Saturday, 2 July 2016

Ryan Giggs Leaves Manchester United after 29 Years

Ryan Giggs has left Manchester United after 29 years with the club as a player and coach. Giggs joined United in 1987 as a 14-year-old and went on to make more than 1,000 first-team appearances in all competitions after his debut in 1991 before becoming the club's assistant manager.

During his playing career, Giggs won the Premier League title on 13 occasions, four FA Cups, four League Cups, nine Community Shields, a pair of Champions League crowns, a UEFA Super Cup, an Intercontinental Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup.

Manchester United Complete the Signing of Henrikh Mkhitaryan in £26.3m Deal

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has joined Manchester United, according to Borussia Dortmund. Though United have not yet confirmed the transfer, but Dortmund chief executive, Hans-Joachim Watzke, said in a statement: "Manchester (United) made us an enormously lucrative offer Had we rejected it the player would have left in 2017 without a fee and we would have just delayed the issue for a year."
 
An attacking midfielder, Mkhitaryan captains Armenia and joined Dortmund in 2013 from Shakhtar Donetsk for £23.5m. He scored 18 goals and 25 assists last term for the German club, featuring prominently in the Europa League matches against Liverpool and Tottenham, and was named the Bundesliga Players' player of the season.

‘I Want to Win the Ballon d’Or - Mario Balotelli Dreams High

For all his flaws, Mario Balotelli is never one to be short of self-belief, and the Liverpool striker has remarkably set his sights on winning the Ballon d’Or. The Italian has endured a miserable two years with Liverpool and on loan with AC Milan, scoring just two league goals in that time. Long thought of as a potential world star with a poor attitude holding him back, Balotelli now finds himself back at Anfield as the club seemingly struggle to find a buyer for him this summer.

However, Balotelli insists he is a changed man after a difficult two years, and that he wants to get his promising career back on track. ‘I can do so much more but it takes time,’ he told Corriere della Sera. ‘On a scale of one to 10, I have stopped at five but I’ll work my way to 10 slowly because that is where I want to get to.

Italy’s Antonio Conte is the ‘Best Coach in the World’, Says Alessandro Costacurta

AC Milan and Italy legend Alessandro Costacurta has labeled Antonio Conte the ‘best coach in the world’ following his Euro 2016 exploits. Conte, who will vacate his post as the head coach of Italy at the end of the tournament, will immediately take charge at Chelsea as the next permanent manager of the Stamford Bridge outfit.

The former Juventus boss has built one of Euro 2016’s surprise packages with his squad of relatively unknown Italian players who are preparing to face World Champions Germany for a place in the semi-final. After overcoming reigning champions Spain in the previous stage of the competition, Conte’s side look well-drilled, organised and assured as they sealed a famous 2-0 victory.

Gareth Bale Feeling 'Incredible' after Wales Stun Belgium

​Gareth Bale's dream of winning Euro 2016 with Wales remains alive after he and his team-mates dug deep to send Belgium packing in remarkable fashion in Friday's quarter-final. Wales recovered from Radja Nainggolan's stunning opener in the 13th minute to win 3-1 in Lille but, rather than go-to man Bale getting on the scoresheet, it was captain Ashley Williams, striker Hal Robson-Kanu and substitute Sam Vokes who got the goals.

A semi-final clash with Portugal awaits for Chris Coleman's side, setting up an enticing clash between Bale and his Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.

Friday, 1 July 2016

Chelsea Release Three Players

Chelsea have confirmed the departures of forwards Radamel Falcao and Alexandre Pato at the end of their loan deals, while goalkeeper Marco Amelia will also leave Stamford Bridge. Falcao joined the Blues on a season-long deal from Monaco last summer following a temporary spell at Manchester United, but the 30-year-old Colombia international struggled to make an impact with just 12 appearances as he was hampered by injury setbacks.

Jose Mourinho Resumes Duty at Manchester United Today, Says Holiday Is Over

Jose Mourinho has confirmed his return to England and the beginning of his reign at Manchester United. The Portuguese coach took to Instagram to announce his return to the UK after a summer break and he can now focus on all matters Manchester United.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is due to be announced today following the arrival of Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s transfer is just around the corner. Throw into the mix the rumours surrounding Paul Pogba and Mourinho’s United already looks markedly different from Louis van Gaal’s side.

Manchester United Make Biggest Mistake not to Sign the Next C. RONALDO, Admits Ryan Giggs

Manchester United missed out on an exceptional talent by not moving swiftly enough for Portuguese wonderkid Renato Sanches, according to Ryan Giggs. The Welshman, who was assistant to Louis van Gaal for two years but could leave the club following the arrival of Jose Mourinho, was on punditry duty as Sanches put on a masterclass against Poland.

The teenager drew his side level with a screamer from the edge of the area – albeit aided by a slight deflection – and ran the midfield, even calmly slotting away a pinpoint penalty in the shootout.

No More Hope for Manchester United as Targel Signs New Five-year Contract with £210m Buyout Clause

Neymar has signed a new contract with Barcelona until June 2021 - and the buy-out clause for the last three years of the deal has been set at £210m. Neymar who had two years left on his previous deal - had been linked with a host of top European clubs, with reports in the Spanish media on Thursday suggesting Manchester United were launching a "total offensive" to sign him.

Chelsea Are in Talks to Sign Seria A Shot Stopper, Diego Lopez

Chelsea are in transfer talks over a surprise move to sign AC Milan goalkeeper Diego Lopez, it has emerged. The Blues have reportedly offered the veteran Spaniard a three-year deal to come in as a backup to number one shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois.

Lopez lost his place at Milan last season, but has shown quality throughout his career at clubs such as Villarreal, Sevilla and Real Madrid.

Watford Turned Down £37.5m Shanghai Bid for Odion Ighalo

Watford have rejected a £37.5m bid from Shanghai SIPG for striker Odion Ighalo, according to Sky sources. SIPG coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is keen to partner the Nigeria international up front with Brazilian striker Hulk, who joined the big-spending Chinese club in a £46m deal on Thursday.

Former Schalke Defender Joel Matip Completes Liverpool Move

Joel Matip has completed his free transfer from Liverpool to Schalke, the Premier League club has confirmed. The Cameroon international’s contract with the Bundesliga side has now expired and he is due to begin pre-season training with his new team-mates on Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp has already made significant inroads into rebuilding his squad this summer following the arrival of Loris Karius, the German goalkeeper who will provide competition for Simon Mignolet, while Sadio Mane joined from Southampton earlier this week for a fee that could eventually become a club record.

Crystal Palace Sign Andros Townsend in £13m Deal

Palace activated Townsend's release fee at St James' Park on Thursday and the England winger has passed a medical to become Alan Pardew's first signing of the summer. The 24-year-old moves in the opposite direction to Dwight Gayle, who on Friday sealed a £10m switch to the Magpies from Selhurst Park.

"I'm extremely delighted," he told Palace's official club website. "I had chats with the manager and chairman [Steve Parish] before I signed and I'm pleased to be part of Crystal Palace's future.

Manchester City Completes the Signing of 29-year-old Nolito from Celta Vigo

Manchester City have announced the signing of Nolito from Celta Vigo on a four-year contract. City were able to secure the deal for the 29-year-old Spain international forward after triggering his £13.8m release clause with the La Liga club. Nolito, whose real name is Manuel Agudo Duran, has finalised his reunion with his old Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium following Spain's exit from Euro 2016 at the hands of Italy on Monday.
Guardiola gave Nolito a first-team debut, but the player was largely used by Barcelona's 'B' team before moving on to Benfica. He returned to his home country to join Celta in 2013 and won the first of his 13 international caps the following year.