..::Football IV::..

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Nainggolan Roma renewal is done, says Pallotta

Roma president James Pallotta has confirmed Radja Nainggolan has agreed a new contract amid interest from Inter.

Luciano Spalletti confirmed Inter were working on a deal to secure his former team's star midfielder, while it had been reported Manchester United were keeping an eye on him too.Nainggolan himself suggested an agreement had been reached when speaking after a meeting with sporting director Monchi, but Pallotta has made clear that the 29-year-old would be staying in the Italian capital.

Speaking to journalists at the airport before travelling to the United States for Roma's pre-season tour, the club chief was asked about the renewal."You saw, he laughed," Palotta said, according to Tuttosport. "Yes, [it's done]."

Nainggolan joined Roma in 2014 in an initial loan deal before making a permanent switch, and has played over 160 appearances for the Giallorossi.

Roma have made several additions to new coach Eusebio Di Francesco's side ahead of the new season, including the likes of Rick Karsdorp, Hector Moreno and Maxime Gonalons before completing the signing of Cengiz Under on Sunday.

 

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Man Utd midfielder Herrera: Real Madrid are 'most powerful team'

Ander Herrera is relishing the prospect of facing Real Madrid twice in pre-season as he believes they are "the most powerful team of the moment".

Manchester United meet the European champions twice ahead of the 2017-18 Premier League season, once in the International Champions Cup and again in the European Super Cup.

Spaniard Herrera, who featured in Saturday's 5-2 friendly win over LA Galaxy and afterwards dismissed links to Barcelona, is particularly looking forward to August's Super Cup meeting in Skopje."Madrid are the most powerful team of the moment," said the midfielder, who helped Jose Mourinho's side secure a return to the continent's top table via the Europa League.

"They have won the last two Champions Leagues, but a Super Cup final always motivates me.

"I am just as motivated, of course, playing against Madrid and it's a good test for us."Getting back into the Champions League was fundamental to the club because we are going to be one of the rivals to beat."We are a strong team with a winning coach."

 

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AC Milan want Belotti, Morata or Aubameyang as spending spree continues

AC Milan want to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Andrea Belotti or Alvaro Morata before the end of the transfer window, CEO Marco Fassone has revealed.

The Serie A side have been busy in the market, with Lazio midfielder Lucas Biglia set to become their 10th signing following the shock arrival of Leonardo Bonucci from Juventus, which Fassone initially thought was "a crazy idea".Andre Silva has already been brought in from Porto in attack, but Milan are setting their sights on another centre-forward, with three of the top players thought to be available being targeted.

"Many names have been mentioned of very strong strikers," Fassone said to Milan TV. "We would like to have one from Belotti, Morata or Aubameyang. We will see who our choice falls to, although there are also other names who are yet to be splashed on the front pages by the media."Clearly we are still thinking of doing something else in that position. We are keeping all the options open and we will definitely do something beautiful.

"Fortunately we are in China now so we can hold discussions with the owners to understand what our resources are, because they are not unlimited."We must also reason with the coach, because the next two friendlies can give some technical indications to him and [director of sport] Massimiliano Mirabelli."

Real Madrid striker Morata was pursued by Manchester United but talks broke down, prompting the Old Trafford club to land Romelu Lukaku.

The prolific Aubameyang has been heavily linked with a move to China, with Chelsea also said to be in the mix to sign him, Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke having warned any interested clubs to act fast.Torino striker Belotti, meanwhile, burst into spotlight last season, scoring 26 Serie A goals.

Fassone believes the coup of landing Bonucci from the Italian champions in a deal reportedly worth €42million was a huge statement to Europe's top talent and means Milan are now a realistic option for stars like Morata, Aubameyang and Belotti.

He said: "I was very sceptical thinking, 'Imagine if Juventus give us Bonucci'. It was a crazy idea and we didn't even want to try it, but then Vincenzo Montella told us to continue pushing."It is a very important sign to see that now players in Champions League clubs want to join us.

"Buying Bonucci is a signal for the future. Leo is a warrior and a leader who will give us a lot both on and off the field."

 

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Nolito ends Man City stay and signs three-year Sevilla deal

Sevilla have confirmed that Manchester City forward Nolito has signed a three-year deal with the Spanish club.

​The striker arrived Sunday morning at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan and, after undergoing medical tests, met with club president Jose Castro to sign the contract that will keep him in Andalusia for three years.

A Celta legend after making 100 appearances for the club, Nolito moved to the Premier League in 2016 but failed to find his footing with Pep Guardiola's side and returns to La Liga after playing just 775 minutes in league play. He started off strong in England, scoring three goals in his first three matches, but cooled considerably and hadn't found the back of the net in league play since a December defeat to Leicester City.

The club hopes his arrival will help offset that of Vitolo, who is headed to Atletico Madrid after completing a loan spell because of Atleti's transfer ban. Nolito should have great rapport with Sevilla coach Eduardo Berizzo, as the two worked together for two years at Celta. Nolito and Argentine defensive midfielder Guido Pizarro were reportedly Berizzo's two top targets in the market, and the coach will have both of them in his employ in the upcoming season.

Nolito now becomes the fourth summer signing for Los Rojiblancos, with the team also set to count on Ever Banega, Pizarro and Colombian forward Luis Muriel.
The 30-year-old is set to travel to Madrid to arrange his travel documents for a trip to Japan, where he'll arrive Tuesday to join up with the team for their preseason.

 

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Biglia joins Bonucci at AC Milan as summer spending spree continues

AC Milan have confirmed the signing of Lucas Biglia, the midfielder arriving from Lazio to join the club's revolution under their new owners, Yonghong Li's Rossoneri Sport Investment Lux group.

Milan completed a major coup with the signing of Juventus defensive lynchpin Leonardo Bonucci for €42 million on Friday and Biglia becomes the 10th new arrival of the transfer window at San Siro.

The Argentina international has long been a target for Milan and the Rossoneri have paid a reported €17m to bring him to the club, with Biglia signing a three-year contract.

Vincenzo Montella has significantly overhauled his squad after signing a new contract in May and Biglia is the latest fresh face through the door ahead of the new Serie A season.

Andrea Conti, Andre Silva, Hakan Calhanoglu, Mateo Musacchio, Ricardo Rodriguez, Franck Kessie, Antonio Donnarumma and Fabio Borini all have completed moves to Milan, with the club's heavy spending set to continue.
Milan also tied down their highly rated teenage goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to a long-term contract, the Italy international performing a U-turn after his agent Mino Raiola indicated he would not agree an extended deal, before his older brother Antonio returned to the club.

Montella is reportedly keen to sign another striker to compete for places with Portugal international Silva, with Milan having been linked with Torino's Andrea Belotti and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Borussia Dortmund.

 

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Bayern confirm AC Milan interest in Renato Sanches, silence Alexis Sanchez talk

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed that AC Milan hold an interest in signing midfielder Renato Sanches this summer.

Sanches moved to the Bundesliga club from Benfica last summer, having been linked with a host of elite European clubs.A much-vaunted player, Sanches won the Golden Boy award in 2016, and starred at Euro 2016, which Portugal won.

However, he has struggled to find his feet at Bayern, making 25 appearances across last season but rarely impressing.Portuguese newspaper Record speculated that Milan could take the 29-year-old on an initial two-year loan deal, featuring the option to buy for €47 million.

And Rummenigge has admitted that Milan - who have already signed the likes of Leonardo Bonucci, Ricardo Rodriguez and Lucas Biglia in an astonishing summer - are interested in him.

"I can confirm that AC Milan has an interest in Renato Sanches," he told reporters prior to flying to Asia for Bayern's pre-season tour.

"I have the impression that AC Milan is not ready to meet our economic demands, and as long (as that continues) nothing will be done."Bayern have also been linked with a big-money move for Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez, who is also wanted by Manchester City.

However, Rummenigge has rubbished suggestions that the club could table a bid; Bayern have already signed Serge Gnabry, James Rodriguez and Kingsley Coman this summer.

"I don't know what he has said but we are no longer involved," he added."We are in agreement with the coach [Carlo Ancelotti] and we won't be doing another deal for an attacker. That makes no sense."

 

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Morientes: Ronaldo is so happy at Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo is "so happy" at Real Madrid and the La Liga champions are delighted with their star forward, according to Fernando Morientes.

Ronaldo, 32, has been linked with a shock move from Madrid, with Paris Saint-Germain and his former club Manchester United reportedly interested.But United manager Jose Mourinho said on Saturday his team never considered a move for Ronaldo, labelling it "mission impossible".

Morientes, who won three Champions Leagues and two La Liga titles at Madrid, has no doubt Ronaldo will stay at the European champions.

"I haven't heard Cristiano saying he wants to leave," he said at the Star Sixes tournament."I already know how this works… At the end of every season there are a lot of rumours and doubts on the big players. Ronaldo is one of them.

"I am calm because he hasn't spoken… At the time when he speaks, we will see.
"But I am pretty sure that Cristiano is so happy at Real Madrid, and Real Madrid is happy with Cristiano. So it will be complicated [if he leaves]."

A four-time Ballon d'Or winner, Ronaldo has claimed two La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues at Madrid, amid numerous other trophies.

 

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Man City goalkeeper Hart to undergo West Ham medical

Joe Hart is set to undergo his medical at West Ham ahead of an initial loan move from Manchester City.

The Hammers are keen to recruit a new goalkeeper this summer, and have swiftly negotiated a deal for the England international.Hart’s City contract expires in 2019, and he has, it is understood, been told to find a new club by manager Pep Guardiola.

City allowed Hart to leave on loan to Torino last season and he is now set to move to London Stadium, with Guardiola’s side willing to subsidise his wages.West Ham are understood to have struck a deal that will see City pay half of Hart’s £100,000-per-week wages, and an option to buy will be included.

Hart is now poised to formalise his move to the Hammers, which will likely lead to speculation over the futures of Adrian and Darren Randolph.The England goalkeeper, who has won 71 caps for the Three Lions, could make his move to the Irons permanent at the end of the season.

Hart published an Instagram post on Sunday, apparently showing him on a train, hinting at an upcoming transfer.


Slaven Bilic’s side are hopeful of negotiating a fee between £12 million and £15m for the player, who has previously been valued at £20m by City.

 

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'You never know' - Mata believes Morata could still join Man Utd

Manchester United attacking midfielder Juan Mata believes Alvaro Morata could still join the club, despite the arrival of Romelu Lukaku from Everton.Jose Mourinho's side were interested in Real Madrid striker Morata before completing the signing of Lukaku for a reported £75million.

The United boss stated at the weekend that it was Madrid's decision not to sell the Spain international and conceded that a deal to bring him to Old Trafford is unlikely.However, compatriot Mata is refusing to give up on the idea that Morata could become his team-mate before the end of August.

"It looks tough to see Alvaro Morata in a Red Devils shirt with the arrival of Romelu," he told Cadena Cope. "We've signed an important player in attack and it's difficult, although you never know.

"Things can happen in the last few days, but I wish Alvaro the best."Talk of Morata moving to United is unlikely to die down while speculation persists that Madrid are ready to reignite their interest in goalkeeper David de Gea.

A part-exchange deal involving the two players was mooted early last month, with Mourinho reportedly happy to consider allowing De Gea to leave.Mata is confident that he will not be going anywhere, however, stating: "I think De Gea will stay."

 

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Bale: No offer from Man Utd but I'm happy at Real Madrid

Gareth Bale says he is not planning to leave Real Madrid for Manchester United, stating no offer has been made.The Welsh attacker has long been linked with a move back to the Premier League, with the Old Trafford club the main suitors.

The 28-year-old made just 27 appearances in all competitions last season due to injuries, but remains a key role to Madrid's famous BBC attacking trio alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

And he insists he is enjoying life in the Spanish capital. When asked if he has considered leaving, he told Marca: "No, everything has been complicated by my injury, but nothing else.

"I can still play well and when I'm at the maximum I'll give my best again. I signed a long contract at Madrid and I'm happy here.

"The truth is I didn't read anything about United's interested. As a British player, I'm always associated with a return home. The same thing happened with David Beckham and other Englishmen who came to Spain. It's nothing new. "I'm happy playing in Madrid, logically interest is interest, but if there has been nothing concrete, no offer, then there is nothing to discuss."

 

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'Barcelona's Semedo more like Dani Alves than Bellerin'

New Barcelona signing Nelson Semedo is a more suitable Dani Alves replacement than Hector Bellerin, according to his former youth coach.The 23-year-old completed his move to Camp Nou from Benfica last week for an initial fee of €30 million.

The right side of defence proved to be a problem position for Barca last season after Alves left to join Juventus and Aleix Vidal falling out of favour and then being sidelined with a serious ankle injury, meaning Sergi Roberto was regularly used as a makeshift full-back.

Arsenal's Hector Bellerin was linked with a return to Catalonia, but Helder Cristovao, who coached Semedo in Benfica's B team, believes the Portugal international is the best option as a long-term Alves successor.

"He has a lot of Alves qualities," he told Sport . "I think that, of all the players they were talking about, including Bellerin, maybe Semedo is closest to Alves than the others.

"Nelson is a boy who is very sure of himself. He's very family-centric, he married his lifelong girlfriend who he knew from his old town, Sintra, and he has a little girl of a year old.

"He's very fast and Barca play with a very high structure, with a very high defensive line, 40-45 metres from the goalkeeper."He's very strong on the wing, he's able to get good combinations with the players infield and on the outside, so I don't think he'll have any big problems."

Cristovao believes Semedo is ideally suited to Barca boss Ernesto Valverde's style of play, more so than he would be in teams coached by Luis Enrique or Pep Guardiola.

"I think it will be slightly easier for Semedo with Valverde than with Luis Enrique or Guardiola," he said."Valverde has a slightly different idea for defences, he gives them a lot of freedom, but basically it's a little different than with Luis Enrique or Guardiola."

 

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Morata open to AC Milan move but talks have cooled, says Mirabelli

Massimiliano Mirabelli says Alvaro Morata has expressed an interest in joining AC Milan, but talks have cooled down as their search for a high-profile striker continues.

CEO Marco Fassone confirmed on Sunday that the Rossoneri are looking to snap up one of Morata, Andrea Belotti and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in a busy transfer period for the club.Speculation continues to circulate about the three centre-forwards, with Premier League champions Chelsea among others being named alongside each.

Although Milan sporting director Mirabelli says talks got off to a good start with Real Madrid's Morata, they are still looking at the likes of the Torino and Borussia Dortmund stars.

"We're sorry if Torino are annoyed about Belotti," he told Mediaset. "We have a number of strikers in mind and we are asking for information.

"I spoke with Torino and they know we are monitoring Belotti among others. We are acting with integrity and transparency: notifying the club before talking to the players.

"We have been looking at Morata from the beginning, and he has made himself available, then complications arose between the Champions League final and the emergence of different interested teams and things have cooled since. It can warm up again, but it will be on our terms."

Milan have spent big in the current transfer window, with the shock signing of Leonardo Bonucci from Juventus adding to the captures of Andrea Conti, Andre Silva, Hakan Calhanoglu, Franck Kessie and others.One of their most significant deals, however, has been the contract renewal of Gianluigi Donnarumma after he rejected their initial offer.

Mirabelli, appointed as sporting director by Milan's new Chinese owners, is delighted the 18-year-old will remain at San Siro."From the beginning, Donnarumma’s new contract was our ‘mission impossible’," he said.

“We inherited a player whose contract was expiring: the old management had failed, but it’s excellent that he renewed, as many said the chances were zero.

"With Bonucci, it all happened in a flash. We haven't quite realised ityet."Alongside Ramos, he is one of the strongest defenders in the world in terms of technique and character. Over the years, he has learned to win.

"He is a very important signing from all points of view. To tear him from Juve wasn't simple. I can't find the words to express the feeling."

 

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Bale has 'no clue' over Ronaldo's Real Madrid future

Real Madrid star Gareth Bale says he has "no clue" if Cristiano Ronaldo will leave the club in the transfer window.

Speculation emerged last month that Ronaldo wants to move away from Spain, having reportedly been unhappy with the club's level of support in the wake of allegations of tax fraud.

The 32-year-old is said to have been pacified following talks with Madrid president Florentino Perez, but a refusal to speak publicly about his intentions has done little to dispel the rumours entirely.Bale, who has spent the last four years alongside Ronaldo at Santiago Bernabeu, admits that he is in the dark about his team-mate's plans.

"I haven't read anything," he told Marca. "I have no clue about what's going to happen. Look, yesterday I found out that [Romelu] Lukaku had signed for Manchester United... I honestly don't know."We won titles, we did well, we don't need to change anything."

When pressed on whether he expects Ronaldo to stay, he added: "Well, you'll have to ask him."One man who has been linked with a move to Madrid is Kylian Mbappe, with the Monaco striker's future still far from clear.

Bale concedes that he has watched little of the 18-year-old but would welcome his arrival if Madrid pushed ahead with a move.

"I haven't seen much of him, really," he said. "I don't watch a lot of football but I know that he's a good player and if he comes it's because he's had a great season and hopefully he can help the team."

Bale's involvement last term was curtailed by ankle and calf injuries, with the Wales international missing all of his side's last six Liga games and managing only 13 minutes of the Champions League final win over Juventus.

However, the 28-year-old says he worked hard on his fitness simply to be in the squad for the 4-1 win in Cardiff and now hopes to play a bigger role in 2017-18."Obviously during the holidays I haven't done a lot of intense stuff but I'm recovering well," he said.

"Last year, the pain made it difficult for me to stay fit. I've worked hard to recover and now I'm able to do pre-season."To be honest, six weeks before the final I worked hard to get fit, and to be on the bench was rewarding because I hadn't done that work to not be there at all.

"I worked hard, 12 hours a day, to be available for the final and to be able to enjoy those minutes was really rewarding. Lifting the cup in front of my friends and family was incredible.

"We go out to win everything, that's the plan, and we believe we can do it. I'm sure we'll also need a bit of luck."

 

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Barcelona claim no offers for Neymar amid reports he wants to leave

Barcelona technical secretary Robert Fernandez does not expect Neymar to leave the club and insists that there are no offers on the table for the Brazilian.

Neymar signed a new five-year contract last June that includes a buy-out clause, which has risen from €200m to €222m and will reach €250m in 12 months' time.

The 25-year-old was linked with a move away from Camp Nou before his new deal effectively ended speculation over a possible transfer to either Manchester United or Paris Saint-Germain.

However, a report in Sport on Monday claimed the forward is unsettled in Catalonia and would consider leaving in the transfer window.Robert, though, does not expect the former Santos star to leave any time soon.

When asked if he could imagine Barca without Neymar, he told a news conference: "I don't think that's going to happen."He added: "It's not our intention to lose players, certainly not good players. We try to improve within the confines of what is possible."We've not had any offers for any players in our squad."Robert added that Barca would like to sign a midfielder who can play in three different roles across the centre of the pitch.

Ernesto Valverde's side have been rebuffed in their attempts to negotiate a deal for PSG's Marco Verratti but Robert made it clear they will not sign a player of anything less than the highest quality, despite their challenging transfer window so far.

"It's difficult because we have an amazing team. Whoever comes here has to be a big player," he said."A player who can play in all three positions would be amazing, because playing in that position means you're always fighting for game time so the more positions you can play in, the more opportunities you'll have."

 

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Jardim expects Mbappe Monaco stay despite Madrid and PSG interest

Kylian Mbappe is staying "calm" amid intense transfer speculation over his future, says Monaco head coach Leonardo Jardim, who expects the teenager to stay at the Ligue 1 champions.

Mbappe has been linked with a world-record transfer away from Monaco, having scored 26 goals across all competitions last season as his side unseated Paris Saint-Germain from their Ligue 1 throne and also embarked on a run to the Champions League semi-finals.

Real Madrid and PSG are among the clubs reportedly keen to prise the 18-year-old away from Monaco, but Jardim believes he will not follow stars Bernardo Silva and Tiemoue Bakayoko out of the club, although Benjamin Mendy is expected to join Manchester City.

"Mbappe seems very calm, he is young and has great potential," Jardim said during Monaco's pre-season tour."He has only just joined up with the squad and so he needs to find his rhythm again, but I see he's doing well.

"I am counting on Mbappe as I am all of the players I have; I expect to have him here."The striker has already featured for Monaco in their pre-season campaign. He was given a 45 minute outing in their 4-2 win over Stoke City before playing for an hour as they drew 0-0 with PSV on Sunday.

While PSG and Madrid maintain their interest, Arsene Wenger appeared to concede defeat in Arsenal's pursuit of Mbappe on Saturday when he told reporters he expects the teenager to stay in Ligue 1 for another season.

"Maybe he had too much choice, so in the end people don't move," Wenger said.

Despite this summer's sales and the persistent uncertainty around Mbappe, Monaco have managed to commit Jardim and striker Radamel Falcao to new contracts that tie them to the club until 2020.

 

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'It's all out in the open' – Spalletti hints at Perisic exit

Inter manager Luciano Spalletti has appeared to hint that Ivan Perisic's long-rumoured move to Manchester United is drawing closer.

The 28-year-old Croatian has been a main transfer target for the Red Devils this summer and after weeks of speculation, it appears he is nearing a move to Old Trafford. Following reports of a fee being agreed between Manchester United and Inter, Spalletti told Sportitalia: “Perisic? You [journalists] know everything, it’s all out in the open.”

Perisic was not named in Inter's squad for their friendly against Nurnberg on Saturday, and has posted cryptic messages on social media hinting at a transfer.


He has made a total of 79 appearances in all competitions for Inter since a 2015 move from Wolfsburg, scoring 20 goals and providing 16 assists from his wide attacking position.

 

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Juventus reach agreement with Arsenal over Szczesny, De Sciglio to sign for €12m

Juventus have agreed a fee with Arsenal in the region of £10m for Wojciech Szczesny and the Polish stopper is set to complete his move in the next 48 hours, Goal understands.The Old Lady have also sealed a move for Milan right-back Mattia De Sciglio, who will join for £11m.

Szczesny, 27, spent the past two seasons on loan at Roma after losing his starting berth at Emirates Stadium and will travel to the United States with his new team-mates on Thursday for their pre-season tour.

The goalkeeper would have been playing second fiddle behind Petr Cech if he were to return to Arsenal and therefore set his sights on a transfer to Turin where he will be earning a cool £3.5m-a-year.

De Sciglio, meanwhile, will reunite with his former boss Massimiliano Allegri, who gave the Italy international his first taste of senior club football in 2011 with Milan.

Juve coach Allegri sees Szczesny as the long-term successor of Gianluigi Buffon, who is expected to hang up his gloves in 2018.

Szczesny's permanent exit paves the way for Emiliano Martinez to become Cech's deputy in 2017-18, with Arsenal ready to cash in on wantaway David Ospina, too.
The Colombian shot stopper is keen to leave the club in order to get regular first-team action elsewhere and an offer in the region of £5m would suffice to lure him away from the Gunners.

There was interest from Fenerbahce earlier in the summer, but a move to the Istanbul giants eventually fell through after the Turkish club refused to increase their £3m offer for the goalkeeper.

 

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Man City in talks to sign Pepe Reina from Napoli

Manchester City are currently locked in talks with Serie A club Napoli over a move for Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina, Goal understands.

The transfer teams are currently haggling over a fee, with the Partenopei hoping to receive €5 million for the former Liverpool shot-stopper.Man City, however, are currently offering only €3m, though it is expected that both sides will come to an accord fairly quickly.

With 21-year-old Angus Gunn having been sent on loan to Norwich City, Pep Guardiola's side have been in the market for a third-choice goalkeeper all summer, but had expected to wait until later in the summer window to wrap up a deal.A swoop for 34-year-old Reina has quickly moved up the agenda, though, and progressive talks have taken place in recent days.

The Spain international is not expected to replace Claudio Bravo at the Etihad, but rather battle with the Chilean for a starting spot along with new boy Ederson.

It is understood that Bravo could yet leave City this summer but the chances of an exit are currently very slim, given that he has already rejected several offers earlier this year and is committed to seeing out his deal.

 

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Neville: Rooney can end Everton's trophy drought

Former Everton captain Phil Neville believes Wayne Rooney could end the club's hunt for silverware.

After 13 trophy-laden years at Manchester United, Rooney returns to Everton, who have not won a trophy since the 1995 FA Cup.

But with United and England's all-time leading goalscorer Rooney back at Goodison Park and Everton investing heavily, titles could be on the horizon, according to Neville.

"They have been very proactive, they have not waited for Lukaku to leave, they have said, 'Let's get our players in first and take some of the pressure off'," he said.

"I remember when I was at Everton with David Moyes. We sold Joleon Lescott one summer and Mikel Arteta towards the end [of the transfer window] — when you sell those players it puts added pressure on and fans get a little angry.

"They have actually signed four or five players, the fans are happy. It softens the blow of [Romelu] Lukaku leaving with knowing full well there are one or two more to come.

"I think the signing of Rooney gels it all together for Everton. There is no way Wayne Rooney would go back to Everton if he didn't think they were going to win things, that is for sure."

While Everton sold Lukaku to United, manager Ronald Koeman has brought in Jordan Pickford, Michael Keane, Davy Klaassen and Sandro Ramirez.

Neville continued: "Everton have to look at Tottenham. Four or five years ago, Tottenham and Everton were on similar levels, Tottenham kicked on and Everton didn't but now I think they are well capable of doing a Tottenham — producing a young team with a brilliant manager in Ronald Koeman.


"Everton have bought quality and what is more exciting is the young players breaking through — couple that with Wayne Rooney and it should be good. Everton could be one of the teams to watch this year."

 

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Barcelona post record revenues of €708million

Barcelona recorded record revenues of €708million during the 2016-17 financial year, according to their latest set of results.Club spokesman Josep Vives told a news conference that the return was €13m more than Barca's projected figure.

At the end of the 12-month period, Barcelona recorded a profit of €18m after tax, while debt has been reduced by €24.5m to €247m.The figures outstrip Barcelona's revenues of €679m for the previous year, with a four-year renewal of the club's sponsorship with Qatar Airways boosting the coffers.

Japanese internet retailer Rakuten began a four-year shirt sponsorship deal with Barca this month that will be worth €55million per season to the LaLiga giants.

Rivals Real Madrid reported revenues of €620m last October, but those figures did not include money brought in from player sales as Barcelona's do.