Paul Pogba Hints At Antoine Griezmann’s Imminent Arrival

Reuters

Antoine Griezmann has been linked to Manchester United over a potential transfer for next season for quite some time, and as it appears, his fellow countryman Paul Pogba has indicated that a deal could be close.

The Atletico Madrid striker is believed to be the Red Devils’ prime target for the summer transfer window, and with Pogba’s latest comments on Griezmann’s transfer situation, further rumours have been triggered over the forward’s potential move to Old Trafford.

With a tally of 26 goals in all competitions this season, the Frenchman has been an integral part of Diego Simeone’s line-up, but an England switch is likely to happen, as per the reports.

Paul Pogba was recently asked about his fellow compatriot’s move to United, to which he replied (via Telefoot): “Play with Antoine Griezmann next season? Watch this space.”

The comment could also be translated as “business to follow”, meaning that negotiations over the 26-year-old striker have come into an advanced stage.

However, United manager Jose Mourinho, who spent the last weekend at Monaco Grand Prix, admitted that he is currently not involved in any kind of talks to sign Griezmann.

“I have no idea if Antoine Griezmann will come to United,” Mourinho told Sky Sports F1. “Ask Ed Woodward. He knows since March who I want, what I want and how much I want.

“Now is time for him to work. It’s for him to work because he has holidays in August and in August I’m working. I don’t care about football for a month. I’m really happy with our season, the trophies, to be back in Champions League but now I have a rest, to disconnect completely and enjoy my family and friends and other sports I like.”

For more details visit BlameFootball

Read More

Gianluigi Donnarumma To Sit In The Stands If New Contract Is Not Signed

Reuters

An ultimatum has been issued by AC Milan to super agent Mino Raiola, insisting that the club would make their highly rated goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma sit in the stands next season if a new deal isn’t signed by the end of June.

Donnarumma is currently one of the hottest young properties in Europe, and the Rossoneri are keen to keep the goalkeeper, and thus, are pushing to extend his contract which is set to expire at the end of next season.

With a meeting scheduled for next week, negotiations with the 18-year-old’s agent have been in progress, but the club seems to be exasperated now due to Raiola’s stalling.

According to Italian daily Corriere della Sera, the Serie A giants appear to have lost their patience, and have given an ultimatum to the super agent regarding the wonder kid’s contract situation. The club has threatened Raiola that if a new contract is not signed by the end of June, Donnarumma would be forced to sit in the stands next season.

Also, the Rossoneri are said to be willing to lose their young goalkeeper on a free transfer at the end of next season, instead of allowing the Italian shot-stopper to leave this summer for a fee that they consider to be lower than his value.

Premier League giants Manchester United and Manchester City have been keeping an eye on the youngster’s current situation, and are likely to make a move soon, should the standoff between Raiola and AC Milan continue.

For more details visit BlameFootball

Read More

Rashford And Lingard Practise Celebration Routine Before Europa League Final

Reuters

The Europa League Final is arguably Manchester United’s biggest match of the 2016-17 season, and the one on which the fate of their next season also depends. The Stockholm silverware clash is United’s only hope of qualifying for next season’s Champions League, and as per the reports, landing Antoine Griezmann as well.

However, the Red Devils’ duo Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard seem to be in a confident mood ahead of their side’s Europa League Final against Ajax. The England pair appeared totally relaxed and confident in the final hours building up to kick-off.

With both expected to be in Jose Mourinho’s playing XI at the Friends Arena, possibly alongside Henrikh Mkhitaryan against the Eredivisie runner-ups, Rashford and Lingard were seen practicing a routine should one of them score in the all-important finale.

Ahead of the clash, Lingard said: “We’ve come a long way and we’ve been all around the world playing different teams. But we’ve come out with the wins and we’ve ended up in the final which is massive.

“The lads know what is at stake – any cup final is massive, but especially in this competition it can get us into the Champions League which is where we belong.”

The Europa League title is the only silverware that still eludes Manchester United’s trophy cabinet, and Jose Mourinho’s men are all set to battle it out in order to bring home the European glory.

For more details visit BlameFootball

Read More

Paris Saint-Germain Join The Race To Sign Nelson Semedo

Reuters

Paris Saint-Germain have joined the race to sign Benfica right-back Nelson Semedo, and the Ligue 1 runners-up seem to have already made contact with the defender.

According to O Jogo, Benfica’s clash with V. Guimarães may have been the farewell to Nélson Semedo. Benfica, who won their 4th consecutive and 36th Primeira Liga title this season, are said to be already surrounded by top European clubs in order to swoop their highly rated right-back.

Semedo, who is also a target for Manchester City, is now on PSG’s list of reinforcements for 2017/18 as well. The Ligue 1 side, who saw a series of four consecutive titles interrupted this year by Monaco, have already begun contact with the Portugal international.

Benfica’s President Luis Filipe Vieira has reportedly put a price tag of  €40 million on the 23-year-old, and according to the Portuguese newspaper, Paris Saint-Germain are prepared to invest millions in order to reshape their squad.

One of PSG’s main reasons for interest in Nélson Semedo is because of manager Unai Emery, as the PSG boss has been regarded as a great admirer of the defender.

Bayern Munich, Inter, Barcelona, Arsenal, and Manchester United have also been reportedly linked to the Portuguese.

For more details visit BlameFootball

Read More

Burnley Have A Good Chance Of Holding On To Michael Keane, Claims Sean Dyche

Reuters

Burnley boss Sean Dyche has made it clear that the club is in a good position regarding Michael Keane’s future.

According to Sky Sports, Keane is reportedly a target for a number of Premier League clubs. However, Dyche has insisted that the centre-back will not leave the club unless a suitable offer is received that matches the club’s valuation of the player.

The Clarets boss said: “All parties are in the loop. I am, he is, the agent is, his family are, our club are. One thing we know is we are in a strong position. He’s got one year left on his contract. If nothing happens that is suitable for us then the situation will go on, and he’ll carry on playing. We’ll wait and see what the summer brings.”

The 24-year-old is evaluated to be worth £25 million, and has been linked with a return to Old Trafford for quite some time. However, speaking to Weekend Sports Breakfast, club chairman Mike Garlick clearly stated that no offers had been formally received regarding Keane.

Garlick said: “All we hear at the moment is lots of talk and noise in the media about different clubs. No one has formally approached us, so he’s a Burnley player – and will continue to be so.”

Dyche has also admitted that the summer transfer window may turn out to be a difficult one for Burnley, but they are focused to begin their research earlier and pursue every avenue in an attempt to improve.

“We started six months ago. We’re learning. We’re looking at what we can do next, how can we improve it, how can we stick to what we do, roughly, but mould it and add to it,” Dyche claimed.

“When you’re not the market leaders, you have to try and keep every line of communication open, take every bit of information seriously – even the bits that get thrown at you from left field. I’ll still be checking my phone. When I’m here it’s on all day. When I’m on holiday I might be able to park it and it’s on in the morning or the evening.

“Recruitment is a massive thing. It looks like it’s going to be a tough market. It was last year. It’s not about replacing people, it’s about adding competition. You want fresh faces and to keep the competition building.”

For more details visit BlameFootball

Read More

Romelu Lukaku Speaks With Thibaut Courtois About Rejoining Chelsea

The Belgian international is also on Jose Mourinho’s watch

With one league game to spare, the Premier League Champions Chelsea have already started pursuing one of their major targets for the next season.

Romelu Lukaku has been heavily linked with the Blues this season, and the striker had indicated earlier as well about his wish to join the former club. And as it seems, even Antonio Conte is pushing for the Belgian to reunite with his old club this summer.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Chelsea are making a serious push for Lukaku after having secured the Premier League title, and as reported, the first contacts with the Everton striker’s entourage over his return to Stamford Bridge have already been made.

With Diego Costa possibly set for a move to China, the 24-year-old has been chosen by Antonio Conte to lead the Blues attack for the next season.

However, between all the transfer talks, Lukaku has himself contacted his Belgian teammate, Thibaut Courtois, to speak about the potential transfer.

Chelsea are now preparing to hold talks with Everton over the striker’s fee, but as per the reports, the negotiation may end up with the Stamford Bridge outfit paying around £70 million in order to secure Lukaku’s signature.

For more details visit BlameFootball

Read More

Premier League Return ‘More Than Likely’ For Joe Hart

Hart had been City’s undisputed first choice goalkeeper since 2007

Joe Hart is really hopeful for a return to the Premier League next season.

As per Sky Sports, in a recent interview with Soccer AM’s Tubes, the Torino stopper clearly stated that his return to England’s top competition is “more than likely,” when he was asked about his chances to once again play in the Premier League.

He was quoted as saying: “More than likely, I’d say, but that’s me with no knowledge, I’ve got no firm contact with anybody, but whatever I’m doing I’d love to be permanent where I go. If it’s back at Manchester City – which I don’t see happening – then great, but other than that, another loan at my age I don’t think is the right thing for me.”

After Pep Guardiola’s arrival at the club this season, Hart, who had been City’s undisputed first choice goalkeeper since 2007, was dropped to be replaced by former Barcelona stopper Claudio Bravo.

The England international also mentioned about football being a game of opinions, and that the City boss simply had some different ideas. Nonetheless, Hart clearly stated that he had absolutely no ill feelings for Guardiola.

“It was a strange situation; it feels like years and years ago now, because I don’t feel a part of it so much anymore. I’m a player, I give my heart, soul and passion into the team I’m playing for, and at the moment that team isn’t Manchester City,” the Englishman added.

“The manager didn’t want me, so I had to find somewhere else. We obviously had different ideas, the manager who came in came in with a lot of experience, a lot of medals, and I know the club worked really hard to get him. Unfortunately, football is a game of opinions, his opinion isn’t great of me and I kind of smelt that when I came in.

“I think I did, but that’s life, that’s football. He was good to me, he was clear, honest, and I hold nothing against the guy.”

For more details visit BlameFootball

Read More

Manchester United Need To Be In The Champions League, Says Rio Ferdinand

Winning the Europa League a must for United

A Top 4 finish in the Premier League seems to be a far-fetched goal for Manchester United after the Red Devils lost 2-0 to Arsenal last Sunday. Despite having lost just 4 times from the 35 league games played, United still lie 6th in the table.

However, United are currently the favourites to win the Europa League, and having qualified for the final last night, the English club will face Ajax in the final at Stockholm. And as per one of the club’s legends, Rio Ferdinand, winning the Europa League is a must for United if they wish to play in the Champions League next season.

According to Ferdinand, a top 4 finish for the club seems highly unlikely, leaving Europa League as the only choice for the Reds. The ex-England international also stated that for United to bring in the top players in the summer transfer window, a lot would depend on their Champions League qualification.

Ferdinand stated on BT Sport (via Express): “The implications will be that if they are going for the top level players, top-tier players, the first question they will ask will be are they in the Champions League? Manchester United in that sense need to be in the Champions League.

“Also, this club with this stature, Champions League football is where they need to be sitting. Whether they get there through fourth, which I think is unlikely, or through the Europa League.

“As a player I would want a trophy and I’d be happier to get a trophy through the Europa League than being in the Champions League places.”

For more details visit BlameFootball

Read More

Rooney’s Agent Spotted Leaving Jose Mourinho’s Hotel

Rooney has been repeatedly linked with a summer move away from Old Trafford

Wayne Rooney’s future has been under immense speculation since the start of the season under Jose Mourinho. And with the Manchester United captain’s agent, Paul Stretford, spotted leaving the Lowry hotel, things seem to have gotten a little more intense.

Mourinho, who has been staying at the Lowry Hotel since taking charge of the Red Devils, was also seen leaving the hotel moments before Stretford’s departure.

Rooney’s future is a big question mark not only for the veteran himself, but for the fans as well. Having started just 12 Premier League games this season, the Englishman has struggled to hold down a first team place.

The 31-year-old has been repeatedly linked with a summer move away from Old Trafford as well, possibly to the Chinese Super League, or back to Everton.

However, the question that still remains is what was the agent doing at the Lowry Hotel? Is Rooney’s time at the Theatre of Dreams up already? Or has the United boss struck a new deal with the skipper?

To everyone’s surprise, the scenario was purely a coincidence, with neither Stretford nor Mourinho aware of each other’s presence at the hotel. The two gentlemen had no meeting, and there was no discussion about Rooney’s future at Old Trafford whatsoever.

According to Mirror, Stretford’s spokesman reported that the agent was at the hotel on unrelated business.

“Paul was at a business meeting on entirely unconnected matters at The Lowry this morning. He did not meet, see or speak with Jose Mourinho at all while he was there,” the representative revealed.

For more details visit BlameFootball

Read More

Arsenal’s Danny Welbeck Explains Why He Celebrated Against His Former Club

Danny Welbeck’s celebration after his goal

In a 2-0 win for Arsenal over their rivals Manchester United, Danny Welbeck’s celebration after his goal became the talking point of the match. The Englishman gave the Gunners a two-goal lead in the 57th minute, after he headed home Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s cross, shortly after Granit Xhaka’s deflected strike put the hosts in front.

The Englnad international had signed for Arsenal in 2014, after a completing a 13-year tenure at Manchester United, and seems to have developed a tendency to score against his former side since moving to the Emirates. Welbeck’s goal had knocked out United from FA Cup a couple of years ago.

The ex-united man insisted that it was “only normal” for him to celebrate a goal against his former employers, as Arsenal kept their top-four hopes alive with the win and brushed off the ‘don’t celebrate against your former club’ trend.

Following the game, the striker commented on his decision to celebrate, and explained why he had no problem doing so, despite the fact some considered the gesture disrespectful.

“I grew up there and it’s a special place in my life, but once we get on that pitch, it’s just business at the end of the day,” he told Sky Sports. “It’s for the team. When you score you’ve got to be happy. It’s only normal.”

Aaron Ramsey was named man of the match for his efforts against Jose Mourinho’s side, and Arsenal currently remain sixth with 63 points, but can surpass fifth-placed United with victory at Southampton on Wednesday, who are just 2 points ahead of the Gunners with one extra game played.

For more details visit BlameFootball

Read More

Motor Racing Trumps Football In The Sunday Times Sport Rich List 2017

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has broken into the top 10 of the new Sunday Times Rich List

Manchester United’s striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has broken into the top 10 of the new Sunday Times Rich List, surpassing his fellow teammate Wayne Rooney to seal the 2nd spot. The estimated fortune of Ibrahimovic is around £110 million, as compared to £93 million of his 3rd-placed comrade Wayne Rooney.

Nonetheless, the Swedish striker is still behind 2016 leader Lewis Hamilton. The Formula 1 world champion is estimated to have a sizeable fortune of £131 million, and he seems to have cemented his position as the richest sportsman in UK.The Mercedes Formula One driver has reportedly seen a staggering increase in his wealth by £25 million in the last one year.

However, with a fortune of £110 million, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has become the richest footballer in Britain. Also, five of the top 10 in list are from football, including three players and two managers. Apart from Ibrahimovic and Rooney, Jose Mourinho, Gareth Bale, and Pep Guardiola have also made it in the top 10.

The 35-year-old striker, has bundled up a wealth of £110 million after playing for more than a decade. Ibrahimovic has been a part of some of the heavyweights of Europe, including the likes of Juventus, AC Milan, Paris St-Germain and Barcelona. Along with this, the striker’s remunerative long-term endorsement deal with Nike has helped him catapult to the 2nd spot.

The Sunday Times sport rich list 2017:

1. Lewis Hamilton, motor racing, £131 million

2. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, football, £110 million (new entry)

3. Wayne Rooney, football, £93 million

4. Jenson Button, motor racing, £86 million

5. Rory McIlroy, golf, £82 million

6. Sir Andy Murray, tennis, £77 million

7. Jose Mourinho, football, £61 million

8. Gareth Bale, football, £54 million

9. Luol Deng, basketball, £50 million, and joint placed with Pep Guardiola, football, £50 million (new entry)

For more details visit BlameFootball

Read More

Chelsea Rejected Kylian Mbappe As A 14-Year-Old

Chelsea had the chance to sign Mbappe for just £17,000

Kylian Mbappe is one of the hottest properties in world football right now with a blistering season under his belt. The Monaco striker has helped his side gain the top spot in Ligue 1 with 22 goals this season. However, the £100m price tag that Monaco has placed on him seems to be too much for the 18-year-old. Nonetheless, what seems to be an enormous investment today was just merely £17,000 four years ago.

According to Mirror, Chelsea had the chance to sign Mbappe for £17,000 but turned down the Frenchman. Mbappe, then 14, was playing for an amateur French side Bondy which was coached by his father, Wilfried.

The young striker had visited Stamford Bridge at that time hoping to join the Blues, but Chelsea snubbed the 12-year-old in order to promote two academy prospects, Tammy Abraham and Dominic Solanke.

Eventually, the striker settled for the esteemed Clairefontaine academy - which has seen the likes of Blaise Matuidi, Oliver Giroud, Nicolas Anelka and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry. Today, the Monaco star is being regarded as one of the most sought after talents across the globe with top European giants wanting to sign the Frenchman this summer.

Reportedly Italy's legendary goalkeeper and current Juventus stopper, Gianluigi Buffon has made a statement about Mbappe being better than the French legend, Thierry Henry. As per Buffon, “Mbappe is an incredible talent and I think he seems like a good boy. Of course the characteristics are similar (between him and Thierry Henry). He plays for Monaco early in his career, the very slender and elegant running style. Probably, at his age, he is even better in front of goal than Henry was.”

For more details visit BlameFootball

Read More

Jose Mourinho Imposes A Social Media Ban On His Players

United boss has told his players not to use social media especially 48 hours before the match

Jose Mourinho has imposed a social media ban on his Manchester United squad in an attempt to limit the broadcast of sensitive information. The United boss has told his players not to use social media especially 48 hours before the match.

According to the Independent, Mourinho wants to put an end to a series of public posts related to training and recovery sessions by his players. The Portuguese is concerned about the amount of information his players are putting on the internet ahead of games.

Jose has been exasperated with the tendency of his players to post vital information on social media, particularly when recovering from high-profile injuries. It is being claimed that Luke Shaw’s post of him training at home as he recovered from a groin injury in November made Mourinho livid.

Chris Smalling too, had recently shared a video of himself running under reduced weight in a hydrotherapy pool. It is believed that Smalling’s latest post is the major reason as to why United’s manager has taken the pressing decision. The center-back was injured whilst training with the England team in March.

Jose has also called into question the desire and commitment of some of his players, viz. Shaw, Smalling, and Phil Jones, as they have closed in on returns at various stages this season.

“It’s about the philosophy and mentality around them,” he said of Jones and Smalling after the duo was ruled out of last week’s Manchester derby. “Cautious. Cautious. Cautious. Just a cautious approach. It’s a profile. It’s the philosophy of work. Just that.”

For more details visit BlameFootball

Read More

Liverpool Rejected The Chance To Sign ‘Expensive’ Dele Alli From MK Dons, Reveals Reds’ Former CEO

Liverpool missed out on signing Dele Alli when he was just 18

Signing a young talent for a hefty amount can always backfire. Thus, there is always a risk involved in buying young players. Nonetheless, if the teenager turns out to be even half as good as Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, it’s worth taking a chance.

PFA Young Player of the Year from the past two consecutive seasons, Dele Alli is undoubtedly on the road to enter the elite list of players the game has produced.

Thriving under Mauricio Pochettino, the young sensation has caught the eye of some of the top clubs in Europe. A good amount of transfer bids are sure to come in for the Spurs man making him one of the top transfer prospects for next season.

However, one club that missed out on signing Dele Alli when he was just 18 was none other than Liverpool. Growing up as a Liverpool fan, Alli was playing for MK Dons when he met with then-manager Brendan Rodgers ahead of a potential transfer, but Liverpool and MK Dons were unable to come to terms about the 18-year-old’s transfer fee.

Alli eventually ended up completing a £5 million transfer to Tottenham Hotspurs in February 2015.

And now, according to ESPN, former Liverpool chief executive officer Ian Ayre has claimed that the club did not complete the signing of the teenager, because they felt Alli was not worth the fee MK Dons were seeking.

“There was interest in the player, but where it got to was that the demands at that time were not fitting to what he had achieved at that point,” Ayre said at a lecture in Liverpool on Wednesday.

“We didn’t feel the player matched that demand. It’s easy to sit and say: ‘Look what you could have bought,’ but how many players could you apply the reverse of that to? That’s the truth.”

For more details visit BlameFootball

Read More

‘Wenger In’ Banner At The Manchester Derby

“Wenger In” banner glided through the skies above the Etihad

Arsene Wenger has been under heavy scrutiny due to Arsenal’s recent performances, and the club’s fans have been demanding to sack the Frenchman for quite some time now.

Despite serving the club for more than two decades, Wenger has been unsuccessful in bagging a Champions League title. And with the Gunners on course for their worst Premier League finish in two decades, the campaign to drive Arsene Wenger out is in full force.

In recent times, the “Wenger Out” banners have been spotted at events all over the world. Anti-Donald Trump’s rally, World Cup Qualifier between New Zealand and Fiji, World Baseball Classic in Los Angeles, Lacrosse match in Kentucky are just a few of the places where these banners have been seen.

“Wenger Out” banners have become a routine sighting for the fans, but a glimpse of a “Wenger In” banner is surely a scarce one. Thus, when a “Wenger In” banner glided through the skies above the Etihad, fans at the Manchester Derby were left flabbergasted.

During the opening minutes of Thursday’s mega clash between the two Mancunian clubs, a plane flying over the Etihad Stadium caught everyone’s eye. A trailing banner that read: “WengerIn.com” got the crowd’s attention, especially with all banners supporting the under-the-gun Arsenal boss being a rare sight. However, the question was: what was it all about?

The brains behind the stunt were none other than the organizers of Manchester’s Parklife festival. “WengerIn.com” redirects to the site for Parklife, a Manchester-based music festival taking place in June this year. Parklife’s Twitter account took full responsibility after the banner went viral.

For the complete article visit BlameFootball

Read More

Scout Reveals Why Zlatan Was Rejected By Bayern

The Swedish striker has a stamp of rejection on his resume

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of the names that is inescapable when it comes to the most prolific strikers in the world. The Swede is best known for his aerial ability, strength, technique, creativity, and his powerful and accurate striking ability. Having played for eight different clubs in his footballing career, Zlatan’s list of achievements is incomparable.

Zlatan scored the 25,000th Premier League goal and is the only player ever to score in the UEFA Champions League with six different teams. Zlatan has won 13 championships in four different leagues: Eredivisie, Serie A, La Liga and Ligue 1. Sweden’s all-time top goalscorer is one of the most decorated footballer, having won 32 trophies in his career.

Nonetheless, even the Swedish striker has a stamp of rejection on his resume from the German giants, Bayern Munich. Bjorn Andersson, a scout from Bayern Munich, told Fotboll Skanalen that the club had a chance to sign the striker in 2001, but chose to withdraw their interest.

According to the scout, the Bavarians made the right call by rejecting Ibrahimovic, as the club was not ready to pay the hefty amount that was demanded for young Zlatan. He also believed that Ibra's move to Ajax at that time was best during the course of events.

Andersson stated: "We had contact with Hasse Borg (former sports director of Malmö FF), but Bayern said no as it was too much money for a youth player. It was the right decision. Bayern have won more titles than Ajax and Juventus. That counts in the end. They did not do anything wrong.

"Also for Zlatan, the change to the Netherlands was correct. Who knows whether the German mentality would have suited him at all."

For more details visit BlameFootball

Read More