..::Football IV::..

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Conte: I decided to sell Costa in January

Antonio Conte has indicated that he decided in January to allow Diego Costa to leave Chelsea.

Conte and Costa reportedly fell out after the Italian refused to let the striker join Chinese Super League side Tianjin Quanjian.

Costa was subsequently dropped from the Chelsea squad for the Premier League game against Leicester City, although he returned to help Conte's men claim the Premier League title, scoring 20 goals over the course of the campaign.

The Spain international is now widely expected to leave Stamford Bridge, with a return to former club Atletico Madrid mooted, and Chelsea are on the brink of signing Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata as his replacement.

Costa is not with the Chelsea squad on their pre-season tour of Asia and Conte gave the clearest indication yet that the 28-year-old will be sold.
"I don't like to talk about players who are not here," Conte told reporters ahead of Saturday's game against Arsenal in Beijing.

"The only thing I can tell you is that in January, the Costa situation was very clear, for the club for him and his agent. For me, the situation is closed."While a return to Atletico appears Costa's most likely move, the switch is complicated by the club's current transfer ban, which runs until January.

 

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Liverpool sign Robertson in £8m deal

Liverpool have completed the £8 million signing of Hull City full-back Andrew Robertson.

The Scotland international has signed a long-term deal at Anfield having completed a medical on Thursday, with his fee set to rise to as much as £10m should he meet certain criteria during his time on Merseyside.

Robertson's arrival could allow James Milner to move back to a more familiar role in midfield after he filled in admirably at left-back for much of last season, while Alberto Moreno and Jon Flanagan remain in Jurgen Klopp's squad.

The 23-year-old has played 57 Premier League matches for Hull, scoring one goal and laying on four assists, and was one of the Tigers's most consistent performers as they were relegated in 2016-17.

“It feels a wee bit surreal just now. Obviously I’m delighted," he told Liverpool's website upon his signing. "There’s been a lot of speculation over the last couple of weeks but I’m glad that the deal’s finally been done and I’m a Liverpool player.

“My family are proud of what I’ve achieved so far and they’re all over the moon with the move, as well as me of course. We’re all just looking forward to being part of the Liverpool family now.

“There’s not many, if any, more special clubs than Liverpool. When you grow up as a kid you dream of playing with big clubs such as Liverpool and to make that a reality is a dream come true for me.“I just want to prove to people that I can do it at this level, and hopefully I manage to do that this season and go on to do good things for this club.”

The Glasgow-born defender started his professional career at Queen's Park after being released form Celtic's youth system. After one season in Scottish football's bottom tier, he joined Dundee United in the Premiership and moved to Hull City a year later.

He becomes Jurgen Klopp's third signing of the summer following the arrival of Dominic Solanke and Mohamed Salah earlier in pre-season.After confirming Robertson's signing, Liverpool announced that midfielder Kevin Stewart has gone the other way for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old signed a three-year deal with Hull after spending three years at Anfield, making 11 Premier League appearances, 20 in all competitions, over the last two seasons.

 

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Van Dijk has asked to leave Southampton - Pellegrino

Virgil van Dijk has been sent to train alone by manager Mauricio Pellegrino after telling Southampton he wants to leave.

Liverpool were leading the race to sign the defender, who also attracted attention from Manchester City and Chelsea, but the Reds publicly backed out of the deal after reports that Southampton were threatening action.

The Netherlands international is said to have set his sights on a move to Anfield, though, and is looking to force a way out, prompting his new boss to leave him out of their pre-season preparations.“The boy said that he is not available to play because he wants to leave. This is the decision," Pellegrino said of the 26-year-old.

“I had to say 'if you don’t want to be involved because you don’t feel OK then you have to train alone until this period of time happens'.“My relationship with Virgil is excellent. I was clear with the boy, and I was talking from the first day with him."

Southampton executive director Les Reed said in June that Van Dijk is not for sale at any price, and Pellegrino insists it is the centre-back who must change his stance.

“The club was clear. The club told me they will not sell Virgil.“I translated the idea of the club to the player and for me it was easy because I had to manage the dynamic of the team.

“Now he is not involved with the team because psychologically he is not 100 per cent. If you are not 100 per cent with the team I need to work with the players who are 1000 per cent to defend Southampton. It’s easy for me.

“I hope that Virgil can review his feelings because you know that today a player is big business. Not just the player but behind them is a lot of interests.“I don’t want to say too much but we need the player, but 100 per cent. This is the question.”

Van Dijk has made 55 Premier League appearances for Southampton since joining from Celtic in 2015. He is contracted to the club until 2022.

 

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Chelsea complete £70m Morata signing from Real Madrid

Alvaro Morata’s move to Chelsea from Real Madrid has been completed, the Premier League champions have confirmed.

The 24-year-old striker has moved to Stamford Bridge for a reported fee of £70 million and has agreed a five-year contract, having played 43 times for the European champions last season, netting on 20 occasions.However, he found himself surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu and has elected to join up with Antonio Conte’s side.

"I am so happy to be here," he told Chelsea's official website. "It’s an incredible emotion to be part of this big club. I am looking to work hard, score as many goals as I can and to win as many trophies as possible."

Chelsea's technical director Michael Emanelo added the club expect a great deal of him: "We believe he can make a great impact for Chelsea and look forward to seeing him in action. Alvaro has proven class at the highest level and his quality will be a huge asset to Antonio and the squad."The striker will meet with his team-mates on their pre-season tour of Asia, as they prepare to face Arsenal in Beijing on Saturday.

Conte insisted on Friday that Morata was his first-choice target for the No.9 role, despite Chelsea's attempts to sign Romelu Lukaku before his move to Manchester United.

"I think for sure this is a good signing for us, he is a young player but has a lot of experience, he went to Juventus and Real Madrid," Conte said of him. "He has a lot of experience and I think this is a good signing for us."

Morata, who came through the Madrid youth ranks, narrowly missed playing under the Italian with Juventus, arriving at the Serie A giants for a two-season stint shortly after Conte departed for the Italy national team job, but revealed the manager’s influence played a great role in him electing to move to Stamford Bridge.“I’m going to the team managed by the coach who has placed the most faith in me,” he said.

Willy Caballero, Antonio Rudiger and Tiemoue Bakayoko have already joined up with the Blues this summer, making Morata their fourth signing.

 

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James: I can replace Messi and Ronaldo

New Bayern Munich signing James Rodriguez has outlined ambitious plans to take over from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the world's foremost footballers.

The Colombia international joined the Bundesliga champions this month on an initial two-year loan deal, with the option to make the move permanent in 2019.

James joined Real Madrid for a reported €70million from Monaco after lighting up World Cup 2014, but he struggled to convince Carlo Ancelotti, Rafael Benitez and Zinedine Zidane that he was worthy of a regular place in the starting line-up.

However, having rejoined Ancelotti at the Allianz Arena, the 26-year-old is now determined to establish himself as one of the game's greats and even take over from Messi and Ronaldo, who have dominated European football for much of the last decade.

Asked if he could succeed the Barcelona and Madrid stars, James said: "Why not? They are big players. I'll be ready for what happens in the future and improve in world football."

James made only 13 starts in La Liga last season, but he accepts that he is not guaranteed a place in the Bayern line-up given the talent at Ancelotti's disposal."We have big players at Bayern and the competition for the team is very intense," he said.

"I have to win my place through training hard every day. I want more minutes and more success [than last season]."It's a unique club, with the obligation of winning trophies and I hope it continues next season."

 

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Ancelotti working to make Sanches an AC Milan fan

Bayern Munich head coach Carlo Ancelotti is trying to persuade Renato Sanches to support AC Milan, hinting the Portugal midfielder could join the Serie A side.

Sanches is reportedly the latest target for the big-spending Italians, who have signed a raft of players including Italy centre-back Leonardo Bonucci from Juventus and Sanches' international team-mate Andre Silva in a busy transfer window.

Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has claimed Sanches could be out of Milan's price range, although a loan to San Siro has also been suggested.

Speaking ahead of Bayern's International Champions Cup clash with Milan in Shenzhen on Saturday, Ancelotti hinted Sanches could yet move to the the Italian's former club.

"Milan have had a great transfer window so far," Ancelotti told reporters on Friday. "They've bought a lot of players and the impact of the new owners [Li Yonghong's Rossoneri Sport Investment Lux] has been important.

"I hope they have a great season, I have a good relationship with [Milan head coach Vincenzo] Montella and I think he did a good job last season. They have a better team this year and they'll fight for the Scudetto, I wish them the best.Regarding my time, Milan has changed a lot, but I have good memories.

"I'm always happy to face Milan because I'm still a Milan fan and I push my players to become Milan fans."Sanches? Right now he's working for us, but yes I'm working to make him a Milan fan."

But the Bayern boss indicated there will be no immediate announcement regarding a potential move for the 19-year-old midfielder."There's nothing new on his future," Ancelotti added.

 

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Borussia Dourtmund respond to reports Aubameyang agreed January move to China

Borussia Dortmund have come out to deny reports that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had agreed a move to China in January.

German outlet Bild reported that the striker would leave in the winter window, heading to Chinese Super League side Tianjin Quanjian for a €70 million transfer fee with a contract worth €20m per season.

But BVB quickly took to Twitter to deny the report. "There has been no contact with a club about regarding [Aubameyang], and no club has ever talked about a move in the winter," the tweet read.

The Bundesliga side had already ruled out a move for the striker this summer, with the club's sporting director Michael Zorc telling Goal on Tuesday: "It's quite simple. We opened this window for a certain time frame to realise if the transfer [could be done].

"But we have to put a time limit on the transfer because if he has to leave, we have to replace him. Then it gets difficult the longer the transfer window goes on. That's more or less the reason to finish it now."

Aubameyang rolled up 31 goals in the Bundesliga last campaign, leading Dortmund to a third-place finish and a spot in the Champions League for the 2017/18 campaign.

 

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Incredible Lukaku can score 25 goals for Man Utd, says Man City star De Bruyne

Manchester United's new signing Romelu Lukaku has been named one of the world's best strikers by Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne, who expects him to score around 25 goals per season at Old Trafford.

The 24-year-old striker reunited with Jose Mourinho in a £75 million move from Everton after scoring 25 goals in 37 Premier League games for the Toffees last term.

A lot is expected of Lukaku at United, and he gave a taste of what is to come when he scored in their 2-0 win over City in the International Champions Cup on Thursday.

And De Bruyne is sure his Belgium team-mate will live up to the hype after his big move, insisting he "can be awesome" for his club rivals.“I think he’ll do very well,” De Bruyne told reporters. “Everyone knows what his qualities are and he will do what he has to do.

“There’s a lot said about these big transfers, people mock him and other players on social media. You know it’s there, but you just can’t care about that. You just have to do your job and I think he’ll score 20 to 25 goals for United a season and that will speak for itself.

“If you see his ratio of goals, it’s incredible. He’s one of the best in the world and what is he, 24? You can say that about him at that age.“Obviously he has his way of playing‚ don’t compare him to a Lionel Messi. He’s a big, physical guy and can be awesome."


After making the move to Chelsea from Anderlecht in 2011, Lukaku has netted 85 goals in the Premier League and made 28 assists in 186 appearances across spells at the Blues, West Bromwich Albion and Everton.

 

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Di Maria open to Neymar joining PSG

Angel Di Maria played the diplomat when asked about rumours of Neymar joining Paris Saint-Germain but has said it is a transfer he would welcome.

The French club are ready to meet the Brazilian's €222 million release clause to sign him from Barcelona, with the player ready to move after growing frustrated with the Spanish giants.

It would be a massive move for PSG, who are looking to take back their place at the top of Ligue 1 after finishing second to Monaco last term. But Di Maria wouldn't be drawn in on the transfer saga, saying that the deal has nothing to do with him.

“That is all up to Unai and the staff, nothing to do with the players, myself included," he told Sports Illustrated. "Any player that comes to the club, no matter who he is, will be received the same way, as ultimately this is about Paris Saint-Germain. This is a big club that is looking to win titles, so we have a lot of many important players, but whoever comes will be welcomed with open arms.”

While he wouldn't speak directly on the Neymar deal, the winger did talk a bit about his own situation with the club after a trying start to life in Ligue 1 and rumours linking him with a move to Inter this summer.

“I’m extremely happy in Paris, my family is very happy,” he said in the same interview. “And honestly, to me that’s the most important thing. My relationship with Unai Emery is really good and all I just want to do my best for the team, give it my all and win titles.”

Di Maria and PSG are currently in the United States for the International Champions Cup. They will take on Tottenham in Orlando, Florida on Saturday.

 

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'I love Lemar!' - Pires backs Arsenal's pursuit of Monaco and France star

Robert Pires has backed Arsenal's pursuit of Thomas Lemar, saying the Monaco winger would be a great fit at his former club.

The Gunners are keen to land the highly rated 21-year-old, who played a key role in helping Monaco claim the Ligue 1 title last season as well as reach the Champions League semi-finals.

Goal reported in June that Arsenal tabled a €35m (£30.7m) offer for Lemar but the offer was swiftly rejected by Monaco, who are desperate to keep hold of one of their prized assets.

Arsenal are still interested in signing Lemar despite seeing their opening bid knocked back and club legend Pires believes the France international would be more than ideal for the north Londoners.

In quotes reported by the BBC, Pires said: "I love Lemar. He played very well last season with Monaco in the Champions League."He is a young player with good technique, a good left foot, he can do a good cross and score good goals.

“For me, he has a very good profile to play for Arsenal."Goal understands Arsenal may find it difficult to sign Lemar, however, with the ex-Caen man not interested in forcing a move away from Monaco.

Lemar is flattered by Arsene Wenger's interest in his services but believes another season under Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim's tutelage would aid his development.

Arsenal have made two signings so far this summer, capturing Sead Kolasinac on a free transfer before landing Lemar's compatriot Alexandre Lacazette in a club-record deal.

 

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Modric takes No.10 shirt at Real Madrid following James Rodriguez departure

Luka Modric has taken the No.10 jersey at Real Madrid following James Rodriguez's loan move to Bayern Munich.

James, who moved to Bundesliga champions Bayern on a two-year loan deal earlier this month, had held the shirt since his move to Real from Monaco in 2014.
However, Real have now updated their website to reveal that Modric, 31, has inherited James' shirt, leaving behind his number 19 jersey.

The likes of Robinho and Mesut Ozil have donned the Real number 10 jersey in recent years with Modric the latest beneficiary of the lucrative number.

Real's website also confirms that new boy Dani Ceballos has been handed the number 24 shirt following his summer move from Real Betis.Modric, 31, has sparkled since moving to Real from Tottenham in 2012, helping the club claim one La Liga crown as well as three Champions League trophies.

Colombia international James has reunited with his former Real boss Carlo Ancelotti at Bayern as he looks to rejuvenate his career after falling down the pecking order at the Santiago Bernabeu.

 

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Manchester United signed Lukaku at the perfect time – Van Nistelrooy

Manchester United's signing of Romelu Lukaku has come at "the perfect time", according to the club's former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The Belgium international completed a move to United this month for a reported fee of £75 million and has already netted twice in three pre-season outings, including in the 2-0 win over Manchester City in Houston this week.

Van Nistelrooy scored 150 goals in just 219 games for the Red Devils and became a favourite of the Old Trafford faithful before leaving for Real Madrid in 2006.And the former Netherlands star expects Lukaku to achieve a similar status among the supporters if he makes the most of his move from Everton.

"I actually remember playing against Romelu Lukaku. I was at Hamburg, he was at Anderlecht, and it was in the Europa League," Van Nistelrooy told United's official website.

"I was so impressed with his fitness and physical ability, as well as his touch. His will to succeed was incredible, he never gave in and always kept fighting. Even from a young age, I was impressed by him.

"He's unbelievably strong and, with the pace he has, he often puts away the chances he gets. I think he's one of the true number nines, like Harry Kane at Tottenham – they're strong centre-forwards who are also a reference point during the build-up play. Romelu is strong on the ball but also when making runs and finishing chances.

"He's proven himself at Everton. His challenge now is to make another step up and to prove himself at his new club as well. It's different playing at United to playing at Everton, so it will be a mental step, too.

"The pressure is different, so if he's capable of dealing with that, I can't see any problems. I also think having better players around him will help and I think he'll fit in really well. I expect he'll start hitting his peak now.

"From the club's point of view, it's the perfect time to sign him. Over the next six, seven or eight years, United will hopefully have a great centre-forward in Romelu Lukaku."

Lukaku was sold to Everton by Jose Mourinho when he was Chelsea manager in 2014, but the 24-year-old said that working with the Portuguese again was one of the reasons behind his decision to join United.

Van Nistelrooy believes Lukaku will thrive under the ex-Inter and Real Madrid boss, adding: "I don't think he could be playing for a better manager than Jose Mourinho.

"He will help and guide Lukaku through this stage in his career and, if he has any difficulty, Jose has the experience and advice to get players back on track. I think that combination will prove a very successful one."

 

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Bayern Munich 0 AC Milan 4: Ancelotti's side battered as Bonucci makes debut

AC Milan stunned Bayern Munich with a commanding 4-0 victory in the International Champions Cup on Saturday.

First goals for the club from Franck Kessie and Hakan Calhanoglu, either side of a double from young striker Patrick Cutrone, gave Vincenzo Montella's side the win in Shenzhen against a disjointed Bayern side.

Rossoneri fans were also treated to debuts for Leonardo Bonucci, who came on in the second half for his first appearance since completing a shock transfer from Juventus, as well as fellow star signing Andre Silva.

Milan's 3-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund led to supporters calling for further reinforcements to the squad during an already hectic transfer window, but Saturday's clash started in far more encouraging fashion.

Kessie opened the scoring with 14 minutes played, the midfielder reacting quickest to prod in Ricardo Rodriguez's deflected cross after good interplay between the full-back and M'Baye Niang.

Eleven minutes later, Milan doubled their lead. Bayern's dreadful defending from a Rodriguez free-kick allowed Cutrone to ghost in unmarked and head beyond Christian Fruchtl from 12 yards.

Matters got worse for Bayern before the break as Juan Bernat hobbled off after falling awkwardly, before Robert Lewandowski sent a volley narrowly wide and then failed to connect from point-blank range after a dazzling run from Franck Ribery.Moments later, Milan made it 3-0 in style. Niang started a counter-attack from his own half, exchanged passes with Cutrone and released Giacomo Bonaventura into the area down the left, the midfielder crossing for Cutrone to tap home his second.

Bayern brought on James Rodriguez and reported Milan target Renato Sanches at the break and began to build some sustained pressure, Thomas Muller stinging the palms of Gianluigi Donnarumma with a strike from 25 yards out.

Bonucci came on to a rapturous reception with just under half an hour to play, but Bayern's possession led to little more than a chance for Corentin Tolisso that ended up in the side-netting.

The Bundesliga champions were looking resigned to their loss and Calhanoglu took full advantage with five minutes left to play, the Turkey international collecting Gustavo Gomez's pass, drifting infield from the left and blasting low past Fruchtl before a single Bayern challenge had been attempted.


Ancelotti will be looking for much more when they meet Chelsea in Singapore in three days' time, while Milan will take renewed confidence into next Thursday's Europa League qualifying first leg against CS U Craiova.

 

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Arsenal 0 Chelsea 3: Batshuayi brilliance downs Gunners

Chelsea earned some consolation for May's FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal with a 3-0 friendly win over the Gunners in Beijing on Saturday.A terrific double from Michy Batshuayi followed a goal from Willian to secure the victory for Antonio Conte's side in their second pre-season outing.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insisted beforehand that a game against their London rivals "is never a friendly" but his side were punished for some slack defensive work by a ruthless Chelsea.

Willian and Batshuayi scored in quick succession in the first half, and the Belgian striker – undoubtedly with a point to prove following the club-record signing of Alvaro Morata – made it 3-0 with a sublime second-half strike, while Arsenal's attack too often appeared laboured.

The result and performance will be welcomed by Conte ahead of Chelsea's clash with Bayern Munich on Tuesday, while Wenger will have plenty to ponder as he prepares his side for the Emirates Cup tournament next weekend.

Chelsea spurned two clear chances in a lively start to the match, Victor Moses shooting straight at David Ospina from close range before Willian dragged a shot narrowly wide after racing clear into the penalty area.

Pedro was replaced by Jeremie Boga after a collision with Ospina on the edge of the Arsenal box and the game rather lost its pace in the aftermath, although Aaron Ramsey came close to connecting with a superb Mesut Ozil pass.

Willian and Moses brought more good saves out of Ospina and Batshuayi had the ball in the net from the resulting corner, but Arsenal were spared by the offside flag.

Ospina, though, was powerless to stop Willian from breaking the deadlock with his next effort. The Brazilian was allowed to drive towards the centre of the box and cut back onto his right foot before bending a fine low shot in off the right-hand post.

Just over a minute later, Conte's side doubled their lead. Arsenal's defence was again in disarray and Batshuayi took full advantage, bending a superb left-foot shot beyond Ospina and into the left-hand corner from 18 yards out.

Olivier Giroud was one of six changes made by Wenger at half-time – although his introduction was almost prevented by the match officials as he had not been included as a substitute on the team sheet – and the France striker almost reached a teasing Ramsey cross with the Gunners' first attack of the half.

But Chelsea soon put the game out of sight with a quite brilliant third goal. Marcos Alonso skipped easily beyond Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and cut the ball back to Batshuayi, who blasted an unstoppable first-time shot into the top corner from 20 yards out.

Arsenal had plenty of the ball without threatening a comeback in the closing stages and only Ospina's save from youngster Fikayo Tomori on the break prevented a more one-sided scoreline.

 

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Liverpool 2 Leicester City 1: Coutinho shines as Klopp's men prosper

Philippe Coutinho treated Liverpool fans in Hong Kong to a performance full of promise for the new season as the Reds beat Leicester City 2-1 in the Premier League Asia Trophy final.

Having overcome Crystal Palace 2-0 in their previous game of the pre-season tournament, Jurgen Klopp's side looked sharp and cohesive as they scored two first-half goals following Islam Slimani's 12th-minute opener for Leicester.Mohamed Salah combined with Coutinho to equalise and the Brazilian playmaker scored a superb solo effort to put Liverpool ahead before half-time.

With three weeks to go until the start of the season, Klopp will have been pleased to see his forwards linking up intuitively, with winger Salah gelling well with his new team-mates after joining from Roma in June.

Leicester's new signing Harry Maguire endured a tough test in defence and manager Craig Shakespeare will be looking for more from his players in their forthcoming friendlies, which include a meeting with Borussia Monchengladbach.

Coutinho in particular excited the crowd at Hong Kong Stadium and he rifled a low shot into the body of goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel from 25 yards after three minutes.

Leicester attacked incisively in the early stages and, after good work down the left flank by Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez – linked with a possible move away from the club during the close-season – crossed for Slimani to powerfully head home at the far post.

Eight minutes later, Salah set off on a probing run down the Liverpool right and he cut inside before squaring to Coutinho, who played a delightful chipped pass into the box where the Egyptian timed his run perfectly and nodded the ball past Schmeichel into the bottom-left corner.

Liverpool took control thereafter and Coutinho delighted the crowd in the 44th minute when he broke down the left before cutting inside, sending a thunderbolt of a shot into the far corner from the edge of the box.

Klopp made four changes at half-time, sending on Ragnar Klavan, Marko Grujic, Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge, and Grujic hit a spectacular volley over the crossbar in the 49th minute as Liverpool picked up where they left off in the second period.

Having recovered from their lapse early in the first half, Liverpool's defence coped well with the threat posed by Leicester's two-pronged attack and Loris Karius did well to deny Vardy, rushing out to claim the ball from the England striker's feet.

Vardy sent a shot just wide moments later but as the second half wore on both teams began to suffer the effects of the warm temperatures and there were few chances at either end as Liverpool ran out comfortable winners.

 

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VfL Bochum 2 Borussia Dortmund 2: Castro and Pulisic spare Bosz's blushes

Peter Bosz avoided his second defeat since taking over as Borussia Dortmund coach as two goals in as many minutes earned a 2-2 draw with VfL Bochum.

Dortmund had been second best for long periods of Saturday's friendly and fell behind in the 39th minute as Stefano Celozzi gave the 2.Bundesliga side the lead.That advantage was doubled in spectacular fashion after the restart through Anthony Losilla's wondrous volley.

A fightback had appeared unlikely, but Gonzalo Castro fuelled hope in the 85th minute before Christian Pulisic diverted a near-post cross home a minute later, with Bochum left clinging on for a draw.

Teenager Dan-Axel Zagadou went closest to opening the scoring for Dortmund in the first half when he headed wide from close range, but it was Bochum who broke the deadlock.A pull back from the left worked its way to Celozzi on the edge of the area and the winger duly fired into the bottom-right corner.

Mario Gotze played the entire first half as he continues his comeback from the metabolic disorders that derailed his 2016-17 season.Six minutes after the interval Bochum's lead was doubled brilliantly by Losilla.

Kevin Stoger's lofted left-wing cross was only cleared as far as Losilla, who controlled the ball twice with his head before letting fly with volley that flew in off the crossbar.

Dortmund had hit the woodwork in their push to get back into it, but looked to be running out of ideas as the game approached its conclusion.

Castro, though, arrowed a strike in off the post five minutes from time and moments later Dortmund were level when Pulisic chested in Andre Schurrle's delivery from the left.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who Dortmund recently denied could move to the Chinese Super League in January, almost won the game off the bench, but his curling effort went wide of the post.

 

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Man City set to confirm £78.5m double swoop for Danilo & Mendy

Manchester City are set to confirm the signings of Real Madrid's Danilo and Monaco left-back Benjamin Mendy, Goal understands.

City have had a £52 million (€57m) bid accepted for Mendy following weeks of negotiations, a deal which will make him the most expensive defender in history.

That comes after Madrid agreed to sell Danilo for £26.5m (€30m) earlier this week.City had been wary of competing interest from Chelsea in both players, but now believe they will get their men.

Danilo will join up with his new team-mates in Los Angeles in the coming days, and could even make his debut against his former club on Wednesday.

Madrid have been training in LA ahead of the International Champions Cup match, while City flew into California on Friday.Goal reported in June that the Blues made an enquiry over the Brazilian towards the end of last season, but were informed he did not want to leave Madrid.

But while City pursued and subsequently missed out on Dani Alves, who left Juventus, the Italian club convinced Danilo to replace his compatriot in Turin.
The Bianconeri eventually cancelled the deal, however, leaving Danilo looking for a new club while City hunted for a new right-back.

Mendy, however, has been one of their priority targets for many months.The Premier League side agreed terms with the France international several weeks ago, as reported by Goal in the aftermath of Bernardo Silva's signing.

Monaco let Silva leave for £43m but dug in their heels for Mendy. City knew the initial asking price was £40m at the end of May but attempted to negotiate that figure down.

But following the collapse of the Alves deal and the subsequent decision to spend an initial £45m, rising to £50m, on Kyle Walker, Monaco upped their asking price and asked for at least what Spurs received for Walker.

With pre-season now well under way and following Aleksandar Kolarov's unexpected request to join Roma, City agreed to meet the French club's demands on Friday evening.

If both deals are completed as expected, City's summer spending will top £200m, having already signed Silva, Walker and Ederson.

 

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Pedro taken to hospital after Ospina collision

Chelsea winger Pedro was taken to hospital following a collision with David Ospina in Saturday's friendly win over Arsenal, manager Antonio Conte has confirmed.

The Spain international clashed with the Arsenal goalkeeper as he chased a loose ball in the first half of the match in Beijing and required lengthy treatment from the Chelsea medical staff.

Pedro walked off the pitch nursing a bloodied nose and Conte opted against taking any risks, replacing the former Barcelona man with Jeremie Boga.

Conte says the 29-year-old will stay in hospital for observation, but hopes he will link up with the rest of the squad on Sunday in Singapore for the International Champions Cup clash with Bayern Munich next week."He should be okay," Conte said. "He stays here and if the situation is okay he will come tomorrow to Singapore."

Chelsea were the dominant side on Saturday despite having only played a single pre-season friendly against Fulham so far, with Willian and a double from Michy Batshuayi securing the win.

Conte was delighted with the performance, but warned that the Premier League champions still have plenty of room for improvement before the Community Shield meeting with the Gunners at Wembley on August 6."It is good to have this start but we have to work a lot to improve on the physical and tactical. Pre-season is very important," he said.

"These games are important because you understand your level. We must be happy for the commitment of players and with our football."To play this kind of derby in China is great and fantastic and I want to thank all the Chinese people for this welcome. To play in this atmosphere is great for me and the players. I hope in the future to come again to experience this."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

West Ham confirm Arnautovic signing

Marko Arnautovic has joined West Ham from Stoke City in a club-record deal.

The Hammers have paid a fee of £20 million for the Austria international, who scored six goals in the Premier League last season.

Pictures of Arnautovic holding the West Ham shirt were leaked on Saturday prior to the official confirmation, with the 28-year-old signing a five-year, £100,000-per-week contract at the London Stadium.“It feels special to me to be a West Ham player,” Arnautovic told West Ham's official website.

“Everyone knows that West Ham is a big club, with big history and I’m happy to be a part of it now. I can’t wait to get started.

West Ham have been busy in the transfer market this summer, and have also confirmed that the signing of Javier Hernandez is imminent, after securing the signatures of Joe Hart and Pablo Zabaleta.

“Alongside Pablo Zabaleta and Joe Hart we have brought in three players with vast Premier League experience this summer, and that was one of our key targets as we look ahead to the new season," club chairman David Sulllivan said.


The club began the summer with the intention of signing a goalkeeper, a right-back, a striker and a winger, and Arnautovic appears to be the final piece in Slaven Bilic's jigsaw.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Neymar joining PSG will change everything' - Klopp

Jurgen Klopp claims that confirmation of Neymar's transfer to PSG would “change everything” in modern football.

PSG are ready to pay the Barcelona superstar’s €222 million release clause, and offer him a jaw-dropping €30m salary, which includes a number of bonuses, including a private jet to whisk him back to Brazil whenever he wishes.

Klopp has been fending off interest in one of his own Brazilian stars this week, with Liverpool rejecting a £72m bid from Barcelona for Philippe Coutinho.

The German, though, believes that Neymar’s move to PSG could have massive consequences for football as a whole, if it does indeed go through.

"There are so many rumours around. Only one of them is the Coutinho rumour," the Liverpool Echo, prior to Liverpool’s Asia Trophy game against Leicester City, quotes Klopp as saying."If Neymar is not a rumour then pffff it's more than the next level, it's really not from this planet anymore.

"Really? Two hundred and twenty two million Euros? I can't believe that something like this would happen. But if it does happen then it changes everything actually."