Goal Zone

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Benitez 'to reject West Ham for Real Madrid move'

Rafael Benitez will reportedly turn down any approach from West Ham United to take over as manager this summer, and will instead hold out for the Real Madrid job.

The Spaniard was seen as one of the leading contenders to replace Sam Allardyce at Upton Park, should the Hammers opt to sack their boss of four years in the coming weeks.

However, Sky Sport Italia claims that Benitez, who is out of contract at Napoli at the end of the season, is not interested in the West Ham job.

It is also suggested that the former Liverpool and Chelsea manager is favourite to replace under pressure Carlo Ancelotti at Madrid, after the Italian failed to land any silverware this term.

Allardyce's own future is expected to be resolved during a board meeting next Monday.

"Join Arsenal" - Thierry Henry tells Raheem Sterling

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has admitted that he would love to see wantaway Liverpool star Raheem Sterling join his former club this summer.

Sterling, 20, is expected to leave Anfield after being booed at the Reds' end-of-season awards recently, having reportedly told the club that he wants to leave.

The Gunners, along with Manchester City, have been linked with a move for the London-born winger, and Henry hopes to see him in the North of the capital come September.

"He's a great product for Liverpool and he's going to be a great product for England," the Frenchman told Sky Sports News.

"I would be more than happy to see him play for Arsenal but he's still a Liverpool player. We all know he's a Londoner, and we know Arsene [Wenger] is interested in him."

Sterling has another two years on his Liverpool contract.

Pochettino to keep Lamela

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly made it clear that he wants to keep Erik Lamela at the club.

Lamela has struggled to find his best form since joining Spurs for a club-record fee in the summer of 2013, and Atletico Madrid were recently linked with a move for the Argentine.

However, The Mirror claims that Pochettino believes the attacking midfielder has a future at the club and he has told chairman Daniel Levy he does not want to see him sold.

Much of the club's business this summer is likely to involve the departures of players who joined in 2013, with Paulinho, Etienne Capoue and Roberto Soldado among the players expected to leave White Hart Lane.

Spurs finish the season against Everton on Sunday afternoon.

Xavi confirms Barcelona departure at the end of the season

Xavi has announced that he will leave Barcelona at the end of the season following an illustrious 17-year career.

The Spaniard, who has won 23 trophies during his time at the Camp Nou, has confirmed that he will join Qatari outfit Al Sadd on a short-term deal.

In today's press conference, the 35-year-old said: "The decision is definitive yet difficult. I'm happy to have stayed at Barca this year. It was tough to make a decision. I want to thank the fans. They've been great to me."

Xavi, who has expressed an interest to return to the Spanish giants in some capacity one day in the future, has won eight league titles and three Champions League trophies with Barca.

The midfielder made his senior debut in 1998 and has gone on to make more than 750 appearances and become one of the most influential players at the club in the last decade.

Xavi could add two more trophies to his list of achievements as the Copa del Rey final and Champions League final are due to be his last games for the club.

Chelsea want Walcott or Chamberlain in Cech deal

Arsenal have reportedly been told that they must offer either Theo Walcott or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Chelsea if they are to land Petr Cech this summer.

The Blues stopper will leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season following 11 years' service, having slipped down the pecking order since Thibaut Courtois returned from his Atletico Madrid loan spell.

Cech's agent Viktor Kolar revealed earlier this week that Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United are all in the running to land the Czech's signature, although The Sun claims that the Gunners remain favourites.

However, the same report also suggests that the North London club will have to part company with Walcott or Oxlade-Chamberlain, with Jose Mourinho said to be keen on adding some width to his side.

"Arsene Wenger wants a top keeper from us," a Chelsea source told the publication. "Well, in exchange we want Walcott or Oxlade-Chamberlain.

"They may not be in the Arsenal team but we are convinced Jose Mourinho could make them into top players again."

Cech has one more year left to run on his current deal.

Arjen Robben close in on new Bayern Munich deal

Arjen Robben has hinted that he could sign a new contract with Bayern Munich.

The Dutchman was the key man in Pep Guardiola's side for much of the season before injury prevented him from facing Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals.

Robben currently has two years remaining on his deal at the Allianz Arena, but he believes that an extension is a possibility.

"Maybe I will stay here longer than 2017. I missed some time due to my injuries and that will be added at the end. Maybe I can play for four or five more years. I am optimistic," he told reporters.

Bayern finish the season against Mainz 05 on Saturday afternoon.

'£35m or nothing for Lacazette' - Lyon warn Manchester City and PSG

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has warned that Alexandre Lacazette's suitors need to cough up a minimum £35m in order to sign the striker this summer.

The 23-year-old has emerged as one of Europe's hottest hitmen after netting 27 times in 33 Ligue 1 outings this season, resulting in speculation linking him to Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.

"We will do everything within our powers to hold on to Alexandre," he told Canal+. "You never have any certainties in football, but we are determined to keep him here.

"A transfer fee of €50m [£35m] would not be enough for an attacker like him. He is priceless.

"PSG? I have never spoken with Nasser Al Khelaifi about Alexandre. And I never get the impression PSG want him whenever I speak with Laurent Blanc."

The France international has another three years to run on his contract at Stade de Gerland.

Manchester United to use Ryan Giggs to lure Gareth Bale

Manchester United are reportedly using assistant manager Ryan Giggs to help persuade Gareth Bale to move to Old Trafford this summer following a disappointing season at Real Madrid.

The 25-year-old is coming to the end of his second season at the Bernabeu, but rumours suggest that the player wants to leave already.

Bale became the most expensive footballer in history when Real paid Tottenham Hotspur £85m for his services in the summer of 2013.

This season, Bale has struggled to get the majority of supporters on side and due to a dip in form, there are suggestions that the La Liga giants will sell if they can recoup some of their investment.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, United are prepared to spend big money on Bale and they have called on the player's fellow Welshman Giggs to help convince him that Old Trafford is the right place for him.

The report also claims that Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett met Real president Florentino Perez on Wednesday to discuss his client's future.

Liverpool's Alberto Moreno admits he loves the Europa League

Liverpool full-back Alberto Moreno has insisted that players should want to compete in the Europa League rather than avoid it.

There is somewhat of a stigma attached to the second-tiered European competition as many clubs feel that the hectic schedule and travel demands affect the domestic side of their seasons.

Liverpool are expected to qualify for the group stages of the tournament as they are currently fifth in the Premier League table with one game left to play, and Moreno insists that he will play in the competition with pride.

Moreno won the trophy with former club Sevilla last season when they sealed a 4-2 victory on penalties over Benfica in Turin.

"I'm a big fan of the Europa League," Moreno told the Liverpool Echo. "You know I can go home and look at my medal in my trophy cabinet at home which I've already won, I love it.

"For any player and any fan, winning any trophy, not least at a European level, is absolutely something positive. We always want to win trophies, let's face it, and I enjoyed it when we won."

Liverpool's final game of the season is away to Stoke City on Sunday.

Otamendi agrees to join Manchester United

Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi has reportedly agreed a deal to join Manchester United when the transfer window opens in the summer.

United are believed to be preparing for a busy summer of transfer activity, and bringing a central defender to the club is expected to be a priority for Louis van Gaal, who has not settled on a regular defensive pairing this season.

According to Argentine newspaper Diario Ole, Otamendi has agreed terms with the club and an announcement from the two sides should arrive after the Copa America.

Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels was previously rumoured to be United's top defensive target, but reports have suggested that he will stay in Germany for at least another season.

Koke: 'I want to be Atletico's Steven Gerrard'

Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke has admitted that he wants to build a legacy at the club, much like Steven Gerrard at Liverpool.

The Spaniard has been linked with Chelsea and Manchester United in recent months, but the 22-year-old has made no secret of his desire to stay at the Vicente Calderon.

The midfielder made his senior debut in 2009 after coming through the ranks at Atletico, and Koke is hopeful that he can mirror the loyalty that Gerrard has shown to Liverpool.

"I have a contract with Atletico, I want to accomplish things and I am happy here," FourFourTwo magazine quotes Koke as saying. "Of course I'd like to be Atleti's Gerrard."

Gerrard, who joined Liverpool when he was eight years old, will leave Liverpool this summer to join MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy.

Manchester City consider £20m Saido Berahino bid

Manchester City are reportedly planning to launch a bid for West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino this summer.

The former Premier League champions are believed to be keen to strengthen the number of homegrown talent among their ranks.

An approach for Berahino has been mooted in recent weeks, and according to the Daily Star, City are going to test West Brom's resolve with a £20m offer.

The England Under-21 international, who has reportedly been offered a new deal at The Hawthorns, claimed in February that he wants to one day move to a bigger club.

City have also been linked with Liverpool star Raheem Sterling, who is believed to be considering leaving Anfield this summer.

Mourinho denies Real rumors

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho denies reports Real Madrid have offered him a return

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has rejected reports that Real Madrid recently offered him the chance to return to the Bernabeu as Carlo Ancelotti's replacement.

The Portuguese coach, who left Madrid in 2013 following a three-year spell at the club, is believed to have recently been contacted by the Spanish giants.

Ancelotti remains in charge at the Bernabeu, but due to the club's failure to beat Barcelona to the La Liga title and their Champions League semi-final exit, there have been rumblings that the Italian will be sacked.

Mourinho has confirmed that he has spoken to Real president Florentino Perez, but has insisted that the conversation was centred around the club's basketball team, not about a possible return to the Bernabeu.

"It is not true [that he sounded me out]," Mourinho told Marca. "The reality is that I called the president to congratulate him on the the title won by the basketball section of the club.

"I know all too well what this success means for him, for Jose Angel Sanchez and Javi Coll. That is why I was so pleased and I wanted to congratulate him."

Mourinho guided Chelsea to the Premier League title earlier this month when they had three games to spare.

Unsettled Cristiano Ronaldo hands Manchester United huge transfer boost

Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is unsettled at the Bernabeu following a trophy less campaign and wants a move away, according to a report.

The three-time world player of the year is said to be seeking a return to former club Manchester United, who have been repeatedly linked with the Portuguese ace over the past couple of summers.

Spanish publication Marca claims that Ronaldo, who has also been tipped with a switch to Paris Saint-Germain, is disappointed to have gone a whole campaign without winning any silverware, despite another stellar personal campaign.

It is suggested that United have now been put on red alert, and could potentially make a big-money approach at the end of the season.

The Red Devils have also been strongly linked with a move for another Madrid forward in Gareth Bale.

Michael Zorc: 'Mats Hummels will stay at Borussia Dortmund'

Mats Hummels has rejected the chance to join Manchester United in favor staying at Manchester United, according to club sporting director Michael Zorc.

United were believed to be preparing an official move for the German defender after months of speculation as they bid to improve their defensive options ahead of a return to the Champions league.

However, Zorc claims that Hummels will still be at Dortmund next season as the Bundesliga club prepare for the arrival of Thomas Tuchel, who will replace outgoing boss Jurgen Klopp in the summer.

"It made sense that Mats was thinking about his future, but I always pointed out that we plan [for the future] with him," he told Kicker, who have reported that Hummels told Zorc he will stay for at least another season.

Reports have suggested that United are close to completing a deal to sign Valencia's Nicolas Otamendi as their search for a central defender continues.