Napoli manager Rafael Benitez has reportedly set his sights on snapping up Montpellier midfielder Remy Cabella. Italian publication Il Mattino claims the ex-Liverpool boss is determined to bolster his squad and add to his options in the centre of the pitch in order to take the pressure off talisman Marek Hamsik. Benitez seemingly feels he is in with a chance of landing his man in a deal worth somewhere in the region of £8million, although he may have to wait until the end of the World Cup. The 24-year-old has been called up to the France squad in place of…
Author: Staff Writer
Former Arsenal wideman Gervinho is caught up in a contract dispute with Serie A outfit Roma, according to fresh reports in the Italian media. Speculation has been rife since the end of last season that the Ivory Coast international is unhappy with the terms of his current deal, just one year after departing the Emirates Stadium. And Italian source Time claims the 27-year-old will seek parity with some of Roma’s biggest earners in light of the club’s attempt to keep hold of coveted defender Mehdi Benatia by offering him more money. The report reveals Gervinho’s desire to take home bigger…
Football Express News understands that Real Madrid have held positive talks with representatives of Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos. The German international has been a constant name in media outlets coverage of transfer talk this summer already, following a change in his situation with German side Bayern Munich, with whom he has rejected a new contract offer. Premier League side Manchester United have been firm favourites to sign the midfielder but it is now understood that Spanish giants Real Madrid have taken huge steps to complete a summer move. Kroos’ agent Volker Struth has been in heavy discussion with Madrid…
Inter Milan could be forced to abandon plans to launch a big-money move for Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko as they are reportedly hindered by debt. According to Tutto Mercato Web, owner Erick Thohir inherited more than £200m of debt when he bought the club from long-serving figurehead Massimo Moratti towards the end of last year. The report claims that figure has been reduced in recent months, but the Serie A club’s financial restructuring throws into serious doubt their hopes of landing any forward who commands a large transfer fee. Dzeko certainly falls into that category despite having only 12…
Football Express News understands that Tottenham Hotspur have made an initial offer to Bayern Munich for Mario Mandzukic. The Croatian striker was in superb form last season for the German side and played an important part in their Bundesliga and German cup success, scoring 26 goals in 48 games. However, his relationship with boss Pep Guardiola is not a fruitful one and that has led the 28-year-old to say his goodbyes and search for a new club this summer. Representing the Croatian national side this summer in Brazil, Mandzukic will be hoping to impress, whilst a first bid from Spurs…
England’s long-standing forward Wayne Rooney is possibly the most ‘marmite’ player the Three Lions have, people either love him or hate him. He’s enjoyed massive success with the national team, but can he still be dubbed with the likes of Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi as a world class striker, or has he gone backwards? With the 2014 World Cup set for kick-off this weekend, England will face tricky competition against the Latins – the likes of Argentina, Brazil, and Spain – and that’s providing they get past Uruguay and Italy in the early group stage. Formidable world class forwards…
Ground workers at Rio de Janeiro’s airports plan to hold a 24-hour strike on Thursday, the day Brazil hosts the opening game of the 2014 World Cup. The workers have promised to operate at 80% whilst the strike takes place but it will cause delays on the road as thousands and thousands of football fans have arrived in the Brazilian city for the opening match which sees Brazil face Croatia in Sao Paulo. The planned strike, which takes effect at midnight on Wednesday, is just another reminder of the problems that have surfaced ahead of the World Cup; problems that…
Napoli hope to end attacker Erik Lamela’s Tottenham Hotspur nightmare by luring him back to Serie A during the summer transfer window, according to fresh reports in Italy. Il Mattino claims the Argentina international features prominently on a list of targets drawn up in Naples, and an offer could be made in the coming weeks. Lamela became Tottenham’s most expensive player when they broke their transfer record last summer, paying Roma £30million to secure his services. He was one of the players tasked with filling the boots of Welsh winger Gareth Bale, who left for La Liga giants Real Madrid,…
Football Express News understands that Manchester United will hold initial talks with Porto over the possible signing of Jackson Martinez. The Colombian striker has been in superb form for Porto since he arrived in Europe back in 2012 and has scored an impressive 60 goals in 91 games for the Portuguese side. His performances this season have gained interest from a number of big-spending European clubs, such as Atletico Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United, whilst previous links to Tottenham Hotspur have also been heard in media. And, the latter are now ready to push their interest with new boss Louis…
The following article was written by Peter Swallow, you can follow Peter on Twitter@ccfooty. From midway through the 19th century the world saw a remarkable and unprecedented occurrence – a small island in Northern Europe became the world’s foremost global superpower. For a relatively brief part of human history Britain not only ruled the waves but the entire world. On Saturday England will embark on their latest campaign since the success of 1966, when they bossed the world of football. Since 1966 not only has the overall quality of football improved, but so has participation in the beautiful game. Teams…