Alexandre Lacazette Confirms Summer Departure From Lyon

The Frenchman has also hinted about his future club

Olympique Lyonnais striker Alexandre Lacazette has confirmed that he won’t be with the club next season, as he will leave the Ligue 1 side this summer.

Lacazette had joined the 7-time Ligue 1 Champions as an 11-year-old, and having played for Lyon since making his senior debut in 2010, the 25-year-old has indicated that he feels that it’s the right time to move on and prove himself at a higher level.

As per the statement given by him to ​L’Equipe, the striker said: “I think that’s the right time. I want to discover something else, to test myself and to pass a certain level.

“I know very well that on a European scale, I am not yet very recognised. I want to see if I can answer the questions that people are asking, and to make further progress. We are at a time when everybody finds his account, and that’s good.”

The Frenchman also hinted about his future club, as he hailed Atletico Madrid to be a “great team”.

“Atletico is a club that has been in the last stages of the Champions League for several years. It is a great team with a new stadium, and it is also a club that makes the players progress. And there is Antoine Griezmann,” the striker stated.

Lacazette also mentioned that only he would decide his future, by adding: “The president told me what he told you at a press conference. It is I who choose my future destination. It is a personal choice of a carefully considered career, which I have done for a long time.”

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Oblak To Join Manchester United If De Gea Moves To Real Madrid

Manchester United have done their preliminary work on Jan Oblak

As David De Gea is likely to complete the switch to Real Madrid, Manchester United seem to have intensified their monitoring of Atletico Madrid’s goalkeeper, Jan Oblak.

United have been in pursuit of Oblak, and if David De Gea moves to Bernabeu this summer, then the Red Devils won’t think twice before launching an offer for the Slovenia international.

Manchester United are said to have done the preliminary work on the 24-year-old, and have already been in talks with the player’s agent about the potential move.

As per Mirror, the Red Devils have accepted the fact that their Spanish shot-stopper will positively be heading back to his homeland this summer after six years in England. However, United would be demanding a world-record fee for the goalkeeper from Los Blancos, which is estimated to be around £60 million.

Oblak has established himself to be one of Europe’s top keepers, and has been on the radar of Jose Mourinho as his ideal potential successor to De Gea.

Also, named as the best goalkeeper in Spain last season after conceding a record low of 18 goals, the Atletico Madrid man has a gigantic £85 million buyout clause in his contract that United would be bargaining on.

Even though Sergio Romero has been outstanding while filling in for De Gea this season, Mourinho appears to be adamant in making a big summer signing in order to replace the Spanish international instead of promoting the Argentine to first choice.

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Pepe Transfer: Real Madrid Exit Certain, Next Club Not

Pepe will be leaving Bernabeu by the end of the season

One of Manchester United’s main concerns this season has been their injury hit defensive back-line, and Jose Mourinho seems to be all set to strengthen his defence for the next season. And with the transfer window coming closer, Mourinho has lined up an offer for Real Madrid’s star player, Pepe.

The Portuguese centre-back will be leaving Bernabeu by the end of the season with his contract expiring next month, but the 34-year-old still aims to continue playing top-level football. However, he appears to have very limited options on his side at present.

According to reports, Pepe has only two offers on the table, one being from Inter Milan and the other one from China. But he is believed to be uninterested in either, as the Madrid centre-back hopes to play in Europe’s elite competition next term, which unfortunately, the Nerazzurri cannot provide.

If United are able to achieve European glory by winning the Europa League this season, and hence qualify for the Champions League next term, the United boss would certainly be offering Pepe a deal to reunite with him at Old Trafford.

The two have worked together in the past during Mourinho’s time at Real, and may very well end together up again if United qualify for Champions League.

The Portugal international would be coming to Old Trafford on a free transfer if the deal were to happen, meaning Manchester United could still spend hefty amount of cash on other defensive reinforcements as well.

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Is United’s First Summer Signing Already Done?

James Rodriguez deal with Manchester United may be announced on Sunday

Manchester United have been regularly linked to some of the top names in football, and are now set to announce their first summer signing on Sunday. Jose Mourinho is lining up his first signing of this transfer window, and as per Radio Caracol in Colombia, it’s none other than Real Madrid’s playmaker James Rodriguez.

According to reports, Jorge Mendes met with Madrid’s president Florentino Perez in the last few days to discuss this potential transfer.

James has featured in 32 games for Real this season, with 21 appearances coming in La Liga, 6 in the Champions League and 3 in Copa del Rey being the major ones.

The Colombian star was subbed off in the second half in a 4-1 win over Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu last weekend, but the way the fans and the player applauded each other appeared as if James may have played his last match for Los Blancos, despite Zinedine Zidane insisting otherwise.

Radio Caracol reported on Monday night that the James Rodriguez deal with Manchester United may be announced on Sunday, which is the final day of the La Liga season.

However, AS believe that Los Blancos may announce the deal after the Champions League Final, but no matter what, Rodriguez’s arrival at Old Trafford seems to be confirmed.

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Rooney’s Departure To Boost Griezmann’s Man United Move

Griezmann’s arrival is said to be boosted by some major financial alterations

Manchester United are said to be the frontrunners for the signature of Antoine Griezmann, and with a salary of £15 million and the number seven jersey all but guaranteed, Griezmann is expected to play for the Red Devils next season.

To fulfill the existing clause of €100 million in the contract signed by the French striker with Atletico Madrid last June, United are set to bring out the big bucks, and pretty much make Griezmann the highlight spending at Old Trafford in the coming transfer window.

The massive clause, which was supposed to keep the Frenchman at the Vicente Calderon for the next five years, may just turn out to be a way of generating a big transfer income for the Rojiblancos.

As per Independent, Griezmann’s arrival is said to be boosted by some major financial alterations in the form of prospective departures of Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial, Ashley Young, and Marouane Fellaini.

It is also being claimed that the United skipper would be given a dignified send-off at the end of the season, along with Young and Fellaini. And with Mourinho’s relationship with Martial believed to have gone a little sour lately, the United number 11 may also end up on the transfer list in the coming transfer season.

Manchester United’s entry into the Champions League will also be a major financial factor for uplifting their chances of bringing in Griezmann, as the cumulative bill for the missed seasons is calculated to be around £120 million.

Moreover, if Mourinho fails to lead the Red Devils into the glorious European competition, Adidas will also be reportedly withholding £21 million for the failure.

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Has Alvaro Morata Confirmed His Transfer To Chelsea?

The striker too has been on Blues’ radar for quite some time now

Alvaro Morata has been linked with a move to almost every single European Heavyweight, be it Manchester United, Arsenal, Juventus, or even the powerhouses from the Chinese Super League. 

However, it now seems as if the striker himself has chosen the club he wants to play for next season.

The Spanish international has reportedly been connected to Chelsea, and may move to Stamford Bridge this summer.

Morata’s fiancee, Alice Campbell, seems to have already bought a house in London, thereby making it quite evident that the Real Madrid man is set for a move to the Blues.

The striker has been on Blues’ radar for quite some time now, and Morata himself revealed in a recent interview that he had held talks with Antonio Conte as well as Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino last summer, over a potential move to the Premier League.

Also, the Spaniard has further hinted at his interest in joining Chelsea by following a number of their players on Instagram, viz. John Terry, Diego Costa, Willian, Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois, Cesar Azpilicueta, Didier Drogba, and Cesc Fabregas.

The striker’s social media activity does hint at a potential transfer, but only time will tell whether the 24-year-old does end up reuniting with Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge come summer.

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Manchester United Make An Early Approach Towards Alvaro Morata

Jose Mourinho is said to be considering Morata as an option up front

Manchester United have been linked with a number of players in recent times, but nonetheless, the latest transfer news that has surrounded the club has been related to their interest in Real Madrid striker, Alvaro Morata.

According to MEN, Jose Mourinho is said to be considering Morata as an option up front, especially with Zlatan Ibrahimovic set to stay out of action for a long time. The Red Devils have made an approach for the Real Madrid forward as per the sources close to the player, but it’s still being considered as ‘early days’ at this stage.

The United manager had handed Morata his first team debut at Real Madrid back in 2010, and is now looking for a reunion with the 24-year-old. The Spaniard has, since then, reached three Champions League finals in four seasons, and has undoubtedly become one of the top strikers in world football.

But despite this, since his move back to Los Blancos, the Spaniard has struggled to gain regular first team action under Zinedine Zidane.

Morata has only started 18 games under Zidane, and made just 3 late substitute appearances in the Champions League knockout stages. Still, the striker has managed to take his tally to an impressive 20 goals, with only Cristiano Ronaldo having scored more goals for Madrid this season.

Nevertheless, if United hopes to sign the Spanish international, they will have to face some fierce competition from Chelsea as well, but their main concern at present remains returning to Europe’s premier competition.

Hence, beating Ajax in the Europa League final in order to qualify for the Champions League will go a long way for the Red Devils to achieve their objectives in the transfer market, and in the process, boost Mourinho’s pursuit of Morata.

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Mbappe Says “Yes” To Madrid

The Monaco starlet has given a thumbs up to Spanish giants Real Madrid

One of the top targets for many European heavyweights, Kylian Mbappe, has reportedly chosen the club he wants to play for. The Monaco starlet has given a thumbs up to Spanish giants Real Madrid, and will be joining them next season if the club is able to finance the striker’s transfer fee.

According to Marca, Mbappe, who is said to be Madrid’s number one target for the summer, has given his verdict on joining Los Blancos. The youngster has expressed his desire to join Real, and the club’s representatives, who have already been in contact with Mbappe’s family concerning the move, have been intimated about the 18-year-old’s wish.

Real president Florentino Perez believes that Mbappe fits the profile to become one of the club’s Galacticos. However, the Frenchman could cost Madrid around a staggering price of 100 million Euros. 

The Monaco man was initially said to be reluctant to leave Stade Louis II utfit because of his hunger to play on a regular basis. But apparently, it is being claimed that Zinedine Zidane has had a major role in convincing the striker to play for Los Blancos next season.

The report further adds that a major factor behind Mbappe’s consent for the transfer is because of the likelihood of working with Zidane. Marca also claim that Real’s plans on signing Eden Hazard, Paulo Dybala and Antoine Griezmann seemed to have simmered down because of the recent success of Marco Asensio under Zidane, and their guaranteed pursuit for Mbappe.

Nonetheless, Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City will continue to try and sign the French international until it becomes a seemingly impossible task.

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Karim Benzema Wants Bernabeu Exit

Benzema wants an out from Real this summer 

The transfer window is right on the doorstep, and all the European heavyweights have set their eyes on top potential targets. Regardless of the clubs trying to hold onto their prized possessions, the elite powerhouses have already offered some staggering amounts of mint to the players.

With the young breed of players hoping to land a deal with any of the top clubs, Real Madrid’s experienced star man Karim Benzema reportedly wants a move away from Bernabeu this summer.

Benzema has been through a very difficult season with Real Madrid, netting only 17 goals from 42 games. The 29-year-old has struggled in attack alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, thereby failing to impress his boss, Zinedine Zidane.

The France international was booed in Saturday’s game, which Los Blancos won 2-1 by beating Valencia. As per the striker, he is said to be tired of what he regards to be an inequitable treatment from the club’s supporters. Ergo, the displeased striker has told his agent to listen to all offers for him this summer.

According to Spain’s news outlet Don Balon, the forward is determined to leave the Spanish capital this summer. The Frenchman has been repeatedly linked with a move to Arsenal in recent months, but contrary reports in Spain claim that he will be offered to Manchester United to sweeten any potential deal involving David de Gea.

Benzema’s current form may not be supporting his cause, but he is unquestionably one of the leading strikers in world football. And with the Madrid man fixed on leaving the club, some top teams would surely make an attempt to secure his services come summer.

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Ronaldo Furious With Teammates After El Clasico Defeat

Cristiano Ronaldo furious after El Clasico

Race to become the Spanish Champions is on after a nail biting finish to one of the most awaited games of the season. The defending champions, Barcelona, stunned the league leaders Real Madrid in a thrilling encounter at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

The feisty El Clasico had plenty to offer, but it was the little magician from Argentina that cast a spell to seal the game in favour of Blaugrana. Scoring twice, with one goal in the dying moments of the clash, Lionel Messi stole the show, leaving the Madrid side exposed and Cristiano Ronaldo furious.

The irate Real Madrid star evidently gesticulated his emotions after the final whistle both on and off the pitch.According to Marca, after the TV cameras had captured the Read Madrid winger’s anguish on the pitch, he soon took it behind closed doors and ranted in the dressing room.

The primary subject to Ronaldo’s on-pitch rage was the fact that none of his teammates had fouled the Argentine during the build up of the goal. The failure of his teammates, namely Luka Modric and Marcelo, to stop Sergi Roberto’s 50-yard run that began the counter-attack to seal the game anguished the Portuguese international.

Ronaldo had urged his side to put maximum pressure to win the ball from a Barcelona throw-in, but Barça broke out to bag the winner, clinching all three points and catapulting themselves to top of the table on goal difference.
After the match, Marcelo confronted the media to take the blame for the final goal that proved to be the difference between the two Spanish giants. “I take the blame for the last goal but it can happen to anyone,” he stated.

The Catalan side is currently on top with 75 points from 33 games, surpassing their archrivals Real on a massive goal difference. Los Blancos also have 75 points, but also a game in hand.

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Griezmann: Red Devil Or Los Blanco?

Antoine Griezmann will be on the radar of some of the top clubs

With the transfer season on the horizon, one of the top prospects this season will undeniably remain Athletico Madrid's talisman, Antoine Griezmann. With 16 goals and 7 assists this season in La Liga, the Frenchman has been a vital part of Simeone’s line-up.

However, Simeone may not be able to have the services of Griezmann at his disposal for next season, with the French superstar being linked to Manchester United and lately in a bombshell move across the city to Real Madrid. Eric Olhats, Griezmann's advisor stated that several avenues were being explored with United's offer the "first" to arrive. The €100million release clause in Griezmann's contract will remain unavoidable, he added. "We're thinking right now about the most suitable offer. Real Madrid and other clubs are part of this thinking process." Olhats also stated that there had been no contact with Paris Saint-Germain and hence has ruled out a move to Ligue 1 champions for the time being. "No, no contact with PSG. Last year, there was a real interest. Not this year. He might not be in their plans anymore."

Offers from Manchester United and Real Madrid this summer would surely be big ones if they fancy Griezmann to play for them, although Athletico Madrid's star remains open to stay with the club next season. With 25 goals in all competitions and recently netting his 100th goal in La Liga in a 1-0 win over Espanyol on Saturday, Griezmann has surely proliferated his value.

With the current season coming to a close, there will be a number of factors that will play a crucial role before any transfer happens but if the Frenchman is to move from Athletico, Paul Pogba's £89m world record transfer to Manchester United in summer transfer window of 2016 might just turn out to be a modest amount.

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