Category: Football

Mercato Roundup – Dest, Gosens and Reguilón

Juventus transfer journalist Gianluca Momblano has offered a transfer update on the Bianconeri’s plans for the summer transfer window.

Speaking to Juventus news site Juventibus, the Turin based transfer specialist offered a round up of what he believes is happening behind the scenes at Continassa.

According to Momblano, a three-man defence could be an option for the Bianconeri next season and is an option that Andrea Pirlo might look at, especially given that Matthijs De Ligt may be out of action until November.

In their search for a right-back, Juventus are reportedly in talks with Ajax over their young full-back Sergino Dest while they are also considering on-loan Real Madrid man, Sergio Reguilón.

On the other flank, Momblano reports that Juve have almost reached an agreement for Atalanta man Robin Gosens while the club also have an offer for current left-back Alex Sandro.

In the centre of the pitch, … Read the rest

Romano reveals date Man United will renew Pogba's contract by

Manchester United fans can expect Paul Pogba to be tied down long-term soon according to Fabrizio Romano.

The French midfielder previously stated a desire for a new challenge but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer managed to hold onto him nonetheless.

Pogba was said to have an interest in him by the likes of PSG, Juventus and Real Madrid but United fought them all off so far.

The World Cup winner only has a year left to his contract though it’s believed the club triggered the additional year in his deal.

Either way, Pogba needs to be handed a new contract if he’s going to be committed to the Red Devils for the long term and Romano has given fans a date.

… Read the rest

Matthijs De Ligt surgery successful

Juventus have confirmed Matthjs De Ligt has undergone surgery on his shoulder and is expected to be out of action for at least three months.

The Dutch defender has had ongoing shoulder issues since the start of the season, suffering from a dislocation at one point, but playing on through the pain during some games, an example being the recent match against Sassuolo.

Juventus have now confirmed that the 21-year-old underwent surgery yesterday in Rome, and despite being successful, he’s expected to be out of action until at least November:

Matthijs de Ligt underwent stabilization surgery on his right shoulder this morning at the UPMC Salvator Mundi clinic in Rome. The surgery performed by Dr. Volker Mushal, assisted by doctors Bryson Lesniak and Fabrizio Margheritini, in the presence of Juventus health manager Luca Stefanini, was perfectly successful.

Recovery times are approximately 3 months – Source: Juventus.com

De Ligt had a … Read the rest

OFFICIAL: Blaise Matuidi leaves Juventus

Juventus have confirmed that Blaise Matuidi’s contract with the club has been terminated by mutual consent, with immediate effect.

The French midfielder had been expected to join Inter Miami, having undergone medicals in Paris earlier this week, and the club have now confirmed he will be leaving Turin.

A statement on the clubs official site confirmed the news:

The French midfielder leaves Juventus after three years and five trophies won at the club

With our colours on his back, he fought and played his heart out in every single game; placing constant pressure on the opponents, tearing apart the run of play and ever so eloquently relaunching the ball into action.

After three years and five titles won (three Scudetti, one Coppa Italia and one Italian Super Cup), Blaise Matuidi and Juventus say goodbye with the consensual termination of the player’s contract.

A 2018 World Cup winner with France in

… Read the rest

Barcelona confirm squad heading to Lisbon ahead of Bayern Munich clash

Barcelona have announced the squad that has made the trip to Lisbon ahead of their Champions League quarter-final showdown against Bayern Munich on Friday night.

After seeing off Napoli last week, the Catalan giants will hope to continue their run in Europe but face a hugely difficult task against the reigning Bundesliga champions.

SEE MORE: Video: Ousmane Dembele turns on style in Barcelona training as star looks sharp

It promises to be a fascinating battle between two giants of European football, and Barcelona coach Quique Setien will hope to have as close to a fully-fit squad at his disposal as possible.

As seen in the club’s tweet below, they’ve named a 26-man squad list that has travelled to Lisbon for the meeting with the Bavarian giants, and notably Ousmane Dembele has been included.

However, Mundo Deportivo note that the Frenchman hasn’t been given the all clear by the medical staff … Read the rest

Liverpool ‘disrespected’ Norwich and left a ‘sour taste’ after Jamal Lewis chase, according to Inside Story

There is a long and rather interesting story in the Eastern Daily Press that slams Liverpool for our conduct during the Jamal Lewis chase.

Journalist Paddy Davitt has branded the Premier League champions ‘disrespectful’ and has claimed the relationship between ourselves and Norwich has been damaged following the Jamal Lewis mini-saga.

To be honest, we’re baffled by his opinion. Liverpool had a valuation for Lewis of around £10-12m. Norwich wanted at least double that.

When the offer was submitted and immediately rejected, Liverpool signed a left-back for £11m in Kostas Tsimikas who was valued at what we wanted to spend on him.

Davitt’s argument that Liverpool have now potentially unsettled Lewis is a little silly. It’s the summer transfer window. Clubs make bids for players they want the entire time. Liverpool did not pursue the deal for months, only to pull out at the last minute and leave Lewis despondent, … Read the rest

Liverpool ‘frontrunners’ for Sarr – £50m bankroll from player sales could fund deal for Sadio Mane’s mate

A reliable source has indicated that Liverpool are indeed in the race for Ismaila Sarr, Watford’s 22-year-old winger.

David Lynch of the Standard has penned a piece with Watford expert Simon Collings that states Liverpool are the ‘frontrunners’ for Sarr, but Watford want £40m for his services…

The winger would prefer an Anfield switch, says Lynch, who also states the fee for his services could be funded by the sales of Xherdan Shaqiri, Harry Wilson and Marko Grujic – who could fetch over £50m combined.

We don’t mind Sarr as a player, but for that kind of money, we’d like someone a little closer to the levels of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane.

After all, Sarr scored five goals in his debut Premier League season, two less than Wilson, who is already on our books and is not in Jurgen Klopp’s plans.

Sarr ripped us apart at Vicarage Road, but … Read the rest

Can Arteta’s Arsenal build on FA Cup triumph?

By Jon Spurling @jonspurling1

Despite what Arsenal fans may have sung or Tweeted last weekend, the club doesn’t actually own the FA Cup. Yet, given that that the Gunners have now won it 14 times, and 8 of these victories have occurred within the last 22 years, it’s no surprise that the love many fans have for the beautiful old silver pot runs deep.

Several of the club’s FA Cup wins have even been afforded their own moniker which most Arsenal fans will recognise instantly. In 1930, when Herbert Chapman’s men defeated Huddersfield 2-0 to land the club its first piece of major silverware, it quickly became dubbed the ‘Zeppelin Final,’ after the Graf Zeppelin hove into view during the second half at Wembley.

The 1979 showpiece was described as the “3 minute final” after Manchester United wiped out Arsenal’s 2-0 lead, only to see Alan Sunderland sweep home the … Read the rest

Gallery: Man United stars put through their paces ahead of Sevilla

Manchester United’s players appear to be working hard ahead of their clash with Sevilla as pictures from training were posted online.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men will take on the Spanish side in the semi-final of the Europa League with it being the last chance for any silverware this season.

United reached the Carabao Cup semi-final where they fell to Manchester City and in the FA Cup they fell to Chelsea.

Solskjaer managed to lead his men to a third-place finish in the league but there’s no trophy for that and he’s keen to get his players into a winning mentality.

Winning the Europa League will put the Red Devils in good stead for the next season if they are to challenge for the title.

… Read the rest