Goal Zone

Tuesday, January 06, 2015

Man United preparing Ilkay Gundogan move

Manchester United are reportedly preparing a £16m move for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.

The German international has been linked with a transfer to Old Trafford for the last couple of seasons, but a long-term injury cooled talk of a move.

The 24-year-old has now fully recovered and it is understood that he is stalling on a contract extension at Dortmund, with his current deal due to expire next summer.

According to The Express, United will test the waters with a £16m offer, but might have to wait until next summer to complete the deal.

Gundogan's teammate Mats Hummels has also continually been linked with a move to United.

Newcastle United, Paris Saint-Germain in 'advanced Moussa Sissoko talks'

Talks between Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain regarding the transfer of Moussa Sissoko are reportedly nearing a conclusion.

Recent speculation had suggested that the Magpies would repel any interest in the 25-year-old this month, with the player himself having claimed that he intended to remain on Tyneside until at least the summer.

However, according to Eurosport's sources in France, Newcastle are on the verge of agreeing a fee with PSG for the midfielder's services.

It has been suggested in some quarters that former Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye, who joined the French champions last January, could move back to St James' Park as a part of the deal, but that rumour is so unfounded.

Sissoko joined Newcastle from Toulouse in the winter of 2013.

Queens Park Rangers complete Mauro Zarate loan signing

West Ham United forward Mauro Zarate has joined Queens Park Rangers on a six-month loan deal.

The 27-year-old Argentine moved to Upton Park from Velez Sarsfield in the summer, but he has struggled to make an impact with the Hammers.

Zarate has scored two goals in eight appearances for West Ham so far this season.

"We're really pleased to bring Mauro in. He's a good footballer, someone with great ability who can play as a number 10," QPR boss Harry Redknapp told the club's official website.

"I first saw him when he was on loan at Birmingham (City) quite a few years back and I actually tried to take him to Portsmouth back then. He's a more-than-capable player, he's already shown that, and hopefully he can come in here and do well for us."

Zarate could make his debut for QPR on Saturday when they make the trip to fellow strugglers Burnley in the Premier League.

Angel di Maria doubts Cristiano Ronaldo return to Manchester United

Angel di Maria does not expect to be reunited with his former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United.

Ronaldo has regularly been linked with a return to Old Trafford, having left for Los Blancos back in 2009.

However, Di Maria, who joined the Red Devils from the European champions in the summer, does not believe that the 29-year-old will leave the Bernabeu.

"I don't think he is coming back to Manchester. It's hard to quit Real Madrid. Maybe, but I think he's having a great time and I don't see that he wants to change," he told Radio America.

Ronaldo made 292 appearances for United, from which he scored 118 goals.

Luke Shaw to feature against Southampton

Manchester United full-back Luke Shaw will reportedly be fit to face his former club Southampton on Sunday afternoon.

The 19-year-old, who arrived at Old Trafford for £30m during the summer, has been plagued by injuries for most of the season, which have limited him to just 10 appearances in all competitions.

His latest complaint - an ankle knock - saw him substituted during the break of United's 2-0 FA Cup victory over Yeovil Town at the weekend.

However, his removal was more of a precautionary measure, meaning that he is likely to be available for selection against the Saints, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The report added that Daley Blind, who has been sidelined with a knee injury suffered on international duty with the Netherlands in November, could also be included in the squad.

Arsenal want Raphael Guerreiro

Arsenal are reportedly preparing a January move for Lorient defender Raphael Guerreiro.

The 21-year-old, who has been with Lorient since 2013, is widely regarded as one of the best youngsters in Ligue 1.

A number of clubs have been linked with a move for the Portugal international, but according to The Metro, Arsenal are putting the finishing touches on an offer.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is keen to bolster his defence this season and it is understood that he views Guerreiro as the perfect signing.

Guerreiro was born in France, but qualified for Portugal through his father.

Arsenal want Jonathan Calleri

Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Boca Juniors forward Jonathan Calleri in the January transfer window.

The 21-year-old joined Boca from All Boys in 2014 and has already netted six league goals in 15 games for the Argentine club.

According to Fichajes, Arsenal have sent scouts to watch the youngster in action this season and favourable reports have been returned.

A number of European clubs are also said to be monitoring developments, but it is understood that the Gunners are confident of completing a deal this month.

Barcelona hand manager Luis Enrique ULTIMATUM

Spanish radio station Cadena Cope is reporting that Barcelona have handed manager Luis Enrique an ultimatum following the firing of the club's director of football, Andoni Zubizarreta. The news comes on the heels of long-time servant Carles Puyol's resignation from his role with the club,as well as Barcelona's 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad on Sunday night.

Despite Enrique's side being within striking distance of first place in La Liga, while Real Madrid were embarking on a 12-match winning streak domestically (22 in all competitions), the manager's relationship with Barcelona players and tactics have been under scrutiny since the Blaugrana were beaten in the El Clasico in October.

The Catalan press have continually alluded to Enrique's poor relationship with star man Lionel Messi, as well the manager's inability to nurture Barcelona's famed youth academy.

Now, according to Cadena Cope, Enrique has been given an ultimatum by club officials following the departures of Zubizarreta and Puyol and the defeat to David Moyes' Real Sociedad side.

The Radio Program is reporting that the Barcelona boss has been told he WILL BE SACKED if the club does not win its next matches against Elche and Atletico Madrid. It is understood the Barcelona officials not only want victories, but improved performances from the squad as well.

The speculation will be hard for most fans to believe since Barcelona only trail League-leaders Real Madrid by a single point (having played one match more than Los Blancos) and finished as Champions League group winners.

But the belief around the Camp Nou is that Barcelona have gotten as far as they have this season on talent alone; and Enrique had failed to communicate properly with his players, lacks man-management skills and has been exposed as a poor tactician.

The manager's relationship with Lionel Messi and the rest of the team appears to be at its lowest point and Barcelona officials have now told the 44-year old boss to find a way to make it work of FACE THE SACK!

Louis van Gaal says Manchester United are currently 'not good enough'

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has said that his side are still not good enough, despite the Red Devils currently being on an 11 game unbeaten run.

After a shaky start to the season, United have found their form and they won six games in a row prior to Christmas including a 3-0 win over Liverpool, but Van Gaal has admitted that they are still a work in progress.

He told MUTV: "We are still building up a process. I think, as a trainer/coach and manager, that I have to analyse the performance of my players because that is the most important thing and that shows how far we are in the process.

"That is still not good enough, in my opinion, but I hope we shall improve"

Manchester United next face Southampton at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Inter Milan's Roberto Mancini hints at Xherdan Shaqiri, Ezequiel Lavezzi interest

Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini has fuelled speculation that he is interested in signing Bayern Munich's Xherdan Shaqiri and Paris Saint-Germain player Ezequiel Lavezzi this month.

The former Manchester City manager has insisted that he wants to add another winger to his ranks after signing Lukas Podolski on loan from Arsenal.

"We needed two wide players and Podolski is one of them," FourFourTwo quotes Mancini as saying. "He's 29 years old and has a wealth of experience so I hope he can make a telling contribution to the team.

"Shaqiri is another who could do a job for us but he's a Bayern Munich player. He's a young guy so it's an interesting one for the future, too. Lavezzi? Look, he's a PSG player and I think that's a difficult one for us. I don't know what's going to happen, so let's see."

Podolski scored during his first practice match in training with Inter this week.

Andriy Shevchenko believes Manuel Neuer should win the Ballon d'Or

Former footballer Andriy Shevchenko has said that German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer should win the prestigious Ballon d'Or next week.

Neuer, who was a key part of the German side that won the World Cup, is up against Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for the award which recognises the best player of the past year.

However, the ex-AC Milan and Chelsea forward is backing the Bayern Munich keeper to win: "Neuer is fantastic because he is more than just a traditional goalkeeper," he told reporters.

"I still think Cristiano and Messi are the favourites. Ronaldo won the Champions League and was the star. All three have potential to be big winners, but I would choose Neuer because I think he did something special in the World Cup and also during his season with Bayern. He was fantastic throughout the year."

Neuer won the Golden Glove at the World Cup, which is given to the tournaments best goalkeeper.

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique fighting for job after Lionel Messi spat

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique is fighting for his job after his side's defeat to Real Sociedad and a spat with Lionel Messi, according to reports.

Enrique has come under pressure after he dropped star player Messi, Neymar and Dani Alves for the game as they trained less than the rest of the squad after Enrique allowed them to take a holiday,

Spanish football journalist Graham Hunter told Sky Sports News: "On Friday there was a row on the training ground between Neymar and (Luis) Suarez and also a row between Messi and Enrique. Fine. That happens a lot. But then he doesn't start Messi and the game is atrocious. Then suddenly Messi has got gastroenteritis and doesn't train. Now that's really handy isn't it?

"Messi is in the middle of a power-play and Enrique's post is in jeopardy, for a number of reasons."

Barcelona next host Elche on Thursday in the Copa del Rey.

Wilfried Bony wants Swansea City exit

Wilfried Bony has reportedly told Swansea City that he wants to leave them for a Champions League club this month.

Speculation has mounted that Manchester City and Real Madrid are weighing up winter moves for the 26-year-old, who signed a contract extension in November.

That signature has negated a £19m buyout clause that was written into his initial deal in South Wales, allowing the Swans to effectively name their price, according to The Telegraph.

The report goes on to claim that Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins is holding out for around £30m for the Ivory Coast international, who would request a £100,000-a-week deal.

Bony is currently on international duty ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, which begins on January 17 in Equatorial Guinea.

Liverpool's Suso agrees four-year deal with AC Milan

Liverpool midfielder Suso has reportedly agreed a four-year deal with AC Milan ahead of a summer move.

The 21-year-old has struggled to force his way into the Reds starting XI under Brendan Rodgers, which has prompted continuous speculation about his future.

The Spaniard has been linked to Milan for some time, but according to journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, a pre-contract agreement has been reached and the midfielder is likely to move to Italy when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Suso has been on Merseyside since 2010 and spent a loan stint at Almeria during the 2013-14 campaign.

Louis van Gaal admits Wayne Rooney is not guaranteed to start every week

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has said that he will not always play captain Wayne Rooney.

The 29-year-old has been ever present during Van Gaal's first season in charge at Old Trafford and has adapted to play deeper in a midfield position, but the manager has said that his inclusion depends on the balance of the team.

He told MUTV: "It's dependable on how the balance of the team is. I need balance in the team. I'm looking for balance. I hope to perform better because then the game shall be more attractive. I don't know if I shall use him always because it's so dependable on the form of the strikers.

"He's also a very good striker so I can use him in different positions and I like that because I like multi-functional players than specialists."

Manchester United currently sit third in the Premier League table.