Xherdan Shaqiri says he must accept that Bayern Munich will not sell him and perform on the field for Pep Guardiola. The Swiss international produced some fine displays during his country’s World Cup campaign and gained heavy interest from a number of top European clubs, prompting the forward to re-think his future at the Allianz Arena. However, Bundesliga champions Bayern refused to sell, rebuffing any offers and that has left Shaqiri to battle for a place in Guardiola’s starting eleven with the likes of Mario Gotze, Arjen Robben and co. Shaqiri, now, accepts that he will not be sold and…
Author: Staff Writer
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has admitted his pleasure at being called La Liga’s best striker by team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese forward heaped heavy praise on the Frenchman following the 5-0 rout of Athletic Bilbao at the weekend, calling him the best out and out striker in football to date. “It’s a pleasure to hear it from him, because right now he’s the best player in the world and he knows a little about this. I really appreciate it,” the France international told Marca. The former Lyon striker added that the understanding of himself, Ronaldo and Gareth Bale is…
Cesc Fabregas believes Chelsea team-mate Eden Hazard is having the same impact at the club as Lionel Messi does at Barcelona. The former Barca player joined Chelsea this summer after a rather less than fruitful time at the Camp Nou and his impact has been immediate, partnering Diego Costa and Eden Hazard in a lively looking attack which has propelled Chelsea to the top of the Premier League table. And, Fabregas has held special praise for the latter, who he believes has similar attributes to that of former Barca team-mate Leo Messi. “He is the link between midfield and attack…
Football Express News understands that Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has informed team-mate Dani Alves that Manchester United would be a good place to play his football. The Brazilian full-back is widely expected to leave the Catalan club next summer when his contract expires, discussing such talks last week in a press conference where he told reporters that this season would indeed be his last at the Camp Nou. His words have led to a number of top European clubs, mainly English, to show interest. And, it is understood that one of those clubs – Man United, has been talked up…
Fiorentina sporting director Daniele Prade is confident that Juan Cuadrado will remain at the club and sign a new deal. The Colombia international has three years remaining on his current deal with the Italian club but with numerous interest from the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United – the club have become worried that he will be forced out. That has led officials from the Artemio Franchi to discuss a potential new deal which would come with a bigger minimum release clause. “We’re negotiating,” he told reporters. “Both parties are discussing the situation and we want to do…
Liverpool are in talks with former Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes and have planned a medical for late next week. The Spanish international is currently recovering from injury after suffering a anterior cruciate ligament injury back in March, which saw him miss the final part of Barcelona’s season and ultimately his final months at the club. The 32-year-old has been strongly linked with a move to Anfield since the end of the transfer window and is now set to join the club on a free transfer. Of course, any such deal will only happen if Valdes can prove his fitness at…
Football Express News understands that Manchester City officials have landed in Germany to undergo talks with Borussia Dortmund about signing Marco Reus. The German international has been strongly linked with a move away from Borussia Dortmund in recent seasons and looked poised to make a summer switch to either Manchester United or Barcelona. However, injury which kept him out of his country’s World Cup campaign in Brazil scuppered any chance of a move and he continued with the Bundesliga club, recovering from injury and starting the season well. That has not stopped his future being discussed though, with some reports…
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has expressed his delight that new signing Diafra Sakho has settled so quickly. The 24-year-old striker scored his fifth goal of the season during a 2-0 win against Queens Park Rangers on Sunday. “It’s that man Sakho again, he is in the right position. I think it killed their spirit. I’m happy because it was a well deserved win and another good performance from the team,” said the 59-year-old manager, speaking to the Club’s official website. “We knew he was a good player, he scored 20 goals last year but we didn’t know how…
Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has revealed that he almost joined Atletico Madrid for £18 million in 2011, after receiving criticism from the United fans. The 23-year-old was heavily blamed for the goals during United the 2011 Community Shield as well as errors against Basle and Benfica in the Champions League. Asked whether he considered leaving Old Trafford, De Gea said: “Sometimes. “It’s difficult when you get a lot of criticism. But I kept strong.” “What happened at the start helped me be the player and man I am now,” he added. “When you have bad moments you have to improve.…
Glen Johnson could leave Liverpool on a free transfer after seeing further contract talks break down over the weekend. The 30-year-old will become a free agent next summer and is able to sign for a new club from January 1sr, 2015, having thus far failed to negotiate a new contract with the Merseyside club. Johnson has been offered a 12-month extension to his current £120,000 per week deal but the England international is holding out for pay rise and a longer deal. Team-mate Daniel Sturridge signed a new deal last week, extending his current contract to five years, whilst negotiations…