Benteke Set For Liverpool Move
Liverpool and Aston
Villa have reached an agreement over the transfer of striker Christian Benteke. Liverpool met the £32.5m release fee clause last
Thursday in Benteke’s contract and the two Premier League clubs have been in
talks over the weekend over the finer details of the Belgium international’s
transfer. The 24-year-old is expected to have his medical with the Reds by
Tuesday morning but the deal will not be done in time to allow him to join the
club on their pre-season tour. The Liverpool squad beat the Thai All-Stars side
in Bangkok and are now in Australia where they won 2-1 against Brisbane Roar
and 2-0 against Adelaide United. They face Malaysia XI in Kuala Lumpur on
Friday. Manager Brendan Rodgers will be acquiring a player who has a stunning
record against Liverpool with Benteke scoring five times against them in their
last six encounters. Benteke, who has two years remaining on his Villa
contract, has scored 49 goals in 101 appearances for the club since he joined
from Genk in 2012. Tim Sherwood said last week he was determined to keep
Benteke but admitted the club were powerless if a bid of £32.5m was received. Rodgers
made Benteke his primary summer target to strengthen his forward line but,
after initially refusing to meet the buy-out clause, the sale of Raheem
Sterling to Manchester City in a £49m deal has prompted a shift in thinking. Rodgers
desperately needs a striker who can stand up to the rigours of the Premier
League, particularly considering the ongoing injury concerns over England
international Daniel Sturridge. Liverpool have already bought six new players,
including England right-back Nathaniel Clyne at a cost of £12.5m, and Benteke’s
arrival would push their summer spending to around £80m.
Experienced manager
Michel Dussuyer has been named the new coach of African giants Ivory Coast. The
Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) made the announcement on Monday, as Dussuyer
signed a two-year deal, with an option to extend. The 56-year-old edged
competition including Frenchman Frederic Antonetti, and the Henryk Kasperczak –
who was last week named as the new Tunisia coach – to take charge of the
reigning African champions, having worked as an assistant to Henri Michel with
the Elephants’ in 2006. Dussuyer is well-known in African football circles,
having led Guinea in the 2004, 2012 and 2015 AFCON finals, as well as Benin in
the 2010 tournament. Duessuyer, who led Guinea to the quarter-finals of this
year’s continental showpiece, replaces Frenchman Renard in charge of the Ivory
Coast, with Renard quitting to take over the helm at Ligue 1 side Lille.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter had to stop his press conference
on Monday following a comical scene caused by British comedian Simon Brodkin.
Blatter had called the press conference following the organisation’s
announcement that elections for the new FIFA president will be held in February
next year, yet was interrupted by Brodkin, who had snuck into the press conference
and began throwing fake banknotes at the president, who stepped down from his
post two months ago following the on-going FBI investigations into corruption. Security
was then called to remove the comedian from the room as Blatter walked out,
only to return a few minutes later after the banknotes had been cleared away. Blatter
then confirmed he would not be running for the president in next year’s
elections, before revealing his wish for a future career in journalism. “I will
not be a candidate for election in 2016,” he said, before announcing that he
would like to become a radio journalist. I think radio is the most popular form
of information. There’s so many radios stations, someone will have me.” The
candidates for the world governing body’s head position have yet to be
confirmed.
Josep Maria Bartomeu
has easily won Barcelona’s presidential election and will resume the role for
the next six years. Bartomeu was the clear winner with a majority 54.63
percent of the votes to beat rivals Joan Laporta (33.03 percent), Agusti
Benedito (7.16) and Toni Freixa (3.70). Barcelona are owned by more than 150
000 members – who elect the president – and 47 720 cast votes. The 52-year-old
Bartomeu took over the presidency in January 2014 after predecessor Sandro Rosell
resigned. Last season was one of the most successful in the club’s history as
they won the treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League, boasted
the most prolific front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, and
posted a record €608-million profit.
Arturo Vidal has bid farewell to Italian champions Juventus
ahead of his move to German counterparts Bayern Munich. The two clubs have agreed on a €40 million
fee for Vidal, who is expected to pen a four-year deal with Bayern. Vidal said
on Instagram: “GRAZIE DI TUTTO! They have been the best years of my career!
You, supporters, were always the best with me! ❤️ I will miss all of you a lot, thank you for everything
#Juventus.” The 28-year-old played a key role in Juve’s run to the Champions
League Final and Serie A triumph in 2014/15. Vidal, who also helped Chile claim
Copa America honours earlier this month, joined the Old Lady from Bayer
Leverkusen in 2011.
FIFA reportedly plan
to amend World Cup bidding rules by preventing countries from contributing
money to overseas football development projects. South Africa’s staging of
the 2010 edition of the event has been called into question by an FBI probe
into alleged corruption at FIFA, while Swiss prosecutors are also investigating
the Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 bids. South Africa stands accused of paying a
$10-million bribe to CONCACAF officials for securing hosting rights. Government,
however, insists the payment was a legitimate contribution to the African
Diaspora Legacy Programme. According to BBC Sport, FIFA intend on scrapping
regulations which allow bidding nations to spend money overseas prior to and
after a vote.
Manchester City have confirmed the signing of midfielder
Fabian Delph on a five-year deal from Aston Villa.Delph joins The
Citizens on a five-year contract despite previously denying claims of a
potential move to the Manchester-based club. City coach Manuel Pellegrini has
praised the 25-year-old’s decision to join the club and looks forward to
working with the England international. “Fabian Delph is an excellent player,
and I am looking forward to working with him,” Pellegrini told his club’s
official website. “He has made a huge impact in recent seasons at Aston Villa,
and is now one of the brightest young midfielders in the Premier League.” The
Chilean tactician also believes the former Villa captain will be an asset in
his team, tipping Delph as a bright prospect in years to come. “Fabian has
tremendous skill and energy, and the fact that he has become a regular member
of the England squad is further evidence of his progress over the past few
seasons. At just 25 years old, he still has his best years ahead of him.”
Ghanaian striker
Asamoah Gyan says he does not understand why he has been criticised in some
quarters for signing a lucrative contract with Shanghai SIPG. Gyan last
week penned a two-year deal with the Chinese Super League side that will
reportedly earn him €325,000 per week, placing him among the best paid
sportsmen in the world. The 29-year-old has been accused of the move purely for
financial reasons, as was the case when he traded Sunderland for UAE outfit
Al-Ain 2012. However, Gyan insists he is merely doing what is right for himself
and his close ones. “I don’t understand the criticism,” Gyan told BBC
Sport. “I work hard for what I earn. I am focused on my job. It is not as
if I am doing anything illegal or robbing people of their money. I have learned
to turn the negatives into positives and so I make my decisions and understand
that everyone works for money. At the end of my career, people will not
criticise me anymore. They will move on to the next person. And at the end of
my career the most important thing will be how well I did for myself, my family
and those closest to me. This time is my era so I have to make sure I make the
most of it.” Gyan has scored a record 48 times for the Black Stars in 90
international appearances.
Barcelona coach Luis
Enrique has downplayed talk that new signing Arda Turan will be loaned out
until January. The treble champions signed the Turkey captain from rivals
Atletico Madrid for a reported fee of €34m, joining fellow new acquisition
Aleix Vidal, yet due to their current transfer ban, Barca can only field their
new recruits from January, when the ban is lifted. Rumours circulated that the
club would loan out their players until next year to ensure game-time, yet
coach Enrique has refuted such claims. “They cannot play until January and
that does not favour us, but I want the new transfers around until then,”
he said. “It is not being contemplated nor will it be contemplated to loan
out Arda Turan.” Enrique then explained star forward Lionel Messi’s
absence from their USA pre-season tour, before lamenting the travel time spent
flying to North America. Messi is not in the US because he needs a
vacation,” he said. “His energy might seem eternal, but he needs a
rest sometimes. I prefer not to tour, there are more problems than positives.
It’s a pleasure to come to countries such as the US but there are aspects such
as jet lag which aren’t ideal. We could be doing the same training sessions at
home. Then again, it’s nice to take part in friendly competitions and we’ll try
to prepare in training with these games in mind.”
Football agent Santos
Marquez has slammed Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, insisting he
“doesn’t like black players”. Perez notably allowed hardman Claude Makalele
to leave for European rivals Chelsea earlier in his tenure as president, while
star Cameroon forward Samuel Eto’o was given just three games for Los Blancos
before moving on to a number of top clubs later in his career. Now agent
Marquez, who has former Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas on his books, has stuck
in the boot to Perez as he revealed the disagreements the duo had over the
former Galactico players. “It was over Makelele, for a lack of
respect,” the agent told AS. “Florentino doesn’t like black players;
he’s not a racist but he doesn’t like them. I also fought with him over Eto’o.
Samuel was just as much a Galactico as Figo. He left for the colour of his
skin.” Marques also feels Perez has his own favourites in the current Los
Blancos squad, saying they often get preferential treatment. “The squad knows who [Perez’s
favourites] are and so does the coach,” the agent added. “The only
clash he had with [former Madrid coach] Ancelotti was over Bale. He thinks that
Bale is the best in the world. He doesn’t know how to take care of the Ballon
d’Or winner [Cristiano Ronaldo] he already has in the squad. Bale is going to
play wherever he likes. Another is Karim Benzema. He got rid of [Gonzalo]
Higuain, [Angel] Di Maria, [Vicente] Del Bosque… none of whom were that bad. Del
Bosque has won everything there is to win but what happened to him is what
happened to me – he’s a not exactly a looker. So Florentino brought in a
handsome bloke [Carlos Queiroz] who almost ruined the team.”
MLS big-spenders Los Angeles Galaxy have completed the
signing of former Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder Giovani
dos Santos. The Mexico international has joined from Spanish La Liga
side Villarreal for a reported $7-million and effectively becomes the club’s
fourth Designated Player (DP) thanks to a new MLS rule concerning the
highest-earning players. With the maximum
of three DPs already on the Galaxy books – Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane and
Omar Gonzalez – LA needed to wait until the new salary cap rule came into
effect last week before completing the deal. To accommodate Dos Santos as a DP,
something called targeted allocation money was used to bring down United States
international Gonzalez’s salary and put him below the maximum salary regular
players can earn ($436 250), thus removing his DP status. Dos Santos (26) will
earn a reported $6-million per year – in the same bracket as Frank Lampard at New
York City – and is set to join Galaxy in August after the Gold Cup. “Giovani is
a special player,” LA Galaxy head coach and general manager Bruce Arena told
the official club website. “He has experience and success competing at the
highest level and we believe he will only continue to develop. We are happy to
add him to our roster and have confidence he can be an integral part of our
success going forward.” Galaxy president Chris Klein added: “We are committed
to assembling the best roster that will compete for championships year in and
year out. Giovani is yet another testament to that effort by Mr. Anschutz and
our ownership group, who have continued to provide every resource for us to
win.
Everton manager
Roberto Martinez has hit out at Chelsea for making public their interest in
John Stones. The Blues had a reported fee of £20-million offer turned down
by the Toffees, and Martinez feels the English champions were out of line by
making the news public. “There is the disappointment of a club making a
statement to the press and making it openly,” he said. “I don’t think
we’d do it and speak about a player. John Stones is an Everton player, full
stop. We are not a selling club. We are not a club that needs to be worried
about what other clubs put through the press.” However, Mourinho believes
Chelsea were well within their rights to do what they did. “When the
transfer window is open, every club and player is open to bids,” he told Sky
Sports. “Bids come for our players and we make bids for other players. The
process can be so simple. I would advise Roberto Martinez to do the same thing
I do. If I don’t want to accept any offer, I say ‘I don’t accept any offer’. He
can make it very, very easy.”
Manchester United
have identified Barcelona’s Pedro and Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller as top
targets as they look to bring in a new forward. United boss Louis van Gaal
is in the market for striking reinforcements after allowing Robin van Persie to
leave for Fenerbahce and opting against making Radamel Falcao’s loan move from
Monaco permanent. Van Gaal is eager to add to his attacking options as he only
has Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and James Wilson as recognised forwards at
the club. Barcelona ace Pedro’s future has been the subject of speculation
after finding himself down the pecking order at the Camp Nou last season. The
Spain international found himself playing fiddle to the likes of Lionel Messi,
Neymar and Luis Suarez and he could consider moving on in search of regular
first-team football. Chelsea are also keen on Pedro, who has a buy-out clause
in his contract of £22 million, but United could rival their Premier League
rivals should the 27-year-old become available. German ace Muller also figures
highly on United’s wanted list with Van Gaal a huge fan of the player, having
worked with him during his time in charge of Bayern. United have already raided
Bayern for Bastian Schweinsteiger and they are ready to test Bayern’s resolve
to hang onto Muller. United have been busy in the transfer market so far this
summer bringing in Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian, Schweinsteiger and Morgan
Schneiderlin.
Manchester United
manager Louis van Gaal has incurred the wrath of yet another player, with Robin
van Persie this time having a go at the Dutchman. Van Gaal recently had a
public falling out with goalkeeper Victor Valdes. Now Van Persie, who joined
Turkish side Fenerbahce this week, has accused the manager of not giving him a
chance after he recovered from his ankle injury. “I asked to play in the reserves, to get my
minutes, but after was on the bench again,” he said. “The atmosphere changed
between me and Louis and people at the club saw it, but I was always
professional. At that point I didn’t think to leave. Bouchra [his wife] was
happy. The kids were happy. I was happy in Manchester. But I was still thinking
we could come back from holiday and start from scratch. He had changed his mind
about me before. When he took over Holland he said to me ‘You’re the No 3
striker.’ I was ‘O…K…’ but I fought and became the No 1 and his captain. But
when I came back it wasn’t an honest battle any more. Fighting to get back in
the team wasn’t given me as an option. He was sending me to Pitch Two. And I’m
a mature player. I’m not stupid. I didn’t get angry or emotional. These things
are part of football, part of life. You have to make the best out of any
situation so I’m doing this by moving on. I know Louis as a national team coach
and now I get to know him as a club coach. And there is a difference.”
Sunderland have
recruited defender Younes Kaboul on a four-year contract from Tottenham. The
29-year-old joined the Black Cats for an undisclosed fee after passing a
medical on Thursday. Kaboul is manager Dick Advocaat’s fourth summer signing,
following the arrival of Sebastian Coates, Adam Matthews and Jeremain Lens on
Wearside. Meanwhile, defender Santiago Vergini has left Sunderland on a
season-long loan deal to Spanish La Liga outfit Getafe.
Former prodigy Freddy
Adu has signed for US second-tier club Tampa Bay – his 13th professional club. The
26-year-old was endorsed by Nike at 13, played Major League Soccer at 14 for
D.C. United and represented the US at 16. However, the Ghanaian-born
midfielder’s career spiralled once he left for Portugal’s Benfica in 2007. Adu
later turned out for a string of teams, including in Brazil, Serbia and finally
Finland, with his last side being lower-league outfit Kufu-98.
Brazilian attacker
Robinho has signed a six-month deal with Chinese Super League side Guangzhou
Evergrande. The 31-year-old has reunited with former Samba Boys coach Luiz
Felipe Scolari at the club. Robinho joined on a free contract for a period of
six months. After the expiration of the contract the club have a priority right
of renewal. He will wear jersey number 60. The ex-Real Madrid and Manchester
City man was released by AC Milan in May a year before his contract was due to
expire. Robinho impressed on loan at Santos last season, netting 12 goals in
all competitions to help his boyhood team win the Pauilstao state championship.
Manchester United plan to sell Victor Valdes because the
goalkeeper refused to play for the club’s reserves last season. Valdes
penned an 18-month deal with the Premier League giants in January after
recovering from a serious knee injury. Valdes had been tipped to replace David
de Gea if he left for Real Madrid, but Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal has
revealed the 33-year-old has lost favour at Old Trafford. “He is not
selected because he does not follow our philosophy,” Van Gaal said when
explaining why the ex-Barcelona man had been left out of the squad for United’s
pre-season tour of the United States. When that is the case, there is not a
place for a player. Last season, he refused to play in the second team and
there are other aspects you need as a keeper at United. When you are not
willing to follow those principles, there is only one way and that is
out.” The Dutchman added: “It is a big disappointment; we thought
that he would follow our philosophy. It is a pity because we have given him the
opportunity to rehabilitate, gave him a contract and then he is fit to play. If
you do not play in the first team, our philosophy is to play in the second team
and he did not do that.” Valdes played twice under Van Gaal last season –
against Arsenal and Hull, when De Gea was injured.
Stoke City have
signed teenage winger Moha El Ouriachi from Barcelona for an undisclosed fee. The
Potters announced the deal on Wednesday, but did not reveal the length of the
19-year-old’s contract. El Ouriachi represented Spain at youth level and has
been called up to Morocco’s U-23 squad. Moha turned down Barcelona’s offer of a
new contract in favour of a move to the Potters, where he links-up with
ex-Barca players Bojan and Marc Muniesa.
Sunday Oliseh has taken over as the new head coach of the
Super Eagles on a three-year deal.He replaces former teammate
Stephen Keshi, and will be tasked with qualifying the team for the 2017 Africa
Cup of Nations in Gabon, with his first match against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam
in September. Nigeria won their first qualifier against Chad 2-0 in June. Oliseh
was one of the star players as the Super Eagles reached the Round of 16 at both
the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, and also won the Nations Cup and Olympic gold.
Raheem Sterling has
become the most expensive English player ever following his £49million move
from Liverpool to Manchester City. The 20-year-old winger completed his
move last week after undergoing a medical, and joined his new team on their tour
in North America. The fee, initially for £44million, surpasses the £35million
Liverpool paid Newcastle United for Andy Carroll in 2011, but is still some way
off the most expensive transfer in British history – the £85.3million Real
Madrid paid Tottenham Hotspur for Gareth Bale. Sterling had joined Liverpool
for a meagre £600 000 from Queens Park Rangers in 2010.
Paris Saint-Germain
have signed midfielder Benjamin Stambouli from Tottenham on a five-year deal. Stambouli
spent one season at Spurs, making 25 appearances in all competitions in 2014/15
following his arrival from Montpellier last summer. “I am delighted and
very proud to become a member of the Paris St Germain family,” the
24-year-old said. “I wasn’t necessarily planning to leave the Premier
League after one year, but when a club the size of Paris St Germain calls you,
it makes your choice a lot easier. That’s the moment when you can experience
the power of attraction surrounding this club. I will now focus on my
preparation.”