Bridge.

A tribunal is expected to decide on how much training compensation Antonio Conte’s side will receive for the 19-year-old, with the clubs still a distance apart in their valuations.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Godak hoda signing 1kak Liverpool lagen​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Salah gets Liverpool's No. 11 shirt as Firmino takes 9

New Liverpool signing Mohamed Salah will take over the No. 11 shirt from Roberto Firmino, with the Brazilian becoming the club’s No. 9.The Egypt international completed his switch from Roma to Anfield after passing a medical on Thursday and committing to a five-year deal.

Having been successful for the Giallorossi as their 11, Salah wanted to keep the number for Liverpool with the Brazilian happy to oblige.

Oussama Assaidi, Maxi Rodriguez, Albert Riera, Yossi Benayoun and Mark Gonzalez were the previous five players to hold the shirt.The last forward to have success as Liverpool’s No. 9, meanwhile, was Fernando Torres.

Since the Spaniard's departure in January 2011, Andy Carroll, Iago Aspas, Rickie Lambert and Christian Benteke inherited the number, but none of them had the kind of impact associated with the famous shirt worn by the Reds’ record goalscorer Ian Rush and fellow legend Robbie Fowler.

 

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Jugen Klopp say Liverpool signing Mohamed Salah can win at the highest level

Jurgen Klopp believes new signing Mohamed Salah can achieve all his ambitions and win trophies at the highest level with Liverpool.

The Reds completed the signing of the winger, who has agreed a long-term contract, in an initial €42 million deal from Roma on Thursday.The transfer could eventually reach €50m if add-ons, structured around the performance of the player and Liverpool, are achieved.

Klopp hailed Salah's pace and hunger after the deal was completed and feels Liverpool can give the 25-year-old an opportunity to win top honours."He is an ambitious player who wants to win and win at the highest level; he knows he can fulfill those ambitions with Liverpool," Klopp told the club's website.

"He believes in what we are trying to do here at Liverpool and is extremely keen to be part of it. He is very excited about performing for our wonderful supporters.
"I welcome him and his family into our Liverpool family."

Salah is Liverpool's second signing ahead of the 2017-18 season after the Reds snapped up Chelsea youngster Dominic Solanke, for whom the transfer fee will be set by a tribunal.

The Egypt winger has impressed for both Fiorentina and Roma in Italy since struggling for first-team opportunities in his last stint in England with Chelsea, who he joined from Basel in January 2014.

Klopp continued: "Mohamed has the perfect mix of experience and potential – this is a really exciting signing for us."He knows the Premier League, he has pedigree in the Champions League and he is one of the most important players for his country.

"His record in Italy has been outstanding and he possesses qualities that will enhance our team and squad. I have followed him since he emerged at Basel and he has matured into a really good player.

"His pace is incredible, he gives us more attacking threat and we are already strong in this area. I like that we will make it even more competitive."Most important though, for us, is that he is hungry, willing and eager to be even better and improve further."

Salah will wear the number 11 shirt at Anfield after the previous owner Roberto Firmino asked to become number nine.

 

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Real Madrid reject Mourinho contract allegations

Real Madrid have refuted claims Jose Mourinho signed a contract to take over at the club before he left Inter.

Mourinho, now the Manchester United manager, led Inter to a Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League treble in 2009-10 before assuming control at the Santiago Bernabeu.A report in Spanish publication AS has suggested Mourinho penned an agreement to become Madrid boss on March 31, 2010.

But Madrid have emphatically rejected those allegations, issuing a statement that read: "Following the publication in today's [Thursday] AS newspaper of information concerning the signing of Jose Mourinho as the manager of our club, Real Madrid C.F. wishes to emphasise that said information is entirely false.

"Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho did not sign any contract on the 31st of March 2010 for him to take over the role of coach, as is wrongly asserted by the aforementioned newspaper.

"This contract was signed by both parties precisely two months after the alleged date, on the 31st of May 2010. "Therefore, any statements or value judgements made by the cited publication in regard to this false information lack any basis and have no other objective than to damage the image of Real Madrid and its president, just as is becoming the norm for this particular media outlet."

Mourinho led Madrid to the Liga title in 2011-12, before first returning to Chelsea and then taking over at Old Trafford last year.

 

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Salah: Everything has improved since I left Chelsea

New Liverpool signing Mohamed Salah says he has improved every part of his game since leaving Chelsea and is returning to the Premier League with a point to prove.

Egypt international Salah completed his move to the Reds from Roma on Thursday in a deal worth an initial €42 million , but which could go on to reach €50m with add-ons.

The winger has played in England before with Chelsea, making only six Premier League starts in one year with the Blues before being loaned out to Fiorentina midway through the 2014-15 season.

After impressing with the Viola he then joined Roma, initially on loan then permanently and has shone in the Italian capital, peaking last season with 15 Serie A goals and 11 assists in 31 games.

Asked if he returns to England a better player, Salah told Liverpool's website: "100 per cent, yes!

"Everything [has improved]. Even my personality was different, I was a kid – I was 20 or 21. Now I'm four years older, everything is different. "I have lots of experience in three clubs: I was at Chelsea, then Fiorentina and then Roma. I have good experience.

"Yes, always [I have a point to prove]. Even if I see myself playing very well in one thing, I try to improve to do it better and better. I always think about the small details because I need to improve more and more."I was here [in England] and I have experience. I like to play here in the Premier League. I'm happy to be back and I'm excited."

Salah feels 2016-17, when he netted 19 times in all competitions, was his best season to date, but still has room to grow at the age of 25, having signed a long-term contract at Anfield."I think [it was my best], it was a top season," he said. "Nothing changed, the season before I also scored 15 goals.

"I am improving and doing better and better every year. This is why I'm in a new challenge and I'm happy to have this challenge. It is not easy, but I'm ready.

"I have played on the right. Last season with Roma we played five at the back and two strikers; I was a second striker, like a No.10. Sometimes I go on the left. I can play anywhere up front.

"I'm very happy to be here. I would like to win something with the club. Everyone knows the club is very big. We have to do something for the fans and win something."Salah will wear the No.11 shirt at Anfield after the previous owner Roberto Firmino asked to become No. 9.

 

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Walcott staying at Arsenal despite exit rumours

Arsenal forward Theo Walcott is expected to stay at the club this summer despite reports linking him with a move away from Emirates Stadium, Goal understands.

Walcott is the current longest serving player at the club having joined as a 16-year-old from Southampton in January 2006 and has captained Arsene Wenger’s side on several occasions over the past few seasons.

The England international scored 19 goals last season — a rate of one every two games — but has failed to reach the lofty heights that he was expected to hit when he made his debut in August 2006.

Walcott, who is keeping in shape with a personal trainer ahead of next season, has previously come in for criticism due to inconsistent performances and is one of the players linked with a move away this summer amid increased interest in Monaco starlet Kylian Mbappe and Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette.

Wenger believes that Walcott is a key member of his first-team squad and his contributions last campaign will, in his eyes, justify his decision to keep hold of the versatile winger.

“Theo has improved his defensive commitment a lot compared to what it was before," Wenger said at the tail end of last season. "He was sometimes a bit less focused on the teamwork. He shows huge commitment on a daily basis. I give a little bit of priority to the guys who know the Arsenal values, those who have been here for a long time.

"For me, loyalty plays a part when it comes to representing a club – and Theo has been very loyal."


Walcott is one of the highest-paid players at the club after signing a bumper contract in the summer of 2015 and with two years remaining on his current deal, it would take a mammoth bid in excess of £30m for Arsenal to even consider letting him go.

 

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Manolas snubs Inter and agrees terms with Zenit

Roma defender Kostas Manolas has agreed terms with Roberto Mancini's Zenit St Petersburg after snubbing Inter Milan, Goal can reveal.

The Greece international is very close to signing a five-year-deal with the Russian Champions after slamming the door shut on Serie A giants Inter and Roma.Manolas had initally looked set for a switch from Rome to Milan, but has ruled out a move to Inter due to the club delaying finalising the transfer.

The Nerazzurri need to balance a reported €35 million deficit in their books by the end of June 30 to avoid being penalized further by UEFA for being in violation of the Financial Fair Play regulations. This has prompted the Greek defender to grow weary of the continuous delays by the Nerazzzurri, who have recently been taken over by his former manager at Roma, Luciano Spalletti.

The appointment of Spalletti as Inter's manager has in fact distanced the Nerazzurri from a potential transfer, as he has informed the clubs' directors that that he prefers German international Antonio Rüdiger over Manolas.

Goal can reveal further that Inter's reluctance has seen Manolas express a desire to stay with Roma if the Giallorossi could offer him a contract on par with Belgian international Radja Nainggolan. However, newly appointed Roma Sporting Director Ramon Rodriguez Verdejo, known as Monchi, has opted instead to cash in on the Greek stopper to finance the contract renewals of Daniele De Rossi, Kevin Strootman and Naninggolan.

Former Inter manager Mancini has pounced on this opportunity and agreed a deal with Manolas which would see him earn €6m per season until June 2022. The newly crowned Russian champions have tabled an offer of €30 million but Roma are asking for at least €40 million which has stalled the transfer with the player himself preferring to continue his career in Italy.

However the 26-year-old defender does not believe Roma's offer of a four-year contract renewal which would see him earn €3.5 million per season with a minimum release fee clause of €45 million reflects his value.

 

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Fabinho tempted by Manchester United move

Fabinho has described the prospect of joining Manchester United as a "tempting invitation".

The Brazil midfielder was an influential star of a Monaco side that ended Paris Saint-Germain's stranglehold on the Ligue 1 title last season, while the principality club also reached the last four of the Champions League.

United are looking to bolster their squad after qualifying for Europe's top table by winning the Europa League last season and Fabinho is said to feature on Jose Mourinho's list of transfer targets.

And Fabinho, who transitioned to centre midfield from right-back, is open to the idea of a move to Old Trafford, but insists he will discuss his options with Monaco first.

Speaking to Esporte Interativo, he said: "It's a tempting invitation. "I would first talk to my agent, Monaco too, to decide everything right. "But it's a great club, sure enough I would think well about it."Fabinho made 37 Ligue 1 appearances last term, scoring nine goals for Leonardo Jardim's champions.