Total Football Madness

Manchester City Launching £29 Million Bid For Fernando Llorente

JD — Thu, 17 May 2012 09:03:13 +0000

Reports are out claiming that Manchester City are pushing to land Athletic Bilbao centre-forward Fernando Llorente.

It is said that the newly crowned Premier League champions are ready to pay the £29 million buy-out clause in his contract.

AS revealed that the cash rich Premier League club have already met with the forward’s brother Chus, who also acts as his agent.

It has been reported that meeting took place on April 27, when Eastlands officials made clear their desire to take the 27-year-old Spanish international to England.

Manchester United Prepared To Offload Nani

JD — Thu, 17 May 2012 08:48:58 +0000

It has been revealed that Manchester United have sent out feelers over the sale of winger Nani.

The Daily Mail reported that United have made moves to find out if there would be interest in Nani should his current contract negotiations collapse.

The Portuguese international’s current deal at Old Trafford runs until 2014 and manager Sir Alex Ferguson is keen for him to extend his stay.

Ferguson has a group of players in their mid-twenties he wants to keep at the club and build a team around them and Nani, at 25, falls into that category.

But the United boss also has Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia at his disposal and is aware of interest in Nani from Atletico Madrid and Juventus.

Man City To Offer £300,000 A Week Deal For Zlatan Ibrahimovic

JD — Thu, 17 May 2012 08:43:13 +0000

Sensational news are out and it has been revealed that Manchester City are ready to make Zlatan Ibrahimovic the highest paid player in Premier League history to lure him from AC Milan.

The Daily Mail reported that the newly crowned Premier League champions have made a move for AC Milan’s £25m-rated striker Ibrahimovic.

And manager Roberto Mancini is prepared to pay the Swedish striker an amazing £300,000 a week to bring him to the Premier League champions.

If successful, it will make him the highest paid player in the Premier League, dwarfing even City midfielder Yaya Toure’s £250,000-a-week deal.

But it is understood that Ibrahimovic, 30, has asked for time to consider the move.

Kuwait 0-2 Real Madrid – Highlights

JD — Thu, 17 May 2012 08:34:39 +0000

Real Madrid defeated the Kuwait national team 2-0 in their friendly yesterday.

Angel di Maria and Cristiano Ronaldo scored the goals. Jose Mourinho used a different lineup in each half and the team always dominated the encounter.

The locals also made changes and improved their game, forcing Casillas to clear three shots before the end of the clash.

Real Madrid Chasing Sevilla Midfielder Gary Medel

JD — Thu, 17 May 2012 08:27:45 +0000

Reports have emerged that Real Madrid have sounded out Sevilla about Gary Medel’s situation.

Estadio Deportivo revealed that the newly crowned Spanish champions have identified the 24 year old as a replacement for Lassana Diarra and are already in talks with Sevilla about a price for the Chile international.

The versatile midfielder, who can also play in defence, is coming off a superb season for Sevilla and his form has not gone unnoticed at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Malaga Approach Real Madrid For Nuri Sahin

JD — Thu, 17 May 2012 08:21:08 +0000

Reports have emerged that Malaga have expressed interest in Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin.

The big spenders are preparing for their first campaign in the Champions League and have Sahin under consideration for the summer market.

Indeed, they’ve already approached Real about the Turkey international’s availability.

Dani Alves To Miss Copa del Rey Final After Surgery On Broken Collarbone

JD — Thu, 17 May 2012 08:15:24 +0000

It has been revealed that Barcelona fullback Daniel Alves has undergone surgery on his broken collarbone.

The Brazilian international defender went under the knife at Barcelona Hospital this evening after suffering the injury in training earlier on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old Brazil full-back has been ruled out of the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao on May 25 – Pep Guardiola’s final match as Barca coach.

“The player underwent surgery this afternoon to correct his fractured clavicle after sustaining his injury this morning during the first team’s training session,” read a statement on club website fcbarcelona.com.

“[Club] doctors Ricard Pruna and Carles Torrens, in collaboration with Mutua Egarsat, performed surgery on Dani Alves’ broken clavicle.

“The player will be out of action for six to eight weeks.”

Gareth Barry Insists Manchester City Deserve To Be Champions

JD — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:44:24 +0000

Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry insists that they are deserved champions.

The Lancashire club won their first Barclays Premier League title since 1968 on Sunday thanks to a dramatic injury-time winner from Sergio Aguero.

Winning the championship under those circumstances could be seen as fortuitous, but Barry thinks otherwise.

“If you look back over the 38 games, we played the best football,” the former Aston Villa man said.

“We’re slowly coming down to earth after some big celebrations. It’s still not really sunk in the fashion we won the title.

“The manner we did it won’t be beaten for a long time. It will go down in history as a dramatic finish and it will be tough to beat.”

Arsenal Rocked As Robin van Persie’s Contract Talks Breaks Down

JD — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:38:55 +0000

Reports have emerged that Arsenal fear they won’t be able to convince Robin van Persie about penning a new contract.

The Sun reported that the Gunners had hoped to persuade their captain to agree a lucrative new three-year deal worth £130,000 a week that would see off interest from champions Manchester City and keep him at the Emirates.

But yesterday’s talks, which have been described as tense and tetchy, broke down with no agreement.

Fears are now mounting that the prolific Dutch international could be tempted by a move from Arsenal to the Etihad, with City desperate to land the Premier League’s top star.

Gervinho Happy With Personal Progress At Arsenal

JD — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:24:43 +0000

Gervinho feels he’s better for his first 12 months in England.

The Arsenal winger has featured regularly since his summer move from Lille and the Ivory Coast international believes a season in England has lifted his game to another level.

The 24 year old told Arsenal Player : “I can see the evolution of my career every day, every week, every month,”.

“I am doing my best to always stay at my top level and to keep growing. Even when I am going through tough times, I still believe I am the best. I never let doubts enter my mind.

“I have learned good lessons through this season and there will be more work to come next season. We are going to give it all next year to end up with a trophy.

“I always wanted to play for Arsenal and I never thought I would join the club so young. I had friends here in England playing for Chelsea and Emmanuel Eboue for Arsenal so I used to come and watch some matches when I was in Lille. It was a great pleasure to join the club I have always wanted to play with.”

Carlos Tevez Continues Feud With Alex Ferguson : I’m Not Sorry!

JD — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:20:12 +0000

Carlos Tevez has continued his feud with Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Manchester City striker displayed a sign bearing the words ‘RIP Fergie’ during the open-top bus parade through Manchester to celebrate City’s Barclays Premier League title win on Monday.

On arriving back in his native Argentina for his summer break, Tevez was quizzed on the issue by reporters.

The 28-year-old told them, in an interview carried on Argentinian website ole.com.ar: “It seems like Ferguson is the president of England.

“Every time he speaks badly about a player or says terrible things about me, nobody says that he has to apologise.

“[But] when someone comes out with a joke or banter, you have to say sorry – but I don’t say sorry.”

Manuel Neuer Wary Of Facing Didier Drogba

JD — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:13:26 +0000

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is wary of facing Chelsea icon Didier Drogba in Saturday’s Champions League final.

The German international goalkeeper declared that they must keep the Ivory Coast striker quiet.

The 26 year old said : “He is a very good striker and has a strong physical presence and he knows how to put himself about,”.

“We have seen this season in the Champion League how dangerous he is.”

Lyon Midfielder Ederson Keen On Lazio Switch

JD — Thu, 17 May 2012 02:16:29 +0000

Reports have emerged that Ederson is ready to leave Olympique Lyon for Lazio.

The Brazilian midfielder’s management have confirmed a deal is close.

Ederson said: “It’s an old interest from Lazio. I guess it’s been running over the last five years, since when I played at Nice. We’re talking about a great club, which is always fighting for top positions at the Serie A and a place at Champions League. Furthermore, play and live at Italy seem very attractive to me, because of the passion they have for the game. It’s something similar with the feeling that Brazilians have. I haven’t signed yet, but I can say that it’s close of be well succeeded. My representatives are taking care of it and I’m hopeful to have a resolution soon.”

Ederson says he’s ready to move on from Lyon and France.

“I had seven seasons of an amazing learning. In spite of all the difficulties I had, especially at the beginning because of being young at a stranger country, I was always happy here since my early days at Nice. Playing here I’ve had a chance at the Brazilian Team and could make this dream come true. I will be always grateful to the French football and to those who were part of this incredible journey of my life. But I feel that it’s time for a change and to seek new horizons for my career.”

Lucio Set To Quit Inter Milan

JD — Thu, 17 May 2012 02:02:38 +0000

Reports have emerged that Lucio is leaving Inter Milan.

The Brazilian international defender was a key figure in the Treble campaign, but has struggled this season.

Agent Sandro Becker told Lancenet : “He had three excellent years at Inter and feels it’s time to make a change,”.

“We have been working on this since last week and resumed talks on Wednesday. We put in a transfer request and Inter have agreed. Now we have to find him a new club.

“Considering the man he is and the player he is, Lucio only leaves friends behind everywhere he goes. The decision to leave came from us, but Inter understood it. This has been entirely amicable.

“He still has two years left on his contract and we know Lucio has a market value. If we find a new club, then we will talk it over and reach an agreement.

“His preference would be to play in a big European League, but you never know. There are also many clubs interested in Brazil and Lucio knows the World Cup will be here in 2014. We don’t know what his future holds.”

Liverpool Chasing Ajax Attacker Nicolas Lodeiro

JD — Thu, 17 May 2012 00:52:33 +0000

Reports are out claiming that Liverpool are chasing Ajax midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro.

The 23 year-old Uruguay international comes off contract next month and has been tracked by Reds scouts this season.

The attacking midfielder, who is a close friend of Reds star Luis Suarez, was also interesting Villarreal, but Liverpool now have a free run at the midfielder following their shock relegation.

England Squad For Euro 2012

JD — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:27:41 +0000

England manager Roy Hodgson on Wednesday named the following 23-man squad for the June 8-July 1 European Championship:

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), Robert Green (West Ham United), John Ruddy (Norwich City)

Defenders: Ashley Cole (Chelsea), John Terry (Chelsea), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Leighton Baines (Everton), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), Gary Cahill (Chelsea)

Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool, captain), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Scott Parker (Tottenham Hotspur), Gareth Barry (Manchester City), James Milner (Manchester City), Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Manchester United)

Forwards: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United), Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur)

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Delighted With England Call-Up

JD — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:19:42 +0000

Arsenal teenager Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was “buzzing” over his inclusion in Roy Hodgson’s England Euro 2012 squad.

The 18-year-old was included in England manager Roy Hodgson’s 23-strong squad for next month’s European Championships after impressing during his debut season with the Gunners.

“I’m obviously delighted,” Oxlade-Chamberlain told Arsenal.com.

“To be picked for your country at any stage is a massive honour and to be at a huge tournament likes the Euros is such a bonus.

“I would have probably laughed if someone had told me I would be in the Euro 2012 a year ago.

“Obviously you would like to think that and it is what you aim towards but sometimes you have to be realistic and realise it might take a little bit longer than that.

“So for everything to happen as quickly as it has, it has been surreal and I don’t think it has really sunk in properly yet.

“I know I haven’t made it and I have a long way to go but this is the first step in what I hope to be a long and successful international career.”

“I got a call this [Wednesday] morning from the manager and he just explained it to me then – that was about two hours before it was announced,” Oxlade-Chamberlain added.

“He said it was down to merit and I just have to prove him right.

“I am just looking forward to going there, learning from all the experienced players, training with them and trying my hand at everything. I am absolutely buzzing.”

Liverpool Sack Kenny Dalglish

JD — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:48:59 +0000

Kenny Dalglish rejoined Liverpool after Roy Hodgson’s departure last January but failed to make significant improvements in his second time at the club and has now left his manager’s post at Anfield.

The 61-year-old has paid the price for the Reds poor performances in the Barclays Premier League, reports BBC Sport.

The Scot’s departure comes after he held face-to-face talks with principal owners John W Henry and Tom Werner in Boston on Monday.

AZ Alkmaar Starlet Adam Maher Eager To Join Real Madrid

JD — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:28:09 +0000

AZ Alkmaar midfielder Adam Maher is happy to hear Europe’s biggest clubs are following him.

The 18 year old has been linked with Manchester City and Barcelona this week.

“If Real Madrid, or another big club calls me, no doubt I’ll think about it,” he confessed yesterday.

Inigo Martinez Not Interested In Joining Barcelona

JD — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:24:05 +0000

Real Sociedad defender Inigo Martinez has cooled talk of a move to Barcelona.

The youngster has been linked with Barca this week.

But Martinez says he wants to continue in San Sebastian “for many years”.