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Chủ Nhật, 24 tháng 5, 2015

Transfer rumours and paper review - Sunday, May 24

With the summer window now just around the corner, here are top transfer-related stories in Sunday's newspapers...

Paris Saint-Germain have overtaken Manchester United in the transfer race for Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 30, by launching an £88m bid. (Marca)

The French club have also made a move for United's Argentine midfielder Angel Di Maria, 27, and are trying to sign him on a year's loan. (Sun on Sunday)

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, 34, believes the Spanish giants should sign David De Gea, 24, from Manchester United - even if it spells the end of his Bernabeu career. (Mail on Sunday)

United have been offered Costa Rica keeper Keylor Navas, 28, as a sweetener in a bid to take De Gea to Real Madrid. (Sunday Express)

Championship-bound QPR could be set to receive £10m if Liverpool sell 20-year-old forward Raheem Sterling, should their former player leave Anfield for more than £50m. (Sunday Telegraph)

Liverpool are ready to put a £60m price on Sterling to test the resolve of Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal. (Mail on Sunday)

Liverpool are planning to sign Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, 24, for £30m in a recruitment drive which they hope will enable them to catch up ground on their Premier League rivals. (Sunday Times)

Sherwood also hopes to add to his Villa squad by beating Liverpool and Newcastle to the signing of Manchester City defender Micah Richards, 26, who is out of contract this summer. (Daily Star Sunday)

Manchester City midfielder James Milner, 29, could be heading to Liverpool this summer after rejecting a move to Arsenal. (Daily Star Sunday)

Dick Advocaat will fly back to the Netherlands on Monday and beg his wife to allow him to stay on at Sunderland for 12 more months after the 67-year-old helped guide the Black Cats to another season in the Premier League. (Sunday Express)

Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin, 24, is a £10m target for Southampton this summer. (Sunday Mirror)

Hull striker Nikica Jelavic, 29, will look to leave Hull on loan and move to a Premier League club if the Tigers go down on Sunday. (Sun on Sunday)

Arsene Wenger has set a deadline for contract talks with Theo Walcott as the 26-year-old Arsenal winger enters the final year of his contract. (Independent on Sunday)

And here are the latest transfer rumours and exclusives from talkSPORT.com...

Exclusive - West Ham are 'crazy' to let Sam Allardyce go, according to former assistant

Selling Aaron Ramsey will put Arsenal’s title hopes back five years, warns Perry Groves

Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey is good enough to replace Xavi at Barcelona, says ex-Gunner

It will be a huge wrench for Petr Cech to leave Chelsea, says Mark Schwarzer

Blow for Arsenal! Transfer target ‘very close’ to agreeing Juventus move

Louis van Gaal optimistic David De Gea will stay at Manchester United despite Real Madrid interest

Roberto Mancini interested in bringing Arsenal target to Inter Milan

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger rules out bid for Callum Wilson

Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey good enough to replace Xavi at Barcelona, says ex-Gunner

Juventus line up audacious summer swoop for Tottenham winger

Carlo Ancelotti claims he has not held Real Madrid talks amid sack rumours

Exclusive – Stoke City enter race for one time Tottenham and Liverpool target

Arsenal and Liverpool target reveals dream move

Brendan Rodgers expects Raheem Sterling to see out Liverpool contract

Source : talksport[dot]com

Manchester United: Real Madrid calls on Jorge Mendes to broker cut-price deal for David de Gea

Real Madrid have urged agent Jorge Mendes to look into the transfer of David de Gea in the summer and broker a cheaper £20m ($30.9m) deal for the Spaniard, according to the Daily Mirror.

The 24-year-old has been vehemently been linked with a move out of the club, having refused to sign an extension on his current deal, which expires in 2016. United want at least £30m for arguably their best player this season, but with only a year left, Madrid are looking to cut corners and sign him on lower price.

Mendes, who is currently De Gea's agent, has been called up to initiate a transfer and complete the deal as soon as possible especially with Madrid expected to be handed a transfer ban similar to what Barcelona have been afflicted with this season.

De Gea's performance has played a massive role in United making it back into the top four, something they failed under David Moyes and ended the season on seventh spot. But Louis van Gaal's transfers in the summer, coupled with De Gea's brilliance has brought them back to where they originally belong, among the elites in Europe.

However, they are unlikely to reap the rewards much longer, with Madrid making him their top target for the summer to replace Iker Casillas, who has received a lot of flak from fans this season.

United are looking to use the Spaniard as a makeshift for Gareth Bale, who has been linked with a £100m move to Old Trafford, after a disappointing season at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Red Devils have already completed the signing of Memphis Depay and are looking to add more players to their armoury before the season begins so as to help bed them into the system. They have been linked with a move for Petr Cech as a possible replacement for the Spaniard, with Arsenal also interested in his services.

Source : ibtimes[dot]co[dot]uk

Thứ Bảy, 23 tháng 5, 2015

Barca hoist crown, Valencia in UCL

23 May 2015, 22:22

Valencia sealed their place in next season's Champions League as Eibar and Almeria were relegated on a dramatic final day of the La Liga season.

Deportivo La Coruna came back from 2-0 down away at champions Barcelona to spoil a homage to Xavi Hernandez at the Camp Nou and stay up with a 2-2 draw along with Granada who held Atletico Madrid 0-0 at home.

That point was enough to ensure Atletico go straight into next season's Champions League group stages in third, while Valencia twice came from behind to win 3-2 at Almeria and secure fourth.

Eibar's remarkable first season in the top flight didn't have fairy tale ending as they were relegated despite just a second win in 20 matches 3-0 at home to Cordoba due to their inferior head-to-head record with Deportivo and Granada.

Athletic Bilbao also secured European football for next season in the Europa League thanks to a 4-0 thrashing of Villarreal.

This video is not available in your region

Cristiano Ronaldo struck his eighth hat-trick of the season to seal the golden boot with 48 league goals as Real Madrid finished the campaign with a 7-3 hammering of Getafe.

Javier Hernandez, James Rodriguez, Jese and Marcelo also found the net for Los Blancos, while Norwegian teenage sensation Martin Odegaard made his first-team debut in what is expected to be Carlo Ancelotti's final match in charge of the European champions.

Xavi was making his 505th and final Liga appearance after announcing he will join Al Sadd at the end of the season after Barca face Athletic Bilbao and Juventus in the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals respectively.

"I am the happiest man in the world today and for the 17 season I have been here," he told the crowd after fighting back tears.

"As the coach has said this hasn't finished. We want two more titles and we want to be here with you all again in Barcelona on June 7 (after the Champions League final)."

Barca looked set to save Eibar for much of the day Lionel Messi headed home Rafinha's cross to give the hosts the lead after just five minutes.

The Catalans dominated for large swaths of the game and looked to have sealed the Galicians fate when Neymar unselfishly squared for Messi to make it 2-0 on the hour mark.

However, Lucas Perez gave Deportivo hope with a stunning strike into the top corner seven minutes later and Salomao struck 14 minutes from time to cap a remarkable fightback.

Granada also secured their top flight status for a fifth consecutive season as they and Atletico played out a bore 0-0 draw that suited both parties.

Valencia's hopes of a return to the Champions League were given an almighty fright by Almeria as they twice went in front in the first-half.

Thomas Partey's free-kick sneaked past Diego Alves at his near post after nine minutes, but, as so often this season, Nicolas Otamendi came to Valencia's rescue with a powerful header to equalise.

Jonathan Soriano put Almeria back in front and then missed a huge chance to make it 3-1 moments later.

The visitors responded once more before halftime as Sofiane Feghouli tapped home from close range and, with both teams chasing the winner, Paco Alcacer coolly slotted past Ruben Martinez 11 minutes from time.

Valencia's victory rendered Sevilla's 3-2 win at Malaga meaningless as they finished a point back in fifth. However, the Andalusians can still qualify for next season's Champions League should they retain the Europa League against Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk on Wednesday.

Source : supersport[dot]com

Southend manager Phil Brown lauds 'first class' Gareth Ainsworth after dramatic League Two play-off final

Southend manager Phil Brown lauded Wycombe and particularly Chairboys manager Gareth Ainsworth after edging them in a tight League Two play-off final at Wembley.

The Shrimpers won 7-6 on penalties after a dramatic contest in which Daniel Bentley’s own goal and Joe Pigott’s late strike meant the scores finished 1-1 after extra time, before Bentley became the hero by saving Sam Wood’s decisive spotkick.

Brown and Ainsworth were seen sharing the emotions during the shootout, and the former was full of praise for his opposite number after the cruellest of victories.

“I spoke to their chairman and told him you’ve got a manger with dignity and he deserves his place in the footballing world. He’s been a first class person,” said Brown.

“As far as I am concerned they don’t need to be disappointed. Wycombe have had a fabulous year, finishing something like 30 odd points better off than last season.

“They will have no problems whatsoever next season and good luck to them next year.”

In a rollercoaster game that looked like ending in bitter disappointment, Brown revealed he has set his sights in even higher aspirations after leading Southend to League One.

He added: “It’s not job done. I want to get promoted again and be as successful as we possibly can. Fingers crossed we can get it right again next year.

“It was a tough day for both managers but it was worthwhile in the end.”

audio_title:

Listen to the full interview with Phil Brown

Source : talksport[dot]com

Liverpool to pay QPR £10m if they sell Raheem Sterling

Queens Park Rangers will make a windfall of up to £10million if Liverpool sell Raheem Sterling.

Liverpool are adamant that they will reject any offers they receive for the winger, who has two years left on his current contract, despite his agent Aidy Ward declaring Sterling intends to leave the club this summer.

Their resolve to retain Sterling may soften should a club offer around £50million, in which case Queens Park Rangers would be due at least 20 per cent of that fee under the terms agreed when Liverpool signed him for £600,000 from the Loftus Road club in 2010. That would equate to around £10million.

Should Liverpool not be persuaded to sell Sterling this year, and the player does not plan to issue a formal transfer request, the situation is likely to change in 2016, when Sterling will enter the final year of his contract unless he agrees to sign a new one in the meantime. Liverpool do not want to allow Sterling to run his current deal down beyond that point, even though manager Brendan Rodgers has said they would be prepared to do so.

^{Brendan Rodgers says he wants Raheem Sterling to see out his contract (REX).}

In essence, Liverpool appear to be heading towards a re-run of what happened with Luis Suarez when they rejected Arsenal's bid of £40million (plus £1) in 2013, then persuaded the striker to sign a new contract before selling him to Barcelona the following summer for £65million.

As well as hoping to keep Sterling for one more years, it is believed they would prefer to sell the England international to an overseas club should he go.

Sterling, it is understood, would prefer to remain in England and is hoping that either Chelsea or Arsenal will bid for him.

Both Manchester clubs, United and City, are believed to have already registered their interest in Sterling, with City the likeliest to bid a sum close to what is perceived to be the asking price. Sterling does not represent a priority for United, it seems.

As transpired with the Suarez case, Liverpool's owners, the Fenway Sports Group, are determined to sell on their terms and are willing to force an unhappy player to stay.

FSG also told Suarez that they would not sell to another Premier League club under any circumstances and may deliver a similar message to Sterling.

^{Liverpool are confident of signing Burnley's Danny Ings for around £7million (GETTY).}

Liverpool called off a meeting with Ward which was scheduled on Friday to discuss Sterling's future after comments attributed to the agent in the London Evening Standard made it clear there was no intention of negotiating a new deal. However the two sides are still expected to meet in the coming weeks.

Liverpool have offered Sterling a new £100,000-a-week contract on a five-year term, to replace his existing £35,000-a-week deal, but he has steadfastly refused to sign. Liverpool had hoped to announce the new deal as long ago as last January but have been thwarted.

Sterling is expected to play for Liverpool in Sunday's final league match of the season, away to Stoke City, and it will be interesting to see the reaction he receives from the away fans. The game also marks Steven Gerrard's final appearance for Liverpool before he leaves to play for LA Galaxy.

Liverpool are believed to be confident that they can land deals to sign Burnley's out-of-contract, striker Danny Ings, for a fee that could nevertheless still go as high as £7million and midfielder James Milner whose deal at City is also coming to an end. Milner is also wanted by Arsenal.

Source : telegraph[dot]co[dot]uk

David de Gea: Iker Casillas wants Manchester United goalkeeper at Real Madrid

Real Madrid stalwart Iker Casillas appears to have revealed that he would like to see Manchester United star and international rival David de Gea arrive at the Bernabeu next season as well as confirming that he intends to remain at the club also.

The previously popular Casillas has suffered from a notable drop in form over recent seasons and is finally expected to be replaced this summer after 25 years at Real, during which time he progressed through the youth set up before going on to win six La Liga titles and three Champions League winners' medals.

De Gea has long been touted as the 34-year-old's successor with the former Atletico goalkeeper yet to agree terms on an extension to his current Old Trafford contract which is due to expire in June 2016.

"Yes, I'll still be here, why do you want me to say it again?" Casillas was reported by the Spanish press as responding to one autograph hunter at Real's training facility in Valdebebas regarding queries over his own future.

When questioned if he would like to see De Gea join, the World Cup winner, who seemingly would not be drawn on the future of manager Carlo Ancelotti, added: "Of course I would."

Such a desire, if it came to pass, would surely relegate Casillas to second-string status where he would have to compete with Costa Rican Keylor Navas for a place among the substitutes.

Manchester United have not quite given up hope on retaining De Gea, however, with manager Louis van Gaal having once again re-iterated his belief that the player will stay put during a pre-match press conference ahead of his team's final day trip to Hull City.

De Gea suffered a hamstring injury and was substituted to a standing ovation with 16 minutes remaining of the 1-1 draw with Arsenal on 17 May and it remains to be seen if he will be fit to start what could be his last match for the club at the KC Stadium.

If he is not, then Victor Valdes will make his first senior start since moving to the Premier League in January as part of a deal that was generally viewed as a contingency plan in preparation for his compatriot's possible departure.

Real also close out their season this weekend with the visit of Getafe. Los Blancos are currently four points adrift of champions Barcelona and rumours have been rife that Ancelotti is likely to be dismissed after the final whistle regardless of the result.

Former Liverpool and Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez is currently believed to be winning the race to succeed the Italian with his time at Napoli drawing to a close.

Source : ibtimes[dot]co[dot]uk

Transfer rumours and paper review - Saturday, May 23

With the summer window now just around the corner, here are top transfer-related stories in Saturday's newspapers...

Man City have emerged as favourites to sign Liverpool contract rebel Raheem Sterling, and are plotting a £45million swoop for the winger this summer. (Daily Mail)

Reds manager Brendan Rodgers has urged supporters NOT to take out their frustrations on Sterling over his contract stand-off. (The Times)

Former Man United captain Gary Neville, meanwhile, has accused Liverpool of being stuck in the past and believes it is no surprise that Sterling wants to move away from Anfield. (Daily Telegraph)

Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels, 26, rejected a possible move to Manchester United because they took too long to declare their interest. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal sent a scout last weekend to watch Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette, 23, and midfielder Nabil Fekir, 21, who are valued at a combined £60m. (Daily Star)

Southampton want £25m for midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, who has been targeted by Arsenal and Tottenham, while the Saints are in talks with Atletico Madrid to make 26-year-old defender Toby Alderweireld's loan move permanent. (Daily Telegraph)

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie, who has one year left on his contract. has had crunch talks with his agent while his Old Trafford future hangs in the balance. (The Sun)

West Brom boss Tony Pulis wants Saido Berahino to sign a new contract at the Hawthorns, telling the 21-year-old to put his career ahead of money. (Birmingham Mail)

Tottenham will decide next week whether striker Emmanuel Adebayor, 31, has a future at the club. (The Sun)