Karim Benzema is expected to earn a bumper £5.5m per year contract after agreeing terms over a new deal with Real Madrid. Benzema’s future at Real Madrid had been up for debate following the arrival of James Rodriguez at Real Madrid, plus the Spanish giants’ heavy interest in Colombian striker Radamel Falcao. Benzema, 26, joined Madrid from Lyon in 2009 and has since had an impeccable scoring record, netting 111 goals from 233 games. Interest from a number of top clubs, including Liverpool was made but it was confirmed on Wednesday that Madrid have agreed a new deal for the…
Author: Staff Writer
Tottenham Hotspur will abandon their pursuit of Roma striker Mattia Destro if he has not joined the club by the end of next week, Football Express News understands. A source close to White Hart Lane told FEN that strengthening the strikeforce is a top priority and Destro remains the first choice target, but they are frustrated at the lack of progress made on the deal. Spurs were given a boost last night when the player snubbed a move to Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg, but the urgency with which the north London outfit intend to improve their forward options means they will…
FIFA World Cup 2014 star Juan Cuadrado is under hot pursuit by two European giants Manchester United and FC Barcelona, with the Red Devils believed to be edging closer to a deal. Football Express News understands Man United are set to make an audacious bid in the region of £ 30-35m to Serie A side Fiorentina for the Colombian star. The Red Devils are still looking to fill the void which was created after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and creative winger Cuadrado could be the perfect fit. Current Man United wingers are not considered top performers like Ronaldo.…
Julian Draxler has said that he was left unhappy with his performances at club level last season and that he wants to improve his level of play. German youngster Draxler has been given a £37m buy-out clause due heavy interest from a number of top European clubs but the talented winger feels his performances at club level for Schalke last season were not that of a someone valued close to the £40m mark. Speaking to Bild, Draxler feels that his valuation was a hindrance last season, affecting his performances and that he wants to push on now and improve his…
Ryan Giggs has hit back at Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers after he claimed Louis van Gaal would struggle in the Premier League. Rodgers was unable to beat Man United in the International Champions Cup final earlier this week and hit out at new United boss Van Gaal, telling him to expect a tough start to life in the Premier League. But, Giggs, who is now assistant manager to the Dutch coach, believes that Rodgers’ comments are false and that the former Barcelona coach will adapt well to English football. “He’s not going to be overwhelmed,” the former Wales international, who…
Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has discussed the current situation regarding Dani Alves and said that the Brazilian will remain at the club. The 31-year-old has been strongly linked with a move away from the Camp Nou this summer with Liverpool and Paris Saint Germain showing increased interest. However, new Barca boss Luis Enrique, who sat down with the Brazilian international on Tuesday morning when he returned to pre-season training; has said that he will remain a Barcelona player for the time being. “Alves is a Barcelona player and a very good one,” Luis Enrique stated at a press conference. “I…
Southampton have confirmed the signing of Saphir Taider of Inter Milan in a swap deal which sees Saints striker Dani Osvaldo join the Italian club. The 22-year-old, who was part of Algeria’s World Cup squad, has joined Southampton on a season long loan after making just 15 appearances for Inter Milan last season. “It’s part of our philosophy for the club to bring in talented young players who like to learn and develop themselves, and that’s true of Saphir,” coach Ronald Koeman told Southampton’s official website. “First of all, he is a talented football player. He’s 22 and has already…
Juventus have reportedly jumped ahead of rivals Inter Milan in the queue to buy Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez. According to Italian source TuttoSport, the Serie A champions are concerned about the length of time it is taking new arrival Alvaro Morata to recover from a knee injury and will now look to strengthen their options in the final third of the pitch. They have identified the Mexico international as their first choice target and are ready to capitalise on Inter’s failure to end their long-running pursuit of the forward. However, if they hit a brick wall with the Hernandez…
Queens Park Rangers have joined Hull City in the fight for Tottenham Hotspur defender Michael Dawson, Football Express News understands. A source close to Loftus Road told FEN they are ready to renew their long-standing interest in the former Nottingham Forest man, who is in danger of slipping down the pecking order under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino. QPR boss Harry Redknapp still intends to significantly strengthen his squad after leading them to promotion back to the top flight at the first time of asking following a dramatic 1-0 win over Derby County in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.…
Manchester United are preparing a £15m bid to sign Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen, according to the Daily Mail. Following the departures of centre-back Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, United have been searching for a replacement and Vermaelen is believed to be their main target. The defender is also a target for Barcelona and the Spanish side have already made a £10m bid for the Belgian international. United’s Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has accepted that he must pay high prices to persuade the defender to sign at Old Trafford. The 28-year-old, who was their official club captain last season, was limited…