Álvaro Arbeloa is desperate to quit Liverpool and join Real Madrid - according to his agent. The 26-year-old's future is in doubt, with Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez confirming the signing of Portsmouth right-back Glen Johnson and Real are ready to offer up to £8m for Arbeloa, who is unlikely to figure on Merseyside next season.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
ENGLAND WILL BE MAIN THREAT AT WORLD CUP
Brazil star Kaka believes England are shaping up to be one of his country's main rivals at next summer's World Cup finals. The South Americans have shown ominous form in progressing to the final of the Confederations Cup, where they will face the USA in Johannesburg.
Along with European champions Spain, Brazil look sure to go into next year's tournament as favourites, but the Real Madrid playmaker believes they are not the only ones capable of taking the crown. And after seven wins in seven qualifying matches, he has has cited Fabio Capello's rejuvenated England as a major threat.
MAN UTD KEEN ON BENZEMA
Karim Benzema's agent has claimed that Manchester United are keen to sign the Lyon playmaker this summer. The talented young France international has been strongly linked with a move to both Old Trafford and Real Madrid, although Lyon are keen to retain the services of their prized asset.
The Ligue 1 side admitted on Thursday that Real had made an enquiry, while United have remained silent on their transfer targets as they look to fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo's departure for Santiago Bernabeu. But Karim Djaziri has now insisted that Sir Alex Ferguson has earmarked his client for a move to the Premier League and believes it is inevitable that Benzema will leave Lyon in the future.
SOUTH AFRICA 0 - BRAZIL 1
Substitute Daniel Alves broke South African hearts with an 87th-minute free-kick for Brazil that dumped the hosts out of the Confederations Cup with a narrow semi-final victory in Johannesburg.
The Barcelona right-back, who only came on for the closing stages of the game, smashed in a powerful 18-yard set-piece from the left to stun the huge crowd at the Ellis Park Stadium after their side had performed impressively for most parts of the game.
However, they eventually fell short and will now meet Spain in the third-place play-off on Sunday, while the Selecao will face the United States in the tournament final.
CHELSEA IS JUST A TOY FOR ABRAMOVICH
Chelsea's want-away midfielder Deco has accused Blues owner Roman Abramovich of treating the club like a 'toy' and has blamed him for the exit of Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Portuguese playmaker Deco was brought to West London from Barcelona last summer for a fee of £8m and he enjoyed an excellent start to his career with the Blues. However, the 31-year-old struggled for appearances and form during the second half of the campaign, and is now seeking an exit.
BERBATOV ARRIVAL SIDELINED TEVEZ
Carlos Tevez claims he knew his days at Manchester United were numbered when Dimitar Berbatov joined the club. The Argentina striker will be playing for a new team next season after turning down a five-year contract to remain at Old Trafford.
And he felt Berbatov's arrival from Tottenham last summer, which provided further competition for places up front, proved to him his future did not lie at Old Trafford. Though, he claimed that he had given his life for United's shirt.
Friday, June 26, 2009
SPAIN 0 - USA 2
The world will surely take notice of this... The U.S. soccer team is in the final of the Confederations Cup, beating mighty Spain 2-0. Goals by Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey led to an upset of the planet's top-ranked team.
Even more stunning, the Americans were on the verge of elimination and ready to head home last weekend before a reversal of fortune. By winning, the maligned United States advanced to its first men's FIFA final since starting play in 1916.
RIBERY FOR REAL
The long wait to decide the future of Franck Ribery could soon be over after the player's agent revealed that the Frenchman wants to sign for Real Madrid. Ribery has his pick of Europe's top clubs this summer, but appears set on a move to the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid and Barcelona head the queue for the midfielder, but agent Alan Miglaccio says that the Bayern star has been persuaded that joining Madrid would be a better option by compatriot Zinedine Zidane, who now works for Los Merengues.
RONALDO'S READY FOR REAL LIFE
Cristiano Ronaldo says he will need time to adapt to the different style of the Spanish game, but is confident he can quickly match the Real Madrid fans' high expectations as he closes in on a world record £80m move to the Bernabeu.
Having reportedly passed a medical over the weekend, the Portuguese star knows that even the FIFA World Player of the Year can struggle to adapt to new surroundings.
Ronaldo is also aware of the weight of expectation that will come with his staggering transfer fee but he insists he is comfortable carrying the burden.
ROBINHO WANTS ETO'O
Robinho believes Manchester City will be 'almost unbeatable' if the club manage to sign Samuel Eto'o from Barcelona this summer.
The Cameroon forward is reportedly a target for City as the big-spending Premier League side look to add to their strikeforce - which already includes £17m signing Roque Santa Cruz - and could yet contain Carlos Tevez too.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
NOW CHELSEA WANTS TORRES-VILLA
Chelsea are ready to test Liverpool's resolve with a £50 million bid for Fernando Torres. They have also offered Valencia £35m for the spanish striking partner David Villa.
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is worried the huge sum offered by Chelsea could tempt American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks. Liverpool's true financial state will be revealed soon, and Benitez is beginning to fear the worst.
Benitez was hopeful of landing 27-year-old Villa. Now he not only has to face up to Chelsea signing Villa but also possibility of losing Torres. Chelsea's bid for Villa is £4m higher than Real Madrid's and preferred by debt-ridden Valencia.
Roman Abramovich is prepared to take advantage of Liverpool's own money worries by making the sort of offer he hopes Gillett and Hicks will not be able to refuse.
ITALY 0 - BRAZIL 3
World Champions Italy were soundly beaten by Brazil in the Confederations Cup on Sunday thanks to three goals in eight first-half minutes. The United States capitalised on Italy's capitulation stunning Egypt by beating them 3-0 to qualify for the event's semi-finals.
Strikes from Luis Fabiano after 37 and 43 minutes and an own goal from Andrea Dossena just before the interval left the holders top of Group B and set up a semi-final against hosts South Africa in Johannesburg on Thursday.
Monday, June 22, 2009
CHELSEA WILL APPEAL FOR DROGBA
Chelsea have told UEFA they intend to lodge an appeal against the lengthy European bans handed out to striker Didier Drogba and defender Jose Bosingwa.
Drogba was given a six-match ban, the last two games suspended for two years, for his angry confrontation with referee Tom Henning Ovrebo at the end of their Champions League semi-final defeat to Barcelona in May.
BENZEMA MAY JOIN UNITED FROM BIG-MONEY DEAL
Lyon could be tempted to sell Karim Benzema to Manchester United if the Premier League side put in a big-money bid, according to director Bernard Lacombe.
Benzema is one of the world's hottest properties and speculation is rife that United are ready to use some of the money from the impending sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid to bring the young striker to Old Trafford.
Lacombe claimed recently Benzema would remain at the Stade Gerland, but has now revealed the 21-year-old could be sold if the price is right.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
BRAZIL 3 - USA 0
The U.S. was hammered for the second time in a four-day span at the Confederations Cup, with Brazil outplaying the Americans 3-0 Thursday.
Felipe Melo scored off Maicon's free kick in the seventh minute and Robinho made it 2-0 in the 20th, completing a counterattack that began when DaMarcus Beasley and Landon Donovan failed to combine on a short corner kick. Maicon added the third goal in the 62nd.
ITALY 0 - EGYPT 1
Egypt scored their greatest ever victory with a thoroughly deserved 1-0 win on Thursday over world champions Italy who had never previously lost to an African team.
The shock result means Group B in the Confederations Cup hangs in the balance with all four teams still able to progress to next week's semi-finals.
Mohamed Hommos's goal five minutes before halftime clinched the first points of the tournament for the African champions, who narrowly lost 4-3 to Brazil in their opening game.
TORRES TO STAY AT ANFIELD
Fernando Torres has brushed off transfer speculation by insisting he will stay at Liverpool for as long as he is wanted. He is not greedy to leave Anfield just to earn a little more somewhere else.
The 25-year-old has been linked with Manchester United following their acceptance of Real Madrid's £80m bid for Cristiano Ronaldo and will be sad to see the Portuguese leave the Premier League, but insists Liverpool will not win the title by default.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
MAN UTD IN PURSUIT FOR RIBERY & VILLA
Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has claimed Manchester United, Chelsea and Barcelona have all made offers for France playmaker Franck Ribery.
Sir Alex Ferguson is also hoping to beat Real Madrid in the race to sign David Villa, who is almost certain to be sold this summer by debt-laden Valencia.
Ribery is also a target for big-spending Real Madrid but Rummenigge revealed three of their European rivals have stolen a march in their pursuit of the 26-year-old.
Villa is one of the most coveted strikers in the world game and with Barcelona, Chelsea and Real Madrid all chasing the 27-year-old it would be a major coup if Ferguson were successful in luring the Spanish international to Old Trafford.
PATO HEADING TO STAMFORD BRIDGE?
AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato has urged Carlo Ancelotti to take him to Chelsea, admitting that he would love to link up with his former boss at Stamford Bridge.
The youngster arrived at the San Siro from Brazilian club Internacional in 2007 and was thrown straight into first-team action by Ancelotti. Scoring 18 goals last season, Pato has become a sensation in Serie A and, although under contract until 2012, made it clear that he would be willing to follow his former employer to England.
ARSENAL SIGN THOMAS VERMAELEN
Arsenal have completed the signing of versatile Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax Amsterdam. The 23-year-old, who can play either centrally or on the left, passed a medical on Friday and will bolster a defence that came under fire from all quarters last season.
Arsenal have not disclosed the fee or the length of the 'long-term' contract, but Vermaelen's agent recently suggested a four-year deal had been offered to his client and reports estimate the transfer fee to be around £10m.
TEVEZ SAYS NO TO ANFIELD
Carlos Tevez has reportedly ruled out a summer move to Liverpool. The Argentina international has spent the last two seasons on loan with Manchester United, but has made his desire to quit the club this summer clear after failing to start games as regularly as he would like.
A trio of Premier League clubs have shown an interest in the bullish forward - with Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea reported to be considering bids of around £25m - but the player has himself ruled out a move to Anfield because of 'emotional ties'.
The Argentine international isn't prepared to make a move that would strengthen the side that was the biggest threat to the Old Trafford supremacy last season, despite pleas from international team-mate Javier Mascherano to join him at the club. Manchester City are now favourites to land his much coveted signature before the start of next season.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
SPAIN 5 - NEW ZEALAND 0
Spain opened their Confederations Cup campaign with a smashing win over New Zealand. The win extended their unbeaten run to 33 matches.
The top team in Oceania were no match for the European Champions, who were 4-0 up inside 24 minutes with Liverpool striker Fernando Torres grabbing a hat-trick.
Cesc Fabregas was also on the scoresheet with David Villa netting a fifth in front of a sparse crowd in the mining town of Rustenburg.
Monday, June 15, 2009
FABREGAS TO STAY DESPITE ADMIRING GUARDIOLA
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas admits that Pep Guardiola is his idol. Though, he has received no contact from Barcelona. The Gunners midfielder has been persistently linked with a return to the Camp Nou, where he spent his youth career before moving to England in 2003.
Fabregas expressed that he is happy at Emirates Stadium, and hinted that working under former Barca midfielder and now manager Guardiola, would not be a totally unpleasant prospect.
RONALDO DEPARTURE NOT WORRYING UNITED
Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United had done well to keep Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford for as long as they did before finally succumbing to Real Madrid's advances. Ronaldo's desire to leave the reigning three-time Premier League champions had become all too apparent in recent months, and Ferguson insists it was out of the question to expect the player to stay any longer.
Despite Glazer's heavy debt to service, Sir Alex has been assured that he can pursue the likes of Antonio Valencia and Franck Ribery without worrying too much about the cost. The Glazer family spokesman also eplained that the manager is having their full support.
REDS WILL NOT SELL DUO
Liverpool have denied reports that Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano are set to leave Anfield this summer. Argentina international Mascherano has been linked with Barcelona amid reports that his wife has struggled to settle on Merseyside.
And Spain midfielder Alonso is just the latest in a long line of players believed to be on Real Madrid president Florentino Perez's lengthy and expensive summer wish-list. Madrid's young strikers Alvaro Negredo and Alberto Bueno have been suggested as makeweights in any possible deal for Alonso.
Friday, June 12, 2009
RONALDO TO REAL FOR £80M
Ronaldo's future at United has been the subject of constant speculation, with Real having trailed his signature for the last three summers. Real president Florentino Perez has made no secret of the fact that he would like to lure Ronaldo to El Santiago Bernabeu.
The Spanish titans have now agreed an £80million offer for the Portuguese ace and United have given the World Player of the Year permission to talk to the capital club. Ronaldo will head to the Spanish capital to hold discussions with Real and undergo a medical.
BRAZIL WON, ARGENTINA IN DANGER
Argentina's World Cup fear of heights resurfaced on Wednesday when they lost 2-0 in Ecuador while Brazil and Chile both moved closer to a trip to South Africa with home wins.
South American group leaders Brazil came from behind to beat Paraguay 2-1 in a top-of-the-table clash while surprise package Chile thumped a negative Bolivia 4-0.
Argentina, who have 22 points from 14 games, stayed in the top four positions which guarantee a place in South Africa but are only two points clear of fifth-placed Ecuador after their defeat at altitude in Quito. The team which finishes fifth in the 10-team group must play off over two legs against a team from CONCACAF.
DECO WANTS TO LEAVE STAMFORD BRIDGE
The Brazilian-born midfielder joined Chelsea from Barcelona last summer and after a bright start to life with the Blues he has been reduced to the periphery at the club following the sacking of coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Deco has now made no bones about his wish to quit Chelsea after becoming disillusioned with life at Stamford Bridge.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
ENGLAND 6 - ANDORRA 0
England need just one more victory to be assured of qualifying for the World Cup in South Africa after beating Andorra 6-0 at Wembley. Wayne Rooney and Jermain Defoe both scored two goals, with Frank Lampard and Peter Crouch also on target, in a one-sided game.
For the record, Rooney also equalled Gary Lineker's record for the most goals in a single international season, 10. Meanwhile, David Beckham made his 100th start for the three lions squad. Overall, the current England's ability under Fabio Capello, can only humiliate the previous manager, Steve McClaren. Ha.. Ha.. Ha...
ARSHAVIN'S AGENT DEMAND SALARY INCREASE
Andrei Arshavin's agent has called on Arsenal to increase the star's £80,000-a-week wage packet to compensate for tax increases imposed by the British government. Next April the top rate of income tax will rise from 40% to 50% and agent Dennis Lachter wants the Gunners to alter the terms of Arshavin's deal to compensate his client.
The Russia forward agreed a three-and-a-half-year contract when he signed from Zenit St Petersburg for £15m just four months ago.
KAKA JOINS REAL MADRID
Real Madrid has finally signed Kaka with a new record transfer fee. The 27-year-old Brazilian is believed to have signed for around £59m ($94.05m), which beats the world record transfer fee of £46.7m ($75.3m) paid by Real to Juventus for Zinedine Zidane in 2001. Although, due to fluctuations in currency exchanges, Zidane still cost more in Euros, at €73m, than Kaka, at €68m.
Real sent medics to the Brazilian national team's training camp in Recife, where the playmaker is preparing for a World Cup qualifier against Paraguay, to conduct a medical and the completed transfer was confirmed by both Milan and Madrid late on Monday night. Though, Kaka expressed that his sentimental link with AC Milan will never end.
ROONEY TRANSFORMED BY CAPELLO
England striker Wayne Rooney has hailed the team's new-found goalscoring prowess after they plundered another four against Kazakhstan on Saturday.
It means England are the top-scoring nation in the European qualifying section with 20 goals from their six games, two ahead of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Germany and Poland. Rooney himself has found a rich vein of form under Fabio Capello with six goals in the campaign, one fewer than Edin Dzeko of Bosnia who tops the charts.
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