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Aston Villa Manager News: Solskjaer Out of the Running

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is out of the running to be become the next manager of Aston Villa. The former Manchester United forward has decided to turn down Villa and remain with Norwegian side Molde. The 39-year-old had a meeting with Molde’s chief benefactor Kjell Inge Rokke this afternoon along with his wife and his agent [...]

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Chelsea Transfer News: Drogba Departure Confirmed

See also: Chelsea transfer news and rumours Chelsea have confirmed that Didier Drogba is to leave the club when his contract officially expires at the end of June. The news was confirmed in a statement this afternoon and comes after reports in France last night claimed he had told his team-mates of his departure following [...]

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Spurs Transfer News and Rumours Tuesday 22 May

Spurs Target Hints at Brazil Departure Spurs’ pursuit of Brazilian striker Leandro Damiao could be about to enter a new phase after he refused to rule out a departure from Brazilian side Internacional. The 22-year-old was linked with Tottenham last year when it was reported that they had lodged bids of £10.4million and £12.3million, both [...]

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Manchester City Transfer News and Rumours Tuesday 22 May

’Ibra Going Nowhere’ Claims Milan Coach AC Milan coach Massimilano Allegri has ruled out summer moves for striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and defender Thiago Silva. The news will be of interest to Manchester City fans after the club were linked with a possible £300,000-a-week bid for Ibrahimovic should he decide to leave the Serie A side. [...]

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Manchester United Transfer News: Berbatov Swap for Lewandowski?

Speculation today links Manchester United with a swap deal for Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski with Dimitar Berbatov going to the German side as part of the deal. The Manchester Evening News’ report – which appears to be educated guesswork – claims that the clock is ticking before Lewandowski puts himself on a bigger stage [...]

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Aston Villa Manager News: Solskjaer Out of the Running

May 22nd, 2012 Leonard_Mountfield


Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is out of the running to be become the next manager of Aston Villa. The former Manchester United forward has decided to turn down Villa and remain with Norwegian side Molde.

The 39-year-old had a meeting with Molde’s chief benefactor Kjell Inge Rokke this afternoon along with his wife and his agent and then informed Villa that he was no longer interested in the job.

Solskjaer made a whirlwind trip to Villa last Friday for talks with the club’s owner Randy Lerner and chief executive Paul Faulkner although on Saturday he distanced himself from talks.

After two-and-a-half years coaching Manchester United Reserves the former Norway international was appointed Molde coach in January 2011 and guided the club to their first-ever Norwegian league title last season.

According to the Birmingham Mail, Solskjaer was reluctant to uproot his family from Norway to move back to the UK.



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Chelsea Transfer News: Drogba Departure Confirmed

May 22nd, 2012 Leonard_Mountfield


See also: Chelsea transfer news and rumours

Chelsea have confirmed that Didier Drogba is to leave the club when his contract officially expires at the end of June.

The news was confirmed in a statement this afternoon and comes after reports in France last night claimed he had told his team-mates of his departure following their triumphant open-top bus tour of London where they paraded the European Cup.

In a statement thanking Drogba for his services over the past eight years, chief executive Ron Gourlay said:

“Didier is undoubtedly a Chelsea legend and will always be part of the Chelsea family. He is certainly leaving on a high after Saturday night but he feels the time is right for a new challenge.

“Of course Didier has contributed so much to all of Chelsea’s recent successes. He has been a consummate professional during his entire time here and as one of the natural leaders in our squad he has been an inspiration to a lot of our younger players.”

Drogba had been offered a one-year contract extension at Stamford Bridge although it was suggested that he was looking for a two-year deal before he finally hangs up his boots. However, Gourlay’s statement suggested that the club weren’t going to budge on their original offer.

He said: “We have known for some time that this outcome was likely but Didier and the club only made a final decision on that in the last couple of days, because for obvious reasons neither Didier nor the club wanted to distract focus away from the Champions League Final.

“The talks were amicable all the way through and we wish him all the best for the future. He is welcome back to Stamford Bridge at any time – either as a player or as a guest of ours.”

Drogba said: “I wanted to put an end to all the speculation and confirm that I am leaving Chelsea. It has been a very difficult decision for me to make and I am very proud of what we have achieved but the time is right for a new challenge for me.

“As a team we have accomplished so much and have won every single trophy possible. Saturday was a very special moment for everyone at the club and for all the fans, and I am very proud to have played my part in bringing many trophies to this club, which has been my home for the last eight years.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the club especially Roman and my team-mates, many of whom have become very close friends and will be my friends for life. I would also like to say a very special thank you to the Chelsea fans who have shown me so much love and support over the years.

“I wish the club all the best and continued success for the future – you will always be in my heart.”

Drogba’s next club is unknown although he has been linked with a move to Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua where he would link up with his former Stamford Bridge team-mate Nicolas Anelka who moved to the club in January.




Chelsea Transfer News: Drogba Departure Confirmed

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Spurs Transfer News and Rumours Tuesday 22 May

May 22nd, 2012 Ted_Ashton


Spurs Target Hints at Brazil Departure

Spurs’ pursuit of Brazilian striker Leandro Damiao could be about to enter a new phase after he refused to rule out a departure from Brazilian side Internacional.

The 22-year-old was linked with Tottenham last year when it was reported that they had lodged bids of £10.4million and £12.3million, both of which were rejected by the Brazilian side. However, he has given the clearest hint yet of a move away from his club.

“I can’t say much, it also depends on Internacional,” he told Brazilian website Globoesporte. “Of course my desire is to stay, but there comes a time when you need to go. For now, I’m happy at Internacional, on a big stage, but if an offer arrives, then we will decide.”

The news comes at the worst possible time for Intenacional at the start of the Brazilian championship, a trophy they have not won since 1979. However, manager Dorival Junior says the wheels are already in motion to recruit a replacement and admits it will be difficult for both club and player to resist overtures from Europe.

“I hardly know that we will able to handle the emergence of a new proposal,” he told Arena TV in Brazil. “We have to live with this reality and try to pay attention to this moment. That’s why we seek to strengthen now so that if the loss happens, we are covered…We have talked about many names.”

Despite his tender age Damiao has played 110 times for Internacional and has scored 70 goals for the club. Apart from Spurs, Manchester United have also been linked with the Brazil international and were rumoured earlier this year to have lodged a £23million bid. Spurs’ North London rivals Arsenal have also been linked and there is the inevitable interest from Spain and Italy.

The Brazilian transfer window opens on 20 June and Internacional are unlikely to sanction a move away from the club for Damiao before they recruit a replacement and which won’t be possible before that date.

Defoe Concerned Over Playing Time

Spurs striker Jermain Defoe hasn’t ruled out a move away from White Hart Lane but says his biggest concern is a lack of playing time.

The England striker played in 25 Premier League games for Tottenham this season, scoring 11 goals, but he told TalkSport this morning that he would be happier with more minutes on the pitch.

“I’ve never said I want to leave the club, I’ve just said I want to play,” he said.

“As a forward you just want to get some sort of rhythm and a run in the team. That wasn’t the case towards the end of the season.

“I’m just going to see what happens. I’m going to concentrate on England and Euro 2012. The most important thing for me is scoring goals and that’s when I’m at my happiest.”

Defoe could find himself pushed further down the pecking order with arrival of Leandro Damiao or Emmanuel Adebayor. The Togo international claimed yesterday that he was in talks with Spurs’ chairman Daniel Levy about a permanent move to White Hart Lane.



Real Madrid Transfer News and Rumours Tuesday 22 May

May 22nd, 2012 Kenny_Gibson


Altintop Set for Turkey Move

Real Madrid midfielder Hamit Altintop looks set to move to Turkish champions Galatasaray. The 29-year-old moved to the Bernabeu on a free transfer from Bayern Munich last summer but only played 12 times for the club in all competitions with just five appearances (one goal) coming in La Liga.

Altintop spoke to coach Jose Mourinho earlier this season about his desire to play more regularly, but the Real boss said he could not guarantee more prominence and the Turkey international looks set to move on.

Galatasaray coach Fatih Terim has already had a conversation with the player and the Istanbul side were linked with interest in January; however, Mourinho refused to sanction the sale of any of his squad mid-season.

Terim has told already Altintop he wants him to become the cornerstone of the side next season.

The next step is for the two sides to agree a fee – if any – and for Altintop to agree terms with the Turkish side. His salary at Real is 3million euro a year.

Other potential departures from Real this summer includes Kaka, who is a target for Paris Saint-Germain, and Lassana Diarra who has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, according to press speculation in the UK.

Mourinho Extends Contract

Meanwhile, Real coach Jose Mourinho has signed a two-year contract extension that could keep him at the Bernabeu until 2016. The news comes after a season set new La Liga records for the number of points (100) and the number of goals (121).

Real’s league title was the second piece of silverware the side has won under Mourinho following victory over arch-rivals Barcelona in the 2011 Spanish Cup Final.

Mourinho was previously under contract with the club until 2014. He was appointed coach in June 2010.



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Manchester City Transfer News and Rumours Tuesday 22 May

May 22nd, 2012 Kenny_Gibson


’Ibra Going Nowhere’ Claims Milan Coach

AC Milan coach Massimilano Allegri has ruled out summer moves for striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and defender Thiago Silva.

The news will be of interest to Manchester City fans after the club were linked with a possible £300,000-a-week bid for Ibrahimovic should he decide to leave the Serie A side. The Swede’s relationship with coach Allegri is said to be fractious and he said last week that he would give a decision on his future by the end of this month.

However, Allegri claims the duo are going nowhere:

“The club and the president are keen to maintain AC Milan at a high level,” Allegri told the AC Milan TV channel.

“Ibrahimovic and Thiago will remain here. Thiago is young and Ibrahimovic can also give a lot. “They are two champions on which Milan can build its basis for the future.”

It has been reported that Milan will look to replace Ibrahimovic with Arsenal striker Robin van Persie although if Allegri is right then that’s one name out of the frame for the Dutch striker.

Thiago Silva has also been linked with interest from City but Allegri’s comments on the player appear to have been almost immediately undermined. Sky Italia reported this afternoon that Milan sporting director will meet City officials to discuss the Brazilian defender.

Dzeko Linked With Juve

Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko is being linked with renewed interest from Serie A champions Juventus.

The Daily Mail reported today what some of us have known for a few days now – that Juve are no longer interested in Arsenal striker Robin van Persie – but that Dzeko is possible alternative target.

The Serie A side decided last week not to pursue the Dutchman after it was decided that the 7-8million euro a year it would cost Juventus in van Persie’s wages might lead to demands for a pay rise from some of the other members of the club’s playing squad.
Dzeko was linked with Juve prior to joining City and it was only the deeper pockets at the Etihad that stopped him moving to the Serie A side.

But Dzeko is believed to be frustrated at what he sees as a lack of playing time with City. He has played in 45 Premier League games since moving from Wolfsburg in January 2011 but 21 of those appearances have come off the bench. He still managed 19 goals for City this season but could be open to a move to a top European side where he can get more minutes on the pitch.



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Manchester United Transfer News: Berbatov Swap for Lewandowski?

May 22nd, 2012 Brian_Marshall


Speculation today links Manchester United with a swap deal for Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski with Dimitar Berbatov going to the German side as part of the deal.

The Manchester Evening News’ report – which appears to be educated guesswork – claims that the clock is ticking before Lewandowski puts himself on a bigger stage as part of Poland’s Euro 2012 squad.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson watched the 23-year-old score a hat-trick as Dortmund defeated Bayern Munich 5-2 in the German Cup Final last weekend to complete their first ever league and cup double. There has already been an enquiry about Lewandowski from Old Trafford, according to his agent Maik Barthel, after Lewandowski turned down Dortmund’s initial terms of a new deal.

“I can confirm that the new contract offer of Borussia Dortmund is insufficient,” he told German newspaper Bild. last week.

“I am also able to confirm an interest of Manchester United in the services of Robert Lewandowski.”

However, the MEN claims today that United may offer Berbatov to Dortmund as part of a deal to land Lewandowski. The 31-year-old Bulgarian told a Bulgarian TV station on Sunday that he will have to leave United in order to play first-team football. However, Dortmund were one of three German sides – along with Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen – to be linked with Berbatov during the January transfer window and they may be open to a swap deal involving the Bulgarian.

Sir Alex Ferguson has already stated that Berbatov will not be allowed to leave Old Trafford unless United receive what they regard as their full valuation of the player, believed to be around £6-8million. Equally, Dortmund will expect to receive what they regard as their valuation of Lewandowski. The German side have put a 20million (£16million) valuation on Lewandowski’s team-mate Shinji Kagawa – also a target for United – and can be expected to demand a similar amount for Lewandowski.

The Pole scored 30 goals for Dortmund this season. He moved to the German side in a 4.5million euro transfer from Polish club Lech Poznzn in 2010 and, like Kagawa, has won the Bundesliga title in both his seasons with the club.



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Chelsea Transfer News and Rumours Tuesday 22 May

May 22nd, 2012 Bill_Kendal


Chelsea Four Summer Targets

Chelsea’s summer transfer activity could see bids for Lille’s Eden Hazard, Atletico Madrid’s Radamel Falcao, (pictured), Porto’s Hulk and Spurs’ Luka Modric.

The Daily Mirror claims that Roman Abramovich has sanctioned bids for at least four players and has another three as possible targets. However, Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Jose Bosingwa look to have played their last games for the club.

The club is at the centre of a whirlwind of speculation following Saturday’s Champions League victory over Bayern Munich, but Abramovich now has to put together a side – and a manager – that can challenge for the Premier League after finishing sixth this season, 25 points behind Manchester City and Manchester United and ending the season as only the third-highest placed team in London.

Hazard is the subject of interest from four clubs although it is believed that only Chelsea and Manchester City have put offers on the table. Chelsea were revealed as late participants after a breakthrough in talks with Hazard’s representatives on Friday afternoon. Manchester United and a fourth side – possibly Spurs – are also said to be interested but Lille director Frederic Paquet says nobody knows the 21-year-old’s final destination.

“I am not sure he knows himself [where he will play next season] or where he will go, so for the moment, we don’t know,” Paquet said on Monday.

A bid for Falcao is on the cards after the Colombian hit 36 goals in his first season with Atletico Madrid.

Falcao is rated at around £50million but despite capturing the Europa League title Atletico missed out on a Champions League place and may look to sell Falcao this summer to plug the financial shortfall.

However, reports last week suggesting a cash-plus-player bid which would see Fernando Torres head back to his old club looks wide of the mark. Despite feeling unhappy about a lack of first-team opportunities with Chelsea this season Torres is seen as the main frontman for the club next term and Abramovich and his management team are looking for a world-class strike partner for the Spaniard. If not Falcao that partner could be FC Porto’s Hulk who has previously been linked with Chelsea. Hulk’s agent Teodoro Fonseca was at the game in Munich on Saturday.

Porto inserted a 100million euro (£80million) release clause into his contract but they need to sell and will take a much lower fee. Big-spending French side Paris Saint-Germain are said to be interested and have already been linked with a 72million euro (£59million) bid.

A fresh approach for Modric is a possibility but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy steadfastly refused to entertain the sale of one of his star players when Chelsea came calling last summer and is expected to do so again. The same applies to Gareth Bale who is also being linked with Chelsea.

Napoli’s Edinson Cavani, Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain and Newcastle’s Cheick Tiote have also been linked with interest from Chelsea but Manchester United’s Rafael da Silva can be ruled out after an enquiry from Stamford Bridge was rebuffed by the club.

Drogba Agent Denies Quit Claims

Meanwhile, Didier Drogba’s agent has denied reports he has already told his team-mates he has quit the club http://www.footballgossip.org.uk/index.php/2012/05/21/chelsea-transfer-news-im-leaving-drogba-tells-team-mates/. The Munich hero was reported to have told his Chelsea colleagues after Sunday’s homecoming parade through London that he has played his final game for the club but his agent has denied that is the case while Chelsea claim they are still in discussions with the 34-year-old over a contract extension.

Drogba was quoted by France Football as saying: “We will no longer be together next season.

“As I decided to leave, I wanted to tell them straight in the eye. Except that I could not do it. They made me crack.

“Even though it’s been three years since I said I wanted to leave, I find it hard to admit that it’s over with this club — especially as I did not feel like this but I could not see myself sitting on the bench to watch others play when the club plans to set up a new team. So that’s it — I am preparing for my leap into the unknown. It’s going to be another adventure.”

Drogba becomes a free agent this summer and has been linked with a move to Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenua where he would link up with his former Chelsea team-mate Nicolas Anelka, currently a first-team coach at the club.



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Manchester United Transfer News and Rumours Tuesday 22 May

May 22nd, 2012 Brian_Marshall


Four Clubs In Hazard Battle

Lille director Frederic Paquet claims that there are four clubs interested in signing midfielder Eden Hazard.

The 21-year-old played his final game for the French side on Sunday and is thought to have received offers from Manchester City and Chelsea. Manchester United are some way back in the chase for the Belgium international but Paquet claims there are four suitors.

“I am not sure he knows himself [where he will play next season] or where he will go, so for the moment, we don’t know,” said Paquet.

“From my knowledge he has four teams interested in buying him. It is not up to us to tell to him.

“We have a very strong relationship with the player, we will work together and are waiting for him to make a choice between these four teams.”

Spurs had talks with Hazard over personal terms last month and could conceivably be the fourth club although Harry Redknapp’s transfer aspirations will probably have been revised in the light of his team’s failure to secure Champions League qualification.

Chelsea’s European triumph has made them favourites, according to some outlets, while Hazard has doubts over whether he would be an automatic choice in City’s first team. That has led to speculation that United are still in with a shout even though they have not yet made an offer to the Belgium international.

Lille are looking for 40million euro (£32million) for Hazard while United are hoping to land him for £25million.

Chelsea Enquire About Rafael

Chelsea have made an enquiry to Manchester United about signing Rafael da Silva, according to reports. The Blues are looking to strengthen their right-hand side and have enquired about the Brazilian youngster who had made almost 100 first-team appearances for United over the past four years.

Da Silva, 21, made 11 Premier League appearances this season and although his brother Fabio has been told he can go elsewhere on loan in the search of first-team football, Rafael is very much part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s plans and will be going nowhere in the foreseeable future.




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Arsenal Transfer News and Rumours Tuesday 22 May

May 22nd, 2012 Kenny_Gibson


City Lead Race for RVP

Manchester City lead the race for Robin van Persie but will pay no more than £15million for the Arsenal skipper.

The Daily Mirror reports that the Premier League champions are prepared to play hardball in order to get their man having noted that they may end up paying top dollar for a player who will be 29 years old when the new season starts in August.

The paper claims that Juventus are now no longer interested in van Persie – as we reported last week – while City will not be dragged into a bidding war over the size of his wage and any transfer fee. City are believed to be prepared to pay van Persie £250,000 a week to move north while Manchester United are monitoring developments.

However, AC Milan should not be ruled out. The club are waiting for a decision on the future of Zlatan Ibrahimovic who will decide by the end of the month if he is to remain with the Serie A side. If he decides to go then City may put in a bid while Milan will then become serious contenders for van Persie.

Arsenal To Decide On Benayoun

Arsenal have until the end of this week to decide whether or not they want to sign Yossi Benayoun from Chelsea on a permanent basis.

The midfielder spent the season on-loan at Arsenal from Stamford Bridge and made 25 appearances for the Gunners, ten of which came off the bench. He scored six goals over the course of the season.

The 32-year-old Benayoun is available for a nominal fee of around £1million and is believed to be keen on a move to Arsenal; however, because of Arsene Wenger’s over-30 rule he is only likely to be offered a 12-month contract rather than the two-year deal he is looking for and that is likely to influence the Arsenal boss’s thinking as well as Benayoun’s.

Chelsea have told Israeli international that he can leave Stamford Bridge this summer and he is likely to go elsewhere if Arsenal decide to pass up the opportunity to sign him on a permanent basis. Indeed, they have already done that once having initially been offered the midfielder on a permanent basis only to agree to a loan deal before the transfer window closed at the end of August. He had been linked with a move back to Liverpool where he spent three years prior to moving to Chelsea in a £5million deal in 2010.

Sunderland Pass On Bendtner

Sunderland have told Arsenal that they are not interested in a permanent deal for striker Nicklas Bendtner.

The Denmark international spent the season on loan at the Stadium Of Light but after eight goals in 30 games for the club Black Cats’ boss Martin O’Neill has told Arsene Wenger that he will not be pursuing the option of a permanent transfer.

Bendtner has already been told that he has no future at Arsenal and is expected to begin the search for a new club after the Euro 2012 finals next month.

“I am ready for new challenges,” he told Danish magazine Prospect earlier this month. “I have heard about concrete interest from other clubs, who sound interesting, but I can’t say more than that right now.”

Campbell Happy With Lorient Loan Spell

Arsenal striker Joel Campbell says he is ready to challenge for first-team football next season. The Costa Rican teenager has just completed a season-long loan spell at French side Lorient scoring three goals in 25 Ligue 1 games, 14 of which came off the bench.

“It was tough for me because I wanted to play for Arsenal this season,” the 19-year-old told Arsenal Player. “But it’s a new experience for me and it’s a question of doing well, learning from European football and then coming back to Arsenal.

“Coming to Lorient has been really good for me. It’s a new experience for me to come and get a taste of French football, which is very competitive. I’ve learnt a lot here.”

He added: “Lorient play a very similar game to Arsenal and that’s helped me for what lies ahead.

“Football in France is very tactical, very tough and very physical. It’s been great for me, though. I’ve learnt a lot from the football here and I hope it helps me for my career.”



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Chelsea Transfer News: ‘I’m Leaving’ Drogba Tells Team-Mates

May 21st, 2012 Leonard_Mountfield


Didier Drogba has told his Chelsea team-mates that he is to leave the club.

According to France Football, the 34-year-old Ivory Coast international told his Chelsea colleagues after their triumphant open-top bus tour of West London where they showed off the European Cup. If the news is true then Drogba’s last kick of the ball in a Chelsea shirt will be the winning penalty in the shoot-out victory over Bayern Munich.

The newspaper adds that Drogba has not disclosed his future destination although he was again linked on Monday with interest from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua.

Drogba is out of contract this summer and has been offered a one-year extension by Chelsea; however, he is looking for a two-year deal before finally hanging up his boots.



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