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Sport
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Moyes nets Nani for Devils
Tit bits...
Arteta Arsenal midfielder, Mikel Arteta, says it’s about time the Gunners began to match the Premier League’s biggest clubs in the transfer market. Manager Arsene Wenger is understood to be pursuing Liverpool striker Luis Suarez and Real Madrid’s Gonazalo Higuain as part of a summer spending spree, and Arteta believes it will help Arsenal become title contenders once again. “I think we can take the best shot at the EPL title this term,” he said.
Jovetic
Jovetic nears City switch
Sergio Busquets has extended his current Barcelona contract, according to the club management. The 25-year-old has signed fresh terms to keep him at Camp Nou until June 2018, with the option to extend the deal by a further year, as the new contract would include a buyout clause of €150 million.
Chelsea midfielder, Eden Hazard, admitted bringing Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney to Stamford Bridge would be brilliant. Rooney has long been rumoured with an exit from United, despite the protests from United Manager David Moyes, with speculation linking the England international to Jose Mourinho’s Blues. It is just as well that the move has received a ringing endorsement from Belgium international Hazard.
Honda
Keisuke Honda has said he would be honoured to sign for AC Milan amid reports the Serie A club is eager to wrap up a summer deal for the Japan international. Honda, 27, currently plies his trade in Russia with CSKA Moscow having joined the club from VVV-Venlo in 2010, but he has recently been linked with an exit. Milan has declared readiness to improve in the new season.
Siqueira Everton has stepped up its move for Granada left back Guilherme Siqueira. Reports revealed last month that the 27-year-old is Manager Roberto Martinez’s preferred option to replace Leighton Baines in the event that Manchester United is successful in its pursuit of the defender. It is understood that Everton officials met Siqueira’s representatives last week to discuss the finer points of a £4million move from La Liga to Goodison Park.
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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
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Rooney figures in Mourinho’s plan
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helsea Manager, Jose Mourinho, has refused to rule out signing Wayne Rooney with the Portuguese gaffer keen to bolster his squad before the transfer window closes. The Manchester United striker has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge after requesting to leave the Premier League champions, although his manager David Moyes has repeatedly denied the England international will be sold. “This is a period when the big clubs and their managers are connected with everything. Until August 31, that’s the oldest story in football, rumours and rumours,” Mourinho said. “Until August 31 we will see if we can sign anyone who can improve our squad, but my focus and ambition is to work with these guys. I can say it’s a pleasure to work with them. I was missing this fantastic working relation. Not just for them, but for me. After a week I’m still the happy one because my boys were fantastic.” Mourinho, who has taken a hands-on approach to training in Bangkok this week, also named his team for Chelsea’s friendly against Singha XI. Romelu Lukaku will start the game alongside England internationals Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole.
Bavarians not Catalans–Robben
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ayern Munich winger, Arjen Robben, insists his side will not attempt to emulate Barcelona under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola. Robben, 29, has made it clear the Bavarians will continue to improve in their own robust style, while stressing the need to ensure last season was not a one off. “We have our own
qualities. We have shown that we can win prizes our way. It’s up to us to make the next step and become better,” the Dutch international said yesterday. Robben struck the winning goal in Bayern’s 2-1 Champions League final triumph over Borussia Dortmund last term, completing an historic treble for the Bundesliga champion.
anchester City is on the verge of sealing the £28million signing of Fiorentina striker, Stevan Jovetic. However, City suffered a setback in their pursuit of Alvaro Negredo after Sevilla President, Jose Maria del Nido, warned there is now only a one per cent chance of a deal going through. New City boss Manuel Pellegrini is anxious to sign the two strikers to fill the gaps left by the recent departures of Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli. City has been in talks with Fiorentina over Jovetic for some time, but it is understood the two clubs have finally agreed an initial fee of £23m that could rise by £5m in bonus payments. Fiorentina has previously stipulated that it would not sell the Montenegro international, 23, for less than the £28m buyout clause in his contract. City still hopes to sign Negredo as well but have been unable to reach a compromise deal over the Spain striker amid concerns that Sevilla is trying to ramp up the price beyond £20m. Del Nido confirmed yesterday that the two clubs are some way apart in their valuation, saying: “Either they pay what we ask or the player stays with Sevilla for another three years.”
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anchester United’s Manager, David Moyes, will keep hold of Nani at the club after convincing the winger that his future lies at Old Trafford. The 26-year-old has been told that the new manager regards him as central to his plans for United’s first team and will underline that importance with a lucrative contract extension. While the exact details of Nani’s new deal have still to be clarified, the winger is said to be delighted with Moyes’ commitment to offer him more playing time following an injury-hampered campaign in which he made just 10 Premier League appearances last term, the lowest total of his six seasons as a United player. Nani was deeply frustrated with both his lack of playing time last season as well as what the wide man perceived as Sir Alex Ferguson’s lack of trust in him, telling friends that he did not want to see out the final year of his Old Trafford contract. He was part of a group of players, including Antonio Valencia, Chicharito, Anderson and Anders Lindegaard, who then manager Sir Alex Ferguson was prepared to offload. The Portugal international, who was prevented from flying to Asia and Australia for the first leg of United’s preseason tour by the after-effects of a nose operation, is due to begin training under Moyes this week.
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Ivanovic wants Suarez
helsea defender, Branislav Ivanovic, admits he would happily welcome controversial Liverpool striker Luis Suarez into Stamford Bridge dressing room despite being bitten by the Uruguayan only three months ago. Suarez, who was banned for 10 games in April after sinking his teeth into Ivanovic’s right arm during a 2-2 draw at Anfield, still has six games of his ban to serve but has made it abundantly clear this summer that he wants to leave Liverpool. “Whatever happened on the field with Luis finished there. He’s one of the best strikers in the Premier League and I don’t have any problem with him or doubt about that,” Ivanovic said. Real Madrid and Arsenal are interested in Suarez but Jose Mourinho is also keen to boost Chelsea’s firepower, although he would prefer to prise Wayne Rooney away from Manchester United.
‘Fab
Ivanovic himself has attracted interested from mega-rich French clubs Paris St Germain and Monaco but insists he is not in a hurry to leave Stamford Bridge. He joined Chelsea in January 2008, after Mourinho had been sacked but has enjoyed his first week of training with the returning hero.
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