Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has reportedly agreed personal terms with Serie A club Napoli as his Anfield exit moves closer. According to Italian source Il Mattino, the Brazil international will be paid slightly in excess of £2million per year, with bonuses on top. Napoli are yet to agree a fee with the Reds for his services, although the report claims he could initially join on loan with a view to a permanent switch, which would cost somewhere between £10m and £12m a year down the line. The Italian Cup holders are trying to negotiate for the fee to only kick…
Author: Staff Writer
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal is preparing to intensify the Red Devils’ transfer activity by signing at least one defender after seeing his Holland side crash out of the World Cup, Football Express News understands. The Netherlands head coach suffered the heartache of a penalty shoot-out defeat to Argentina in last night’s semi-final, after holding them to a goalless draw. And while van Gaal and his players must remain in Brazil until the weekend in order to face the host nation in Saturday night’s third-place play-off, the 62-year-old has a busy 48 hours ahead of him. A source close…
Holland assistant Patrick Kluivert has thanked fans for their support in the wake of his side’s heartbreaking World Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of Argentina. The Dutch frustrated their opponents and held out for a 0-0 draw after extra-time in what proved to be a cagey affair in Brazil. The contest went to a penalty shoot-out and while the south Americans successfully dispatched all of their attempts, Holland duo Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder were thwarted by goalkeeper Sergio Romero. Regular penalty taker Robin van Persie could not take one as he was substituted by head coach Louis van…
Former England internationals Michael Owen and Joey Barton think Holland would have beaten Argentina in last night’s World Cup semi-final penalty shoot-out if Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul was on the pitch. Magpies shot-stopper Krul was the star of the show in the last-eight triumph over Costa Rica, when he came on for Jasper Cillessen and saved two penalties following a 120-minute stalemate. The Dutch once again failed to find the back of the net in last night’s clash with Argentina, and the dreaded showdown from 12 yards came after another 0-0 draw. This time head coach Louis van Gaal…
Manchester City talisman Sergio Aguero has admitted he and his Argentina team-mates are living the dream after securing safe passage to the World Cup final. The 26-year-old returned from a two-week absence with a groin injury to feature as a substitute in last night’s tense 0-0 draw with Holland, which sent the contest to a penalty shoot-out. Aguero was one of four players to successfully dispatch a spot-kick, while goalkeeper Sergio Romero denied Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar and Galatasaray playmaker Wesley Sneijder to seal the triumph. They will now face Germany in Sunday’s final, with the European side having…
Argentina reached the World Cup final courtesy of a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Holland in tonight’s last-four clash. The contest ended goalless after 120 minutes of cagey football which produced few clear-cut chances. In the dreaded shoot-out Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero denied Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar before talisman Lionel Messi slotted home. Holland wideman Arjen Robben netted, as did opponent Ezequiel Garay, but midfield man Wesley Sneijder saw his effort palmed away by Romero. Manchester City star Sergio Aguero coolly dispatched his effort prior to ex-Liverpool attacker Dirk Kuyt holding his nerve. Substitute Maxi Rodriguez, a former Reds…
As Netherlands face Argentina tonight in their World Cup semi-final showdown, playmaker Wesley Sneijder has dubbed his team mate Arjen Robben the “Dutch Messi.” Sneijder, 30, told Italian media that the Netherlands national team are just as dependant on midfield maestro Robben as Argentina are on their heroic striker Lionel Messi. He told Gazzetta dello Sport: “Argentina have Messi, a crazy champion, but we have the Messi of Holland, whose name is Arjen Robben, and he’s having a fantastic World Cup.” “Arjen is as important for us as Messi is for Argentina. Sneijder, who was Netherland’s star performer in the…
Lazio president Claudio Lotito has warned potential poachers to stay well clear of their star striker, German ace Miroslav Klose, informing Italian radio that the player is not for sale under any circumstances. Germany’s formidable forward stunned the world last night during his side’s 7-1 destruction of host nation Brazil, breaking a record with his 23rd minute screamer past Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar. The successful strike marked Klose’s 16th World Cup goal over four tournaments spanning two decades – 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014, and this remarkable achievement cements the 36-year-old as the highest World Cup goal-scorer in history -…
Manchester City expect playmaker Samir Nasri to sign a fresh contract extension before this weekend despite, Football Express News can reveal. The ex-Arsenal midfielder’s future at the club has been called into question following several months of negotiations which failed to reach a successful conclusion. However, a source close to the Etihad Stadium told FEN that the 26-year-old will almost certainly put pen to paper by Friday at the latest, despite having no shortage of suitors across Europe. His current deal expires at the end of the 2014-15 campaign. City had hoped to announce his new deal earlier on in…
Over in Brazil, Titan Bet’s World Cup reporter Ollie Silverton interviews former Arsenal midfielder and football pundit Ray Parlour, getting him talking all things football. Ollie and Ray discuss current football transfer affairs including top Arsenal target Alexis Sanchez along with World Cup players and goals. Ray also gives his views on which nation he thinks will be crowned World Cup champions on Sunday. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH6KMf_PB7o&feature=youtu.be