View image | gettyimages.com Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres has compared his time at Chelsea to swimming with clothes on. The Spaniard moved to Stamford Bridge for £50m from Liverpool in January 2011 but failed to establish himself at the club, scoring just 20 goals in 110 games in the Premier League. Torres has since returned to boyhood club Atletico Madrid, after a short stint with AC Milan and when speaking to El Pais on Monday, the World Cup winner said: “You end up in a situation where things have not gone well for weeks, or for years. That is…
Author: Staff Writer
http://gty.im/466521912 Per Mertesacker has kept his place in Arsenal’s starting line up for the Champions League clash with Monaco on Tuesday evening. The German World Cup winning centre back has been under increasing pressure this season and Gunners fans called for him to be replaced by new January signing Gabriel, who is yet to force his way into the Arsenal starting eleven. Mertesacker partners Laurent Koscielny, who seems a constant figure for boss Arsene Wenger, whilst Nacho Monreal and Hector Bellerin flank to the defenders. Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud continue, whilst Danny Welbeck has been included from the…
View image | gettyimages.com Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes his side can beat Monaco in the Champions League on Tuesday evening. Wenger’s side lost the first leg of their last-16 tie with Monaco 3-1 at the Emirates stadium back in February but the French boss believes his side can overturn the result and progress to the quarter-finals. “The statistics are against us,” Wenger told ESPN. “The result in the first leg is against us. We are conscious about that. “But no matter how big the percentage is, we have to give absolutely everything to make the stats lie, that is…
Liverpool’s number one target Luciano Vietto is available at just £14.5m this summer, Football Express News understands. Argentine Vietto has somewhat of a breakthrough season in La Liga, having joined Villarreal last summer from Argentine side Racing Club. He has since scored 20 goals in all competitions and has helped the Spanish side to a Europa League last-16 place. His form has caught the attention of potential suitors Liverpool, who are extremely keen and have labelled him as their number one target this summer. Some reports in Spain had claimed that the youngster has a £30m release clause but it is now understood…
http://gty.im/466209576 Tottenham Hotspur are ready to make a summer move for Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko, Football Express News understands. The Premier League champions completed a £27m move for the Ivorian striker from Swansea City in the latter stages of the January transfer window, which led to numerous reports that Bosnian strike Dzeko would be moved on. A number of Bundesliga sides have maintained their interest with former club Wolfsburg said to be keen, whilst Spurs have been looking closely at the striker this season. And, it is understood that after hearing of City’s desire to sell Dzeko for a…
http://gty.im/463680698 Chelsea will sell defender Filipe Luis back to Atletico Madrid this summer for the same price they signed him for last summer. The Brazilian joined the Blues last summer from Atletico Madrid, together with Diego Costa, but while his teammate has enjoyed a brilliant start to the career in England, the defender has largely struggled to make an impact. Luis only made a total of 22 Premier League appearances as he continues to play second fiddle to Cesar Azpilicueta, and it appears he is hoping to return to Spanish La Liga. It is known that that the defender notified his…
http://gty.im/466192382 Manchester United have held talks with Hoffenheim over a potential summer move for Roberto Firmino. United’s German scout Peter Braund was in attendance as the Brazilian midfielder played for the Bundesliga club against Hamburg at the weekend. A whole host of European clubs have been interested in the 23-year-old after his impressive displays this season and last. Liverpool and Arsenal have notably been monitoring his situation but it is now United who have gained momentum in the race to sign him. Firmino has a current buy-out clause of £14.5m and can play either as a winger or secondary striker.…
http://gty.im/464757786 Southampton boss Ronald Koeman admits he would love to manage Barcelona, but hints that he would be interested in replacing Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City. The Dutch coach has been a revelation at Southampton this season, helping them join the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool in the race for a Champions League place. Having played for Barcelona during his playing days, Koeman has discussed how he would love the chance to take the reigns at the Camp Nou sometime in the future, but added he would find it hard to say no to Man City. “The entire…
http://gty.im/466533760 Jamie Carragher believes that Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers should not include Steven Gerrard in Sunday’s clash with Manchester United. The former England captain returned to action as Liverpool beat Swansea City 1-0 win on Monday evening, which was his first game in six weeks due to a hamstring injury. Liverpool have since been in good form over Gerrard’s absence and his inclusion in the starting eleven for the upcoming Man United tie is causing much debate. And, former Reds defender Carragher has called for Rodgers to leave the midfielder on the bench. During Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Carragher…
http://gty.im/465406182 Newcastle United have offered a pre-contract to Marseille forward Andre Ayew, according to Newcastle Evening Chronicle. The Ghana international was expected see his current contract expire in June, allowing him to discuss terms with a new club. Liverpool have held a long term interest in the Marseille attacker, whilst North London rivals Arsenal had also been keen through the years. However, it is now reported that Newcastle have jumped the queue and made a move for the attacker by offering a pre-contract. The 25-year-old former African Footballer of the Year has scored four goals and created three in 17 games for…