..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Madrid and Barca target Ceballos: I'll speak in two weeks

Highly-rated Real Betis midfielder Dani Ceballos will speak about his future in two weeks amid interest from La Liga champions Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Madrid and rivals Barca are reportedly fighting to sign the 20-year-old Spaniard, who was named Player of the Tournament at the European Under-21 Championship.

Ceballos has remained tight-lipped on his future previously, but he provided a quick update on Tuesday."You will see me speak in two weeks," he told reporters.Ceballos scored two goals and recorded as many assists as Betis finished 15th in LaLiga last season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Donnarumma 'very close' to Milan renewal but Raiola adding complications

AC Milan CEO Marco Fassone revealed teenage sensation Gianluigi Donnarumma is "very close" to signing a new contract, though there are complications with agent Mino Raiola.

Donnarumma initially told Milan he would not be signing a renewal, with his contract due to expire in 2018, but the 18-year-old goalkeeper is reportedly set to perform a U-turn.However, the only thing standing in the way of Milan tying down their most prized asset to a new deal is Raiola, according to Fassone.

"I had said that the Milan doors would be open should Gigio reconsider," Fassone told Corriere della Sera."He did reconsider and I get the feeling we are very close to a deal with the player and his family, even if we do not want to resort to other types of compromises.

"I think we are a day or two from the decision, which is down to the player."These decisions are never made just by the players. There are agents, in this case a very talented one who has his own ideas and convictions that are a little far away from ours, so I don't know what the final decision will be."

Raiola had previously accused Milan of bullying Donnarumma and creating a hostile environment amid apparent death threats for the rumoured Real Madrid, Juventus, Manchester United, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain target.

And the outspoken agent – who also represents Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Mario Balotelli – is reportedly reluctant to see Italy international Donnarumma sign an extension.

"Until someone tells me otherwise, I do my negotiating with Mino, who I speak with several times a day. I repeat, I think that the part of the deal regarding the player and family is close, the other is more complicated," Fassone added."It is a large package deal involving retribution, benefits, clauses, a commission, possible clauses on future sales of the player."I have learned in these situations to approach them rationally, not with the gut.

Gigio is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, so releasing him at the end of the season would be a huge loss. This is why I chose to resume talks, although at some point you have to draw a line and cannot go beyond healthy compromise."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pepe set to join Besiktas following Real Madrid release

Former Real Madrid defender Pepe is set to complete a move to Besiktas as he sent a message to the Turkish club's fans on Tuesday. The Portugal international, 34, drew the curtain on his spell at the Santiago Bernabeu after 10 years of service in June, leaving on a free transfer.

And Besiktas have moved to snap up the out-of-contract centre-back, after announcing talks had begun between the two parties on their official website.

"Negotiations have begun with Kepler Laveran Lima Ferreira (Pepe) over the player's transfer," a short statement read. The announcement of talks is a necessary formality due to Besiktas' status as a publicly traded company, which requires them to release details of all financial transactions to stockholders.

And while supporters of the Istanbul club may have to wait for official confirmation of the switch, Besiktas whetted their appetites with a photo of Pepe decked in the side's black and white shirt. Pepe himself suggested the identity of his new club would soon be public knowledge with a teasing post on social media.

"Is this the season?", he wrote in Turkish, in a post accompanied by a picture of Besiktas' stadium.
The defender, who was born in Brazil but took up Portuguese nationality and debuted for his adopted country in 2007, enjoyed a sparkling decade at the Bernabeu after moving from Porto in that same year.

Madrid lifted 13 major titles during Pepe's time at the club, including an incredible three Champions League crowns in four years, although he was forced to be a spectator in June's rousing victory over Juventus to take the 2016-17 edition. Pepe made a total of 334 appearances for the Merengue , netting on 15 occasions in all competitions.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Signing Ronaldo would create trouble for Bayern Munich - Hitzfeld

Ottmar Hitzfeld claims Bayern Munich should steer clear of signing Cristiano Ronaldo as his financial demands could create a whole host of problems at the Allianz Arena.

Ronaldo was loosely linked with the Bundesliga champions after reports emerged of his apparent unhappiness in Madrid due to Spanish tax authorities launching an investigation into claims of impropriety - allegations the player denies.

But, while conceding recruiting someone of Ronaldo's ability would be a dream from a playing perspective, Hitzfeld, who guided Bayern to five Bundesliga titles across two spells in charge, also outlined the problems it could cause to team unity.

He told t-online.de: "When I read the rumours I had to smile. I am happy about this idea - even if it is unrealistic."For the fans it would be a Christmas present to sign Cristiano Ronaldo but it is a utopian scenario.

"He would break the salary structure and Bayern would then have financial issues with the other players. And then the agents would use the situation to get more for their clients."[Bayern president] Uli Hoeness would not take such a risk."

Hitzfeld also questioned the wisdom in Bayern moving for Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez.The 28-year-old Chilean is a reported target of coach Carlo Ancelotti even though a deal appears unlikely due to his age and the financial package it would require to take him to the Bundesliga.

Hitzfeld added: "Perhaps you could do something else to create an attacking threat.
"And you must not forget that Bayern already have incredible players with [Arjen] Robben, [Franck] Ribery, [Thomas] Muller, Thiago and [Robert] Lewandowski.
"If they signed Sanchez they would have to go to the bank. Bayern would wonder if it was worth signing another player in this category."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lehmann confirms he's rejoining Arsenal in coaching role

Jens Lehmann has confirmed that he is returning to Arsenal in a coaching capacity.The German had two previous spells with the Gunners during his playing career and was part of the 'Invincibles' team that won the Premier League title in 2003-04.

Lehmann, who has also played for Schalke, AC Milan, Dortmund and Stuttgart, retired in 2010 before briefly returning to Arsenal a year later to help with the club's injury crisis.

And how he is returning to join Arsene Wenger's coaching team, although it is understood he will not replace current goalkeeping coach Gerry Peyton.The former Germany international confirmed to Welt: "Yes, it's true, I'm going [back] to Arsenal."

The north London club returned to pre-season training on Tuesday, with their first friendly fixture coming against Sydney FC on July 13.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Griezmann denies Mourinho contact but leaves door open for Man Utd move

Antoine Griezmann has denied reports that he phoned Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho to inform him of his decision to stay at Atletico Madrid this summer, but did not rule out the possibility of a move to Old Trafford in the future.United were heavily linked with a swoop for the £86 million-rated Frenchman earlier in the transfer window, though no move materialised.

Griezmann instead chose to remain at Atleti, signing a new contract until 2022, with a transfer ban meaning that the Spanish side cannot strengthen their squad until January.The 26-year-old has, thus, explained that he could not walk out on his current employers when they need him most.

“No, no, no. No, that’s totally made up. False,” he told FourFourTwo after being questioned on whether he spoke personally to Mourinho. “It was my decision. I communicated it to the club. That’s it.

“I have stayed mainly because of the transfer ban. Atletico needed me now more than ever and I felt I had to stay. It would be dirty to leave. I wouldn’t have been myself, or the person that I feel I am today, if I had left this club in that way.

“I spoke to Diego Simeone about the situation, our options and how he wanted me to stay to work out what we could do. Then we finalised everything with [chief executive] Miguel Angel Gil. I have too much respect for this club and the people in it to leave now because, just like Real Sociedad, they’ve given me everything.”

Reports suggest that Griezmann’s buyout clause remains at €100m, and that has led to speculation that United could once again attempt to secure his signature next summer.

Griezmann, though, has refused to be drawn on such rumours.“To be honest, I don’t know. I’m going to be playing for Atletico next season and after that we’ll see. All I am thinking about now is Atletico Madrid. I think it’s absurd to talk about something that is more than a year away.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lionel Messi agrees new Barcelona contract

Lionel Messi has agreed a new contract with Barcelona, tying him to the club until 2021.

The forward's previous deal was due to expire in 2018, with the three-year extension ensuring he is contracted at Camp Nou for at least the next four years.

Formal signing of the contract is expected to take place after the Argentina international, currently on honeymoon after his wedding to Antonella Roccuzzo, has returned for pre-season training.Barca hailed the Argentina international as they announced the deal, labelling him "the best player in history".

"Barcelona and Leo Messi have agreed on a contract renewal that will keep the Argentinian at the club until June 30, 2021," read the club's statement on Wednesday."The deal will be signed in the coming weeks, when Messi returns to the team for pre-season training.

"The club is very happy with both the renewal and the commitment of Messi, the best player in history, who has played his full professional career at Barca and has led the team to an era of extraordinary success, the likes of which has never been seen in world football."Messi, who turned 30 last month, has spent his entire senior career with Barcelona and made his debut in 2004.

In an astonishing career, he has won La Liga eight times and the Champions League on four occasions, among a total of 29 club trophies.

The exact value of his release clause has not been disclosed, but it is reported to be in the region of €300 million.He has scored a record 507 goals for Barcelona and netted 54 times in 52 appearances last season.

Messi has won the Ballon d'Or five times, although just one of those awards have come in the last four years, with Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo expected to win again in 2017.

The Argentina international will turn 34 as this new contract reaches its conclusion.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Thiago insists Bayern Munich are at same level as Real Madrid

Thiago Alcantara has endorsed Bayern Munich's close-season transfer strategy and insisted his side are at the same level as Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Bayern have opted against big-money veteran signings, instead buying young with the likes of Corentin Tolisso and Serge Gnabry brought in.

Niklas Sule and Sebastian Rudy are also joining from Hoffenheim in deals that were confirmed back in January and Thiago, who does not feel there is any difference between his club and the continent's best, is optimistic about their 2017-18 prospects."Compare the teams, we have world stars as well," Thiago said to Bild when asked about how Bayern compared to Madrid and Barca.

"There is no difference in quality. We are on the same level, 100 per cent."But one thing is for sure, in the dressing room we don't talk about world stars but about team spirit.

"Sule and Rudy convinced me in our games against Hoffenheim - they can do it here. "You don't necessarily have to spend lots of money. There are so many players with big talent who are still to be scouted. That is Bayern Munich's way - to sign a player and build him. "That was something I admired about this club already in Spain. The officials work very well and with a good eye."

Thiago also defended head coach Carlo Ancelotti, who won the Bundesliga in his first season in Germany, but did not add any other silverware."We partly played fantastic football and also suffered from unfortunate decisions," said the former Barca midfielder.

"Ancelotti's critics are [talking] nonsense, he got the best out of the team."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Besiktas confirm signing of former Real Madrid defender Pepe

Besiktas have completed the signing of former Real Madrid defender Pepe on a two-year deal.The Portugal international moves to Istanbul on a free transfer after a decade at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Racking up over 300 appearances for Los Blancos, the centre-back bows out having helped Madrid to a Liga and Champions League double in his final campaign.

Besiktas president Fikret Orman said that the Portugal international would add leadership to the club's backline as they aim to retain the Super Lig crown they won last season.

Orman added: "We have added a very important player with a career and personality that we like."

Pepe won three league titles, as many Champions League crowns and two Club World Cup medals at Madrid and has set his sights on more silverware at Besiktas: "My goal is to continue to win trophies."I love my job. I love to give my all on the pitch."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Coentrao joins Sporting CP on season-long loan

Real Madrid defender Fabio Coentrao has joined Sporting CP on a season-long loan.The 29-year-old, formerly of Benfica, has secured a temporary switch to their great Portuguese rivals in a bid to get his career back on track.

Coentrao, who made just six appearances for Real last season, had revealed the move on Twitter on Tuesday before the two clubs followed up with official statements confirming the deal.In a picture with his family taken from Sporting's Estadio Jose Alvalade stadium, he wrote: "Very happy to have the opportunity to play for this great club."

Real's statement read: “Real Madrid C.F. and Sporting Clube de Portugal have agreed the loan of the player Fabio Coentrao until 30 June 2018.”

Coentrao won one Primeira Liga and two Taca da Liga titles during his time at Sporting's arch rivals Benfica before joining Real for €30m in 2011.He featured regularly for the Blancos between 2011 and 2013 before seeing his game time become limited.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Real Madrid sign Theo Hernandez from Atletico

Real Madrid have reached an agreement to sign full-back Theo Hernandez from city rivals Atletico Madrid on a six-year deal, subject to a medical.

The 19-year-old, whose brother Lucas Hernandez plays for Atleti, impressed during a loan spell with Copa del Rey finalists Alaves last season.

Hernandez was under contract until 2021 with Atletico but, in a statement, the club said the French youngster rejected "several" offers to renew terms, along with advances from other European clubs.

"[Hernandez was] stating repeatedly his firm desire to play for Real Madrid," the statement read.A fee has not been disclosed for the transfer, although Madrid sports newspaper Marca reported it was worth in the region of €26 million.

Hernandez will be presented at the Santiago Bernabeu on Monday after undergoing his medical.

He played 38 times in all competitions for Alaves last term but never made a competitive appearance for Atletico despite joining the club's academy setup as an 11-year-old.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Alexandre Lacazette signs for Arsenal

Alexandre Lacazette has been announced as Arsenal's latest signing, with the club confirming his arrival from Lyon.Lacazette is understood to have become the Gunners' record transfer, with the fee understood to be in the region of £46 million.

The club confirmed the news on Wednesday, indicating that that the French striker has agreed a long-term contract with the north London outfit.

"Alexandre Lacazette has agreed to join us on a long-term contract, for an undisclosed fee," read a statement posted on the official Arsenal website.

"He is expected to travel with the tour party to Sydney this weekend and is likely to make his home debut in the Emirates Cup on July 29 or July 30."The deal is subject to the completion of regulatory processes."

The 26-year-old, who scored 37 goals in 45 appearances for Lyon last season, underwent a medical at London Colney on Tuesday, and eclipses Mesut Ozil - who cost £42.5m - as the most expensive purchase the Premier League club have made.

With hopes of signing Monaco's Kylian Mbappe - a Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain target - fading, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger managed to convince another of Ligue 1's star forwards to play at the Emirates Stadium.

Lyon club president Jean-Michel Aulas, who sanctioned the transfer on Sunday, has previously said the Premier League side must part with €65m to prise Lacazette away from Parc Olympique Lyonnais and the newly agreed deal includes bonuses worth £6m.

France international Lacazette was close to joining Atletico Madrid before the Spanish club's transfer ban was upheld and Aulas confirmed via French news outlet Le Progres that Wenger's side that the move is closer to €50m (£44m/$57m) rather than an "unrealistic" €65m (£57m/$74m).

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal lagen godak hoda signing 1kak & godak hoda striker kenek​

Sanchez tranfer wenne nathiwa hityoth nam pattama attack 1kak Arsenal lata thiyenneSanchez/Lacazette/Giroud/Walcott

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[Wolverine GTR]

Lacazette reveals inspiration behind 'dream' Arsenal switch

Alexandre Lacazette hopes to follow in the footsteps of Thierry Henry at Arsenal after becoming the Premier League club's record signing.

Lacazette completed his much-anticipated switch from Lyon to Emirates Stadium on Wednesday for a fee reported to be in the region of €60million.The 26-year-old France striker has long followed Arsenal's progress from his homeland due to the exploits of Henry and other Les Bleus stars in London.

"I am, of course. delighted and very proud too because Arsenal is a legendary club," Lacazette, who admires the club's "stability" under Arsene Wenger, told the Gunners' official website.

"Throughout my childhood, thanks to Thierry Henry and other French players, I always dreamed of playing for this club so that dream has been fulfilled."[I like] Arsenal's past – I like clubs with a history. Also the fact that the manager has been here for a while shows it is a stable club, which I like.

"In addition, there are quite a few French players here, which makes it easier to settle in."In my opinion, Arsenal is also the club that plays the best football in England so I really wanted to play here."

Lacazette arrives in the Premier League after a prolific return of 37 goals across 45 matches in 2016-17 helped Lyon to fourth place in Ligue 1 and a run to the semi-finals of the Europa League.

"When I play I like to use my pace to link up with my team-mates. As a forward, I like to score goals of course, but that not all that I'm about," he said when discussing his style of play.

"Every time I take a shot at goal it's because I believe I can score. I don't just shoot for the sake of it."I also try to keep as calm as possible. All that is achieved by a lot of hard work in training."

Lacazette added: "I want to give 100 per cent in every match. I want to show I'm worthy of the shirt. I want to do everything I can to make sure we win titles."

 

[aggregate]

මේ පාර ෆ්‍රාන්ස් වර්ල්ඩ් කප් එක ගහනව පුටේ රම්පෙට පොරි හැලෙන්න

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'I have no doubt' - Arbeloa confident Ronaldo will stay with Madrid

Former Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa has "no doubt" Cristiano Ronaldo will remain with the European champions.

Ronaldo has been linked with a move away from the LaLiga winners amid reports he is unhappy at scrutiny of his tax affairs in Spain.The Portugal international has denied defrauding Spanish tax authorities out of €14.7million in image rights.

Arbeloa, who won two Champions League titles and a La Liga crown at Madrid and retired in June, said he was sure Ronaldo would stay."He is very intelligent. When the perfect moment arrives to speak, he will," he told El Chiringuito TV ."We must give him our vote of confidence. He is our franchise player and we trust him fully.

"Everyone knows him perfectly. He doesn't hide. He will say that he is still in Madrid, I have no doubt."Ronaldo, 32, has won three Champions League titles and two La Liga crowns at Madrid, but is linked with a return to former club Manchester United and Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mirabelli: Milan need an answer from Donnarumma

AC Milan stopped short of issuing an ultimatum to Gianluigi Donnarumma but sporting director Massimiliano Mirabelli said he hopes to hear a decision on the teenage sensation's future "in the next 48 hours".

Having previously announced his intention not to pen a renewal with his contract due to expire in 2018, Italy international Donnarumma is now close to re-signing.
On Tuesday, Milan CEO Marco Fassone revealed the 18-year-old goalkeeper was "very close" to signing a new contract, though he admitted to complications with agent Mino Raiola.

Mirabelli said Milan cannot wait much longer for Donnarumma, who is attracting interest from Juventus, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, as they prepare for a return to Europe via the Europa League.
"Gigio knows what our position is," Mirabelli told Premium Sport."He knows what we've offered. We'll wait, but not too long. We need to know where we are.

"On the 27th we'll go to play what we've achieved after several years, i.e the Europa League, and we need to have clear ideas about that role."We don't have it now, so we hope to in the next 48 hours. It's not an ultimatum, but we're going forward and there's more risk of having an incomplete Milan in great difficulty."We're waiting for a response soon."Donnarumma has establishing himself as Milan's undisputed number one since debuting as a 16-year-old, featuring in all 38 Serie A matches last season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arda not leaving Barcelona, says agent

Arda Turan's agent insists the midfielder will see out his contract at Barcelona that runs until 2020.

The 30-year-old joined Barca from Atletico Madrid in July 2015 but, after his debut was delayed for six months due to the Catalan giants serving a player registration ban, he has failed to nail down a regular starting spot.

Arda scored 13 goals in 30 appearances last season, including a Champions League hat-trick against Borussia Monchengladbach, although he was limited to 14 starts in La Liga by two lay-offs with adductor and abductor injuries.

Arsenal have been linked with his services but Arda's representative Ahmet Bulut maintains the player wants to fight for his place under new Barca boss Ernesto Valverde.

"Arda will stay at Barca," Bulut told NTV Spor, reiterating a stance he took in June. "He has three years remaining on his contract."He will join the training camp due to start on July 12. There is nothing new regarding this."

Last month, Arda announced his retirement from international duty with Turkey following an altercation with a journalist.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Fernando Torres signs one-year contract with Atletico Madrid

Fernando Torres and Atletico Madrid have come to agreement on a new one-year contract for the 2017-18 season, the club announced Wednesday.

Former Spain striker Torres is in his second stint with his boyhood club, having re-joined from AC Milan in January 2015 on the back of wildly contrasting spells at Liverpool and Chelsea in the Premier League.

The striker was out of contract and had been rumoured to be potentially leaving the club, with reports a few weeks ago suggesting he could land in Mexico's Liga MX.

But Torres will instead remain with the capital club, which is barred from registering any new players during the summer transfer window after failing to win their appeal of a transfer ban.In total the 33-year-old has 105 goals for Atletico, including 28 under current boss Diego Simeone.

Torres largely serves as back-up to the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Kevin Gameiro nowadays but will continue to provide welcome squad depth for Simeone."I am very happy to continue one more year together," said Torres in brief statement on Atleti's official website.

Alexandre Lacazette was widely linked with a move to Atletico before the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld their ban and the France striker became Arsenal's record signing earlier Wednesday.

 

[sahanhj]

Arsenal lagen godak hoda signing 1kak & godak hoda striker kenek​

Sanchez tranfer wenne nathiwa hityoth nam pattama attack 1kak Arsenal lata thiyenneSanchez/Lacazette/Giroud/Walcott

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ai Ozil