..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Deulofeu completes move back to Barcelona

Spain winger Gerard Deulofeu has completed his return to Barcelona from Everton.The La Liga giants exercised a buyback clause in the deal that saw the 23-year-old move to Goodison Park in 2015 two weeks ago after he impressed while on loan at AC Milan during the second half of last season.

Deulofeu, 23, completed his medical at Barcelona on Friday before signing a contract running until June 2019 at the club's offices.Barca did not disclose the fee paid for Deulofeu, although it has been widely reported to be €12million.

The winger only two substitute appearances in La Liga with Barcelona in his first stint with the club, but is hoping to change that this time around and become established in the first team.
He recently captained Spain's Under-21 team at the European Championships, where they fell 1-0 to Germany in the final.

Full-back Nelson Semedo is set to be unveiled as the second signing of Ernesto Valverde's tenure at Camp Nou later on Friday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barcelona sign Nelson Semedo for €30 million from Benfica

Benfica right-back Nelson Semedo has completed his €30 million move to Barcelona following a successful medical on Friday.

The 23-year-old became a priority target for Barcelona this month after it became clear they couldn't get Arsenal's Hector Bellerin.Barca announced on Thursday that they had reached a deal for Semedo , after their transfer chief flew to Lisbon to negotiate them down from their steep €50m valuation .

Goal understands the Catalunya club will pay €30m up front with €5m bonuses across a five-year contract.Semedo, who has six caps for Portugal, is now in Barcelona and will join up with his team-mates for Friday evening’s training session.

He's new coach Ernesto Valverde's third signing of the transfer window, following the return of Gerard Deulofeu and arrival of young centre-back Marlon.
President Josep Maria Bartomeu stated this week that they hope to complete "two or three" deals before the window closes next month.

Last season's La Liga runners-up have also been linked with Brazilian midfielder Paulinho and Manchester United's Ander Herrera .Barcelona face the first match of the new season on June 22 when they play Juventus in the International Champions Cup, a pre-season tournament taking place across the globe.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Spurs agree £45 million Kyle Walker sale to Man City

Manchester City have completed the signing of Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker for a fee of £45 million.

The 27-year-old also usurps new City team-mate Raheem Sterling (£44m) but lags behind John Stones (£47.5m) as one of the costliest English footballers in history after penning a five-year contract.

Walker, who ends an eight-year spell at White Hart Lane, has long been a speculated target for City, with boss Pep Guardiola committed to refreshing his full-back options after releasing experienced trio Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna at the end of last season.

City suffered a blow in their search for reinforcements this week when Dani Alves opted against a move to the Etihad Stadium in favour of joining Paris Saint-Germain but Guardiola now has Walker in the building before embarking on pre-season tour of the United States."I am thrilled to be signing for City and can't wait to get started," Walker told his new club's official website.

"Pep Guardiola is one of the most respected managers in the world and I feel he can help me take my game to a new level."

Walker is the third high-profile arrival of the close season at City, following the arrivals of Portugal playmaker Bernardo Silva and Brazil goalkeeper Ederson, while the Premier League club have been heavily linked to moves for Monaco left-back Benjamin Mendy and Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez.His transfer fee could rise depending on silverware won at City, with £2.5m to be paid if they triumph in the Champions League, £1.5m for Premier League glory and £1m for Europa League success.

Guardiola finished without a trophy for the first time in his coaching career when City finished third in the Premier League in 2016-17.

Man City confirmed on Friday that they have given Walker the No.2 shirt, which was vacant in 2016-17.Walker is now the most expensive full-back in history, fallen just short of David Luiz (£50m) and Stone (£47.5m) as the most expensive defender ever.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Perisic edges closer to Man Utd with Inter open to swap deal

Inter have reopened the possibility of reaching an agreement with Manchester United for Ivan Perisic, admitting a swap deal could be possible for the player who wishes to leave the club.

Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio dismissed the idea of Perisic moving to the Premier League side on Wednesday, claiming the move is "not happening" .

Jose Mourinho's side are willing to pay €30 million for the Croatia international, but the Serie A side want around €45m for him.Goal understands Inter coach Luciano Spalletti has tried to convince the Croatia international to stay, but the winger has made his decision to leave and it is increasingly likely he will head to Old Trafford.

Goal reported in June that Perisic has given his agent, Fali Ramadani, orders to force a move away from the Nerazzurri, and he looks set to get his wish.

Inter's director of football Walter Sabatini has since revealed the club are open to a potential swap deal with the Red Devils."Manchester United are interested in Perisic," he said. "We could also accept other players in exchange of him."

Perisic has spent two seasons with Inter after joining from Wolfsburg. The 28-year-old has played 70 games in Serie A, scoring 18 times.

Inter are interested in United pair Matteo Darmian and Anthony Martial, Goal understands.Darmian, 27, joined United in 2015 from Torino but the Italy international made just 18 Premier League appearances last season.

And although Mourinho is a fan of his ability to operate in both full-back positions, Inter can offer Darmian more first-team football, which is crucial ahead of the upcoming 2018 World Cup.

However, Inter would find it more difficult to land Martial in any swap deal which would take Perisic to United.While Martial - like Darmian - is also not a guaranteed starter under Mourinho, the Frenchman's value is at least the same, if not more, than Perisic's current €45m asking price.

Martial, who scored eight goals in all competitions for United last term, would be a good fit into Spalletti's typical 4-2-3-1 system.But while Mourinho would prefer to keep the young forward, he could be tempted to swap him if he needs to in order to close the Perisic deal.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Perisic edges closer to Man Utd with Inter open to swap deal​

Shit....ekath swap deal 1kakatane​

Darmian & Martialdennama ona karana playerls 2nnek...Specially Martial wa nam deela baha​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United goalkeeper Johnstone completes Aston Villa loan move

Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has returned to Aston Villa for another loan spell.

Johnstone made 22 appearances for Villa after joining on loan in January 2017 and he heads back to Villa Park ahead of the new Championship season.

The 24-year-old, who is yet to make a Premier League appearance for United, has previously had loan spells at clubs including Scunthorpe United, Preston North End and Doncaster Rovers.

"I am delighted to be back," Johnstone told Villa's website. "I really enjoyed my last spell here - it's a great club with top players and passionate fans.

"I can't wait to get started now. I believe it can be a special season for all of us and I will be working hard each and every day to produce the kind of performances that will help us achieve what we're aiming for."

United are currently in Los Angeles for pre-season, with David de Gea and Sergio Romero set to share goalkeeping duties yet again for Jose Mourinho's side.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Galatasaray terminate Sneijder contract

Galatasaray have terminated the contract of Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder.

The former Inter star has been consistently linked with a move away from the Turkish giants this summer, with Los Angeles FC and Sampdoria among the sides who are reportedly interested.

The 33-year-old must pay his now former club €20 million if he joins another Turkish club in the next three years after they agreed to end his deal a year early.

Sneijder recently broke the record as the most capped player in Netherlands history as he won his 131st cap against Luxembourg.

And though Galatasaray could only finish fourth in last season's Super Lig, he contributed five goals and 15 assists in just 28 appearances.He leaves Istanbul having made 175 appearances in total, scoring 45 goals.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Milan confirm Bonucci agreement ahead of €40m move

AC Milan reached an agreement with Juventus for the transfer of Leonardo Bonucci, the Rossoneri announced Friday.

After seven years with the Bianconeri, Bonucci is set to leave Milan to join their Serie A rivals for a €40 million fee, reaching a reported five-year deal with Vincenzo Montella's side.

The 30-year-old defender arrived in Milan earlier in the day, and the move will become official pending a medical.

The Rossoneri initially offered €30m for the 30-year-old, but Juve refused to accept less than €40m for a centre-back who played a key role in their Serie A and Coppa Italia success and journey to the Champions League final last season.
The Italy international was linked with a move to the Premier League last summer, with Chelsea and Manchester City interested, but opted to remain in Turin.

During the campaign, the relationship between Bonucci and coach Massimiliano Allegri went sour when they had a row on the touchline during a game against Palermo in February. Allegri then left him out of the squad for the following match against Porto in the Champions League.
During the campaign, the relationship between Bonucci and coach Massimiliano Allegri went sour when they had a row on the touchline during a game against Palermo in February. Allegri then left him out of the squad for the following match against Porto in the Champions League.
As reports of further arguments between the two emerged, it has been said the coach did not want Bonucci back at the Bianconeri for 2017-18.
After joining Inter as a youngster and making a few appearances for the first-team, Bonucci moved to Bari before Juve. He played over 300 games and won six Serie A titles, three Coppas Italia and three Supercoppas Italiana with the Turin club.

Prior to Bonucci's potential arrival, Milan had already spent over €100m on players in the transfer window, including Andre Silva, Ricardo Rodriguez and Franck Kessie.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mehsare wennema hithanne nathi deals​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

MOURINHO: IBRA MAY STAY AT UNITED

Ibra hitiyoth nam patta!

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wigan Athletic 1 Liverpool 1: Salah scores on debut but Klopp's men held

Mohamed Salah scored on his Liverpool debut but Jurgen Klopp's side were held 1-1 by Wigan Athletic in a pre-season friendly on Friday.

Salah struck in the final minute of the first half to cancel out Alex Gilbey's neat opener, with neither team able to find a winning goal in a tight second half at a wet DW Stadium.

The Egypt international capitalised on sloppy Wigan defending to open his account but Liverpool had been wasteful, with Roberto Firmino particularly guilty after €42million arrival Salah and Adam Lallana had set him up.

Dejan Lovren went closest to scoring the winner after the interval but his header came back off the post, with Liverpool next in action against Crystal Palace on Wednesday in the Premier League Asia Trophy.

Klopp named a strong team with Philippe Coutinho and Lallana making their first pre-season appearances after they were left out of Wednesday's 4-0 win at Tranmere Rovers.Salah almost opened the scoring in the first minute of his Liverpool debut, but he blazed over the crossbar before Lallana fired narrowly wide.

Liverpool continued to dominate possession but it was the hosts who took a shock lead after 20 minutes, Gilbey shooting home through a crowd of bodies after a mishit shot fell kindly.

Coutinho twice went close from outside the box and Liverpool then wasted a golden opportunity, Firmino misplacing a pass with the goal at his mercy after Salah and Lallana combined to free him 10 yards out.Liverpool's leveller arrived on the stroke of half-time, Wigan giving away possession to Coutinho, with Firmino squaring for Salah to slot into an open goal.

With heavy rain making conditions difficult in the second half both teams struggled for cohesion, with Klopp having made 11 changes at the interval.

Lovren was inches away from scoring the winner with 11 minutes to go, but the centre-back's header clipped the outside of the woodwork, then Daniel Sturridge drove well wide when clear on goal.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Possibly, it's open' - Mourinho reveals Ibrahimovic could sign new Man Utd deal

Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be offered fresh terms at Manchester United despite leaving the club at the end of his one-year contract, Jose Mourinho has suggested.

Ibrahimovic struck 17 Premier League goals last season after joining from Paris Saint-Germain, but a serious knee injury sustained against Anderlecht in the Europa League quarter-finals ruled the veteran Swede out for the remainder of the season.

The 35-year-old was subsequently left off United's retained list at the end of the campaign after the club returned to the Champions League by beating Ajax in the Europa League final, and Ibrahimovic hinted in an Instagram post that he would be seeking a new club.But Mourinho has opened the door for Ibrahimovic to return to Old Trafford, if and when he is able to prove his fitness.

"Possibly, it's open. Of course we wanted to be honest and open and leave everything for him to make the decision," Mourinho said when asked by reporters about Ibrahimovic's possible future at United.

"At the same time, let's make a decision that makes us all happy and if that is for him to stay and for us to wait - let's say in December maybe, because I don't think before December he can get back to competitive football - but why not wait for a player who gave us so much?

"We are changing ideas and it's with Mr [chief executive Ed] Woodward and Zlatan's agent [Mino Raiola], but the final decision is the best for the player."
MLS duo LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC have both been linked with moves for Ibrahimovic as he continues to recover from knee surgery.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho claims Manchester United need two more signings this summer

Jose Mourinho wants two more signings as Manchester United prepare for the new Premier League season, but he would not comment on rumours linking the club with a move for Nemanja Matic.

United have paid £75 million to sign Romelu Lukaku from Everton and brought in Benfica defender Victor Lindelof for £30.8m plus add-ons, while the club failed with a bid to sign Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata and allowed injured forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic to leave at the end of his contract.

Mourinho, who is open to re-signing Ibrahimovic when he returns to full fitness, believes his squad needs more additions to cope with returning to the Champions League, especially as he has a number of long-term absentees.

"I would not like to be in [chief executive] Ed Woodward's position negotiating because everything is really difficult," Mourinho told reporters ahead of United's first pre-season friendly against MLS side LA Galaxy.

"So maybe we don't get two, we get one, but we need one more to give us more options. We have players that belong to the squad but cannot play for next few months, [Marcos] Rojo, Ashley Young, Luke Shaw, if Zlatan stays."We need two more players I would say, at least one, but I don't want to say Matic or any other name because I don't think it's correct."

Premier League champions Chelsea are reportedly holding on to Serbia international Matic until they complete the signing of Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, which is believed to be close.

Bakayoko's impending arrival at Stamford Bridge would likely free up Matic - who has reportedly been cleared to miss the Blues' pre-season tour, along with Diego Costa - to reunite with former Chelsea boss Mourinho, but the Portuguese opted not to confirm his interest in the 28-year-old.

"I can't say any word about a player who is a Chelsea player," Mourinho said. "It's the same with Morata, we have to respect the player, the club, the owner, the manager.

"I don't want to be disrespectful, we don't have our door closed, we are not happy with just Lukaku and Lindelof. We need more, we wanted four, so I would say 50 per cent of the job is done, but I don't want to say that because everything is so difficult.

"Every club in the Premier League is powerful, has money to buy, to refuse to sell, and people don't focus on the power to keep the players and refuse to sell.

"I think the market is so strange, the prices are absolutely out of context, so the clubs without the power to sell, refuse to sell, are one step ahead and there are many clubs in the Premier League who refuse to sell their best players and that is fantastic and makes the competition so hard."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho claims Manchester United need two more signings this summer

2 more signings kiyanne ithin Winger & DM kenek thamai Mourinho target karan inne

Winger - Perisic
DM - Matic / Fabinho / Nainggolan

& Pena widiyata Lindelof gattha nisa Mourinho backline 1ka gana ayeth hithana 1kak naha wagemage guess 1ke hatiyatanam backline 1kanam thamath stable naha

Perisic gatthanam nam Perisic wa striker kenek widiyata unath use karanna puluwanhabai ithin backline 1kanam strength 1ka madi​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bakayoko set to sign five-year Chelsea contract on Saturday

Tiemoue Bakayoko's move to Chelsea is set to be completed Saturday.

Goal understands that the Monaco midfielder traveled to London on Thursday and passed his medical with the Blues a day later, despite lingering concerns over his knee. He was set to sign a contract later Friday, having spent the day at the club's training ground in Cobham and speaking with Antonio Conte.

However, the move was complicated by several factors, with Monaco vice president Vadim Vasilyev asking for a higher fee at the last minute and Bakayoko having signed several mandates with mulitple agents or intermediaries, making it difficult to identify the parties who needed to be paid and slowing down the process of finalizing the deal.

And later in the evening the player himself cast doubt over the deal with a series of strange activity on social media set off alarm bells.

But multiple sources have confirmed that the deal is still very much on and that Bakayoko is expected to sign a five-year deal with the London club on Saturday morning.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsene Wenger using text messages to try and convince Alexis to stay

Arsene Wenger says he and Alexis Sanchez have had conversations via text message and that the contact has been "very positive".

The 28-year-old Chilean has been the source of constant transfer gossip over the course of the summer having been linked with moves to Bayern Munich and Manchester City, though the German club's president, Uli Hoeness, called a deal for the player "unfeasible."Despite the constant speculation, Wenger remains confident that he will be able to hold onto his star man, who is in the final year of his contract.

“I have spoken through text and it was very positive," Wenger told reporters.
“My thoughts are always positive. There’s not a lot to resolve at the moment with the player.”

Alexis netted 24 goals and added 10 assists for the Gunners last season before helping his country to the Confederations Cup final, and the Arsenal boss doesn't expect him back with the side until the end of the month. “Players like Alexis Sanchez played the whole season, finished the season really tired and went off to play in the Confederations Cup," Wenger said.

“You can’t tell them they are not having a holiday and must come back and continue, it’s impossible.“Usually you need three weeks but they will have a programme and can be involved after one week to ten days, and play a part in games.“It also depends on the shape they come back in.”

Wenger, who has already seen his side bring in Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette in a record move this summer, also believes the Gunners will be able to hold on to midfielder Jack Wilshere, who spent last season on loan and have been linked with moves away from the club this summer.

"I think Jack will be with Arsenal next season, yes," said Wenger. "I will give you a very focused answer on that, that he has to work hard to come back and fight for a place in the team.

"But once he is ready, when he comes back, he will not be far from practising with the team."

 

[RedDevil17]

50 unbelievable football facts: Part 1

Courtesy: futbolita.com/


1) Alex Song has 27 siblings – 17 sisters and 10 brothers.

2) Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet speaks 5 languages and has a degree in politics.

3) Dundee United have played and beaten Barcelona 4 times in professional fixtures, giving them a 100% win record.

4) Former Manchester United player Alan Smith scored vs Sheffield United in a League One fixture in April 2012. His previous goal in all competitions was against AS Roma in the Champions League in a 7-1 win for Manchester United.

5) There is only one team out of the 4 divisions in England and the 4 divisions in Scotland that have a ‘j’ in their name. It’s Saint Johnstone.

6) Ronaldo (the Brazilian) has never won the Champions League despite playing for 5 teams that did. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has also never won the Champions League.

7) Manuel Neuer stars in the German version of the 2013 Disney/Pixar film’ Monsters University’. He provides the voice for the character Frank McCay.

8) Former Liverpool man Charlie Adam is younger than Cristiano Ronaldo.

9) The first English team to win a European trophy is West Auckland Town FC. They won the Sir Thomas Lipton trophy, one of football’s first European competitions, twice in 1909 and 1911.

10) Only one country has had two cities with two teams reach the semi finals of the European Cup/Champions League.Scotland – Dundee (with Dundee in 1963 and Dundee United in 1984) and Glasgow (with Celtic in 1967, 1970, 1972 & 1974 and Rangers in 1960)

11) Kuba Blaszczykowski watched his father stab his mother to death when he was 10 years old.

12) Gary Lineker pooped his pants whilst playing against Ireland at the 1990 World Cup

13) Real Madrid Luka Modric and Mark Viduka are cousins.

14) There is only one case of Balotelli missing a penalty on camera – and it’s in training

15) Rio Mavuba was born in international waters. His birth certificate does not have a nation listed, it just says “Born at sea”.

16) The younger brother of Joey Barton, Michael, is a convicted murderer. He murdered his victim with an ice axe.17) Steve Finnan (former Liverpool right back) played in the Conference, Division 3 (won the league), Division 2 (won the league), Division 1 (won the league), the Premiership, the World Cup, the Champions League Final, the UEFA Cup Final, the FA Cup Final, the League Cup Final, the Club World Cup Final, the Super Cup and the Intertoto during his career.18) Xabi Alonso enjoys Gaelic Football.

19) Javier Zanetti didn’t get a red card in Serie A til his 548th match. Ryan Giggs has never received a red card in the EPL.20) Former Tottenham Hotspur player David Ginola has an unfortunate tale to tell. His name is an anagram for Vagina Dildo.

21) Ronaldinho first gained media attention when his youth team won a game 23-0. He scored every single goal.

22) Eden Hazard has a son named Leo. Garry Cahill has a son named Leo. Fernando Torres has a son named Leo. There is a lion in the Chelsea FC crest. Leo is the Latin word for lion.

23) Mark Hughes once played two games in a single day; In the morning he played for Wales against Czechoslovakia in Prague, drove across the border, and then turned out for Bayern Munich in the afternoon.

24) Former Tottenham Hotspur captain Ledley King holds the record for the quickest Premier League goal. He scored 10 seconds after kick-off in a match against Bradford in the 2000/01 season

25) England came up with the word soccer. It’s a shortened version of “Association Football” which got changed to “Assoc Football” which then got changed to “Soccer”. In 19th century England, it was popular to add the “-er” sound to shortened words.

https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/50-unbelievable-football-facts-part-1

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Juventus want Borussia Dortmund defender Sokratis as Bonucci replacement

Juventus are preparing a move for Borussia Dortmund defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Goal understands.

The Turin side are looking to bolster their defensive options ahead of the new Serie A campaign following Leonardo Bonucci's €42 million move to league rivals AC Milan.Bonucci agreed a five-year deal with Vincenzo Montella's side earlier in the week, leaving Juventus searching for a replacement.

Dortmund's Sokratis has emerged as the first-choice option for Massimiliano Allegri, though the Bundesliga outfit have no intention of letting the Greece international leave.

Sven Bender's decision join Bayer Leverkusen has left the Westfalenstadion club with just three options in central defence - Marc Bartra, new arrival Omer Toprak and Sokratis.

Neven Subotic remains a Dortmund player, though is not a viable option for new head coach Peter Bosz, with the club planning on selling the Serbian following a loan spell at Koln last season.

The former Ajax boss is yet to fully evaluate his squad, however, and is unlikely to sanction a move for Sokratis.The defender, though, may be open to a transfer, with reports suggesting the lure of one final lucrative pay day may sway the 29-year-old's decision.

Both Arsenal and Chelsea have also made initial enquiries into the availability of Sokratis, who made 26 Bundesliga starts under Thomas Tuchel last season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger expects Mbappe to stay at Monaco

Kylian Mbappe is likely to stay at Monaco, according to Arsene Wenger, who confirmed Arsenal have not made a world-record bid for the in-demand striker.

Mbappe has been linked with Arsenal and Real Madrid after scoring 15 goals to fire Monaco to the Ligue 1 title, as well as hitting six goals in his side's run to the semi-finals of the Champions League.Wenger previously indicated that he would be interested in signing the precocious 18-year-old, but the Frenchman now thinks Mbappe will still be in Ligue 1 for the new season.

"It looks like that,” Wenger told reporters when asked if Mbappe would stay at Monaco. "Maybe he had too much choice, so in the end people don't move."

Reports in Spain claimed Arsenal had made a world-record bid of £123 million for Mbappe, but Wenger denied that was the case."That's not true," Wenger said."People have big imaginations. What we know now with Mbappe is it's over £100m, after that it's free for everyone to imagine."But we have not made any offer. I think he will stay, it looks like that, for one more season."


Mbappe teased fans on Friday when he made a "big announcement" regarding his future via social media, but it turned out the teenager was merely unveiling his new boots.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mahrez agrees to Roma move if Arsenal don't swoop

Riyad Mahrez's entourage has agreed to a transfer to Roma, Goal can confirm, though the player will wait to see if Arsenal return with an offer before committing to a Serie A switch.

Mahrez is impressed by the Giallorossi's determination to bring him to Stadio Olimpico, but would prefer to turn out for the Gunners should the opportunity arise.

It is understood that Roma sporting director Monchi has prepared a very lucrative financial package for the Leicester star, which has turned the player's head towards a league no longer considered to be amongst the best in the world.

However, any transfer could hinge on whether Arsenal can tie up a deal for Monaco's Thomas Lemar. Arsene Wenger is a keen admirer of the 21-year-old and has already tabled a bid of €35 million – which was rejected – for the youngster.

Monaco are desperate to hold on to some of their stars given Bernardo Silva has already been sold, while Tiemoue Bakayoko is on the verge of signing for Chelsea, and Benjamin Mendy and Kylian Mbappe both subject to major transfer speculation.


Roma's opening offer of €23m could also be a sticking point, but the club are likely to raise their bid to closer match Leicester's valuation of the 26-year-old if Arsenal do not come calling.