Goal Zone

Tuesday, August 04, 2015

Manchester City edge closer to Kevin de Bruyne deal

Manchester City will be allowed to talk to Wolfsburg midfielder Kevin de Bruyne if they agree to pay £50m for the midfielder, according to reports.

The Belgian international has been heavily linked with a move away from the club, with City and Paris Saint-Germain reportedly interested in his signature.

The Bundesliga club have repeatedly said that De Bruyne is not for sale, but the Daily Mail claims that the player has been told that he will be allowed to leave for a price of around £50m.

City are happy to pay the fee for the 24-year-old, which could take their summer spending over £100m.

De Bruyne moved to Wolfsburg from Chelsea in 2014.

Pep Guardiola: 'Bastian Schweinsteiger not fit for three years'

Pep Guardiola has revealed that Bastian Schweinsteiger has not been fully fit for the last three years.

The Germany international left Bayern Munich to join Manchester United last month, but missed the end of their pre-season tour of America after picking up a knock.

The Bayern manager told The Times: "When he does not have injury problems, I am completely convinced he will do very well at Manchester United.

"He is a top, top player. Unfortunately, the last three years he was never in good condition. He is going to play really well [at United], I really hope that is going to happen."

The 31-year-old started just 15 Bundesliga matches for the German champions last season.

Angel di Maria's Paris Saint-Germain medical delayed

Angel di Maria has reportedly delayed his medical with Paris Saint-Germain after claiming that he was too tired for the tests.

The Argentina international is closing in on a move to the French champions from Manchester United, and had been due to meet with the team in Doha yesterday.

However, the Daily Mail reports that the midfielder was too tired from his 20-hour trip to Qatar, putting the medical back by 24 hours.

It has been claimed that the two clubs have agreed a £44m fee for Di Maria, who is expected to pen an initial four-year contract.

Santi Cazorla: 'Arsenal probably won't sign Karim Benzema'

Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has suggested that the club is unlikely to sign Karim Benzema.

The 30-year-old, who signed a contract extension last week, believes that Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is not looking for another striker this summer.

Cazorla told Spanish radio station Cope: "Benzema is a great player. Everyone would like to have him on their team, but the coach already has a squad and probably will not find another forward."

Benzema scored 22 goals in 46 appearances for Real Madrid last season.

Alexandre Lacazette to switch Lyon for Liverpool

Lyon have reportedly told striker Alexandre Lacazette that he can leave the club.

The 24-year-old striker, who scored 27 goals in 33 Ligue 1 appearances last season, has been linked with a move to Liverpool.

French newspaper L'Equipe reports that Lyon manager Hubert Fournier has not been impressed with Lacazette's attitude amid this summer's transfer speculation, and has told the striker that he can leave the club.

Lacazette has scored one goal in eight international appearances for France.

Teammates vote Iniesta captain

Barcelona have confirmed that Andres Iniesta will be the club's new skipper next season.

The decision was made at Camp Nou by the playing squad, who took part in a secret ballot earlier today.

The 31-year-old has taken on the responsibility from Xavi following his recent switch to Qatar, while Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets have retained their positions as immediate deputies.

Meanwhile, Javier Mascherano has been named Barca's fourth captain and will wear the armband if the other three players are not available for selection.

Cristiano Ronaldo dresses up as homeless man, fools whole of Madrid -proves he is a comedy genius

This video features a chubby beggar showing off his football skills in the street. He largely gets ignored - until he removes his disguise…

Cristiano Ronaldo is not only the best footballer in the world, the owner of the planet's most rock hard abs and one of the wealthiest sportsmen on Earth.

As this new video proves, the Real Madrid superstar is also a top actor, a natural comedian AND a thoroughly nice chap.

In one of the most excellently executed examples of a footballer pranking the public, the Ballon D'Or winner got dressed up as a beggar and started showing off some skills.

Those of you with good memories might remember seeing some brief footage of the set-up, which leaked online earlier this year. Now you can see the whole thing in the clip above - and it is BRILLIANT.

After a lot of make-up and costume work - including fake hair, fake beard and fat suit - the world's most recognisable footballer wanders into the busy Plaza de Callao in downtown Madrid and starts doing kick-ups.

No-one gives him a second glance. He just looks like a homeless guy trying to earn a few euros from the locals.

This goes on for quite some time. Ronaldo is out there for several hours, showing genuine commitment to the role. He soon starts (trying to) banter with some of the locals, even nutmegging a few of them.

One guy actually tries to tackle him, unaware he might as well be trying to knock out Floyd Mayweather:

Now we finally start building towards the climax, as our friendly neighbourhood beggar (that's Cristiano, in case you haven't been paying attention) starts a kickabout with a kid:

Cristiano being Cristiano, he has a chat with the kid, and - satisfied he has found a suitably deserving nice lad - begins to peel off his disguise…

Just look at the boy's expression when he realises who he's been playing with. JUST LOOK AT THAT LITTLE FACE:

Is that not the cutest thing you've ever seen? Of course, once Ronaldo has revealed his true identity, the place goes nuts. You can almost see Ronnie's disappointment that his little spell of anonymity is over:

But it was all worth it, Cristiano. In one, four minute video, you have:

Shown your comedy acting chops

Made one kid the happiest human alive

And shone a light on the way society ignores the needy

Fine work, CR7. Fine work, indeed.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema to miss Audi Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema have both been left out of the Real Madrid squad for this week's Audi Cup in Germany.

On Tuesday, Real Madrid will face Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-finals, before taking on either Bayern Munich or AC Milan on the Wednesday.

Ronaldo has been left out of the party due to a back injury, while Benzema is believed to be suffering with a thigh complaint.

Teenage midfielder Martin Odegaard has been included, while there is also a spot for Spanish youth striker Borja Mayoral.

Sergio Ramos has also travelled, with reports claiming that the centre-back is close to signing a new long-term deal at the Bernabeu.

Summer 2015 Barclays Premier League transfers

We keep you updated on all the ins and outs at the Premier League clubs throughout the summer window. The summer transfer window for Premier League clubs will close on Tuesday 1 September at 1800 BST.

Players out of contract or unattached to any clubs can be recruited outside the transfer window, while many deals will be confirmed before then. Players who are down as released below, may still be re-signed by the club that released them.

AFC Bournemouth (www.afcb.co.uk)

Artur Boruc (Southampton) Free Full story

Adam Federici (Reading) Free Full story

Joshua King (Blackburn Rovers) Tribunal Full story

Christian Atsu (Chelsea) Loan Full story

Tyrone Mings (Ipswich Town) Undisclosed Full story

Sylvain Distin (Everton) Free Full story

Out

Ian Harte Released

Josh McQuoid Released

Darryl Flavahan Released

Mohamed Coulibaly Released

Joe Partington Released

Miles Addison Released

Ryan Fraser (Ipswich Town) Loan

Brett Pitman (Ipswich Town) Undisclosed

Jayden Stockley (Portsmouth) Loan

Arsenal (www.arsenal.com)

Petr Cech (Chelsea) Undisclosed Full story

Out

Ryo Miyaichi (St Pauli) Undisclosed

Semi Ajayi (Cardiff City) Undisclosed

Abou Diaby (Marseille) Free

Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Ipswich Town) Loan Full story

Lukas Podolski (Galatasaray) Undisclosed

Carl Jenkinson (West Ham United) Loan Full story

Wojciech Szczesny (AS Roma) Loan Full story

George Dobson (Arsenal) Undisclosed Full story

Aston Villa (www.avfc.co.uk)

Scott Sinclair (Manchester City) Undisclosed Full story

Micah Richards (Manchester City) Free Full story

Mark Bunn (Norwich City) Free Full story

Idrissa Gueye (Lille) Undisclosed Full story

Jordan Amavi (Nice) Undisclosed Full story

Jordan Ayew (Lorient) Undisclosed Full story

Jose Angel Crespo (Cordoba) Undisclosed Full story

Rudy Gestede (Blackburn Rovers) Undisclosed Full story

Jordan Veretout (Nantes) Undisclosed Full story

Out

Darren Bent (Derby County) Free

Enda Stevens (Portsmouth) Free

Andreas Weimann (Derby County) Undisclosed

Matt Lowton (Burnley) Undisclosed

Yacouba Sylla (Rennes) Undisclosed

Antonio Luna (SD Eibar) Undisclosed

Shay Given (Stoke City) Free

Fabian Delph (Manchester City) Undisclosed

Christian Benteke (Liverpool) Undisclosed

Chelsea (www.chelseafc.com)

Nathan (Atletico Paranaense) Undisclosed Full story

Radamel Falcao (AS Monaco) Loan Full story

Asmir Begovic (Stoke City) Undisclosed Full story

Out

Christian Atsu (AFC Bournemouth) Loan Full story

Didier Drogba Released

Gael Kakuta (Sevilla) Undisclosed

Petr Cech (Arsenal) Undisclosed

Mario Pasalic (AS Monaco) Loan

Josh McEachran (Brentford) Undisclosed

Izzy Brown (Vitesse Arnhem) Loan

Lewis Baker (Vitesse Arnhem) Loan

Marco van Ginkel (Stoke City) Loan

Tomas Kalas (Middlesbrough) Loan

Patrick Bamford (Crystal Palace) Loan Full story

Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid) Undisclosed Full story

Crystal Palace (www.cpfc.co.uk)

Yohan Cabaye (Paris Saint Germain) Undisclosed Full story

Patrick Bamford (Chelsea) Loan Full story

Connor Wickham (Sunderland) Undisclosed Full story

Out

Lewis Price Released

Owen Garvan Released

Peter Ramage Released

Stephen Dobbie Released

Jerome Thomas Released

Everton (www.evertonfc.com)

Tom Cleverley (Manchester United) Free Full story

Gerard Deulofeu (Barcelona) EUR6m Full story

Out

Antolin Alcaraz Released

Sylvain Distin (AFC Bournemouth) Free Full story

Leicester City (www.lcfc.com)

New manager

Claudio Ranieri Full story

Christian Fuchs (Schalke) Free Full story

Robert Huth (Stoke City) Undisclosed Full story

Shinji Okazaki (Mainz) Undisclosed Full story

N'Golo Kante (Caen) Undisclosed Full story

Out

Chris Wood (Leeds United) Undisclosed

Esteban Cambiasso Free Full story

Liverpool (www.liverpoolfc.com)

James Milner (Manchester City) Free Full story

Danny Ings (Burnley) Tribunal Full story

Adam Bogdan (Bolton Wanderers) Free Full story

Joe Gomez (Charlton Athletic) Undisclosed Full story

Roberto Firmino (Hoffenheim) Undisclosed Full story

Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton) Undisclosed Full story

Christian Benteke (Aston Villa) Undisclosed Full story

Out

Steven Gerrard (Los Angeles Galaxy) Free Full story

Glen Johnson Released

Brad Jones Released

Sebastian Coates (Sunderland) Undisclosed Full story

Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) Undisclosed Full story

Andre Wisdom (Norwich City) Loan Full story

Rickie Lambert (West Brom) Full story

Manchester City (www.mcfc.co.uk)

Enes Unal (Bursaspor) Undisclosed

David Faupala (Lens) Undiclosed

Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) Undisclosed Full story

Fabian Delph (Aston Villa) Undisclosed Full story

Patrick Roberts (Fulham) Undisclosed

Out

Scott Sinclair (Aston Villa) Undisclosed Full story

James Milner (Liverpool) Full story

Dedryck Boyata (Celtic) Undisclosed

Angelino (New York City) Loan

Micah Richards (Aston Villa) Free

Karim Rekik (Marseille) Undisclosed

Manchester United (www.manutd.com)

Memphis Depay (PSV Eindhoven) Undisclosed Full story

Matteo Darmian (Torino) Undisclosed Full story

Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich) Undisclosed Full story

Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton) Undisclosed Full story

Sergio Romero (Sampdoria) Undisclosed Full story

Out

Tom Cleverley (Everton) Free Full story

Ben Amos (Bolton Wanderers) Released

Tom Thorpe Released

Saidy Janko (Celtic) Undisclosed

Nani (Fenerbahce) Undisclosed

Will Keane (Preston North End) Loan

Robin van Persie (Fenerbahce)

Newcastle United (www.nufc.co.uk)

New manager

Steve McClaren Full story

Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV Eindhoven) Undisclosed Full story

Aleksandar Mitrovic (Anderlecht) Undisclosed Full story

Chancel Mbemba (Anderlecht) Undisclosed Full story

Out

Jonas Gutierrez Released

Ryan Taylor Released

Adam Campbell Released

Remie Streete Released

Sammy Ameobi (Cardiff City) Loan

Adam Armstrong (Coventry City) Loan

Freddie Woodman (Crawley Town) Loan

Norwich City (www.canaries.co.uk)

Graham Dorrans (West Bromwich Albion) Undisclosed Full story

Youssouf Mulumbu (West Bromwich Albion) Free Full story

Robbie Brady (Hull City) Undisclosed Full story

Andre Wisdom (Liverpool) Loan Full story

Out

Cameron McGeehan (Luton Town) Undisclosed

Mark Bunn (Aston Villa) Free Full story

Southampton (www.saintsfc.co.uk)

Juanmi (Malaga) Undisclosed Full story

Cedric Soares (Sporting CP) Undisclosed Full story

Maarten Stekelenburg (Fulham) Loan Full story

Cuco Martina (FC Twente) Undisclosed Full story

Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord) Undisclosed Full story

Steven Caulker (Queens Park Rangers) Loan Full story

Out

Artur Boruc (AFC Bournemouth) Free Full story

Jos Hooiveld Released

Cody Cropper Released

Omar Rowe Released

Jake Sinclair Released

Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool) Undisclosed Full story

Dani Osvaldo Released

Morgan Schneiderlin (Manchester United) Undisclosed Full story

Sam Gallagher (Milton Keynes Dons) Loan

Stoke City (www.stokecityfc.com)

Jakob Haugaard (Midtylland) Undisclosed Full story

Philipp Wollscheid (Bayer Leverkusen) Undisclosed Full story

Joselu (Hannover 96) EUR8million Full story

Marco van Ginkel (Chelsea) Loan Full story

Shay Given (Aston Villa) Free Full story

Glen Johnson (Liverpool) Free Full story

Ibrahim Afellay (Barcelona) Free Full story

Out

Thomas Sorensen (Released)

Wilson Palacios (Released)

Andy Wilkinson (Released)

Steven Nzonzi (Sevilla) Undisclosed

Asmir Begovic (Chelsea) Undisclosed Full story

Sunderland (www.safc.com)

New head coach

Dick Advocaat Full story

Sebastian Coates (Liverpool) Undisclosed Full story

Adam Matthews (Celtic) £2million Full story

Jeremain Lens (Dynamo Kyiv) Undisclosed Full story

Younes Kaboul (Tottenham Hotspur) Undisclosed Full story

Out

El-Hadji Ba (Charlton) Undisclosed

Santiago Vergini (Getafe CF) Loan

Connor Wickham (Crystal Palace) Undisclosed

Swansea City (www.swanseacity.net)

Andre Ayew (Marseille) Free Full story

Franck Tabanou (St Etienne) Undisclosed Full story

Kristoffer Nordfeldt (Heerenveen) Undisclosed Full story

Eder (Braga) Undisclosed Full story

Out

Alan Tate Released

Gerhard Tremmel Released

David Cornell Released

Jazz Richards (Fulham) Undisclosed

Tottenham Hotspur (www.tottenhamhotspur.com)

Kevin Wimmer (Cologne) Undisclosed Full story

Kieran Trippier (Burnley) Undisclosed Full story

Toby Alderweireld (Atletico Madrid) Undisclosed Full story

Out

Jordan Archer Released

Cristian Ceballos Released

Bongani Khumalo Released

Paulinho (Guangzhou Evergrande) Undisclosed

Lewis Holtby (Hamburg) Undisclosed

Etienne Capoue (Watford) Undisclosed Full story

Younes Kaboul (Sunderland) Undisclosed Full story

Benjamin Stambouli (Paris Saint Germain) Undisclosed

Watford (www.watfordfc.com)

New head coach

Enrique Sanchez Flores Full story

Sebastian Prodl (Werder Bremen) Free Full story

Giedrius Arlauskis (Steaua Bucharest) Undisclosed Full story

Jose Holebas (AS Roma) Undisclosed Full story

Matej Vydra (Udinese) Undisclosed Full story

Etienne Capoue (Tottenham Hotspur) Undisclosed Full story

Valon Behrami (Hamburg) Undisclosed Full story

Allan Nyom (Granada) Undisclosed Full story

Miguel Britos (Napoli) Undisclosed Full story

Jose Manuel Jurado (Spartak Moscow) Full story

Steven Berghuis (AZ Alkmaar) Undisclosed

Out

Jonathan Bond (Reading) Undisclosed

Lewis McGugan (Sheffield Wednesday) Undisclosed

Diego Fabbrini (Middlesbrough) Loan

West Bromwich Albion (www.wba.co.uk)

James McClean (Wigan Athletic) Undisclosed Full story

James Chester (Hull City) Undisclosed Full story

Rickie Lambert (Liverpool) Full story

Out

Graham Dorrans (West Bromwich Albion) Undisclosed Full story

Alex Jones (Birmingham City) Free

Kemar Roofe (Oxford City) Undisclosed

Youssouf Mulumbu Released

Chris Baird (Derby County) Free

Jason Davidson Released

Alex Palmer (Kidderminster Harriers) Loan

West Ham United (www.whufc.com)

New manager

Slaven Bilic Full story

Darren Randolph (Birmingham City) Free Full story

Pedro Obiang (Sampdoria) Undisclosed Full story

Dimitri Payet (Marseille) Undisclosed Full story

Angelo Ogbonna (Juventus) Undisclosed Full story

Carl Jenkinson (Arsenal) Loan Full story

Manuel Lanzini (Al-Jazira) Loan Full story

George Dobson (Arsenal) Undisclosed Full story

Out

Dan Potts (Luton Town) Free

Carlton Cole Released

Guy Demel Released

Jussi Jaaskelainen Released

Nene Released

Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough) Undisclosed

Who snubbed who? Wenger and Mourinho fume at each other

Arsene Wenger claimed a first victory over Jose Mourinho at the 14th attempt before snubbing the Chelsea boss over a lack of respect

WHAT HAPPENED

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's first-half goal earned the Gunners a 1-0 win in the season-opening Community Shield at Wembley and Wenger a maiden victory over Mourinho, who was unbeaten in 13 prior meetings between the two.

Mourinho made a point of congratulating the Arsenal players afterwards - but not Wenger. Whether Mourinho pointedly turned away or whether Wenger intentionally walked behind the Chelsea boss is not quite clear.

What is clear is that their long-running feud showing no signs of coming to an end.

WENGER'S VIEW

"I believe in a job where you have to respect people and respect everybody," said Wenger, who shoved the Blues boss in last season's Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.

"I shook a few hands after the game, but there's nothing special there."

MOURINHO'S VERSION

Mourinho said: "You see the images, you see where I am. (I was) there for the winners, to wait for them in a point where you only miss me if you want to miss me.

"Every Arsenal player came in my direction, which was the easiest thing to do.

"If other people didn't come in my direction, that's not a problem, that's not a story, that's not the end of the world."

ABOUT THE MATCH?

Mourinho felt the better team lost, but was pointed in his praise of Wenger's approach, saying Arsenal were "a team that leaves their philosophy in the dressing room".

The Portuguese boss, who threw his runners-up medal to an Arsenal fan in the crowd, insisted he did not have a psychological hold on Wenger's teams, but described his 13-game unbeaten streak as an "eternity".

Wenger, who disagreed that he compromised on his approach, felt the prior record against Mourinho played on his players' minds and contributed to their display.

"We abandon nothing," Wenger said. "Personally I must honestly say it didn't play on my mind at all.

Cristiano Ronaldo proves he is the best man by buying Jorge Mendes a Greek Island for a wedding present.

Real Madrid star coughs up between €3m and €50m in extraordinary gesture to his long-time friend and confidant

didn’t bother leafing through the Argos catalogue when he wanted to buy a wedding present for his agent Jorge Mendes.

Instead, the Real Madrid star – who is best man at his long-time friend and confidant’s marriage today – decided to stepover the pyrex dishes, mug trees, fondue sets and towel (not Gareth) bales, and splash out a bit more than most of the 400 guests who are expected to attend.

But the 30-year-old will not be wrapping up his gift as it is a Greek island.

Greece has decided to sell off some of its islands in a bid to help clear up its crippling financial problems and according to Portuguese publication Move Noticias, Ronaldo splashed out anything from €3m to €50m for the non-disclosed land.

because it is rude to know how much you have spent on a gift - and to make sure the media give Mendes some peace and quiet if and when he goes there.

At least Jorge and his bride Sandra will have somewhere to store the toasters, cutlery sets and salad spinners that they will no doubt stack up in abundance.

And what other high-profile guests like Fabio Coentrao and Pepe will buy in an attempt to top the megastar’s hypergift for a superagent remains to be seen.

Sepp Blatter stripped of IOC membership as FIFA exit nears

FIFA President Sepp Blatter was relieved of his International Olympic Committee ex officio membership on Monday, seven months before he will be replaced as the head of soccer's governing body, IOC President Thomas Bach said on Monday.

Blatter would ordinarily have been re-elected for another eight-year term as a procedural matter at the ongoing IOC Session in Malaysia, along with more than a dozen other members, but would be required to stand down when he left FIFA at the end of February.

The 79-year-old Swiss was re-elected for a fifth term as FIFA president in Zurich on May 29 but announced he would lay down his mandate just four days later in the wake of the worst crisis in the soccer authority's history.

FIFA was thrown into turmoil two days ahead of its presidential election when more than a dozen officials and sports marketing executives were indicted by the United States on bribery, money laundering and wire fraud charges.

Pedro's mother confirms Manchester United transfer

The mother of Barcelona winger Pedro has reportedly suggested that her son is on the verge of joining Manchester United.

The 28-year-old has been linked with a switch to Old Trafford this summer after struggling to hold down a regular first-team spot last season.

Pedro has been a mainstay of the Barca side since the 2009-10 season, but the Spain international has fallen down the pecking order since the arrivals of Neymar and Luis Suarez.

Jaime Lorenzo, president of Pedro's former side Raqui San Lorenzo, has claimed that the forward's future lies in the Premier League.

"The player was here to run a football camp a couple of weeks ago and his friends already knew about it," he told Cadena Ser.

"I bumped into his mother in a furniture shop and she told me that Pedro was going to England."

It is thought that Barcelona value Pedro at £22m.

Jose Mourinho hits out at Arsene Wenger over defensive tactics

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has hit out at Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger for 'leaving his philosophy in the dressing room' in Sunday's 1-0 win over the Blues.

The Gunners clinched the Community Shield and the early bragging rights ahead of the new season, courtesy of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's strike on 24 minutes at Wembley.

Wenger's side, known for their attacking style of play, appeared notably more defensive in the second half, and Mourinho feels that the Frenchman abandoned his ideals.

"My opinion is the team that defends very well, that leaves their philosophy in the dressing room, changes their attitude, plays all the second half with nine players in front of the box, doesn't concede and scores one goal, from that perspective they deserve to win," he told reporters.

"This is football. This is very good tactical organisation. Congratulations to them."

Mourinho's men begin the defence of their Premier League title by hosting Swansea City next Saturday.

Rafael arrives for Lyon medical

The president of Lyon has confirmed that Rafael has arrived at the club for a medical ahead of his proposed move from Manchester United.

The Brazilian has been linked with a move to the Ligue 1 side after struggling for first-team time under Louis van Gaal, and was left out of the team's pre-season tour of America.

Jean-Michel Aulas posted on Twitter that the defender has arrived ahead of his expected move, describing the 25-year-old as "cheerful".

Rafael joined United from Fluminense in 2008.

Tuesday, August 04, 2015

Monday, August 03, 2015