Sunday 31 July 2016

The latest news and gossip, including updates on the futures of Paul Pogba, Diego Costa and Alvaro Morata.

Transfer Centre LIVE!

EVERTON WORKING HARD IN WINDOW
Everton are apparently “very busy” trying to add to their squad.
The Toffees have not yet signed an outfield player this window, but assistant manager Erwin Koeman says his brother, and manager, Ronald, is working hard.
“Ronald and the chairman are very busy with that,” he told the Liverpool Echo.
MAN OVERBOARD
Man United are ready to listen to offers for Bastian Schweinsteiger. He is 4/5 with Sky Bet to sign for Schalke and 6/1 to head back to Bayern Munich. Get all the latest odds here!
A DECENT DECADE
BREAKING NEWS
Sky sources: West Brom have agreed a fee with West Ham for striker Diafra Sakho.
SCHWEINSTEIGER FOR SALE
Manchester United are reportedly willing to listen to offers for midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger.
The Manchester Evening News report that United are hoping to sell the 31-year-old, who was left out of the squad to play Galatasaray on Saturday.
Schweinsteiger is one of United's top earners and while there is apparently tentative interest from Inter and AC Milan, he would have to take a pay cut to move to the San Siro.
NO REGRETS FOR NIANG
From one player who decided to stay at Leicester, to another who decided not to join: M'Baye Niang.
The AC Milan forward turned down a move to the Foxes in January and has been explaining the reasons why toLa Gazzetta dello Sport.
"When Claudio Ranieri called me I listened to his offer, then I spoke with Adriano Galliani and Sinisa Mihajlovic and we decided not to do anything. I would have only played if Jamie Vardy was injured.”
VARDY: EASY TO REJECT ARSENAL
Leicester forward Jamie Vardy says it was an easy decision to reject Arsenal and hopes Riyad Mahrez will follow him by staying at the club.
Arsenal attempted to lure the 29-year-old to the Emirates Stadium in June after triggering a release clause in his contract with a £20m.
However, Vardy, who was away on international duty with England at Euro 2016 at the time, turned down the chance to join the Gunners and instead committed his future to the Premier League champions by signing a new four-year deal.
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News HQ, Vardy said he never held talks with Arsenal during that period and insist he still has unfinished business with Leicester.
"It's not been put out there that I have always said the boys, the close-knit brotherhood, is unbelievable and for me, there's a lot of unfinished business here," he said.
"I feel that the club is only going one way and that is forward, that's why I want to be a part of it.
"It wasn't that big [the decision] when I think about it. It was quite easy and this is where I want to be."
WATCH: LAMPS NETS TREBLE
He might have come in for some criticism since moving to New York City FC, but Frank Lampard scored the club's first-ever hat-trick last night. Check it out in the video below.

'MORATA NOT FOR SALE'
Zinedine Zidane says Alvaro Morata will not be sold for Real Madrid this summer after he returned from Juventus.
"We are delighted to have him back, back to his original home. He will remain a Madrid player," said the Real head coach.
POGBA WOULD BE 'INTERESTING'
Manchester United's marquee summer signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted on his debut against Galatasaray yesterday.
Afterwards he was asked about Paul Pogba's potential move to Old Trafford and told Kanal 5"We have something big going on.
"It looks very interesting. Let's see if Pogba will also (come), then it will be even more interesting."
ON THE LUK OUT!
Romelu Lukaku remains prominent in today's press as you can see below and Chelsea are 15/8 to sign him this summer with Sky Bet, who bet 10/11 that he remains at Everton. Arsenal are still contenders for his signature at 11/4 and it's 25/1 bar these.
Click here to bet
PAPER TALK
Plenty of transfer chat in the Sunday papers, here's a look at some of the best lines...
  • Inter Milan have opened the door for Mauro Icardi to sign for Arsenal. (Daily Star on Sunday)
  • Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has confirmed he has been on the radar of Manchester City and Manchester United. (Daily Star)
  • Chelsea are close to completing a £60m deal to sign Romelu Lukaku from Everton. (Mail on Sunday)
  • Gylfi Sigurdsson is ready to reject Everton and sign a new deal at Swansea. (Sun on Sunday)
  • Manchester United will not stop their summer recruitment at the expected world-record capture of Paul Pogba. (Sunday Times)
GUNNERS IN FOR...EVANS?
Ok, this would be a SHOCK move, in caps.
Arsenal are reportedly weighing up a £16m bid for West Brom centre-back Jonny Evans.
The Daily Mail say Evans was a target while at Manchester United but they would not sell to their rivals.
The defender Evans joined West Brom for £6m last summer from United and according to the Mail 'is now valued at treble that by Tony Pulis'.
CONTE UNSURE ON COSTA
Also in action overnight were Chelsea, up against Real Madrid in Michigan.
Blues boss Antonio Conte was asked after the game about Diego Costa's future, with the striker out with a back injury amid widespread speculation in the British media over a potential return to Atletico Madrid.
"I can say that today Costa is a Chelsea player," said Conte. "He didn't play in these games because of injury and if he solves the injury and I see in training that he is in good shape it can be possible to see him in the next game against Milan.
"But I can say only this. I speak only for today and today Costa is Chelsea's player. Tomorrow if you ask me if Costa will remain with us, I don't know."
WHO WAS WENGER WATCHING?
Any guesses? The Arsenal boss was in attendance for Leicester's pre-season game with PSG in Los Angeles overnight, along with assistant Steve Bould.
A simple scouting mission? Or were his eyes on Riyad Mahrez? Edinson Cavani maybe? Although that rumour seems to have quietened a bit.
GOOD MORNING
Fresh off a night of non-stop pre-season football from Stateside, it's time for transfers. The good news is there was some chit-chat regarding transfers after several of the friendlies, so plenty to get stuck into this morning...
THAT'S ALL FOLKS!
That's all the Transfer Centre goodness we have for you this Saturday, many thanks for joining us! To use a football cliché, we're parking the bus here for the evening but we'll be moving it out of the box from 7am tomorrow morning so please do join us then.
In the meantime, keep up to do with all the latest transfer movers and shakers on Sky Sports News HQ throughout the evening. Goodnight!
GAMEIRO UNVEILED TOMORROW
Striker Kevin Gameiro will be presented as an Atletico Madrid player on Sunday evening, Los Rojiblancos have announced.
Atletico confirmed today that they had agreed a deal with Sevilla for the 29-year-old, who - according to reports in Spain - is set to cost the capital club an initial 32million Euros (£27million).
Gameiro travelled to Madrid on Saturday ahead of a medical, and is set to sign a four-year contract at the Vicente Calderon. 
BALOTELLI TO NAPOLI?
Sky Bet report a series of maximum bets this evening for Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli to join Napoli. The Serie A club are now the bookmaker's 9/4 favourites to sign the Italian international this summer. They were 14/1 to do so earlier in the day.
Ajax are 3/1 shots for this signature with West Ham regarded as his most likely Premier League destination at 7/1.
Click here for the full Balotelli transfer market.
WOLVES SIGN SILVO
Who fancies some late Saturday night transfer news? Well new Wolves manager Walter Zenga certainly does, as the Championship club announce the signing of defender Silvio Sa Pereira from Atletico Madrid.
The full-back has one-year contract with the option for a further year and head here for more on the new Wolves manager.
STURRIDGE WARNS NEW PLAYERS
Daniel Sturridge has told his new team-mates at Liverpool there will be no "bedding-in period" and they must deliver right from the get-go.
"They come here and bring things we may not have had," Sturridge told Liverpool FC's website. "Mane has got a lot of speed on the wings; we did have that before but he's a different kind of player. He has got goals in him as well.
"And the same with Wijnaldum - he is someone who can provide chances for players and score goals.
"Not just those two, there are other players we have signed and I'm sure it will be a big season for them. These two players have obviously played in the Premier League and got the experience, so there's no need for a bedding-in period with them, it's more a case of going out there and performing."
REPORT: MAN UTD 5-2 GALATASARAY
Zlatan Ibrahimovic opened his Manchester United account with a stunning bicycle kick as his new club beat Turkish side Galatasaray 5-2 in Gothenburg on Saturday.
Read the full report HERE.
JOSE 'DESPERATE' FOR EMBOLO 
Schalke sporting director Christian Heidel claims that Jose Mourinho was desperate to sign Breel Embolo for Manchester United.
"There are a number of reasons why we signed Embolo," he said. "First and foremost, there are sporting reasons. It's nothing new that he is a great player. There is a reason why Mourinho desperately wanted to sign him for Manchester United.
"But we also see him as a player the Schalke fans can identify with... Embolo had a similar role at Basel, where 80 per cent of the shirts they sold had his name on it. He is very open, is always smiling and makes it easy for people to like him."
RANGERS AFTER 'ONE OR TWO' MORE
Mark Warburton will look to reinforce Rangers' back-line after seeing his side's defence brutally exposed by Burnley.
"We need one or two more; we've said that for a number of weeks but you've got to get the right players in," the manager said.
"There are Burnley players rated £25m and we can't pay that kind of money. It's a smaller talent pool but we know what we want and if we can get it, we'll make the move. I hope to get something done before next Saturday. We are working on it."

WATCH: A. VILLA 1-3 M'BORO
Alvaro Negredo scored for Middlesbrough after signing earlier this month as the Premier League new boys came from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-1 at Villa Park.

DUNN MAKES SHRIMPS MOVE
Liverpool have confirmed that young forward Jack Dunn has joined Morecambe on a six-month loan deal.
In an ironic turn of events, Dunn had scored during Reds' 2-1 win for the U23 side hours before the move was confirmed - against Morecambe. 
WENGER ON THE TRANSFER MARKET
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been speaking to the press during their USA tour and had his say on the transfer market.
“I buy players that I feel can strengthen our team. Today, you have to be very strong inside the club when you are responsible, not to just buy to buy. There is always a wave of opinions, and people are better informed today than all the players.
"They always tell you to buy and then when you ask who to buy they become much shorter, because if you look at the market in Europe there is a lot of money available but not many players that really strengthen the teams.
“And if you look at who is spending the most in Europe, they are not the teams that won the leagues in Europe. The global investment of all the clubs around us didn’t stop Leicester winning the league.
"So we have to focus on our quality, try to strengthen our team. There were 18 team below us last season. Next season we have to try and make sure it is 19 teams.” 
'WE HAVE TO BE PATIENT'
Bolton manager Phil Parkinson has said he needs to be patient with bringing in new summer signings after the League One club played out a 0-0 draw with Preston this afternoon.
“We know there are areas of the team we need to strengthen and one of them is at the top of the park,” he told The Bolton News.
“Any manager will tell you he wants more signings and I am no different but the situation at this club is a little bit different to others, so we have to be a little bit more patient."
BENTEKE MOVE
Christian Benteke has been the subject of some market fluctuation with Sky Bet and he is 12/1 from 25s to join Everton and 3/1 from 5/1 to join West Ham. His odds have eased from 2/5 to 8/15 for a move to Crystal Palace. Get all the latest odds here!
MISERY FOR MARTIN
Lee Martin has only been at his new club Gillingham for a few weeks - but it's unlikely he will feature again this season after breaking and fracturing his ankle in a pre-season friendly with Leyton Orient earlier today that caused the game to be abandoned.
He left Millwall after helping the club to the League One play-off final, but joined the Gills on 6 July. 
JANSSEN NEEDS TIME TO ADAPT
New Spurs signing Vincent Janssen has been racking up the minutes for the side in pre-season so far, and while boss Mauricio Pochettino is pleased with his performances, he has warned the striker needs time to adapt.
“He is adapting his game to the team. He has come from a different league and a different style of play," he said. “I’m very happy with his performance. It’s true that we want him to score but he still needs time to adapt to our game.”
'THIS IS MY SQUAD NOW'
Jurgen Klopp insists the Liverpool squad is now his and not the team he inherited from Brendan Rodgers - admitting he can have no excuses for failure this season.
"This is my squad now," the Reds boss said. "After all the transfers…this time it is my team. There are probably no players here anymore I don't want. There are no signings I didn't want, we have not sold anyone I didn't want to.

"And if you have seen them in training, there is a special quality that we did not have last year. Above all, you can see we have created a special atmosphere, not only in our team but with our fans."
COSTEL TO VILLA?
Watford goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon is joining Aston Villa for £2m, the Daily Mirror reports today.
With Brad Guzan moving to Middlesbrough this week, a spot in the squad has opened up and Pantilimon is second choice behind Heurelho Gomes at Vicarage Road.
KAPUSTKA WANTS FOXES MOVE
Bartosz Kapustka hopes to secure a Leicester move because boss Claudio Ranieri wants him more than any other of his suitors.
"Yes, of all the offers tabled, Leicester wanted me the most," Kapustka told Telewizja Polska. "Ranieri's interest was a big factor for me. He was asking about me, he wanted me to join the team. This convinced me, but there were many factors.
"I'm not going there only because of the name of the club, or because they won the Premier League. I'm optimistic and think I have a real chance of playing time."
ERIKSEN REJECTS OFFER
Christian Eriksen has put his Tottenham future in doubt by rejecting their latest contract offer, according to The Sun.
But the midfielder is looking to stay with the club, and has two years left to run on his current deal after joining from Ajax for £11m in 2013.
PSG EYE JESE
Paris Saint-Germain head coach Unai Emery says the French champions could sign Real Madrid forward Jese Rodriguez.
"It's a possibility, as are other opportunities in the transfer window," Emery said during PSG's tour of the US. I know Jese well, the club knows Jese well, he is a good player," he said.
FREESTONE TURNS PRO
Peterborough United have announced that left-back Lewis Freestone has signed a three-year professional deal with the club following an impressive pre-season campaign. 
CHECK OUT NEW SIGNINGS
There's plenty of pre-season action today, with more than a few new signings featuring. Alvaro Negredo is playing for Middlesbrough along with Victor Valdes, Nathan Redmond is playing for Southampton and Jordon Ibe is in the Bournemouth XI.
You can follow all the action HERE.
MORECAMBE CAPTURE KEEPER
Morecambe have signed goalkeeper Daniel Nizic to a two-year deal after he was released by Burnley at the end of last season.
RANIERI: SLIM CHANCE OF SIGNINGS
Claudio Ranieri says Leicester are unlikely to make any more signings after Bartosz Kapustka.
The Polish international looks poised to join the Foxes, and Ranieri told Sky Sports News HQ: “It’s difficult to say this is the last player. I say yes, now it’s finished, but 90%, there is 10% that something will happen.”
VERNON SIGNS FOR GRIMSBY
Striker Scott Vernon, 32, has joined Grimsby on a two-year deal following a short trial.
BREAKING NEWS
Uwe Rosler has been appointed as Fleetwood manager.
The former Brentford, Wigan and Leeds boss takes over from Steven Pressley, who resigned on Tuesday. 
ALLEGRI QUIET ON POGBA
Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri has, of course, been asked about Paul Pogba after their friendly with South China today.
Here's what he said: "I don't like to comment on the transfer market. On Tuesday I will be back in the club to discuss the situation internally. But at the moment our club has done a great job in the market."

No comments: