..::Football IV::..

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Tottenham 1 Burnley 1: Late Wood leveller continues Wembley woes for Spurs

Chris Wood scored a 92nd-minute equaliser on his Premier League debut for Burnley to snatch a 1-1 draw and continue Tottenham's problems at Wembley.

Spurs had lost seven of their last 10 matches at Wembley prior to Sunday's game, having been beaten 2-1 by Chelsea last time out thanks to Marcos Alonso's last-gasp winner.But Mauricio Pochettino's men looked on track for a narrow victory thanks to Dele Alli's scrambled opener before Wood's late impact from the bench.

The striker, a club-record arrival from Leeds United earlier this week, scored the equaliser in the second minute of added time by thumping home a low finish from Robbie Brady's brilliant pass.Alli had put Spurs ahead four minutes into the second half, smashing in a loose ball after the visitors failed to clear Christian Eriksen's corner.

But after Harry Kane, who has failed to score in 13 Premier League appearances in August during his career, wasted a string of chances, Wood came up with a priceless leveller for his side, who defeated Chelsea on the opening weekend at Stamford Bridge on their last away league outing.


Set-pieces provided the only early chances as James Tarkowski and Ben Mee headed Brady corners over the crossbar in a bright start from the visitors. Kane should have done better with a Eriksen free-kick after 17 minutes, but the England forward could not get his header on target.A series of crucial blocks maintained the first-half deadlock as Burnley frustrated Spurs, Tarkowski brilliantly deflecting another Kane shot wide to prevent a certain goal.

But the visitors' resistance ended as Spurs forced the breakthrough with the first shot on target of the match, four minutes after the restart. Mee failed to clear a right-wing corner from Eriksen and Alli reacted quickly to slam in the loose ball for his second Premier League goal of the season.With Burnley on the ropes following the opener, Kane missed another fine chance, drilling wide of Tom Heaton's left-hand post after being found by Eriksen.

Burnley failed to muster a shot on target against West Brom and finally called Hugo Lloris into action after 70 minutes, the Spurs captain diving to his left to keep out a fierce Brady drive as the Clarets briefly threatened to equalise.

As the game opened up Heaton made two fine saves in quick succession, the goalkeeper denying his international team-mate Kane with a fine dive to his right and then reacting well to tip Eriksen's drive over the crossbar.

Lloris raced off his line to deny substitute Wood and the striker then directed a header into the goalkeeper's arms in a late flurry. And the New Zealand international sealed his stunning impact with a dramatic leveller, scoring his first Premier League goal since August 2014, timing his run on to Brady's brilliant pass to slam in a memorable maiden strike for the club in added time.

 

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'I'm not the reason Totti retired' - Spalletti responds to Roma boo boys


Inter boss Luciano Spalletti has hit back at Roma fans for booing him during Saturday's clash at Stadio Olimpico, insisting he did not force the retirement of club legend Francesco Totti.

Despite leading the Giallorossi to second in Serie A last season, Spalletti received criticism for relegating Totti to the bench and the veteran manager cut short his second stint in charge at the end of the campaign.

The 58-year-old took over at Inter in June and guided the Nerazzurri to their second straight victory with an impressive 3-1 win at his former side.

Roma supporters in the Curva Sud made their feelings clear by whistling the veteran coach's name prior to kick-off and reiterating their support for Totti, who retired as a one-club player.

"They jeered me because they think I am the reason Totti retired. But I am not [at Roma] now and he could have continued," Spalletti told Mediaset Premium."Our paths have not crossed. If they had, I would have offered all my friendship. "The Totti fans jeered me, but I received many positive messages from the Roma fans."

Inter's impressive start to the season, which began with a 3-1 opening-round win over Fiorentina, has sparked hopes of a title tilt, but Spalletti downplayed those chances. "Let us focus on reality here. [Scudetto speculation] is all about blowing up the balloon, so if you finish second, it will feel like a failure," he said."Inter are a good team but we need to work."

 

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Alexis Sanchez caught smirking on Arsenal bench after being substituted at Anfield


Alexis Sanchez made his return to the Arsenal team in the Gunners' heavy loss to Liverpool on Sunday, but the Chilean seemed to have something to smile about nonetheless.

After taking his place on the bench, Sanchez watched on as Arsenal conceded a fourth goal and the forward was spotted smirking, which drew the ire of Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville.

"I doubt he's aware the camera's on him. Not sure what he's smiling about," said Neville, before adding, as the camera panned towards disappointed Arsenal fans: "That's more representative of what he should be looking like."

Sanchez, who was making his first appearance of the season, played over an hour in the 4-0 loss before being replaced by Olivier Giroud. However, his demeanour upon his return will have done little to win over fans.Interestingly, the former Barcelona man was guilty of a similar indiscretion against Liverpool last season, which led many supporters to the conclusion that he was on his way out of the Emirates Stadium.



Sanchez is on the radar of a number of clubs, including Manchester City, and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger appears to be resigned to losing the 28-year-old on a free transfer next season as he refuses to sign a new deal.

 

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Monaco 6 Marseille 1: Ruthless champions show life beyond Mbappe

Monaco emphatically dispelled any doubts over their ability to thrive without Kylian Mbappe by dispatching Marseille 6-1 at Stade Louis II on Sunday.

Reportedly on the verge of joining Ligue 1 rivals Paris-Saint Germain, Mbappe was jeered by sections of the home support as he remained on the bench throughout a ruthless attacking display.The 18-year-old could complete an initial loan move as early as Monday, but Monaco put any distractions firmly to one side with a scintillating four-goal first half.

Kamil Glik got the hosts off to a flying start with a volley from Thomas Lemar's free-kick after just 69 seconds, before Radamel Falcao took over with a quickfire brace – the captain scoring from the penalty spot in the 20th minute and nodding in his seventh of the season just beyond the half-hour mark.Adama Diakhaby then side-footed home Rony Lopes' low cross to make it 4-0 and cap a commanding first-half display from Leonardo Jardim's side.

France international Djibril Sidibe headed in a fifth with 20 minutes to play and, after Remy Cabella claimed a consolation tap-in for Marseille, Monaco restored their five-goal advantage through Fabinho's penalty, extending their record Ligue 1 winning run to 16 matches.

 

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AC Milan 2 Cagliari 1: Suso lifts misfiring Rossoneri to three points

Suso celebrated his first senior Spain call-up with a goal and an assist as AC Milan scraped past Cagliari 2-1 at San Siro on Sunday.For all the money spent by Milan in recent months, it is 19-year-old academy graduate Patrick Cutrone and Suso - called up by Julen Lopetegui on Friday - who are proving the early season heroes, both scoring for the second week running.

As against Crotone in the Rossoneri's league opener, Cutrone found the net courtesy of a cross from the former Liverpool man, whose stunning free-kick - after Joao Pedro's equaliser - won a game that the visitors largely dominated.

Milan ended the last campaign with a 2-1 defeat at Cagliari and their new-look side were fortunate not to see Cutrone's opener pegged back long before the leveller arrived.

Vincenzo Montella's men had won their first five competitive games of the season - including four in Europa League qualifying - without conceding, but Joao Pedro's second-half strike finally beat Gianluigi Donnarumma to stun the home crowd.
However, Suso stepped up with 20 minutes remaining to brilliantly take all three points and extend Milan's winning run.

A fifth-minute Crotone red card and the subsequent penalty award set Milan up for a gentle start to the league season last week, but Montella's men needed no assistance to secure another early lead here.Suso dipped inside from the right to deliver a glorious cross onto Cutrone's toe for a simple close-range finish.


Milan looked susceptible to runs in behind at the other end, though, and were fortunate that visiting captain Marco Sau could not steer his unchallenged shot on target, instead striking the base of the right-hand post.

Joao Pedro then dipped a fine effort just over the top-right corner, before Donnarumma clung onto Nicolo Barella's drive as Cagliari continued to push for an equaliser.

A thunderous Cutrone clearance from a corner almost inadvertently teed up a second Milan goal against the run of play as Fabio Borini ran clear to force a good stop from Alessio Cragno.A poor home performance was extended into the second half, however, and Milan's lacklustre defence finally paid for their carelessness 11 minutes after the restart.

Franck Kessie cheaply gave up possession on the edge of his own area and Cagliari swiftly moved the ball across their front line to Joao Pedro, whose calm finish beat a static Donnarumma.Predictably, though, the goal woke Milan from their slumber and Suso's majestic 25-yard free-kick restored a scarcely deserved lead.

Cagliari tried to rally again but a game-ending injury to Joao Pedro represented a big blow and Nikola Kalinic debuted for the hosts as they saw out victory after Donnarumma's late save from Sau.

 

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Real Madrid 2 Valencia 2: Asensio free-kick staves off shock defeat

Marco Asensio's 82nd-minute free-kick earned Real Madrid a dramatic 2-2 draw against Valencia, staving off what would have been a shock defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Valencia debutant Geoffrey Kondogbia appeared to have snatched all three points for the visitors, but Asensio assured Madrid were not left empty-handed with his second goal of the match earning a share of the spoils.

The young attacker's first came after just 10 minutes, giving Madrid further reason to celebrate after they were presented with the LaLiga trophy following their triumphant 2016-17 campaign prior to kick-off.

Asensio came into the side due to Sergio Ramos' suspension - Cristiano Ronaldo was also banned - and the defender's absence was evident when Carlos Soler darted between the makeshift centre-back pairing of Casemiro and Nacho to equalise in the 18th minute.

Karim Benzema wasted numerous chances to restore Madrid's lead and his profligacy was punished when Kondogbia guided home a cool finish with 13 minutes remaining.

However, Asensio picked out the bottom-left corner with an excellent set-piece from 20 yards five minutes later to bring Madrid level before Benzema had a stoppage-time header pushed onto the post as Valencia goalkeeper Neto ensured they lost ground to title rivals Barcelona.

Asensio gave Madrid an early lead when he pounced after Kondogbia failed to control Rodrigo's square pass and swept a fine finish into the bottom-left corner from the edge of the box.


Madrid's lead did not last long, though. Toni Lato was released down the left by Jose Gaya and pulled the ball back for Soler, whose darting run to the near post went untracked, to turn beyond Keylor Navas.

Benzema had a trio of chances to send Zinedine Zidane's side into the break ahead, but saw a shot saved by Neto and sent two efforts from around the six-yard box off target.

Valencia retained their shape well and frustrated the hosts, Gareth Bale – whose second-half substitution was met with jeers from a section of the Bernabeu crowd – powered a header into the ground which bounced wide before a strong 25-yard drive from Luka Modric stung the palms of Neto.Dani Parejo's wicked free-kick forced Navas to leap to his left and push the ball away from the top corner but Kondogbia got the better of the Madrid goalkeeper, placing a low finish to his right from 15 yards following some excellent hold-up play by Rodrigo.

Rodrigo was then booked for a clumsy tackle on Mateo Kovacic – who replaced the disappointing Isco at half-time – 18 yards out and Asensio left Neto rooted to the spot for the second time from the resultant free-kick, beating the Brazilian on the side of the goal he was supposed to be defending.

Buoyed by the strike, Madrid pushed for a winner but once more Benzema was the source of their frustrations. After failing to steer a driven left-wing cross from Asensio on target he saw a stoppage-time header palmed onto the post by Neto, leaving Zidane spinning in frustration on the sidelines.Madrid will aim to get back to winning ways when they entertain Levante after the international break, while Valencia will be pleased to have remained unbeaten Marcelino.

 

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'Asensio is Real Madrid's present, not future' - Carvajal hails exciting talent


Marco Asensio's game-saving performance against Valencia proved he is no longer just a future prospect for Real Madrid, according to right-back Dani Carvajal.

Asensio opened the scoring at the Santiago Bernabeu with a lovely finish, but Valencia hit back through Carlos Soler and took the lead when debutant Geoffrey Kondogbia slotted past Keylor Navas with 13 minutes remaining.However, Asensio, elevated to the starting line-up due to Sergio Ramos' suspension, tucked home an excellent free-kick in the 82nd minute to earn the La Liga champions a share of the spoils.

"There is no doubt that Asensio is already the present of Madrid, not the future," Carvajal told Spanish television after the 2-2 draw.Karim Benzema wasted a host of chances and saw a stoppage-time header tipped onto the post by Valencia goalkeeper Neto, with Carvajal ruing their missed chances.
"We have not won one point, we have lost two," he said."We got a point and we have paid for the intense month that we have had. We had plenty of chances and we could have achieved something more."We let two points get away from us and we had clear chances in which the goalkeeper made a save or Benzema had bad luck."

 

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Asensio patta​

 

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'Arsenal are in crisis' – Wenger warned by Keown following Anfield humbling


Arsenal are now in "crisis" according to former defender Martin Keown, who has questioned Arsene Wenger's decision-making following Sunday's embarrassing 4-0 loss to Liverpool.Goals from Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Daniel Sturridge humbled visiting Arsenal in Premier League action at Anfield.

Club-record signing Alexandre Lacazette, centre-back Shkodran Mustafi and Sead Kolasinac were named among the substitutes as Arsenal crashed to back-to-back defeats and Keown compared the situation to that of London rivals West Ham, where Slaven Bilic is under pressure following three consecutive losses to start the season.

"Arsenal look so naïve," Keown told BBC. "Their midfield, [Granit] Xhaka is not mobile enough, [Aaron] Ramsey keeps vacating the field."Wenger's belief is to go and attack. His glass is always half-full. He wants to create. He is turning up at the training ground with the team to be creative.

"They had no shots on goal against Liverpool. It's absolutely unthinkable. They've conceded eight goals. We're talking about [West Ham manager] Slaven Bilic losing his job. He's conceded 10. Arsenal are next to them. This is a crisis."There is £130million worth of players sitting on the bench. Lacazette, we are told he is the new hope. Why is he on the bench?

"Some of the rational about the decisions today, I'm scratching my head. Gabriel is an outstanding player, probably the best pound-for-pound defender. He's been allowed to leave for £9m. Mustafi sitting on the bench. I'm not sure now about the decisions being made."

 

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Best since Fergie? Robson hails Mourinho's Man Utd class of 2017-18


Manchester United’s bright start to the new season has seen Bryan Robson bill Jose Mourinho’s side as the club’s best since Sir Alex Ferguson left.

The Red Devils have struggled to replicate the success of their glittering past since seeing the iconic figure slip into retirement back in 2013.Mourinho has, however, helped to raise expectation levels once again on the back of a three-trophy haul last term and a faultless start to the 2017-18 campaign.

A free-scoring United side set the early Premier League pace heading into the international break, with three victories delivering nine points, 10 goals and three clean sheets.

Former club captain Robson told PA Sport: "It always depends on injuries throughout the year, but as far as I am concerned since Sir Alex left this is probably the strongest squad that I've seen."We've got pace, we've got power, but we've also got quality players.

"That helps to try and win titles, but Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham — these sort of teams are top-class teams."You've got to compete against them and do well against them, but I am quite confident that the boys can do that this year and we can compete against the best."

New boys Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic have slipped seamlessly into the Old Trafford fold, but a number of those already on the books have also been catching the eye.Henrikh Mkhitaryan has already provided five assists while Phil Jones has been rejuvenated alongside Eric Bailly at the heart of a watertight back four.

Paul Pogba has also shaken the shackles which held him back at times following an £89 million move from Juventus, with Robson confident that the Frenchman will be a talismanic presence this term.

He added: "I think Paul had a real good season last season. I disagree with people who were a little bit critical of him."People can go on about the transfer fee but I thought Paul did really well and that's why we won the two major trophies last year — part of that was because he performed really well in the big games.

"I thought he played really well in the final against Southampton and then he had a big influence, scoring the first goal in the Europa League final, so I think Paul did better than what people give him credit for last season.

"And I think he is only going to get better."United are next in action against Stoke City on September 9 before opening their Champions League campaign at home to Basel the following Tuesday.

 

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Bale challenged to silence Madrid boo boys by Marcelo


Gareth Bale has been challenged to turn jeers into cheers by Real Madrid team-mate Marcelo.

The Wales international was the subject of terrace taunts again on Sunday as the Santiago Bernabeu boo boys vented their frustration during a 2-2 draw with Valencia.This is not the first time Bale has been targeted, and he is by no means the first to be singled out.

Even Cristiano Ronaldo has incurred the wrath of the Madridistas at times and Marcelo is confident that hard work will lead to an upturn in form and a reversal in fortune for Bale.

The Brazilian defender told reporters: "Here everybody has been booed, the Bernabeu is how it is."When you get booed you have to work to stop getting booed."They (the fans) have a right to boo and ask for improvement to the players, the coach..."

Bale drew a blank against Valencia as Madrid wasted a number of opportunities to collect all three points.In the end, a brace from Marco Asensio was required to salvage a share of the spoils.

Zinedine Zidane’s side were without the talismanic services of Ronaldo and club captain Sergio Ramos through suspension.Bale was signed for a then-record-breaking transfer fee back in 2013 to provide inspiration and step up in the absence of others.

He has enjoyed a productive spell in Spain, but saw injuries blight his 2016-17 season and is yet to produce his best in the current campaign.The international break will present him with an opportunity to work his game out of the Madrid spotlight, with Real not in action again until September 9 against Levante.

 

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'Jones could be everything I like in a defender' - Mourinho talks up rejuvenated Man Utd star


Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho believes Phil Jones could prove to be his perfect central defender, if only the England star can stay fit.Sir Alex Ferguson once claimed the centre-back could become the club’s greatest-ever player, while Sir Bobby Charlton is among those to have previously compared Jones to the late, great Duncan Edwards.

Now Jones has started the Premier League season in fine fashion, prompting Mourinho to say he could be exactly what United need so long as his recent injury problems become a thing of the past.

“He’s potentially a very good player. He’s still young, he’s still at a learning age,” said Mourinho of the 25-year-old.“But for years and years and years he was injury prone and he has a problem now.He’s complaining about an ankle problem, so he’s the kind of player where we need to have him always in our hands with a lot of care from the medical department, from the fitness coach, from my assistants, on the gym working always on prevention, on recovering.“If we manage to have him safe, protected from injuries, I think potentially he is everything I like in a central defender.”

United have begun their Premier League campaign with three successive victories and have yet to concede a goal, most recently despatching Leicester City 2-0 on Saturday, but the manager admits it may be more difficult to replicate their current form when their Champions League challenge gets underway on September 12 against Basel at Old Trafford.“If I have one week to prepare a match, my team is always very good. It’s always very good, because you have time to organise a week of work going through every item of the game,” Mourinho explained.

“When you start playing every two days, every three days, it’s more based on what you build during pre-season and what you build during these weeks that are not going to be repeated.“From now, we have no more clean weeks. From now, every week has a midweek match until the moment we are out of one of the cups. So I think now my team is also the mirror of the work we are doing in clean weeks where we can train five days and go through every item of the game plan.”



United are back in Premier League action at Stoke on September 9, with former skipper Wayne Rooney and his Everton side due at Old Trafford eight days later.

 

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Ozil apologises to Arsenal fans after Liverpool defeat


Mesut Ozil has apologised to Arsenal’s travelling supporters for the Gunners' 4-0 defeat at Anfield on Sunday.The German international featured in the Premier League match in which Arsene Wenger’s side were dominanted from start to finish.

Ozil, 28, took to Instagram to express his feelings after the game and issued an apology to the away fans who witnessed the drubbing on Merseyside.

"Blame us, shout at us, criticize us, but I'm also very disappointed about today's game," he wrote."We wanted to achieve a positive result before the international break but we were simply not good enough during the 90 minutes and Liverpool deserved the win without a doubt.

"Usually I'm too angry to post on social media after such frustrating days like today, but I don't want to let this match go uncommented before traveling to the DFB (German national) Team.

"Nevertheless... Gunners, I'm sorry - especially for the fans who travelled all the way up to Liverpool to see us fighting."But we will try everything to improve in the next game and bounce back from the disappointment we are all feeling at the moment."Arsenal return to action after the international break with a home match against Bournemouth on September 9.

 

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Liverpool agree club-record deal with RB Leipzig to sign Naby Keita next summer


Naby Keita has passed a medical with Liverpool and signed a five-year contract effective from July 1, 2018 with the permission of RB Leipzig.

The Guinea international finalised the formalties of a transfer for next summer on Monday after the Reds agreed to pay a premium over his release clause to tie up a deal in advance.As revealed by Goal in March, he was identified as Jurgen Klopp’s priority target to dynamise the midfield.

The Bundesliga outfit refused to sanction a sale in this window, however, rejecting two bids - the second of which equalled the record for a transfer in Germany’s top flight - as they were intent on fielding the 22-year-old during their debut season in the Champions League.

The clubs have reached a conclusion that suits all parties though, with the Merseysiders activating the £48 million escape stipulation in Keita’s contract that comes into effect at the end of this season as well as offering an extra sum to wrap up matters now.The player, capable of operating as an offensive and defensive weapon with equal adeptness, will be Liverpool’s record signing, eclipsing the initial £36.9m spent on Mohamed Salah.

However, if the Reds succeed in prising Thomas Lemar from Monaco ahead of Thursday's deadline, that business will shatter both figures with the current proposal worth over £70m inclusive of add-ons.

The Ligue 1 champions have resisted approaches for the 21-year-old all summer following an already extensive talent drain, but the multi-faceted playmaker is keen on a switch to Anfield.

 

[upulpdn]

#football_threader

 

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Dembele pens five-year Barcelona deal to complete €105m transfer

Ousmane Dembele has put pen to paper on a five-year contract at Barcelona to complete his transfer from Borussia Dortmund.

The 20-year-old France winger moves to Barca for an initial €105 million, under a deal that will make him the second most expensive player in history once add-ons are accounted for.


Dembele arrived in Barcelona on Sunday and completed a medical earlier on Monday before arriving at Camp Nou for the signing ceremony.He then took the field for his official presentation before an estimated crowd of 12,000 fans, who he addressed in a short interview."I'm excited to be playing at this club with the best players in the world and to be in front of all these people today," he said.

"I've always wanted to play for Barca since I was very young. I watched all the matches. It is the best club in the world with the best players in the world and I hope to bring lots of trophies and titles to Barcelona."I'm very happy to be here and hoping to integrate quickly with my team-mates."

The former Rennes star will take the number 11 shirt at Camp Nou, which was vacated by Neymar when he joined Paris Saint-Germain for a world-record €222m earlier this month. That transfer set in motion the chain of events leading Dembele to Catalonia, during which time the player was suspended by Dortmund for refusing to attend training as Barca tried to broker a deal.

"The transfer of French national player Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dortmund to FC Barcelona is complete," read a statement issued by Dortmund during Dembele's presentation. "All necessary documents have been signed, and the player has successfully completed the medical check at the receiving club.

"Borussia Dortmund and FC Barcelona had already agreed on the transfer terms on Friday last week."

 

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Man Utd hopes ended as 'happy' Perisic set to be rewarded with new Inter deal


Ivan Perisic will continue to snub interest from Manchester United as he is “happy” at Inter, says Croatia boss Ante Cacic.The 28-year-old winger has been heavily linked with a big-money move to Old Trafford throughout the summer transfer window.

It appeared at one stage as though the Red Devils were closing on a deal, but Inter have maintained throughout that they have no interest in selling and Perisic has been convinced to stay put.

He is now expected to put an end to the transfer rumours once and for all by committing to fresh terms at the San Siro, with Cacic not expecting any movement before Thursday’s deadline.

"I spoke to Ivan Perisic, he is happy in Inter,” the Croatia head coach told reporters after seeing his squad report for international duty.“The coach [Luciano Spalletti] appreciates him, they are preparing new contract for him."

While delighted to see Perisic’s domestic future being resolved, Cacic has also welcomed the ongoing commitment of Luka Modric to the international cause.

The Real Madrid midfielder admitted to questioning his position after facing criticism for changing his testimony in the recent Zdravko Mamic corruption trial.He told Vecernji List in July: “I have still not made a final decision, we will see.”
Cacic, though, claims that the 31-year-old never came close to retiring from the national team fold.

He said: "Luka Modric is best midfielder in the world, proud of Croatia and he never considered quitting national team."

Croatia are currently readying themselves for World Cup qualifiers against Kosovo and Turkey.

 

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De Jong brings forgettable Newcastle spell to an end by re-joining Ajax


Ajax have re-signed striker Siem de Jong from Premier League side Newcastle United on a three-year contract.De Jong's move was completed on Monday, with the Dutch side reportedly paying £1.8million to bring back the player who represented them at first-team level between 2007 and 2014, having spent time in their youth system.

The 28-year-old originally joined Newcastle from Ajax for around £6m, but only started four league games over his time with the club, which was heavily interrupted by injuries.Last season, he was on loan at his new club's Eredivisie rivals PSV, scoring six times in 19 league appearances, 10 of which were starts.

De Jong – whose brother Luuk is now at PSV after a loan spell at St James' Park – won four consecutive league titles at the end of his last spell with Ajax.

 

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Chelsea agree £35million fee to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as the clubs agree a fee of £35million for his transfer to Stamford Bridge.

The England international will now begin talks over a new five year contract with Chelsea before making the switch across London to join up with the Premier League champions.

Pending a medical at St George's Park, the 24-year-old is expected to become Chelsea's fifth first-team signing of the summer after the club previously brought in Willy Caballero, Antonio Rudiger, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Alvaro Morata.


Chelsea are keen on strengthening their English core after fielding no players from the country in the last two fixtures. Oxlade-Chamberlain's move has allowed Chelsea to release Jeremie Boga, who has renewed his contract but gone on a season-long loan to Birmingham City.

Arsenal had offered a new contract to Oxlade-Chamberlain but he rejected all his club's offers with only one-year remaining on his current deal. Arsene Wenger's side have decided to cash in on the midfielder, rather than lose him for free next summer.

Oxlade-Chamberlain could be the first of several big names to arrive at Chelsea with the club also in talks with Leicester City's Danny Drinkwater.

Ashley Cole was the last player to move from Arsenal to Stamford Bridge over 11 years ago.

 

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Barcelona move to rule out Messi and Iniesta exits


Barcelona have moved to rule out any suggestion that Lionel Messi or Andres Iniesta will soon be leaving the club.

Long-serving skipper Iniesta continues to spark transfer talk after seeing his ongoing contribution questioned at 33 years of age.

A move to Serie A champions Juventus has been mooted for the World Cup winner, but neither Barca nor the player are considering a switch at present.The same applies to Messi, with the Argentine superstar expected to stay put despite being yet to commit to fresh terms and extend his stay at Camp Nou past 2018.

Barca director Ariedo Braide told Radio anch’io sport on the rumours: “Iniesta to Juventus? No.“Barca’s players aren’t on the market. Iniesta will stay with us.

“Talk of Messi leaving? I don’t think so.“Anything can happen in football, but Messi’s a great professional and Barcelona are in his heart. I don’t think he’ll leave.”Barca announced in July that Messi had agreed to a new deal through to 2021.

That paperwork is yet to be signed, though, and speculation has linked the 30-year-old with Manchester City in recent weeks.The Premier League side have distanced themselves from those rumours, but Messi’s long-term future remains unclear.

Iniesta has also entered the final 12 months of his current contract and a decision will need to be made on him at some stage if he is to remain a one-club man.