Goal Zone

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Bayern Munich confirm Bastian Schweinsteiger move to Manchester United

Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed that an agreement has been reached with Manchester United for the transfer of Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Rummenigge said at a press conference this afternoon that Bayern had regretfully agreed to let the German international leave for Old Trafford because he wants a fresh challenge at the age of 30.

"We tried to convince him to stay with Bayern Munich," said Rummenigge. "But I also understand that a player who has been at Bayern for 17 years, at the end of his career still wants to gain a new experience."

United then confirmed the deal on their website, saying that the move would be officially completed once personal terms had been agreed and a medical completed.

It is believed that the fee United will pay for the central midfielder is around £14m and that he will sign a three-year contract with the Premier League side.

Schweinsteiger, who will link up with former manager Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford, will become the Red Devils' second signing of the summer after the arrival of Memphis Depay from PSV Eindhoven.

Barcelona cut Pedro release clause to £21m

Barcelona winger Pedro has had his release clause cut to £21m, according to reports.

The Spaniard signed a new contract in June which included a £107m release clause, but Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo claim that it has now been cut.

This could alert Premier League clubs Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool, who have all been linked with a move for the 27-year-old.

Pedro has reportedly knocked back advances from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

Bayern Munich rule out Thomas Muller sale

Bayern Munich have insisted that Thomas Muller will not be joining Manchester United following reports linking the winger with a move to Old Trafford.

Louis van Gaal's side have already brought in midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger from the German champions, subject to a medical.

Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told Sport 1: "Bastian's was a very special situation. I can reassure all the fans, we will not be selling another player to Manchester United.

"We have never received an offer for Thomas Muller. I won't hide the fact that I'm wistful. I regret it. We tried to convince [Schweinsteiger] to stay with Bayern, but I can also understand a player seeking to gain new experience at the end of his career."

Muller previously spent two years playing under Van Gaal during the Dutchman's spell as Bayern manager from 2009 to 2011.

Manchester United plan Christian Benteke swoop

Manchester United will reportedly try to beat Liverpool to the signing of Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke.

The Belgian international has been linked with a move to the Reds, who are understood to be planning to use the cash from the expected sale of Raheem Sterling to secure the forward.

However, The Sun now reports that Louis van Gaal's side are willing to meet the £32.5m release clause in Benteke's contract, which is thought to be more than Liverpool are willing to pay.

United are short of strikers following Robin van Persie's move to Fenerbahce.

Benteke scored 16 goals in 35 appearances for Villa last season.

Everton prepare Xherdan Shaqiri bid

Everton will reportedly make a bid for Inter Milan winger Xherdan Shaqiri after he failed to complete a move to Stoke City.

The Potters are believed to have had an offer for the Swiss international accepted last month, but could not agree personal terms with the 23-year-old, who only joined the Serie A side in January.

Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport now reports that Roberto Martinez is lining up a £12m bid for Shaqiri, who scored nine goals in 40 appearances for club and country last season.

Inter are willing to let Shaqiri go in order to reach their 25-man squad limit.

Iker Casillas bids farewell to Real Madrid

Iker Casillas has asked to be “remembered as a good person” after tearfully bidding farewell to Real Madrid ahead of his move to Porto.

In an emotional Press conference at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, the goalkeeper explained the motives behind his switch to the Portuguese giants and thanked Los Blancos for giving him the platform to enjoy success.

“First of all, thank you for joining me in this special moment.

“I have come to this great stadium to say goodbye to all of you and, especially, Real Madrid.

“As you know, I stopped being a Real Madrid player [on Saturday]. I’m joining Porto for two reasons.

“The first is desire on the Portuguese club’s part to sign me. The second is the affection that I’ve received [from them] in recent days.

“I’m very happy and pleased by this interest, and I’ll do all I can to win every possible trophy [with Porto].

“Now, I want to address Los Blancos. This difficult day has come to say goodbye to the club that have given me everything.

“It only seems like yesterday that I wore the Real Madrid jersey for the first time as a nine-year-old.

“I saw my dream fulfilled. During this time, I’ve felt very loved and accompanied. This club have also formed me as a person and helped me grow. I’ve always tried to carry their values.

“Throughout these years, I’ve experienced unique moments. I leave great friends behind, but I know I can always count on them.

“I also want to thank all my Coaches. I remember them all because of all the many things that I’ve learned from them.

“[I] also [want to thank] the various coaching staff for giving me advice and understanding in bad times and entire club staff, who have been part of Real Madrid. They’re not seen but are always there.

“Thank you to my parents and family, who have always been by my side, plus my wife and son.

“Thank you Real Madrid for your unconditional support, being your captain for the last five years and being able to lift trophies.

“Above all, more so than being remembered as a good or bad goalkeeper, I hope that I’m remembered for being a good person.

“To the thousands of you [the fans], thank you. I’ll never be able to forget you. I’ll follow you wherever you go, shouting ‘Hala Madrid’.

“I won’t say goodbye because we shall meet here again soon.”

Memphis Depay: 'I'm here to win trophies'

Memphis Depay has said that he wants to "win all the trophies it is possible to win" following his move to Manchester United.

The 21-year-old joined the Red Devils last month, after coming through the youth ranks at PSV Eindhoven.

Depay scored 28 goals for the Dutch champions in his final season with the club, and he has admitted that while he is excited to begin life at Old Trafford, he will be under pressure to perform.

"This is the biggest club in the world so I have to play for trophies - I came here to win trophies," he told reporters.

"We have a lot of quality and all the potential to win all the trophies it is possible to win. I am excited to do my job for Manchester United and to score goals - I am a striker so I have to score and give assists.

"I have worked with Louis van Gaal at the World Cup and I think you could see what he expects from me. I am a kid and still have a lot to learn but it is up to the boss where he plays me and I will give my all wherever he puts me."

Depay has scored three goals in 17 appearances for the Netherlands.

Frank Lampard's New York City FC debut delayed by calf strain

Frank Lampard has been ruled out of New York City FC's Major League Soccer match against Toronto FC on Sunday after picking up an injury in training.

The former Chelsea midfielder was due to make his debut for the team at Yankee Stadium this weekend, but sustained a calf strain while preparing with the squad.

The former England international told the club's website: "I'm hugely disappointed to be missing out on Sunday's game, which I have been really looking forward to. I've been feeling great in training and have loved working with the squad. Unfortunately I sustained a small strain to my calf during a session.

"Whilst I've been taking it day by day since then and have been involved in light training, I've just been advised by the medical team that it needs a few days' rest for it to heal fully.

"The good news is that I should be back in full training next week. While I was desperate to play a role on Sunday, I have to take the advice of our medical team to let it heal and not risk further injury so I can get back on the pitch and play a full role as soon as possible."

Lampard joined the newly-formed franchise last summer before spending the season on loan with Manchester City.

Martin Skrtel signs new Liverpool contract

Long-serving defender Martin Skrtel has agreed fresh terms on a new contract at Liverpool.

The Slovakia international has become a key figure in the heart of the Reds' defence since arriving on Merseyside seven-and-a-half years ago.

Skrtel, who made 48 appearances for the Anfield outfit in all competitions last season, has now put pen to paper to extend his stay further.

A new deal was agreed upon the player's return to pre-season training this week, which comes after his high-profile criticism of an "unacceptable" new offer earlier this summer.

Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho, Jordan Henderson, Jordon Ibe and Jon Flanagan have each signed new contracts at Liverpool over the past 12 months.

Manchester City closing in on Fabian Delph

Manchester City have reportedly activated the release clause in Aston Villa captain Fabian Delph's contract.

The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Etihad this summer, following an impressive season at the West Midlands outfit.

He captained Villa during their FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal and also managed to break into the senior England side.

According to the Daily Mail, he will now complete an £8m move to City within the next 24 hours, after agreeing personal terms with the club.

Delph joined Villa in August 2009 from Leeds United and has made over 100 appearances for the club.

Atletico Madrid complete Yannick Ferreira Carrasco signing

Atletico Madrid have announced that they have completed the signing of Yannick Ferreira Carrasco from French side AS Monaco.

The Belgian, who is reported to have cost around €20m (£14.4m), has signed a five-year contract with the La Liga side.

Sporting director Jose Luis Perez Caminero told the club's website: "We are very satisfied with the agreement reached with Monaco, because Yannick is a player with huge prospects and with an incredible future.

"He is a player with great speed, who's excellent at driving the ball and has a great shot. He will contribute perfectly to our aim of increasing the quality of our team and the competitiveness in the group. I am convinced that he will contribute a lot to the team."

The 21-year-old is Atletico's third new signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Jackson Martinez and Luciano Vietto.

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.

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Friday, July 10, 2015