It would take an “astronomical fee” for Swansea City to part with in-form Ivory Coast forward Wilfried Bony, manager Gary Monk said on Monday. . The 25-year-old has scored 18 Premier League goals in 2014, two more than his nearest rivalSergio Aguero, and has helped the Welsh team climb to eighth in the table with six goals in his last seven appearances. . According to media reports, Bony was a target for Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspurduring the close-season but he remained at the Liberty Stadium and last month signed a one-year contract extension that ties him to the club…
Author: David F.
Manchester City star Yaya Toure has insisted criticism of his performances won’t distract him from concentrating on helping the champions overhaul leaders Chelsea in the Premier League title race. . Ivory Coast midfielder Toure scored the opening goal with a typical 20-yard strike as City leapfrogged Southampton into second place with a 3-0 win at the Saints’ St Mary’s Stadium on Sunday. . City are now six points adrift of Chelsea heading into their trip to Sunderland on Wednesday. . The 31-year-old Toure has had a difficult few months, including having to cope with the death of his brother, but…
Manchester City star Yaya Toure has insisted criticism of his performances won’t distract him from concentrating on helping the champions overhaul leaders Chelsea in the Premier League title race. . Ivory Coast midfielder Toure scored the opening goal with a typical 20-yard strike as City leapfrogged Southampton into second place with a 3-0 win at the Saints’ St Mary’s Stadium on Sunday. . City are now six points adrift of Chelsea heading into their trip to Sunderland on Wednesday. . The 31-year-old Toure has had a difficult few months, including having to cope with the death of his brother, but…
Neymar’s dad and agent told a Spanish court investigating alleged tax fraud in his son’s signing by Barcelona that the player rejected a much higher offer from Real Madrid of €150 million. . Barcelona initially said the signing of the 22-year-old player from Brazilian side Santos in May 2012 cost them €57.1 million. . But after questions were raised about the deal by a Barcelona club member, the club in January revealed the deal was worth €86.2 million when including the player’s signing bonus, commission, marketing deals and other agreements. . The club member, Jordi Cases, accused former Barcelona president…
Lionel Messi is not thinking about breaking Telmo Zarra’s La Liga scoring record of 251 goals despite having closed to within three of the former Athletic Bilbao and Spain forward. . Four-times World Player of the Year Messi has scored five times in Spain’s top flight this season, including two against Granada last weekend, taking his overall tally to 248, and has a chance to add to his haul in Saturday’s match at Rayo Vallecano. . “Right now I am not thinking about the record,” Messi said at a promotional event in Barcelona on Thursday. . “But it is nice…
Brazil international Dani Alves is planning to leave Barcelona at the end of this season and join an English club, the fullback said on Wednesday. . “I am moving to England next year,” he told Rio de Janeiro’s O Globo newspaper. “I am going to play in the cradle of football. This will be my last year at Barcelona.” . He did not say which club he might join or why he wanted to leave the Spanish giants. . The 31-year old joined Barcelona in 2008 and has won four La Liga crowns and two Champions League titles.
Frustrated Arsenal winger Lukas Podolski hinted on Thursday he might leave the Premier League club before his contract expires in 2016 because he was not playing enough. . “I am a full blooded player, a street player and I love competition,” the 29-year-old told RTL television. . “If I don’t have this competition every weekend then a change must occur.” . Podolski, who has scored 47 goals for Germany in 118 internationals, joined the London club in 2012. . He was not involved in the opening four matches of the season following Germany’s successful World Cup in Brazil, and has…
Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema has many detractors in Spain and in his native France but scoring important goals like his winner in Wednesday’s Champions League game at Ludogorets will help silence them. . Benzema’s critics say he should be a lot more prolific, while his supporters, including Real president Florentino Perez and coach Carlo Ancelotti, highlight his work for the team, which they say often goes unnoticed. . The 26-year-old came off the bench in the second half in Sofia and his strike 13 minutes from time to make it 2-1 helped Real complete a comeback from a goal…
Atletico Madrid can repeat last season’s successes if they maintain the same intensity and work rate that helped secure a 1-0 win at home to Juventus in Champions League Group A, according to fullback Juanfran. . With an unspectacular squad fuelled by fierce commitment and self-belief, Atletico won their first La Liga title in 18 years in 2013-14 and were pipped in the final of Europe’s elite club competition by Real Madrid. . Wednesday’s Group A victory over Italian champions Juventus at the Calderon again showcased Atletico’s ability to fluster illustrious opponents with their pressing game. . It was also…
Arsenal fans appear to have found a new god to worship after Danny Welbeck smashed home a hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Galatasaray last night. . Welbeck completed a £16million move from Manchester United on transfer deadline day last month and has since impressed at the Emirates. . But, if the FA are to be believed, he’s still a Manchester United player. Is he loan at Arsenal? If he is then a £16million loan fee is a bit excessive, don’t you think? . Either way, at least he’s scoring goals for Arsenal. Which is more than what can be…
The teenager moved to Old Trafford from Southampton for £27m in the summer but has so far only started one game – last weekend against West Ham – due to various fitness concerns. . United are suffering something of an injury crisis in defence at present, meaning that Shaw will likely be needed to start against Everton on Sunday, and the England international has revealed he held talks with Neville prior to his move. . “I speak to him and we chatted a lot at the World Cup finals in Brazil,” Shaw told the Daily Mirror. . “Obviously, at that…
Manchester United’s injury woes show no sign of abating with Ander Herrera facing the prospect of up to six weeks out with a fractured rib. . The Spaniard came off in the second half of the 2-1 victory against West Ham at Old Trafford and was assessed by United’s medical staff. . United said in a statement on their official website that they will “monitor his progress over the next few weeks”.
Manchester United have been sent crashing back down to earth after a comeback from City saw them lose a seemingly comfortable tie 5-3. United were 3-1 up after Ander Herrera’s 53rd minute goal and seemingly cruising – but goals from David Nugent, Esteban Cambiasso, Jamie Vardy and Leonardo Ulloa saw City complete a fantastic and memorable victory. . But that does not tell the whole story. United’s capitulation was inexcusable but so was the abysmal refereeing display from Clattenburg. . He failed to award a foul before then giving a penalty against the Brazilian who was rtightly feeling aggrieved. He…
Manchester United have been sent crashing back down to earth after a comeback from Leicester City saw them lose a seemingly comfortable tie 5-3. United were 3-1 up after Ander Herrera’s 53rd minute goal and seemingly cruising – but goals from David Nugent, Esteban Cambiasso, Jamie Vardy and Leonardo Ulloa saw Leicester City complete a fantastic and memorable victory. . But that does not tell the whole story. United’s capitulation was inexcusable but so was the abysmal refereeing display from Mark Clattenburg. . He failed to award Rafael a foul before then giving a penalty against the Brazilian who was…
Manchester United interim manager Ryan Giggs says Phil Jones and Wayne Rooney will both be fit to play for England at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil. . United defender Jones, 22, injured his shoulder in Tuesday’s 3-1 win against Hull, while forward Rooney, 28, has had a minor groin problem. . England manager Roy Hodgson will name a provisional 30-man squad for the World Cup on Monday. . On Rooney, Giggs said: “He is training and will be fine for the World Cup.” . The Welshman added: “He has just started over the last couple of days. Sunday is…
Rodgers is set to put pen to paper on a new deal once the title challengers have completed the season. . “I’ve obviously been in discussions with the club and there’s the framework of a deal in place,” said Rodgers. . “But I’ve always said it will be the end of the season. I want nothing to detract from what has been a great season for ourselves.” . The new contract rewards Rodgers for transforming Liverpool into Manchester City’s closest rivals for the Premier League title after finishing seventh last season. . Having let slip a 3-0 lead at Crystal…
Atletico Madrid’s top scorer Diego Costa looks set to miss his side’s crucial La Liga match against Malaga on Sunday due to a hamstring injury. . Depending on the extent of the injury, the 25-year-old could also be a doubt for Atletico’s trip to Barcelona on the final day of the La Liga season and the Champions League final against Real Madrid on May 24. . “Diego Costa has undergone some scans to determine the extent of a grade one injury in his right hamstring,” the club said in a statement on their website on Friday. . “The striker did…
Arsenal centre back Laurent Koscielny has signed a “new long-term contract” at the Emirates, the Premier League club said on Friday without specifying the length of the deal. . “Laurent has proven himself to be an outstanding player since joining us in 2010 and has shown his quality once again this season. I am delighted he has decided to commit his future to the club,” manager Arsene Wenger told the club’s website (www.arsenal.com). . French international Koscielny has made 163 appearances in all competitions for the Londoners since joining from Lorient, more than any other Arsenal player over the same…
Manchester United are ready for massive summer over haul and look to sign world class stars in the upcoming transfer window. . According to reports, the Red Devils are set to announce Louis van Gaal as permanent manager on Monday and are closing in on three top quality signings. . The players in discussion are, Luke Shaw of Southampton, Toni Kroos of Bayern Munich and last but not the least Edinson Cavani of PSG. . Shaw has been one of the best players in the premier league and arguably the best left back this season as he was voted in…
Ryan Giggs is set to tell incoming Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal that he is ready to extend his playing career into next season, according to reports from Goal. . The 40-year-old Welshman is set to see out the current campaign in the dugout after stepping in for the departed David Moyes, but his role as head coach is likely to come to an end over the summer. . Van Gaal is widely expected to be announced as the club’s new full manager in the coming weeks, with various sources claiming that a deal is all but finalised for…