Goal Zone

Friday, July 10, 2015

Marco van Ginkel joins Stoke City on loan

Chelsea midfielder Marco van Ginkel has moved to Stoke City on a season-long loan.

The 22-year-old joined the Blues from Vitesse two seasons ago, but he struggled to break into manager Jose Mourinho's plans.

He made two Premier League appearances in his first season at the club, before being sent out on loan to AC Milan for the last campaign.

"Marco is the kind of player we have been looking to bring to the Club," Stoke manager Mark Hughes told the club's official website. "He will bring great energy to the side and is capable of scoring goals from midfield, as he showed during his time with Vitesse.

"I'm looking forward to him linking up with the squad in Singapore and getting the chance to work with him on the training ground and see him in action in the Barclays Asia Trophy."

Van Ginkel scored once in 17 Serie A games for Milan last season.

Stoke City complete Shay Given signing

Stoke City have completed the signing of goalkeeper Shay Given from Aston Villa.

The 39-year-old has inked a two-year deal with the Potters, after being released from his contract by the Villans.

"I know Shay particularly well from our time together at Manchester City and I'm really looking forward to working with him again," Stoke manager Mark Hughes told the club's official website.

"He will not only be a great asset on the pitch as an outstanding goalkeeper but he's also a fantastic character to have in the dressing room and around the club – a true professional."

Given made 10 appearances for Villa last season.

Aston Villa announce Idrissa Gueye capture

Aston Villa have announced that midfielder Idrissa Gueye has joined the club from French side Lille.

The Senegal international has signed a four-year contract with the side for an undisclosed fee, and will join up with the squad once he has received his visa.

Manager Tim Sherwood told Villa's website: "I'm really pleased to have brought Idrissa on board. He's been one of the best young midfielders in France for the last few seasons and there were a lot of teams trying to sign him this summer.

"I believe we are signing a player who is hungry to succeed, is entering what should be his best years and is perfectly suited to the Premier League."

Gueye scored four goals in 40 appearances for Lille last season.

Louis van Gaal: 'Matteo Darmian will have Manchester United medical'

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has confirmed that Matteo Darmian will undergo a medical ahead of a £12.9m move from Torino.

The 25-year-old himself announced earlier today that a switch was close to being completed, with the finishing touches now being put in place.

In terms of outgoing movement, however, Van Gaal revealed that Robin van Persie's proposed transfer to Fenerbahce is not yet complete.

"When we feel we can say that he is going, we will. We don't have that feeling yet," he is quoted as saying by BBC Sport. "I said at the end of the season that buying and selling players is a process.

"The process lasts until 1 September. I find it ridiculous the transfer period is so long. I have said that many times. But we are on track."

United have already brought in Memphis Depay on a £31m deal from PSV Eindhoven this summer.

Bastian Schweinsteiger agrees three-year Manchester United deal

Bastian Schweinsteiger has reportedly accepted a three-year contract worth £7.2m a year with Manchester United.

The German international, who has just one season left on his current deal with Bayern Munich, has been heavily linked with a move to Louis van Gaal's side this summer.

According to German publication Bild, the 30-year-old has told the Bundesliga champions that he has agreed a deal with the Premier League side, and is preparing to fly to England for a medical and to sign a contract.

However, the report adds that the two clubs are yet to agree a price for Schweinsteiger, with Bayern understood to value to player at £15m.

Tottenham Hotspur reject bid for Vlad Chiriches

Galatasaray have failed with a £3.6m offer for Tottenham Hotspur defender Vlad Chiriches, according to reports.

The 25-year-old moved joined Mauricio Pochettino's side from Steaua Bucuresti for £8.5m in 2013.

However, the Romanian international has fallen down the pecking order at White Hart Lane and will be allowed to leave this summer if a club meets Spurs' £5m asking price, reports Eurosport.

Chiriches, who has 32 caps for his country, made just 10 Premier League appearances for Spurs last season.

Glen Johnson 'undergoing Stoke City medical'

Former Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson is reportedly closing in on a move to Stoke City.

The 30-year-old left Anfield at the end of last season following a six-year stint at the club.

It has previously been suggested that both West Ham United and Stoke were in the running to land Johnson, but Sky Sports News claims that the Englishman favours a move to the Potters.

Johnson is said to be undergoing a medical this evening, before terms of a proposed three-year contract are agreed.

Stoke face Liverpool on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season.

Manchester United's Victor Valdes rejects Valencia offer

Victor Valdes has reportedly turned down the opportunity to sign for Valencia.

Following a spell on the sidelines with a cruciate knee ligament injury, the goalkeeper joined Manchester United on an 18-month contract back in January.

However, he only featured towards the end of the season due to an injury to number one goalkeeper David de Gea.

Los Che had offered the 33-year-old the chance to play regular football, but having considered the proposal, he has decided to continue his career at Old Trafford, according to AS.

Valdes has made just two appearances for the Red Devils, during which he kept one clean sheet.

Jose Mourinho agrees new Chelsea deal

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly agreed a new four-year contract with the Premier League champions.

The 52-year-old's current deal at Stamford Bridge is due to expire in 2017.

Mourinho returned to the club in 2013 before guiding the Blues to the Premier League title and League Cup crown last season.

Chelsea are expected to confirm the Portuguese's contract extension before the start of the new campaign, according to the Evening Standard.

Mourinho, whose previous clubs include Porto, Inter Milan and Real Madrid, will remain on his £8.5m-per-year salary.

Chelsea will begin the defence of their league title on August 8 when they host Swansea City.

Thiago Silva too expensive for AC Milan

Thiago Silva's agent has claimed that the Paris Saint-Germain defender is too expensive for AC Milan to have a chance of re-signing him this summer.

The Brazilian centre-back left San Siro to join PSG in 2012, and despite indicating that the 30-year-old would be open to returning to Milan in the future, Paulo Tonietto has played down rumours linking Silva with his former employers.

"One day Thiago could return to Fluminense as well as Milan, and he would like to, but at the moment there is not the slightest chance that he could change club," Tonietto told MilanNews.it.

"At the moment he costs too much, he has a contract until 2018 and a very high salary. Milan couldn't pay him because they have a policy about their wages.

"Thiago Silva is doing very well at PSG and there's no chance of him changing clubs, he's too expensive for Milan."

Reports have suggested that Milan are also considering a move for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.

Millennium Stadium to host 2017 Champions League final

UEFA has confirmed that the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff has been chosen to host the 2017 Champions League final.

The decision was taken at Monday's UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Prague.

It will be the first time that Wales has hosted the final of Europe's elite club competition.

A UEFA trophy has been decided in the Welsh capital before, though, with Real Madrid's victory over Sevilla in the 2014 Super Cup being played at the Cardiff City Stadium last August.

The Millennium Stadium has hosted several major cup finals since it was opened in 1999, including six FA Cup finals and seven League Cup finals, during Wembley's redevelopment in the 2000s.

The final of the Champions League was last hosted on British soil at Wembley in 2013.

Franz Beckenbauer: 'Mario Gotze needs to improve'

Bayern Munich legend Franz Beckenbauer has warned Mario Gotze that he must improve his form if he is to be considered a success at the club.

Despite playing regularly under Pep Guardiola, Gotze was often criticised by his own supporters last season and the World Cup winner's agent recently suggested that he did not receive enough support from Bayern.

However, Beckenbauer believes that the pressure is on the 23-year-old to prove his worth as he looks to finally silence his doubters.

"I don't know whether Mario is lacking support at Bayern," Beckenbauer told TZ. "He could not have had a better team around him than here at Bayern in the past two seasons. I don't know what kind of support he would need.

"The player himself is responsible for his own performances.

"If he wants to succeed at Bayern and really make an impact in his third season, he might have to change his game. He has to do more, especially in the one-on-ones. You have to offer more at this level."

Gotze made 48 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring 15 goals.

Lionel Messi contemplating international sabbatical

Lionel Messi has reportedly given some consideration to taking a break from international football.

It is believed that the Argentina attacker has been hurt by the criticism in his homeland of his recent performances at the Copa America, where La Albiceleste were defeated in the final by hosts Chile.

As a result, the Barcelona talisman could withdraw his services for upcoming friendlies and World Cup qualifying encounters, according to Ole.

The report adds that the 28-year-old took a similar decision following the conclusion of the 2006 World Cup, although his sabbatical lasted just one match.

To date, Messi has scored 46 goals from his 103 caps.

Inter Milan to use Xherdan Shaqiri in move for Ivan Perisic

Inter Milan have reportedly explored the possibility of using Xherdan Shaqiri in a deal to bring Wolfsburg winger Ivan Perisic to San Siro.

Recent reports have suggested that Inter are keen to complete a deal for Perisic this summer, with the possibility of a season-long loan being followed by a permanent move next year.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter have fallen short of Wolfsburg's valuation for the Croatian, but they could include Shaqiri in the bid to keep the Bundesliga club interested.

Stoke City were reported to have had a bid accepted for the Swiss midfielder but it remains unclear whether he is open to moving to the Britannia Stadium.

Shaqiri joined Inter from Bayern Munich in January.

Bayern Munich to offer Thomas Muller, Arjen Robben for Angel di Maria

Bayern Munich are reportedly considering offering Manchester United Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben in a deal that would result in Angel di Maria moving to the Allianz Arena.

The Argentine struggled to hit top form last season and scored just three Premier League goals after joining the Red Devils from Real Madrid for £59.7m in 2014.

Despite the 27-year-old's form in England, Bayern boss Pep Guardiola is believed to be keen to bring Di Maria to Germany.

According to the Daily Mail, the Bundesliga giants are prepared to hand over Muller, Robben and cash to United, who have also enquired about Bastian Schweinsteiger.

The North-West outfit have secured just one signing so far this summer; Memphis Depay officially joined the club from PSV Eindhoven earlier this month.

Friday, July 10, 2015

Wednesday, July 08, 2015