Goal Zone

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

David de Gea agrees new Manchester United deal

A report in Italy has claimed that Manchester United have tied goalkeeper David de Gea down to a new five-year contract.

The 24-year-old's current deal at Old Trafford is due to expire in the summer of 2016, which has resulted in strong links to Real Madrid of late.

However, according to SportMediaset, the Red Devils have moved to warn off Los Blancos by handing the Spaniard extended terms until 2020.

Recent speculation has suggested that were De Gea to express his desire to move to the Bernabeu, United would look to receive Madrid's Wales international Gareth Bale in return.

The keeper arrived at United from Real's city rivals Atletico Madrid back in 2011.

Real Madrid to move for Valencia's Jose Gaya

Jose Gaya has reportedly been made a transfer target of Real Madrid.

Despite being just 19, the left-back has been a regular in the Valencia starting lineup this season.

His performances have not gone unnoticed, with Madrid president Florentino Perez keen to take him to the Bernabeu, according to Marca.

It is believed that Perez has identified Gaya as a similar prospect to Sergio Ramos, who joined Los Blancos from Sevilla at the age of 19 back in 2005.

Gaya's contract at the Mestalla, which does not expire until 2018, has a release clause worth £14m.

AC Milan sign Salvatore Bocchetti

Spartak Moscow defender Salvatore Bocchetti has returned to Italian football with AC Milan.

The 28-year-old, who left Genoa for Russian side Rubin Kazan in 2010, has agreed to an initial six-month loan stint at the San Siro.

Bocchetti joined Spartak in March 2013, but he has struggled to secure regular starting opportunities this season, which has brought about the switch to Milan.

Bocchetti is the third player to have departed Spartak this month after Roman Shirokov and Tino Costa moved to FC Krasnodar and Genoa respectively.

Asier Illarramendi rejects Athletic Bilbao

Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi has reportedly turned down the chance to join Athletic Bilbao.

The 24-year-old, who arrived at the Bernabeu in 2013 from Bilbao's fierce rivals Real Sociedad, has struggled to establish himself within Carlo Ancelotti's starting lineup.

As a result, Los Blancos were prepared to sell the former Spanish youth international this winter to Bilbao for £19m, according to AS.

However, the report added that Illarramendi has rejected that opportunity, having instead opted to fight for his place.

It is believed that the defensive midfielder has decided to assess his options in the summer, with the Premier League a potential destination.

Roberto Martinez not looking for Samuel Eto'o replacement

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has insisted that he does not need to enter the transfer market this month to replace Samuel Eto'o.

Eto'o left Goodison Park to join Italian side Sampdoria earlier this week, having scored four goals in 20 appearances for the Toffees after joining in the summer.

Martinez feels that players returning from injury means that he has enough options within the squad to cope without signing a new striker before Monday's deadline.

He told the club's official website: "January is not the place to find solutions. Our moment of form, we want to change, but the solutions are in the squad.

"With Arouna Kone being fully fit, I see him as a replacement for Samuel's position and it is more about trying to get the players back from injury.

"Steven Pienaar and Leon Osman have been two players missing throughout the season, which has been disappointing because they are important in the way we want to play. Leon played in every single game last season and we miss what he brings. So I am looking around that."

Everton have failed to win any of their last eight Premier League matches and are 12th in the table.

Gareth Bale reiterates desire to stay at Real Madrid

Gareth Bale has reiterated his desire to stay at Real Madrid following recent reports linking him with a move back to the Premier League.

The Welshman has proved to be a success since moving to the Spanish capital in a record-breaking deal from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2013, but both Manchester United and Chelsea have been rumoured to be interested in bringing him back to England.

When asked if he would be open to leaving Madrid, Bale told Cadena SER: "For me, no. I've done an interview recently crushing the rumours that I'm not happy here. I've got four and a half more years to go on the contract.

"I feel like I'm doing well on the pitch, I score goals, give assists, play each game in my way, it's how I like it,' he said.

"Yeah, I feel happy, I feel the love from the crowd. I want to show them what I can do on the football pitch and win as many trophies as I can."

Bale has scored 36 goals in 72 appearances since moving to Real.

Ulloa upbeat ahead of Man Utd trip

Leonardo Ulloa has insisted that there is no reason why Leicester City can't complete the double over Manchester United when the two sides meet on Saturday.

The Foxes produced one of the most surprising results of the season when they recorded a 5-3 triumph over Louis van Gaal's side in September, but they have struggled to hit the same heights since.

However, Ulloa believes that Leicester can adopt a positive approach once again as they look to pick up all three points at Old Trafford.

"We are in a different situation now, but it's important for us to have confidence," the striker told reporters. "Even though we know it's difficult, we will go there with the mentality to win.

"We need to play with the same intensity. We must play strong because we know they always take the ball and we must defend well and use the counter-attack.

"They are not as good as in past seasons but we must press more there. Maybe we can get something from the game."

Leicester are currently bottom of the Premier League with 17 points from 22 games.

Danilo Pantic close to securing Chelsea move

Partizan midfielder Danilo Pantic has claimed that he is on the verge of completing a move to Chelsea.

The 18-year-old is seen as one of Serbia's most talented youngsters and he has already made 13 appearances in all competitions for Partizan this season.

However, his refusal to sign a professional deal with the club means that he could be available for a low compensation fee, and it appears that he will be a Chelsea player before Monday's deadline.

"In the situation we are now in, going to Chelsea would be the best solution for me and for Partizan," Pantic is quoted as saying by The Mirror

"I am not sure when I will be back in Belgrade, I believe in the next day or two, and a transfer should be done this week."

Chelsea are also believed to be eager to sign Fiorentina winger Juan Cuadrado before the end of the January transfer window.

Juan Mata: 'Manchester United have to perform consistently'

Juan Mata has reiterated the importance of Manchester United bouncing back to winning ways in order to get their battle for a Champions League spot back on track.

The Red Devils have endured an inconsistent run of late in the Premier League, winning just two of their last six games to see the gap on Arsenal close right up.

A goalless draw away at Cambridge United in the FA Cup did not help matters last week, and Mata admits that his side must quickly brush themselves down to stop their campaign unravelling at the worst possible moment.

"It's very important to get back on a good run of results - like we did in November and December," he is quoted as saying by the London Evening Standard.

"We are arriving at a crucial moment in the season. The last 10 or 15 games are probably the most important. We have to perform, we have to win and we have to get where we want to be."

United return to action this weekend when they play host to Leicester City.

David Ospina enjoying physical challenge in Premier League

Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina has revealed that he is enjoying testing himself against the physical challenges of playing in the Premier League.

Ospina is one of the shorter goalkeepers in the top flight at 6ft, but he has coped well in the early stages of his Gunners career and recently took Wojciech Szczesny's place in the side.

"English football is very direct. You have to be focused for the entire 90 minutes because you can score or concede at any moment," the Colombian told reporters.

"The football here is really physical and nobody wants to give an inch - that's what I think makes this great league so exciting and special."

Ospina will be looking to keep Szczesny on the bench when Arsenal meet Aston Villa on Sunday.

English clubs lead way in global transfer fees

England leads the way when it comes to spending on overseas players in the international transfer market, a new FIFA report has revealed.

A total of more than £770m was spent by English clubs on recruiting from abroad, which was 67 per cent - or £308m - more than nearest rivals Spain.

English clubs also remain the biggest spenders in the world on international transfers as a whole, making up more than a quarter of the £2.6b spent across the globe in the last calendar year.

Manchester United splashed out the biggest individual fee for a single player on these shores when bringing Angel di Maria to Old Trafford from Real Madrid for a British-record of £59.7m.

The figures, which are contained in the FIFA TMS Global Transfer Market 2015 report, also shows that Spain continues to be the biggest market for signing players under the age of 18 from abroad.

Elsewhere, Brazil is the most active country in terms of international transfers with 1,335 heading both ways in all, with England closing in on that tally boasting a total of 1,263 - up 193 on 2013.

Ulloa upbeat ahead of Man Utd trip

Leonardo Ulloa has insisted that there is no reason why Leicester City can't complete the double over Manchester United when the two sides meet on Saturday.

The Foxes produced one of the most surprising results of the season when they recorded a 5-3 triumph over Louis van Gaal's side in September, but they have struggled to hit the same heights since.

However, Ulloa believes that Leicester can adopt a positive approach once again as they look to pick up all three points at Old Trafford.

"We are in a different situation now, but it's important for us to have confidence," the striker told reporters. "Even though we know it's difficult, we will go there with the mentality to win.

"We need to play with the same intensity. We must play strong because we know they always take the ball and we must defend well and use the counter-attack.

"They are not as good as in past seasons but we must press more there. Maybe we can get something from the game."

Leicester are currently bottom of the Premier League with 17 points from 22 games.

Juan Mata: 'It is difficult to watch Champions League'

Manchester United attacking midfielder Juan Mata has admitted that he has found it painful to watch English clubs playing in the Champions League this season.

United finished seventh last season just a year after winning the title, and Mata claims that it is vital for Louis van Gaal's side to remain fully focused on finishing in the top four as they battle the likes of Southampton and Arsenal for a spot in Europe's elite club competition.

"It's difficult, every Tuesday and Wednesday watching the games on TV," the Spaniard revealed to members of the media.

"It's the thought that we all have in our minds that we need to be back in the Champions League - it's the most attractive competition in the world. We need to be there again.

"It is going to be a fight until the end and not just between two teams, it will be between three, four, five teams, that we are now in a short difference of points."

United return to action against Leicester City on Saturday afternoon.

Jose Mourinho defends Diego Costa 'stamps' in Liverpool victory

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has leapt to the defence of Diego Costa, insisting that his star striker did not intentionally stamp on an opponent during last night's victory over Liverpool.

The 26-year-old appeared to tread on Emre Can and Martin Skrtel during the clash at Stamford Bridge, with Reds boss Brendan Rodgers suggesting that the Spain international was lucky to avoid seeing a red card.

However, Mourinho has hit back at Costa's critics, claiming that there is a personal vendetta against Chelsea after they booked their place in the League Cup final.

"I don't know what you understand by stamp," he is quoted as saying by BT Sport. "I think maybe you are already influenced by... I'm going to use a word which put me in trouble but I think this time I cannot be punished to say that there is a campaign on the television with a certain pundit that is saying Diego Costa 'crimes'.

"This guy must be nuts. I saw the incidents. What you call stamps and Sky calls crimes, I have to say absolutely accidental. He goes to the ball, he chases the ball, as the opponent is on the floor, they have a contact, he puts his foot there when he's looking to the ball. Great campaign. We know how much that pundit loves Chelsea and particularly loves me.

"When you are there and you are paid and you are very well paid - much more than some managers that have to put their ass, every 90 minutes, every weekend on the bench. These guys, they have a very good seat, very good money, no pressure. They are always right. They never lose, they always win, but they have to be fair and they have to be honest."

Chelsea will meet either Sheffield United or Tottenham Hotspur in the Wembley final, with the two sides set to do battle this evening.

Brendan Rodgers: 'The best team lost'

Brendan Rodgers has rued missed opportunities after his Liverpool side bowed out of the League Cup following defeat to Chelsea in their semi-final tie.

Branislav Ivanovic rose highest to nod home the winner in the fourth minute of extra time as the Blues won 1-0 - 2-1 on aggregate - to book a spot at Wembley.

Having made a string of impressive saves at Anfield last week, Chelsea goalkeeper Thiabut Courtois was busy again tonight, and Rodgers says that the Belgian made the difference over both legs.

"I thought they were outstanding. Over the course of two legs we were the better team," he told Sky Sports News.

"We had good opportunities to score but didn't score. I feel nothing but pride really because the players gave everything.

"I thought we had a number of opportunities - Raheem Sterling, Philippe Coutinho. If you assess it over two legs their goalkeeper has won them the tie. He is a world-class keeper."

Jose Mourinho's side will face either Tottenham Hotspur or Sheffield United in the final, with Spurs leading 1-0 heading into the second leg at Bramall Lane tomorrow.