..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea 1 Inter 1 (5-4 on penalties): Morata on form as Sarri maintains winning start

Alvaro Morata pressed his claims to remain Chelsea's first-choice striker with an encouraging display in a penalty shoot-out win over Inter in the International Champions Cup on Saturday.

Questioned for an unconvincing debut season at Stamford Bridge, the reported AC Milan target turned in a promising 65 minutes as the Blues prevailed from the spot following a 1-1 draw in normal time.

Willy Caballero also enjoyed a measure of redemption in Nice as the goalkeeper put a forgettable World Cup behind him by denying Milan Skriniar and giving Chelsea a 5-4 shoot-out success for their second straight win under Maurizio Sarri.

Morata was particularly influential early on, going it alone in the eighth minute with a superb turn and shot that fell kindly for Pedro to tuck away the opener, just as he did in the 1-0 defeat of Perth Glory that kicked-started the Sarri era.The early strike would not be enough on this occasion, though, as Inter stemmed the tide and equalised soon after half-time through Roberto Gagliardini.

Both sides failed to put away late opportunities to snatch victory in normal time and Chelsea ultimately held their nerve, keeping their winning run intact ahead of a meeting with Arsenal in Dublin on Wednesday.

Sarri retained the starting XI that won in Australia on Monday and the early signs were of a team comfortable with its fluid new approach.Morata spearheaded the fast start by first laying off a chance that Ross Barkley drove into the feet of Samir Handanovic, before an offside flag ruled out the Spaniard's smart header.

The 25-year-old instead took it upon himself to single-handedly create the opener, robbing Antonio Candreva of possession, twisting back to the byline and then unleashing a shot that Handanovic could only parry into Pedro's path for a simple finish.

Pedro's unselfishness in attempting to return the favour to his countryman cost Chelsea a potential second inside a promising opening 20 minutes.Candreva, the subject of persistent transfer talk in recent weeks, began to make up for his earlier error by threatening regularly on the right and creating Inter's best chance of the first half.

Matteo Politano was the recipient of the winger's smart cut-back to the edge of the area, but a poorly sliced finish meant the margin remained intact at the break.That changed within four minutes of the restart and Chelsea only had themselves to blame, substitute Tiemoue Bakayoko's turnover allowing Mauro Icardi to put Gagliardini through on goal for the equaliser.

Midfielder Gagliardini next tried his luck with a tame strike that drew a brief fumble from the unconvincing Caballero, who had replaced Marcin Bulka at the interval and might have done better with the goal.Both coaches began to ring the changes with around 25 minutes remaining and one of those, Tammy Abraham, quickly drew a sharp low save from Handanovic, who next turned a goal-bound Jorginho curler around the post.

An Abraham miss at one end was followed by an instinctive Caballero block to deny Lautaro Martinez and force penalties, where the Argentina goalkeeper capped a rollercoaster 45 minutes by proving the hero with the shoot-out's lone save, Cesar Azpilicueta netting the decisive kick for Chelsea.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United 1 Liverpool 4: Substitutes Sturridge & Shaqiri settle derby ICC clash

Daniel Sturridge scored with his first touch off the bench and Xherdan Shaqiri struck a stunning overhead kick in a 4-1 International Champions Cup win over Premier League rivals Manchester United.

Liverpool ended their United States tour on a high with Sturridge and Shaqiri providing a decisive impact as second-half substitutes, Sheyi Ojo's cool penalty helping secure bragging rights and three ICC points in front of a gigantic crowd at Michigan Stadium.

Sadio Mane hit the winner from the penalty spot as Liverpool beat Manchester City 2-1 last time out and the Senegal star was on target from 12 yards again to open the scoring after Mohamed Salah was fouled.

United soon hit back though, with Andreas Pereira continuing his impressive pre-season form by curling in a sensational 25-yard free-kick to level within three minutes.

Although Jurgen Klopp made a series of substitutions, Liverpool continued to play the better football and they edged ahead in the 66th minute thanks to two of their decisive changes, Shaqiri setting up Sturridge to make an immediate impact.

And Liverpool's second ICC win out of three was completed when Ojo stepped up to convert another penalty, Andrew Robertson having been clipped by Ander Herrera, Shaqiri then wrapping up the scoring in sensational style with a bicycle kick from 12 yards.

Liverpool started on top and Lee Grant had to be sharp to tip over Salah's header from a clever Mane pass, both Reds forwards making their first starts of pre-season.Klopp's side were closer to the opener from the resulting corner but, although James Milner's cross picked out Virgil van Dijk and the defender beat Grant with a flicked header, Herrera made a brilliant clearance on the line.

Juan Mata had the ball in the net for United in the 20th minute but the midfielder strayed narrowly offside as he raced on to a superb long pass from Alexis Sanchez.

It was Liverpool who opened the scoring, Mane drilling home into Grant's bottom-right corner from 12 yards after Salah was clumsily felled in the penalty area by Demetri Mitchell.Liverpool's lead was short-lived as United hit back within three minutes in fantastic fashion.

Pereira won the battle to take a free-kick left of centre, 25 yards from goal, and he beat Kamil Grabara with a sensational strike that rattled into the rookie goalkeeper's top-right corner.

Mane and Salah were withdrawn at half-time as Shaqiri made his Liverpool debut, while Joel Pereira replaced Grant in the United goal, with a pitch invader livening up a dull start to the second period.

Ojo perhaps should have done better with a back-post header from Rafael Camacho's cross, but he could not direct his effort on target. Sturridge could, though, the striker scoring within a minute of his arrival.

Shaqiri held up a long ball into the box and laid off for Sturridge to place home a first-time finish that glanced off Pereira's right-hand post on its way into the net.And when Herrera clipped Robertson's heels in the box, Ojo calmly slotted in from 12 yards after successfully persuading Sturridge to allow him to take the penalty.

Liverpool were rampant in the closing stages and Shaqiri launched himself acrobatically at Ben Woodburn's left-wing cross to complete a memorable Reds debut for the Switzerland star.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Andreas Pereira pattaall round gatthama attack thamai madi.lack of creativity

& Liverpool side eke godak hodai.meh sare last year ekatath wada hoda fight ekak dei title ekata
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[Wolverine GTR]

Bayern Munich 2 Manchester City 3: Bernardo Silva double inspires comeback

Bernardo Silva netted a brace as Manchester City overturned a two-goal deficit to trump Bayern Munich 3-2 for their first win at the International Champions Cup.

City were facing their third consecutive defeat in the United States when quick-fire goals from Meritan Shabani and Arjen Robben put Bayern 2-0 ahead inside 24 minutes Saturday.However, Silva came off the bench in place of injured team-mate and club-record signing Riyad Mahrez to lead City's comeback in Miami.

Silva struck on the stroke of half-time following a mazing run on the edge of the penalty area and City youngster Lukas Nmecha equalised in the 51st minute before the Portugal international sealed the win 19 minutes later at Hard Rock Stadium.

Beaten 2-0 by Juventus on Wednesday, Bundesliga champions Bayern included stars Robben, Franck Ribery, Kingsley Coman and David Alaba in their starting XI.

It was more of the same for City in their third and final ICC fixture with Mahrez and Claudio Bravo in the line-up, though highly rated centre-back Aymeric Laporte made his first appearance of the pre-season.Bayern made a shaky start, the Niko Kovac's German giants struggling to string passes together as City dominated the early exchanges.

The only thing missing was a goal for the undermanned yet impressive City, who were denied by the woodwork in the 13th minute when Nmecha's shot across goal struck the post.And Bayern somehow took the lead against the run of play two minutes later after Rafinha's cross was emphatically headed past Bravo by 19-year-old Shabani.

City were stunned in the 24th minute as Robben doubled Bayern's lead – the veteran Dutch winger springing the offside trap and chipping the ball over Bravo.

Pep Guardiola was then forced into an early substitution as Silva replaced Mahrez – who picked up a knock – approaching the half-hour mark.City had Bravo to thank moments later when the veteran Chilean goalkeeper got down low to prevent Robben from netting a brace and that spurred the Premier League champions, who reduced the deficit on the stroke of half-time via Silva.

Nmecha restored parity within six minutes of the second half restarting after pouncing on the rebound, having seen Sven Ulreich – who has been unconvincing throughout the pre-season tournament – push Phil Foden's shot straight into the path of the 19-year-old.

City completed their comeback with 20 minutes remaining when Silva beat Ulreich at his near post following some neat passes in and around the penalty area.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea alerted to Pulisic availability as Abramovich weighs in on transfers


Chelsea have been alerted that Borussia Dortmund are ready to sell Christian Pulisic after news emerged that the club is ready to offload the U.S. international him for around £65 million ($85m).

The 19-year-old has many admirers ranging from Liverpool to Real Madrid, who could provide sizeable competition for Chelsea, but Roman Abramovich has been involved in talks with Maurizio Sarri and extenal clubs as he arrived in Nice to watch their pre-season match against Inter.

Abramovich has his boat and property in Antibes, close to Nice's Allianz Riviera stadium, where Chelsea won on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the International Champions Cup.

Juventus's Fabio Paratici was in Nice to meet Abramovich and his director Marina Granovskaia, who followed up talks as Gonzalo Higuain, Daniele Rugani and Mattia Caldara remain interests for the club.Pulisic is the newest name to join Chelsea's hit list with the feeling that Dortmund are ready to sell the star with only two years left on his deal.

Sarri may need to move on some of his stars to make room but Willian, having been close to a £60 million move to Barcelona, has now seen that option collapse after they signed Bordeaux's Malcom for £36.5m.Manchester United may follow up their long term interest for Willian, although they have yet to make an approach.

Meanwhile, Alvaro Morata has been of interest to AC Milan who are struggling to meet the asking price.Morata performed well in Chelsea's latest pre-season game despite not scoring and Sarri chose to praise his striker when asked about Higuain by an Italian member of the press.

“I’m still waiting for the best Morata. In the first match Morata did not play very well, in Australia," Sarri said in Nice. "But tonight, especially in the first 30 minutes, he improved a lot. I am satisfied and I am very confident in him for the future.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'I submitted five-man list months ago' – Mourinho laments Man Utd's transfer business


Jose Mourinho wants two new signings but believes he will only land one after providing Manchester United with a list of five transfer targets months ago as his frustration grows at Old Trafford.Mourinho was not in a good mood after his undermanned United side were beaten 4-1 by Premier League rivals Liverpool at the International Champions Cup on Saturday, claiming he would not pay to watch the Red Devils at this point in their campaign.

United have already added Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant to their squad this summer but Mourinho is keen for more reinforcements as he looks to bridge the gap to 2017-18 champions Manchester City.

Central defence is one area which he wishes to improve, though Leicester City's tough stance over the sale of Harry Maguire means United are now considering a fresh bid for Tottenham's Toby Alderweireld .And Mourinho continues to make no secret of his desire to further bolster United having failed to win any of their four matches in 90 minutes during their tour of the US.

"I would like to have two more players. I think I am not going to get two," Mourinho told reporters. "I think that it's possible I will have one. And that one, I gave a list to my club of five names a few months ago. And I wait to see if it's possible to have one of these players.

"If it's possible. it's possible, if it's not it's not. If it's possible, it's good, if not then we keep fighting and working and believing in the players that we have."United were put to the sword in the second half by a superior Liverpool side, who netted three unanswered goals courtesy of Daniel Sturridge, Oluwaseyi Ojo and Xherdan Shaqiri after Andreas Pereira's stunning free-kick had cancelled out Sadio Mane's opener.

The Red Devils have been without a host of their stars following the World Cup, with the likes of Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, David de Gea, Nemanja Matic – who will miss the start of the season due to injury – Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford enjoying holidays."This is nothing to do with reinforcements," Mourinho said. The reinforcements are Pogba, [Marouane] Fellaini, [Victor] Lindelof, Rashford, Lingard, Matic, [Antonio] Valencia. These are reinforcements.

"This is not our team this is not our squad. We started the game with almost half of the players who are not even going to belong to our squad on August 9. They will not be here.

"This is not our squad. Reinforcements, you mean players that I would like to buy, to add to the squad. That's another thing, but this is not my squad, this is not even half my squad, or 30 per cent of it. So don't look to this.

"You can ask me if I still want new players, that's another question. But in relation to today, we have four or five players who are dead because they care with the club and try to give everything, even risking themselves, because they don't want to let all the kids play by themselves against AC Milan, against Liverpool."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'I submitted five-man list months ago' – Mourinho laments Man Utd's transfer business

Transfer window eka iwara wenna kalin ona karana playerla tika gatthoth hodaiAmadiwata Martial & Darmian yanna hadanawamehema situation ekak thiyanakota ona karana playersla ganna bari unoth nam lesi wenne naha
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[RottenCOLT]

next sunday thiyena fa final eka thani match ekak witharada.
football balanna gaththe lagadine

 

[Wolverine GTR]

next sunday thiyena fa final eka thani match ekak witharada.

football balanna gaththe lagadine

"FA Community Shield" eka nedaOw bro thani match ekak

Chelsea Vs Manchester City
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[RottenCOLT]

"FA Community Shield" eka nedaOw bro thani match ekak

Chelsea Vs Manchester City
​

elakiri. balanna ona

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Napoli president confirms offer for Man Utd star Darmian


Napoli have made an offer for Manchester United full-back Matteo Darmian, president Aurelio De Laurentiis says.After coach Jose Mourinho revealed the defender wants to leave United, Darmian confirmed he wants a fresh start and more regular playing time.

A return to Italy has been mooted, with Juventus and Inter named as potential destinations alongside Napoli, and Darmian said in February that he would be open to offers from any of the three Serie A sides.

De Laurentiis is hoping it is last season's runners-up who can lure him back to his homeland as they look to challenge for the title once again.

"It's true that we asked for Darmian on loan with a right to buy," he told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli.Since joining from Torino in 2015, Darmian has made 85 appearances for the Red Devils, but featured just eight times in the Premier League for Jose Mourinho's team last term.

However, the Italy international is not Napoli's only option to strengthen at full-back, as the film producer admitted Benjamin Henrichs and PSV right-back Santiago Arias are possibilities too.

"We are looking at six profiles," he added. "There could also be Benjamin Henrichs from Bayer Leverkusen."Regarding Santiago Arias, I don't know yet, we are on the way, so it's all to see."

The Partenopei chief also admitted that reported interest in Mexico and Standard Liege goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is true, but would not go into detail.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bale return to Tottenham not realistic, says Pochettino


Mauricio Pochettino has dismissed the notion of Gareth Bale returning to Tottenham from Real Madrid as unrealistic.Bale made no secret of his frustration with a lack of starts for Real Madrid at the end of last season, suggesting he could leave the club after scoring twice in the Champions League final defeat of Liverpool in May.

The 29-year-old has long been linked with a return to Spurs, although the club would appear unlikely to be willing or able to meet the Wales star's wage demands.

Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Juventus could also provide Bale with more opportunities under Madrid's new coach Julen Lopetegui.

And Pochettino laughed off suggestions the forward could be brought back to Spurs before the start of the 2018-19 Premier League season, although he is hoping new signings will be made before the August 9 deadline."I think it's not realistic," Pochettino told reporters after Spurs were beaten on penalties by Barcelona in the International Champions Cup.

"I think we're going to [complete deals], sure, [we'll] see what happens in the next few days. If you say we need to sign, maybe, but with or without injuries that was our target after we finished last season – to add some players with qualities that can help us achieve all that we want.

"After many years in football, I think nothing's going to change if you have different moods or humour. You need to be relaxed, working hard. My focus is trying to help the team and develop the way we want to play and arrive in the best condition to start the season. Nothing's going to change if I changed my behaviour or the way I act."I'm not going to talk about targets or names. We'll see in the next few weeks."

Tottenham are yet to sign a player in the transfer window and injuries to Moussa Sissoko, Erik Lamela and Victor Wanyama could hasten their need to add to the squad.

"We need to assess him in the next few days to see what happens," Pochettino said of Sissoko. "We hope it's a minor injury, but he feels something in his hamstring.

"Erik was after the game against Roma, he felt but in a different muscle a minor injury. That's why he's here with us. We hope he can play against AC Milan [on Tuesday]."Wanyama has returned to London for an assessment on a knee problem, along with youngster Tashan Oakley-Boothe.

"Victor Wanyama has gone back with Tashan [Oakley-Boothe] to London because they need to see the doctor there. We're going to assess him in the next few days and see what happens."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

David Silva seeks Guardiola advice as he considers Spain retirement


David Silva is pondering bringing his remarkable international career with Spain to a close and plans to seek advice from his Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola.

Silva's exploits with Spain have coincided with the most successful period in the country's history, winning the 2010 World Cup between back-to-back successes in the European Championship.

But, at 32 and coming off the back of a disappointing campaign at Russia 2018 where Spain were eliminated in the last 16 by the hosts, Silva is contemplating concentrating his focuses elsewhere.

And, after his son Mateo's premature birth at the end of 2017 left the newborn fighting for his life, Silva's family have been his primary focus since returning from Russia."Since the World Cup I have been concentrating 100 per cent on my son," Silva is quoted as saying by the Mirror.

"I'm returning to Manchester on Sunday and then I will start thinking about football again."I honestly don't know whether I will continue playing for Spain. It is something I must decide in the coming days and weeks and when I go back to Manchester.

"At this moment, the only things on my mind are my son, my girlfriend and my family."I will talk to other people, maybe I will talk to Pep, but in the end it will be only my decision."

Silva has played 125 times for Spain, making him the sixth most-capped player in their history.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Matic to miss start of Man Utd season after surgery


Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Nemanja Matic will miss the start of the Premier League season after undergoing surgery.The midfielder sustained an abdominal injury during the World Cup, as Serbia were knocked out in the group stages.

And Mourinho has now revealed that Matic has been forced to go under the knife, meaning he faces a prolonged spell on the sidelines.

"Matic arrived from the World Cup, holiday, direct to surgery because something happened in the World Cup," Mourinho told the club's official website.

"He has had surgery. He is out for the start of the season. He came from the World Cup with the injury and the time he had to rest on holiday was not enough to resolve the problem."I don't know how long he will be out for."United were beaten 4-1 by LIverpool in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, and Mourinho has bemoaned the thin nature of his current squad.

"We play Real Madrid and we have no more players than what we have," he told MUTV. "Matic arrived from the World Cup, holiday, direct to surgery because something happened in the World Cup. Antonio Valencia comes from holiday - I think too much holiday for him. His condition was not good when he was back, then injury and also go back.

"Anthony Martial has the baby and after the baby is born - beautiful baby, full of health, thank God - he should be here and he is not here. So we have Alexis (Sanchez) and (Juan) Mata who play every minute of every match and now we have Real Madrid and after that Bayern Munich and that's our start.

"I just hope the boys on deserved holidays, they take care of themselves a little bit and I hope somebody wants to do what (Marcus) Rashford and (Phil) Jones decide to do, which is to be back a little bit earlier to try and help the team because for the beginning of the season we are going to be in trouble.

"The majority of the players that played are not going to play - some of them are not even going to belong to the squad."United face Leicester City in their opening Premier League game on August 10.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Get well soon Matic!
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[Wolverine GTR]

'Do you expect him to be happy with these players?!' - Mourinho defends Alexis frustrations


Jose Mourinho has defended Alexis Sanchez after he cut a frustrated figure in Manchester United's loss to Liverpool.United slipped to a 4-1 defeat to their north west rivals in the International Champions Cup, meaning they are still without a win inside 90 minutes on their tour of the US.

Alexis was one of the few senior players on show for United, with a number of their star names still absent as they return from post-World Cup holidays.

Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford are among those who are yet to join up with the squad, and with Anthony Martial having also left the tour to attend the birth of his child, Alexis is the only senior forward left with the team.As such Mourinho, who still remains hopeful of adding two new faces to his squad before the transfer window closes on August 9, feels the Chile international's disappointment on the pitch is understandable.

"Do you want him to be very happy with the players he has around him? We are not playing here to improve the team or our dynamic or routines. We are playing here just to try to survive and to have some not-very-ugly results," he told reporters during a fiery press conference.

"Alexis is the only attacking player we have. We don't have wingers, we don't have strikers. He's the only one who is here, and the poor man is there trying his best, with the frustration of somebody that wants more.

"Against Milan he played fantastically well, and he did his best here. I don't think you are right to say he is not happy. If he is not happy he is not ready to play two consecutive matches of 90 minutes and 85 minutes working the way he worked."For me, these guys are phenomenal in terms of attitude and respect for the club. Really pleased with them."

United's tour of the States ends with a clash against Real Madrid on Tuesday before travelling back to Europe to prepare for their Premier League opener against Leicester City on August 10.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'You may think I've fallen too much but I crumbled' – Neymar vows to become new man


Neymar admitted he exaggerated fouls during the World Cup but the Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain superstar has pledged to become a new man after falling apart in Russia.There were high hopes for Neymar and Brazil at Russia 2018 but the South American giants made a shock quarter-final exit against Belgium.

Neymar – who scored twice at the showpiece tournament after recovering from a broken foot sustained in February – was a regular target of criticism for his theatrics and behaviour on the pitch .

The 26-year-old forward, the most expensive player in history, was subsequently left off the shortlist for FIFA's Best awards.Neymar used a sponsor's advertisement with personal care products manufacturer Gillette to accept criticism and vow to bounce back.The ad started with Neymar saying, "Boot-stud on the shins. Kick in the spine. Stomp on the foot.

"You may think I overreact, and sometimes I do. But the truth is I suffer on the pitch. You have no idea what I go through outside of it."When I leave without talking to the press, it's not because I only like winning, it is because I still haven't learned to disappoint you."When I look impolite, it is not because I am a spoiled kid. It is because I have not learned how to deal with my frustrations.

"There's still a boy inside of me. Sometimes it dazzles the world. Other times, it pisses everyone off. And my fight is to keep this boy alive. But inside of me, not inside the field."You may think I've fallen too much, but the reality is I did not fall. I crumbled. And that hurts more than anyone stepping on your operated ankle.

"I took time to accept your criticism. I took time to look at myself in the mirror and become a new man. But now I'm here, with my heart wide open."I fell but only those who fall can get up. You can keep throwing rocks at me or you can throw your rocks away and help me get up because when I do get up, the whole country gets up with me."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lewandowski 'toys with going elsewhere' but will not be sold, says Bayern boss Kovac

Niko Kovac is adamant Robert Lewandowski will not leave Bayern Munich despite the reported Real Madrid target's open interest in a new challenge.Lewandowski's agent, Pini Zahavi, has previously confirmed his client's hope to move on from the Allianz Arena and Kovac is aware of the desire.

European champions Madrid have long been linked with the Poland international, who would go some way to easing the goalscoring burden left by Cristiano Ronaldo's departure to Real Madrid.

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke added further fuel to the transfer speculation by revealing he would be willing to spend €100 million to bring Lewandowski back to his former club.Kovac, though, is not prepared to lose his star striker."There's nothing new with Robert, it's clear that he will not leave this club because we have a top striker and we certainly do not want to relinquish him or give him away," Kovac told Sky Sport Germany.

"We want to achieve a lot with him. He is a great footballer, who has achieved a lot in the Bundesliga, scored many goals and now in the new season certainly will score many goals."Though he acknowledged Lewandowski's interest in leaving, Kovac described the 29-year-old as a "full professional" that would not attempt to force a move.

"It's true that Robert toys with going elsewhere. Only [he has] one thing he likes, the other is what we like to do," the former Eintracht Frankfurt coach said."Robert has a contract - I do not know how long - and he will certainly stay as long as possible here."

 

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Barcelona clear Digne for expected €25m Everton move




Everton appear on the verge of completing a swoop for French defender Lucas Digne after Barcelona allowed him to leave their California training camp.

Digne, 25, has been linked with the Toffees for several weeks and has been permitted to "finalise his departure" ahead of a €25 million (£22m/$29m) move.Goal previously reported the two clubs had agreed a fee for the left-back after Digne went through a frustrating campaign with the La Liga champions.

The former Lille, Paris Saint-Germain and Roma player has been unable to dislodge incumbent left-back Jordi Alba in two seasons at Camp Nou, managing just 29 La Liga starts over that span.

He was part of France's squad at the 2014 World Cup, but found himself overlooked for the country's triumphant 2018 campaign.Digne would likely serve as the heir to veteran Leighton Baines, with Everton having been linked to numerous left-backs this window.

The Toffees are looking to pick up the pace in a transfer period that has been slow for them following the appointment of former Watford manager Marco Silva.Silva has seen multiple players depart the club, with Wayne Rooney and Ramiro Funes Mori among them.

The Premier League transfer window slams shut August 9, but things may be picking up as the club finalised the signing of one of Silva's former Watford players, Richarlison, last week to a five-year contract.Everton have also featured in the race to sign Digne's team-mate Yerry Mina, with the Colombian international also struggling to break into the team under Ernesto Valverde.

However, the Colombia international is believed to favour a move to Lyon should he leave Barca.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Tuchel expects Cavani to stay amid Real Madrid rumours


Thomas Tuchel says Edinson Cavani is fully committed to Paris Saint-Germain amid speculation of interest from Real Madrid.

The European champions are rumoured to be lining up an approach for the prolific striker in an attempt to soften the blow of Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Juventus.Any attempt to lure the Uruguay international from Parc des Princes is likely to prove difficult, though, as Tuchel is adamant the 31-year-old will still be at his disposal when the transfer window closes.

"This is my feeling and I have not heard such a thing [that Cavani wants to leave]," the PSG boss told reporters."I spoke to him and he didn't mention anything.

"He said he is looking forward to joining us [in pre-season]. He is a key player for us."Tuchel also denied PSG have reached an agreement for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Weigl.

Reports claim the 22-year-old Germany international could reunite with his former coach if Dortmund successfully complete an expected move for Tianjin Quanjian's Axel Witsel.

Weigl flourished under Tuchel during their two seasons together at Signal Iduna Park, making 60 Bundesliga appearances and breaking into the national team.Tuchel, though, insists no deal has been struck for the player, although he did leave the door open to future discussions.

"He's agreed with us? No, no, that's not the fact, as far as I know," he said. "And I hope I know what is going on!"Of course, there are rumours since I signed here because he was the kind of player that joined with me in Dortmund and had a great career and great development.

"He is a player a lot of teams in Europe would like to have in their squad and he can help a lot of teams, but right now there is no such thing in the next days."