Everton Won’t Throw Stones At Chelsea
Everton have rejected a £30m Chelsea bid for John Stones.
It is the third bid to be thrown out by Everton with Chelsea having already
offered bids of around £20m and £26m for the rising England centre-half.
However, Everton remain adamant that the England youngster is not for sale.
“We feel that we are a big club. You’re going to get clubs working with
big budgets because they have been working in the Champions League but we are a
club with nine league titles,” Roberto Martinez has previously said.
“We are a big club. What we want is to build and what we want to do is
concentrate on the future and we are not a selling club.” Stones moved to
Everton back in 2013 for a fee of £3m and has since been capped four times by
England. It has been widely reported that the Toffees will reluctantly accept a
bid in the region of £40m for the highly-rated 21-year-old.
Real Madrid have agreed terms with Inter Milan for midfielder
Mateo Kovacic for €35million (£25m), manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed.Kovacic
sat out Inter’s friendly clash with AEK Athens on Sunday with a deal being
reached for the player between the respective clubs later that evening.
Liverpool launched a £17.7million bid for Kovacic earlier this summer with
Inter rejecting Brendan Rodgers’ bid. Inter boss Mancini explained that the
Italian side were forced to offload the 21-year-old playmaker due to Financial
Fair Play Restrictions. “Am I disappointed about Kovacic? It’s a shame, but
unfortunately there are rules that must be respected,” Mancini said following
his side’s draw with AEK Athens on Sunday. I don’t think any of us didn’t want him here,
but to respect the Financial Fair Play parameters we had to do something. That
doesn’t mean we won’t make a squad capable of challenging. We are all
disappointed, from the President to the players, but faced with rules we have
to make sacrifices. It’s a pity some don’t understand that. Kovacic and Xherdan
Shaqiri left for the same reason, so now perhaps we can do other things. We
hope to sign suitable players soon, even if the transfer market goes on for the
rest of August. Having sacrificed two important players will allow us to take
other elements in roles where we are lacking. Full-back and midfielder? We’ll
see.” The Croat joined Inter from Dinamo Zagreb in 2013 and has made 80
appearances for the Serie A side.
Speculation regarding
Sergio Ramos’ future at Real Madrid can finally be put to bed after the club
announced the defender will remain at the Santiago Bernabeu until 2020 after
signing a five-year deal. The Spanish international was widely linked with
a move to Manchester United after media suggested he was unhappy in the Spanish
capital, yet the club have confirmed their star defensive player will remain a
Galactico. Ramos has played a key role
in Madrid’s success in recent years, making over 400 appearances and scoring
over 50 goals since joining from Sevilla in 2005. In the last decade, he has
helped Los Blancos lift three La Liga titles, the Copa del Rey and the 2013
Champions League title. Ramos’ contract extension leaves the future of David De
Gea uncertain, with United saying the Spanish shot-stopper could only leave for
Madrid if Ramos would be involved in a move in the opposite direction.
Liverpool manager
Brendan Rodgers is bemused by Philippe Coutinho’s omission from Brazil’s squad
for friendlies with Costa Rica and the United States. Coutinho, who scored
a stunning winner for the Reds against Stoke last weekend, has been dropped in
favour of veteran playmaker Kaka despite playing at this summer’s Copa America.
“I was very surprised. With everything I had seen last season, with the
changes in the squad, he was going to be one of the flagship players for the
new dawn of Brazilian football,” said Rodgers. “It is hard to
understand. He made team of the season in the hardest league in the world, how
he cannot be in the squad is incredible really. I spoke to him at length on
Friday about it and of course he is disappointed but his only focus is on
Liverpool. He is a really humble boy, a proud man for his country, so I am sure
he will pick up the form he has shown over the last 18 months and I am sure it
will not be long before he is back in it.”
Manchester City are poised to sign Argentina defender Nicolas
Otamendi. The Valencia centre-back was initially linked with a move
to city rivals Manchester United, yet various publications in Europe now
suggest the Citizens are in advanced talks with the player’s Spanish club
Valencia, and are reportedly offering Eliaquim Mangala on loan as part of the
deal. The 27-year-old, who has 25 international caps to his name, currently has
a buy-out clause €50 million, yet has reportedly landed in Manchester ahead of
his move to the Etihad. The former Porto defender is a mainstay in the
Argentina squad, featuring in their World Cup team last year and playing in all
but one game at this year’s Copa America, where he was named in the
competition’s Team of the Tournament.
Chelsea have agreed a
deal to sign Ghanaian fullback Abdul Baba Rahman from FC Augsburg. The
21-year-old was a member of the Black Stars squad that finished as runners-up
to Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations in February. Rahman told the Blues’
website: “I am very happy to sign for Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in
the world, and I can’t wait to train with my new team-mates and very much
looking forward to working with them and Mr Mourinho.” Rahman made 31
appearances in his single season for Augsburg last term, helping the club
qualify for the Europa League. The former Asante Kotoko man previously spent
two years with Greuther Furth in Germany.
Chelsea manager Jose
Mourinho said tactics informed his decision to haul off John Terry at half-time
of their 3-0 loss to Manchester City on Sunday. The Blues were a goal down
when Mourinho replaced Terry – who was an ever-present feature in the club’s
Premier League triumph last term – with Kurt Zouma at the Etihad Stadium. “John Terry [had no injury]. It was just
a decision. I know that Kurt Zouma is the fastest defender Chelsea have,”
Mourinho said. “He is a player of my total trust. With me he was never
substituted but, with other managers, he was not even playing. Some people
thought his career was over. If anyone has the free mind to make this decision,
I am the one because I’m the one who gave him the chance to be what he is: a
fantastic player and captain. I left him out because, tactically, I had to make
a change. Sometimes you are right and sometimes you are wrong but I think I was
right. We controlled the counterattack completely afterwards. My decision was
proven right. John is Chelsea captain, for sure, and a player with my entire
confidence, for sure,” he added of the 34-year-old centre-back.
Ashley Cole is
leaving AS Roma after just one season at the club. The 34-year-old
left-back only moved to Italy last year after his contract with Chelsea
expired. But halfway through his current deal he is to be let go, having made
only 11 appearances in 2014/15 and hardly featuring during pre-season.
Meanwhile, Roma have reportedly had a loan bid for Liverpool defender Mamadou
Sakho rejected. The Italians approached the Reds for the French international,
who is seemingly playing second fiddle to Dejan Lovren as Martin Skrtel’s
partner, but were turned away.
Tottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of Cameroon
international Clinton Njie.The 22-year-old forward joins from
French club Lyon and has signed a five-year deal. He made his Lyon debut in
2012, and netted eight times in 33 matches in 2014/15. He has also scored six goals
in 11 games for Cameroon.
Manchester City have
reportedly joined the race for unsettled Barcelona striker Pedro, with
Manchester United believed to be interested too. Pedro has been rumoured to
want out at the Catalan giants following a bit-part role in the team’s
treble-winning campaign last season, with his buy-out clause set for around
€30-million. United are believed to have already made an offer of around
€28-million, and Louis Van Gaal has publicly admitted his interest in the
Spanish international attacker. However, according to unofficial reports,
Manchester City have also submitted an offer of €30-million to lure Pedro away
from the Camp Nou, which would effectively trigger his release. With the
combination of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar proving largely successful
last season, Pedro looks closer than ever to the Barca exit door in search of
more game-time. The 28-year-old is believed to be keen on a move to United, but
his club are refusing to let him go for less than his buy-out clause. Pedro is
the only player to score in six different club competitions in the same season,
and has managed 99 goals in 319 appearances for the Spanish giants, since
making his debut in January 2008.
Tottenham Hotspur
have confirmed the sale of striker Roberto Soldado to La Liga side Villarreal. The
London side confirmed the transfer of the Spanish striker on their official
Twitter page, with the deal being worth a reported £12-million. Soldado joined
Spurs in 2013 from Valencia, and makes a return to his homeland following a
largely unsuccessful spell in the English Premier League. The 30-year-old
scored a mere 16 goals in 76 games for The Lilywhites.
Aston Villa have signed winger Adama Traore from Barcelona
for a reported €10 million.Traore has penned a five-year contract
with the Premier League side. The 19-year-old made four appearances for Barca,
who reserve the right to buy him back for an agreed price inside the next three
years. Villa have been busy in the market of late, also recruiting Micah
Richards, Idrissa Gueye, Scott Sinclair, Jordan Veretout, Jordan Ayew, Jordan
Amavi, Jose Angel Crespo and Rudy Gestede. However, influential trio Ron Vlaar,
Fabian Delph and Christian Benteke departed Villa Park this summer.
Orlando City midfielder
Kaka revealed his delight after being included in the latest Brazil squad for
two upcoming friendlies. The 33-year-old has been in solid form for his MLS
franchise, scoring nine goals and providing four assists in 22 matches,
catching the eye of national coach Dunga, who included the 2007 Ballon d’Or
winner in his squad for September’s friendlies. “It’s a big day for me…
I’m back in the national team after almost a year, and I’m so happy for
that,” said Kaka, who last turned out for his country in a 4-0 win over
Japan last October. I think I can help the national team in this period. We’re
starting the qualification process for the next World Cup, so it’s an important
period for everybody and also for me. So, I’m so happy and glad to be back in
the national team again.” The Selecao face Costa Rica on 5 September
before taking on the USA three days later. Kaka played in the 2002, 2006 and
2010 World Cups, but missed out as his native country hosted the 2014 tournament.
It seems unlikely that the former AC Milan and Real Madrid star will make the
cut for the next world showpiece, with his age against him – he will be 36
years old when Russia 2018 kicks off in three years’ time.
Southampton have
signed Spanish midfielder Oriol Romeu from Chelsea on a three-year contract for
an undisclosed fee. The 23-year-old joined the Blues in August 2011, but
only made 22 Premier League outings as he was loaned out to Valencia and then
Stuttgart.
Forgotten Liverpool
defender Luis Enrique says he feels alienated after he was left out of the
club’s pre-season tour along with Fabio Borini and Mario Balotelli. The
29-year-old Spaniard was left to train at the club’s Melwood base during the
recent pre-season preparations, along with teammates Fabio Borini and Mario
Balotelli. Enrique has turned to Marca to criticise the club and says he feels
alienated at Anfield now that he is in the final year of his contract. “I’m in
a difficult position. The club have alienated Balotelli, Borini and me,”
said Enrique. “I have a year left on my contract and I imagine the club
will want to sell, but I still want to stay and fight as I always have.” Despite
feeling isolated, and with young Joe Gomez having taken up his left-back
position in the club’s opening friendly against Stoke, Enrique hopes his
experience will still be needed in the upcoming season. “I will not give
up. I know from experience that football changes from day to night. In the
squad here we only have one pure left-back [Alberto Moreno] and I know that if
I stay I’ll play. I want to prove that some are wrong.”
Serie-A side AS Roma
has confirmed the signing of Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko on a one-year
loan, with an option of making the move permanent.The
Bosnian international says his one aim is to help the Italian side win
trophies, while promising to give his best for his new team.
Brazilian defender
Rafael has revealed the reason for his move to French side Lyon is because
Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal “didn’t like” him. The
25-year-old signed a four-year deal with the Ligue 1 side two weeks ago, and
has already spilled the beans on his time at the Manchester club. With previous
reports that Van Gaal has a certain dislike of Brazilian players, in an
interview with Globo Esporte, Rafael says he cannot confirm the rumour but
reveals that the Dutchman was certainly not a fan of him. “I don’t know,
sincerely. I don’t know what to say about that, because I was the only one,
since Anderson left before [in the January transfer window],” said Rafael.
“I know this history that he doesn’t like Brazilian [players], but I can’t
say: ‘Oh, he doesn’t like Brazilians’. I know that he didn’t like me, but if
that’s because I’m Brazilian, I don’t know.” Rafael, the twin brother of
Cardiff defender Fabio, points to the departure of former manager Sir Alex
Ferguson as the downfall of his United career. “I did the complete season,
when he (Ferguson) left. In 2012-13 I played almost every game, it was my best
season at United, we were even champions. And that’s when they changed the
manager. That change was fatal for me. I was going well, then Ferguson left. That’s
what changed, so Valencia started playing as a right-back for Van Gaal. He’s
also a great player, but I was doing well in that position,” he added.