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Thomas Tuchel on Edouard Mendy, N’Golo Kante and possible penalty shoot-out
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel faced the media ahead of the Champions League final against Manchester City on Saturday night. The Blues recently ended the league campaign with a defeat at Aston Villa, but they still made the top four ahead of Leicester City. They are assured of Champions League football for next season, which has relieved some pressure ahead of the final in Lisbon. Edouard Mendy and N’Golo Kante reported for training earlier this week after injuries, and Tuchel has confirmed that he has a fully fit squad. He told Chelseafc.com: “The team news is the best news ever – we have a full squad. We have no injuries, and I hope it stays like that until after we finish today’s training session.” The Europa League final between Manchester United and Villarreal went to a penalty shoot-...
West Ham ready to submit €12m offer for experienced South American
West Ham United have been linked with a move for the Porto goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin. According to A Bola (via Sportwitness), David Moyes wants to sign the experienced shot-stopper this summer after his impressive performances for the Portuguese outfit this past season. Marchesin has been a key player for Porto this season and he has impressed in the Champions League as well. It will be interesting to see if the 33-year-old is brought in as a potential replacement for Lukasz Fabianski. The Hammers star is currently 36 year old and the Londoners will need to plan for life without him soon. Marchesin is hardly a young option but he has a contract until the summer of 2023 and he could be available for a reasonable price this summer. Furthermore, he is quite experienced and proven at the hi...
‘Absolute hero’ – Some Spurs fans react to what player was pictured doing after his release y’tday
Tottenham Hotspur have released English left-back Danny Rose yesterday following the expiration of his contract. The Club can confirm the departures of Danny Rose and Paulo Gazzaniga following the conclusion of their contracts. We thank Danny and Paulo for their service and wish them well for the future.#THFC ⚪️ #COYS — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 27, 2021 💙 Thank you, Danny. #THFC ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/2QpyUNjubt — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 27, 2021 The 30-year-old spent his last season at the club training with the youth teams having been omitted from Spurs’ Premier League and Europa League squads by former manager Jose Mourinho. Rose fell out with the Portuguese in 2019-20, leaving temporarily for Newcastle United in January...
Barcelona president gives update on the futures of Lionel Messi and Ronald Koeman
Recently elected Barcelona president Joan Laporta has spoken about the futures of star man Lionel Messi and manager Ronald Koeman. It has been a turbulent season at Camp Nou. Koeman found himself under severe pressure after a poor first half of the season, with La Blaugrana looking way off the pace in the title race. A round of 16 humiliation at home to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League did little to ease the tension. Koeman’s side have been unable to win the title However, the Dutchman managed to turn things around, winning the Copa del Rey and putting themselves within touching distance of the top of the table going into the final few weeks. Carelessly dropped points against Granada and Levante saw them lose their grip on the title race, and they eventually ended the season in ...
£100,000-a-week Chelsea star confirms Tottenham Hotspur were interested in signing him
Antonio Rudiger has acknowledged that he was serious about leaving Chelsea last summer amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain. The centre-back fell out-of-favour under then-manager Frank Lampard, and he was linked with a possible departure before the transfer deadline. However, a deal failed to materialise and Rudiger had no option but to stay with the Blues, where he has revived his career under current boss Thomas Tuchel. Speaking exclusively to Kicker, Rudiger said he was weighing up a move elsewhere as he needed playing time in the lead-up to the European Championships. He added that Les Parisiens and Spurs were interested in him, but the former were the most serious option. Ultimately, he ran out of time to make a decision. He said: “I was really about to leave. ...
Report: £20m star among nine players who could leave Liverpool this summer
Liverpool completed their first signing of the summer today after the club confirmed the arrival of Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig. Bolstering the defence was a priority for Jurgen Klopp, and the Reds wasted no time in securing the signature of arguably one of the best young talents in world football. The Reds are planning to offload some of their fringe players this summer, with as many as nine players likely to depart. According to reports from The Athletic, Liverpool could offload Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri. Origi, who has etched his name among Liverpool’s cult heroes, struggled for regular games last season. The Belgian international needs to pursue a new challenge, and a move away from Anfield looks likely. He is valued at around £20 million. Likewise, Shaqiri played a bit...
Report: Spurs keen on in-demand £17m int’l, club have held talks with player’s agent
Tottenham Hotspur are keen to sign Ugurcan Cakir. Spurs probably need to sign a goalkeeper this summer, with Hugo Lloris’s future uncertain as his contract expires in 2022. The 34-year-old is yet to pen a new deal and Spurs must start planning for the future, with or without Lloris. Spurs have already seen one of their prime targets – Mike Maignan – move to AC Milan, while another goalkeeping target – Gregor Kobel – is set to join Borussia Dortmund in the next few days. According to reports from Fotomac, Trabzonspor want €20 million (£17m) for Cakir. Lille and Inter Milan are also interested in signing him. The report claims that Spurs have held talks with the player’s agent over a potential move this summer. Trabzonspor will listen to offe...
West Ham hold talks with 23-yr-old’s agent, Hammers prepared to pay £14m
West Ham United have recently been linked with a move for Spartak Moscow midfielder Alex Kral. According to the Express, the Hammers have now held extensive talks with the 23-year-old’s representatives. The player’s agent Karol Kisel has been in England this week to hold talks with the Premier League club regarding a summer transfer. Kral is keen to move to the London club and join up with international teammates Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal. The Hammers are prepared to pay around £14 million for the highly talented defensive midfielder and are keen to get the deal over the line. SL View: Potential replacement for Rice? West Ham already have two quality defensive midfielders in Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek, and it is unclear how they would accommodate Kral in their starting line-...
Celtic reportedly want 56-cap int’l EPL winger, top-flight sides keen too
Republic of Ireland winger Robbie Brady is a man in demand following his release from Burnley and Celtic are interested in him, according to The Athletic. Premier League clubs are also keeping tabs on his situation, and the Hoops have a huge battle on their hands in their attempt to sign him. Brady joined Burnley in January 2017 from Norwich City, going on to make 87 appearances across all competitions for the side. The midfielder’s time at Turf Moor was plagued with injuries, and a move to Scotland and change of scenery could do him some good. Celtic are looking to make a major squad rebuild this summer following last season’s debacle, and landing an experienced player from the Premier League could be huge. Brady has 56 caps for Ireland, and the Hoops could do with such a quality player w...
West Ham keen on €12m-rated La Liga midfielder, but face competition from another PL club
West Ham United are keen on signing Osasuna midfielder Jon Moncayola. According to Spanish publication AS, Crystal Palace are also interested in the 23-year-old who has a €12 million release clause in his contract. The Spanish club want to keep Moncayola and have offered him a new contract. However, a move to the Premier League may prove too tempting to turn down. SL View: Long term replacement for Mark Noble? The Hammers certainly need more depth in the central midfield, and the Spaniard would be a quality long term addition as Mark Noble’s replacement. He has been a key player for Osasuna in La Liga, and his ability to operate in numerous positions would benefit either of the London clubs. The reported asking price seems quite reasonable for a player of his ability and potential. If Monc...
After Konate, Liverpool are ‘progressing in negotiations’ for 27-year-old’s new deal
Liverpool are close to signing Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig. According to reports from the Independent, Liverpool have triggered Ibrahima Konate’s £36 million release clause. Paul Joyce of The Times has confirmed on Twitter that the deal is expected to be finalised in the next 48 hours. Liverpool expect to complete the transfer of Ibrahima Konate in next 48-hours. Agreements with player on personal terms and also RB Leipzig now in place. Exit clause value is £36m. — paul joyce (@_pauljoyce) May 28, 2021 The report claims that the defender will become Liverpool’s first signing of the summer. The Reds are trying to put the finishing touches on the deal before the end of the weekend. The 22-year-old has been the club’s primary defensive target, although The Athletic reported that the ...
Journalist: Mourinho wants to sign in-demand £100k-per-week Arsenal star, club have opened talks
Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka could leave the club in the summer transfer window. According to reliable journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Xhaka is being wanted by several clubs, including Roma. The Serie A giants have appointed Jose Mourinho as their new manager, and the Portuguese boss wants to sign Xhaka. Arsenal are expected to sell a host of players this summer as Mikel Arteta is looking to sculpt the squad to his own taste. Romano claims that Xhaka has the chance to leave the Gunners along with the likes of Willian, Hector Bellerin and others. Several Bundesliga clubs are keen to sign Xhaka, while Roma have opened talks with the player’s agents. Granit Xhaka has chances to leave Arsenal this summer as Willian, Hector Bellerin and many other players. 🚨 #AFC AS R...
