Goal Zone

Wednesday, July 08, 2015

Alexis Sanchez to miss start of new Premier League season

Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez will miss the beginning of the Premier League season due to his presence at the Copa America, according to reports.

The 26-year-old helped Chile win their first ever Copa America title over the weekend, and he is now starting his summer holiday.

The Telegraph reports that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger plans to manage Sanchez carefully in the opening few weeks of the new campaign, in a similar way to how he treated German World Cup winners Per Mertesacker, Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski last year.

Arsenal are due back in pre-season training this week, but Sanchez has been given three weeks off and is unlikely to feature against Chelsea in the Community Shield on August 2.

The Gunners start their Premier League campaign against West Ham United a week later.

Manchester United agree personal terms for Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos

Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, according to reports.

The 29-year-old's future at the Bernabeu is currently is in doubt after he allegedly told the club's hierarchy that he is keen to leave.

According to The Metro, the Red Devils have agreed personal terms with the Spain international for a five-year contract worth £39m.

Ramos joined the 2013 Champions League winners from Sevilla in 2005.

AC Milan plan Ilkay Gundogan move

AC Milan have reportedly emerged as surprise contenders to make a move for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.

The confirmation of Gundogan's decision to extend his Dortmund contract only arrived last week after months of speculation suggested that the Germany international was being targeted by the likes of Manchester United, Barcelona and Arsenal.

However, La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that the 24-year-old remains unsure about his future with the club and that AC Milan are considering matching Dortmund's €25m (£17.7m) valuation.

According to the report, Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani could launch the bid soon as the club look to add experience to their midfield following a frustrating campaign.

Gundogan's new deal with Dortmund expires in 2017.

Manchester United agree Matteo Darmian deal

Manchester United have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Italy defender Matteo Darmian from Torino.

The 25-year-old has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, with reports over the weekend suggesting that the Red Devils had tabled a £14m bid for the full-back.

Darmian, who can play anywhere across defence, is also said to be a target for Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Napoli.

He joined Torino in August 2012 following spells with Palermo and AC Milan.

According to BBC Radio Manchester, United have agreed terms with Darmian, who would cost them a fee in the region of £14m.

Darmian made 44 appearances for Torino in all competitions last season.

Real Madrid plot Zlatan Ibrahimovic move

Real Madrid have reportedly declared their interest in signing Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

President Florentino Perez was recently pictured in Qatar, where it is believed that he discussed the Swedish international's future with PSG's owners.

According to Sport, Perez was informed that the former Barcelona centre-forward, who has just 12 months left to run on his contract at the Parc des Princes, was available.

The report adds that PSG are prepared to part with the 33-year-old to ease the club's wage bill.

During his stint with Madrid's rivals Barca, Ibrahimovic scored 22 goals in 46 outings.

Arda Turan could return to Atletico before July 20th: Everything you need to know about Barcelona's new signing

Barcelona have signed Arda Turan from Atletico Madrid for a reported fee of €34m despite currently having a transfer ban imposed on them.

However, the surreal nature of this transfer doesn’t end there – oh no. The recently crowned treble winners are currently in the midst of a presidential election and with no one quite knowing who is going to come out on top on July 18th, a deal has been put in place that allows Barcelona to sell Arda Turan back to Atletico Madrid before July 20th if the victorious president doesn’t want him.

Wait, there’s more. If said president does trigger this clause in the deal it will come at a price. The 2013/14 La Liga champions confirmed earlier that should the player return to the Vicente Calderon next season, he will do so for 90% of the original fee Barcelona paid (€34m).

This might seem careless by the Catalan giants, but it could prove to be a wise move. Arda has been heavily linked with both Man United and Chelsea in recent weeks, and if Barcelona waited until after their presidential elections finish then they run the risk of losing out on one of their prime transfer targets.

To cut a long story short (a bit late for that now, isn’t it?), Barcelona seem to have put a 10% deposit down on Arda Turan – stopping other clubs from negotiating and possibly luring him to the Premier League.

Even then, what president would be foolish enough not to want the Turkey international at their club?

It’s safe to say, he’ll be a Barcelona player next season but will not be able to play until January 2016.

Dangote reveals reasons behind interest to buy Arsenal

Aliko Dangote, the Nigerian billionaire who recently declared an interest in buying Arsenal, has revealed the reasons behind his designs on the north London club.

The 58-year-old business mogul believes that buying a Premier League team will help to raise the profile of his home country. Dangote had been criticised by some people in Nigeria for not investing the domestic league there, but he thinks that the Gunners represent a better project.

'The issue is that if I buy all the Nigerian clubs, the Nigerian flags will continue to remain here,' Dangote told Forbes.

He added, 'Buying Arsenal will take the Nigerian flag worldwide. Just like whenever (Chelsea owner) Roman Abramovich is mentioned, the name of his country comes up. Everyone knows he's Russian.'

Dangote amassed his fortune by becoming the majority shareholder in giant cement, flour and sugar companies and currently supplies 90 per cent of Nigeria's 170million population.

Dangote's business empire also extends to oil and he is building a private refinery in one of the country's jungle swamps due for completion in 2018.

Five years ago, Dangote attempted to buy a small stake in Arsenal but was rebuffed. He tried to take over the 15 per cent owned by Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith who eventually sold Stan Kroenke.

Lucas Leiva: 'Liverpool need to start season well to achieve top-four ambitions'

Lucas Leiva has insisted that getting off to a winning start is crucial for Liverpool if they want to achieve their ambition of finishing the season in the top four of the Premier League.

Brendan Rodgers's side hoped to achieve a Champions League spot in the 2014-15 campaign, but they eventually finished sixth.

The Reds face a tough start, with visits to Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Manchester City within their first seven away fixtures of the campaign.

"I think the important thing for us is to start the season well," Lucas told the club's official website. "We didn't last year, which cost us probably.

"The second part of the season we played well and we won a lot of games but the beginning of the season wasn't good enough. With the new signings as well, it's always exciting but we just need to see how the group develops in pre-season and start on the front foot.

"Our first seven away games are hard and we will have to start well otherwise by December we won't be in a good position."

In terms of new signings, Liverpool have added James Milner, Danny Ings, Adam Bogdan, Joe Gomez, Roberto Firmino and Nathaniel Clyne so far this summer.

Liverpool confirm Sean O'Driscoll as assistant manager

Liverpool have confirmed that they have appointed Sean O'Driscoll as their new assistant manager.

The 58-year-old has left his position as England Under-19s boss to become part of Brendan Rodgers's backroom staff at Anfield.

The Reds had been without an assistant since dismissing Colin Pascoe last month.

"I am excited to be joining one of the world's most iconic football clubs," O'Driscoll told Liverpool's official website.

"The hallmark of any successful club is its culture and that comes from the people who work there, from the chief executive and first-team manager to those people behind the scenes whose faces may not be known but who are the lifeblood of the club.

"From the moment I drove into Melwood last week and was greeted by Kenny the gateman, I could not have been made to feel more welcome. If you are going to have any level of success these people are as crucial as the players; from my experiences so far it is clear everyone wants to help this club succeed."

Rodgers has also appointed Pepijn Lijnders to the newly-created role of first-team development coach, following a 12-month stint at the Liverpool academy.

Liverpool to meet Christian Benteke's £32.5m buyout clause this week

Liverpool appear to be edging closer to signing Christian Benteke from Aston Villa as they have reportedly planned to trigger the striker's £32.5m buyout clause this week.

Manager Brendan Rodgers is believed to be keen to add a striker to his squad this summer after Luis Suarez's replacements Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert failed to deliver last season.

Benteke has been linked with a switch to Anfield in the last couple of months, and according to The Express, the Merseyside outfit will officially make their move this week.

Recent reports have stated that the Reds were put off by the expensive buyout fee, but now it appears that a decision has been made regarding Benteke, who is believed to have rejected a move to Tottenham Hotspur in favour of a switch to Anfield.

The 24-year-old has scored 49 goals in 101 appearances for Villa.

David de Gea 'to knock back Manchester United's latest contract offer'

David de Gea will reportedly turn down Manchester United's latest contract offer as he still holds a desire to sign for Real Madrid this summer.

The Spaniard has been heavily linked with a return to his homeland, but United are believed to be standing firm in negotiations with the La Liga giants.

Reports have suggested that the Red Devils will only allow De Gea to move to the Bernabeu if Sergio Ramos is included in the deal.

According to Cadena Cope, while United are making it difficult for Madrid to get their hands on the 24-year-old shot-stopper, the player himself has not been persuaded to sign fresh terms at Old Trafford.

De Gea will return to the Premier League club today for pre-season training.

Toby Alderweireld 'to undergo Tottenham Hotspur medical in London today'

Toby Alderweireld will reportedly have a medical in London today ahead of a proposed move to Tottenham Hotspur.

An £11m fee is believed to have been agreed between Spurs and the defender's club Atletico Madrid.

There have been concerns that the deal could be put on hold due to a legal dispute between the Spanish club and Southampton, who signed Alderweireld on loan last season.

The Saints reportedly had a clause in the loan agreement which stated that Alderweireld could be bought for £6.8m unless Atletico scrap it by paying a £1.5m fee, which Southampton argue has not been paid.

However, it appears as though the Belgian's switch to White Hart Lane remains on the cards as Het Laatste Niewus journalist Kristof Terreur has claimed that a medical has been booked in for today.

Chelsea have also been linked with a move for the 26-year-old.

Cristiano Ronaldo unhappy with questions about Real Madrid contract

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo recently ended an interview abruptly after he was asked questions about his contract situation.

The 30-year-old discussed the arrival of new head coach Rafael Benitez with SNTV, but decided to walk away when he was asked for his thoughts about the future when his contract ends in 2018.

According to Marca, after storming out of the interview, Ronaldo told his entourage: "You're the ones who ought to do this, man. You have to tell them, 'wrap it up, wrap it up.' I'm being made to look stupid in front of people. I know when I have to stop."

The 30-year-old joined the Spanish giants from Manchester United in 2009 for a then-world record fee of £80m.

Nigeria sack Stephen Keshi

The Nigeria Football Federation has terminated the appointment of Stephen Keshi as Head Coach of the Senior National Football Team, Super Eagles.

A statement by the NFF Executive Committee on Saturday said this decision was made, “having thoroughly reviewed the reports/findings of the NFF Disciplinary Committee and NFF Technical and Development Committee, as well as having reviewed the actions and inactions of Mr. Stephen Keshi, in the performance of his duties as Super Eagles’ Head Coach, which we found to lack the required commitment to achieve the Federation’s objectives as set out in the Coach’s employment contract.”

The statement went further: “To this end and pursuant to the provisions of Clause 4.3 of the Employment Contract between Mr. Stephen Keshi and the NFF (The Contract) and the various clauses therein, the Nigeria Football Federation has decided to exercise its option to summarily terminate the employment contract of Mr. Stephen Keshi with the Federation with immediate effect.”

It added that the termination was “without prejudice to the settlement of any existing and due financial obligations between the NFF and Mr. Keshi.”

NFF 1st Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, speaking on behalf of the entire Executive Committee of NFF, assured Nigerians that the decision was not taken lightly or with any prejudice, but in the ultimate interest of Nigeria football. He thanked Mr. Keshi for his services to the country and wished him the very best in his future endeavours.

“In the interim, the Super Eagles’ team affairs will be jointly managed by Assistant Coach, Salisu Yusuf and the Technical Directorate of the NFF headed by Coach Shuaibu Amodu, until the Federation names in due course a new Head Coach, who, along with the NFF will chart a new direction for the Super Eagles to ensure credible participation in international competitions and assist in building a sustainable football culture for the country,” said Akinwunmi.

Marcos Rojo: 'Angel di Maria is as good as Lionel Messi on his day'

Marcos Rojo has claimed that his Manchester United teammate Angel di Maria is as good as Lionel Messi when he is performing at his best.

Di Maria had an underwhelming first season with the Red Devils following his record £59.7m move from Real Madrid.

However, Rojo has insisted that the 27-year-old's struggles were down to adjusting to life in the Premier League and has backed him to rediscover his peak form next season.

He told reporters: "People forget Di Maria last season was adapting to a new league. They just saw a big transfer fee, and maybe didn't think about England being very different from Spain – it's a lot more physical.

"He's one of the best in the world and on his day can do things like Messi and Ronaldo, that's the level he's on. I'm sure this coming season we will see very special things from him."

Rojo and Di Maria are part of the Argentina squad that will play Chile in the Copa America final on Saturday.