Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has said that he was hoping international team-mate Ivan Rakitic would join the Spanish capital side but wished him well ahead of his move to Barcelona. Rakitic was in superb form last season and played a big part in Sevilla’s successful Europa League campaign, plus he was the only player in La Liga to score against the top three – Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid. All of the aforementioned three have been linked with a summer move but it is all-but confirmed that the Croatian midfielder will join Barcelona this summer. Catalan daily Sport…
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Sampdoria have revealed they are not likely to bid for AC Milan striker Alessandro Matri, who is being tracked by Tottenham Hotspur and Everton. Director Ariedo Braida told Tutto Mercato Web his club will probably not attempt to sign the forward, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Fiorentina. He said: “I do not think Matri will play in Sampdoria next year.” The latest development represents good news for the 29-year-old’s Premier League suitors, and sources close to White Hart Lane and Goodison Park told Football Express News they continue to monitor the situation. Spurs are…
Juventus have stepped up their efforts to bag Barcelona attacker Alexis Sanchez, according to reports in the Italian media. Tuttosport claims the Chile international is a top transfer target for Juve head coach Antonio Conte, who plans to make contact with the player’s representatives despite his involvement in the World Cup. Sanchez’s participation in the eagerly-anticipated tournament in Brazil could hold up any potential move away from the Nou Camp, even if he expresses a desire to make a switch to the Serie A champions. The 25-year-old scored 19 goals in 44 appearances for the Catalan giants during the 2013-14…
Roma are set to battle it out with Liverpool for the summer acquisition of Southampton centre-half Dejan Lovren, according to fresh reports in Italy. Il Messaggaro claims the Serie A side are likely to firm up their interest in the 24-year-old with a bid if they fail to persuade defender Mehdi Benatia to stay at the club. The Morocco international is the subject of a transfer tug-of-war between Bayern Munich and Manchester City, with the Bundesliga champions failing with a £26million bid, claims the report. Should one of Benatia’s suitors meet Roma’s valuation – which is believed to be in…
Former Arsenal midfielder Alex Song has instructed his agents to find him a new club, according to Mundo Deportivo. The Cameroon international is currently preparing to represent his country at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil but his club situation is also being discussed, with the former Gunner having contacted his agent following Barcelona’s contract renewal of Javier Mascherano. Argentine Mascherano joined Barcelona as a central midfielder but was quickly converted to centre-back, playing alongside Gerard Pique on recent seasons. However, with the Catalan club making moves to sign a new centre-back, it is widely expected that Mascherano will now…
Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos will be offered a new contract by Real Madrid which will see him join the likes of Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo as the best paid players at the club. Spanish daily Marca report that the Spanish World Cup winner will be heavily rewarded for his performances last season and be offered a brand new bumper deal, which will ultimately see him remain at the club for a significant time and be paid similar amounts to Bale and Ronaldo. Ramos was in superb form last season and played an important part in Madrid’s Champions League…
Liverpool outcast Pepe Reina has not ruled out the possibility of staying at the club and fighting for his place. The Spain international was farmed out on loan to Serie A outfit Napoli last season after Reds boss Brendan Rodgers decided to trim the wage bill and replace him with Simon Mignolet, who arrived from Sunderland. Reina faces an uphill struggle to win back the number one jersey from his Belgian counterpart and is widely-expected to depart Merseyside during the summer transfer window. However, the 31-year-old, who has two years remaining on his contract, told Primer Toque he could extend…
Everton keeper Joel Robles has discussed the impending transfer of Romelu Lukaku to Atletico Madrid, comparing him to Diego Costa. The Belgian striker is fully expected to be sent out on loan to the Spanish champions in the coming days after a deal between Atletico Madrid and Chelsea was completed over the signing of Diego Costa. Both Lukaku [Belgium] and Costa [Spain] will both in Brazil this summer representing their countries at the World Cup and Spanish keeper Joel Robles has taken time out of his summer holiday to compare the two. “Lukaku is a lot like Diego Costa, but…
Roma have reportedly turned down a £26million bid from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich for coveted defender Mehdi Benatia. According to Il Messaggaro, the Serie A outfit have not given up hope of keeping the 27-year-old for at least another season, despite strong interest from the Bavarian giants and Premier League champions Manchester City. A source close to the Blues told Football Express News they continue to monitor the situation with interest, but are yet to meet Roma’s valuation of the player, which is believed to exceed £40m. The Il Messaggaro report claims Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini is striving to…
Victor Valdes could find himself without a club for next season after Ligue 1 side Monaco turned their back on signing him, prompting more interest from Arsenal and Manchester City. Valdes called time on his career with Barcelona at the beginning of this year, informing fans of the club his decision not to renew his current deal and leave on a free transfer. And, it was fully expected that the Spanish international stopper would arrive in Ligue 1 with Monaco after an agreement between both parties had been reached back in February. However, that pre-contract agreement has now been cancelled…