Liverpool and Monaco are reportedly battling it out for the signature of Newcastle United midfielder Moussa Sissoko. According to French source L’Equipe, cash-rich Ligue 1 heavyweights Monaco have made the 24-year-old one of their top targets for the summer transfer window. However, the report reveals that last season’s Premier League runners-up Liverpool are equally keen to land him in the coming weeks and are ready to fight fellow suitors in a bidding war. The Magpies are in a strong position to hold out for a significant sum of money because Sissoko has another five years remaining on his current contract…
Author: Staff Writer
Barcelona have reportedly rejected the opportunity to sign Liverpool defender Daniel Agger. Mundo Deportivo claims the Catalan giants were keen on the towering centre-half for several years but, having finally being handed the opportunity to secure his services this summer, they have decided to focus on other targets. Despite seemingly becoming surplus to requirements at Anfield, Barca will instead target Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany, Valencia’s Jeremy Mathieu or Mats Hummels, of Borussia Dortmund. Barca are anxious to bolster the heart of their backline after missing out on the La Liga title on the last day of the season to…
Arsenal are weighing up a player-plus-cash deal for Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul, Football Express News understands. The 25-year-old, who inspired Holland to a penalty shoot-out victory over Costa Rica in last night’s World Cup quarter-final, was one of the few stand-out performers in the Magpies’ torrid 2013-14 campaign. A source close to the Emirates Stadium told FEN that Krul has been identified as a key summer acquisition and a bid could be put on the table as soon as the Netherlands’ tournament comes to an end. The Gunners insider revealed the club expects to be met with fierce resistance…
Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul has spoken of his pride after guiding Holland to penalty shoot-out success against Costa Rica last night in the World Cup quarter-finals. The Magpies shot-stopper came on as a substitute in a bold tactical move by head coach Louis van Gaal in the dying seconds of extra-time, as a fascinating encounter ended 0-0. Veteran van Gaal, who takes over as Manchester United manager after the tournament in Brazil comes to an end, decided the 26-year-old was better equipped to save spot-kicks than Ajax’s Jasper Cillessen. The switch worked as Krul saved two penalties, while his…
Former England striker Michael Owen claims the Three Lions would have enjoyed more success in penalty shoot-outs if they had substituted their goalkeeper before the spot kicks started. Holland secured safe passage to the World Cup semi-finals last night after holding their nerve from 12 yards out against Costa Rica, who managed to keep the game goalless for 120 minutes. Netherlands head coach Louis van Gaal raised eyebrows when he replaced first-choice shot-stopper Jasper Cillessen with Newcastle United’s Tim Krul just seconds before the final whistle. The decision was justified as the Magpies man saved two penalties and, after seeing…
Tim Krul proved to be the hero as Netherlands beat Costa Rica on penalties to reach the semi-final of the World Cup. The game in truth was the not the best of the four quarter-final encounters with Netherlands unable to break down a battling and courageous Costa Rica side. Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder came close in the space of 30 seconds but they found Levante keeper Keylor Navas in the same superb form that he has been in this summer. Bryan Ruiz came close moments later as he found space in the box, but he was denied by…
Argentina reached the World Cup semi-final after beating Belgium 1-0 thanks to a goal from Gonzalo Higuain. Of all the consistent performers for Argentina in this World Cup so far, few expected Gonzalo Higuain, who has been quiet to come up trumps against a solid looking Belgium side. But, the Napoli striker was on hand after just eight minutes to score what would be the only goal of the game. Angel di Maria’s cross deflected into the path of Higuain, who half-volleyed the ball past Thibaut Courtois. The goal seemed to knock Belgium out of their stride and they could…
Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella praised his side for their performance against Belgium in their 1-0 quarter final World Cup victory today and dubbed it their “best match of the competition.” Argentina defeated a somewhat lacklustre Belgium side this afternoon and progressed to their first World Cup semi final in 24 years. First team coach Sabella told reporters after the game: “It was a great joy for all. It was our best match of the World Cup.” His side will face the winner of this evening’s Netherlands v Costa Rica clash in the semi final next week and the Argentine boss…
Colombia defender Camilo Zuniga has issued a formal apology to Brazil playmaker Neymar for the challenge that painfully ended his World Cup victory dreams in the Brazil v Colombia quarter final clash in Fortaleza yesterday. A statement was released today by the Colombia national team which contained a regretful acknowledgement made by Zuniga to the 22-year-old star, saying he is “deeply sorry and sad” for causing the injury – a knee in the back which fractured a vertebra – which knocked the Brazilian poster boy out of the remainder of the World Cup competition. The Colombian said: “Although I feel…
Manchester City will issue an ultimatum to Porto’s Eliaquim Mangala next week after growing frustrated in their long-running pursuit of the defender, Football Express News understands. The 22-year-old, who was the subject of an unsuccessful Blues bid in January, insisted he would not make decisions about his future until France’s World Cup campaign came to an end. He was an unused substitute as Didier Deschamps’ men crashed out of the competition yesterday following a 1-0 defeat at the hands of rivals Germany, and Premier League champions City will now press him for an answer. A source close to the Etihad…