It was announced in the past fortnight that Arsenal could launch a bid to bring former Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas back to the Emirates. According to The Metro, the North London outfit have a £25million buy-back option, which could now be activated as speculation grows over the Spain international’s future at the Nou Camp, with Man United in particular sniffing around.
The midfielder may edge upon world-class, but he will be not enough alone to propel Arsenal back towards the Premier League title race, with solid additions required in all departments.
With that in mind, we look at the FIVE players from across Europe who could follow Cesc’s lead this summer and join up with the Gunners.
Click on Tim Krul to reveal the FIVE possible transfers to follow Cesc to Arsenal
Newcastle fans have been discussing a possible return to Tyneside for Andy Carroll, and most fans are in agreement they would not take the towering striker back.
According to reports, Andy Carroll has been sent home from West Ham training after a dispute with David Moyes, and the rumour mill is already churning out possible landing spots for the ex-Magpie.
Carroll has managed three league goals in just seven starts due to injuries this season, and the training ground bust-up could certainly mean the 29 year-old is on his way out of West Ham.
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Capped nine times by England, Carroll made 80 league appearances on Tyneside before moving to Liverpool in 2011, grabbing 31 league goals during that time.
Newcastle are having their own problems in the striking department, with none of Islam Slimani, Dwight Gayle or Joselu able to consistently find the net.
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The Magpies have been linked with a move for Hull City’s Abel Hernandez, but could Carroll be a better option?
Fans don’t seem to think so, thanks mainly to his injury record, and some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…
With every passing day, the likelihood of Liverpool selling wantaway winger Raheem Sterling only grows stronger.
The England international’s lengthy contract saga, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the 2016/17 campaign, is no great secret, but it can be summarised by three major stories from the last three months. In April, Sterling revealed in a candid interview with BBC Sport that he’d already rejected a £100k per-week offer from the Anfield outfit. In May, renegade agent Aidy Ward claimed the 20 year-old wouldn’t pen extended terms ‘even for £900k per-week’, whilst also branding Anfield legend-turned-pundit Jamie Carragher a ‘knob’. And yesterday evening, Liverpool reportedly turned down a £25million bid for Sterling from Manchester City.
The Citizens’ failed swoop appears to be a statement of intent more than anything else. Liverpool’s alleged £50million valuation of the prodigious winger has been adopted by so many tabloids and websites that it must have some validation somewhere along the line, which City must be well aware of. Not that they’re the only club apparently in for Sterling; Arsenal, Chelsea and even Manchester United have all been linked over the last few months.
The vultures are circling closer and closer, sensing the weakness of their transfer prey, and at this point Sterling’s move away from Merseyside seems inevitable. It’s now a question of best-case scenarios for Liverpool; commanding a lucrative enough fee that saves them face, compensates for the displeasure of watching Sterling claim trophies at a rival club and allows them to source an adequate, equally talismanic replacement.
At which point, I turn your attentions to Real Madrid – long-term admirers of the Three Lions prodigy who haven’t been linked with him as prevalently as his Premier League suitors over the last few weeks. In my opinion, shipping the 20 year-old off to the Bernabeu this summer is the best realistic outcome Brendan Rodgers’ side can hope for.
Of course, the obvious benefit is that Sterling will no longer be in the same division, meaning Liverpool won’t have to be reminded of how they were forced to cash in on their most promising talent prematurely during every instalment of Match of the Day – not to mention the two occasions per season when he’ll face his former club in the Premier League.
But it also gives Liverpool the luxury of spinning the story a little bit; the idea that Sterling didn’t leave them for just anybody – the first club to come along and flutter their eyelids at him – but one of the largest, most prestigious and successful institutions in the history of European football. Even the most militant of Kopites will be open to admitting Liverpool are a few shades shy of the La Liga giants in terms of global standing.
Perhaps most important of all, however, is the fact Real Madrid throw around more dollar bills than Charlie Sheen in a strip club. Last summer, they splashed out £65million on James Rodriguez purely based on his form at the 2014 World Cup and the year before they broke the world-record transfer fee for Gareth Bale, a player who – by in large – had only really demonstrated consistent world-class quality for a single season in the Premier League.
Whoever’s in vogue, Real Madrid feel compelled to get their hands on; a combination of their renowned ‘Galacticos’ policy and the populist platforms upon which their presidential elections are run. So with a new manager arriving in Rafa Benitez, coincidentally enough one of the most successful managers in recent Liverpool history who admitted his ‘admiration’ for Sterling last week, logic suggests Los Blancos will be on the prowl for new talent this summer, especially of the youthful variety.
They’ve already wrapped up deals for two of Brazil’s most exciting youngsters in 23 year-old midfielder Casemiro (bought back from FC Porto) and Dani Alves’ successor to the right-back throne, Danilo. Interestingly enough, Benitez’ rumoured plans to utilise Cristiano Ronaldo as a centre-forward next season leaves a Sterling-shaped hole in their starting Xi.
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But if there’s one lingering concern, it’s that Sterling isn’t quite in vogue as he was six months ago, when announced as Europe’s Golden Boy for 2014. Back then, he was Liverpool’s front-man and producing match-winning displays on a regular basis. Since his contract dispute unearthed, however, Brendan Rodgers has reduced him to considerably less exciting role of right wing-back, whilst all the negative press has undoubtedly impacted the attacker’s form, scoring just once in his last eleven Premier League outings.
If Real Madrid’s interest proves to be genuine, however, Liverpool must capitalise on it. At this point, it’s the only ending to the lengthy contract saga that doesn’t conclude on a completely sour note.
Micah Richards could feature for Manchester City when Wigan visit on Wednesday after nearly six months on the sidelines.
Richards may be handed a place on the bench for the visit of the Latics following a knee injury that has seen him miss the majority of the campaign, with his last appearance coming in the win over Swansea at the end of October.
Maicon is available following illness and Jack Rodwell could also be involved following a hamstring problem but David Silva is expected to miss out with a similar injury.
City will contest the FA Cup final with Wigan in May but assistant boss David Platt insists his side will not treat Wednesday’s Premier League fixture as a warm-up for the Wembley showpiece.
“It is not a case of because we are playing them tonight we will know how to play them in the cup final. I don’t think it has any correlation whatsoever,” said Platt. “Each team has four or five games before then.”
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Following a football club around the globe is an expensive hobby, and Liverpool fans will certainly be thinking that this week as they make plans for a trip to Italy.
On May 2, the club’s travelling supporters will flock to the Stadio Olimpico for a crucial Champions League semi-final tie against Roma.
The atmosphere will either be jovial, tense or miserable depending on the outcome of the first leg at Anfield, which will be staged next Tuesday.
In order for a fan to grab a seat at the Italian ground, they will have to pay £73 each, according to Liverpool Echo journalist James Pearce.
The hike in price compared to the group fixture against Chelsea has been met with some frustration from fans, but many think that the increase is down to the fact that the May clash is a semi-final.
Others opted to poke fun at the situation by claiming that Roma have made the tickets more expensive because Liverpool swiped their star player Mohamed Salah last summer for a reported £35m fee.
Liverpool fans, who are keen for the club to sign Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Mousa Dembele this summer, have a reason to be optimistic heading into the semi-final due to the fact that they are the only team in the competition that have not suffered a defeat.
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The Reds overcame Manchester City 5-1 in the quarter-finals to reach the last four.
Robin van Persie has not had the best season under his new gaffer, and after only scoring 10 goals he has now also lost of the role as penalty taker.
Manchester United’s manager Louis van Gaal has stripped his compatriot of his penalty duties after his miss against West Bromwich Albion at the weekend, which cost them dearly. The 31-year-old had the opportunity to equalise after referee Anthony Taylor ruled that Saido Berahino had handled it in the box. Van Persie’s shot was saved by the Baggies’ Boaz Myhill and after the game Van Gaal told reporters that he was no longer the first choice penalty taker. He said: “He is now at the end of the road.”
The outburst is just one of many the ex-Holland manager has had about his team, and the miss sums up Van Persie’s season at Old Trafford. Injury and lack of form have curtailed his first-team opportunities this season and with only 14 months left on his contract, he could be on his way out of the door sooner rather than later. The gaffer is not happy with any of his strike force having said: “I miss a striker that scores!” and it is now believed that the Red Devils are set to edge Van Persie towards an exit in the summer transfer window by offering him millions to leave the club.
Van Gaal is known for being a brutal and blunt manager and if you are not performing you are out. It is thought the 63-year-old manager is keen to revamp his first-team squad over the summer and he wants to cut what he classes as the deadwood out of the team. According to the Daily Mail, United officials have agreed to pay the remaining half of a £10million loyalty bonus he agreed to when he joined the club from Arsenal as long as he leaves Old Trafford in the summer.
Inter Milan, Juventus and Lazio have all expressed an interest in the striker so her will not be short of other clubs to go to if it takes the offer Man United are setting out for him. Over the last few months it has become clear that he has not been enjoying his third season at Old Trafford. Compared to his other seasons he has not been having the success he has previously had. He has only scored a third of the goals he has in previous seasons. During his first campaign at the club he scored 30 goals in all competitions but since then he has struggled and generally his performances have weakened.
Van Persie seems to have lost his flair and while he is still a superb footballer the way he’s playing shows he is not happy with his current situation. The expression on his face when his penalty was saved showed fans just how he feels – he is fed up – and it does not seem likely that if he is offered the rest of his loyalty fee he will be still a Manchester United player next season.
It is time to move on for Robin before a great thing turns sour. If he leaves now fans will still love him. If he stays and carries on his slump in performances it will turn a bitter relationship.
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Michael Owen today announced that he is set to retire from professional football at the end of this season.
In a statement released on his website, the 33-year-old striker said: “It is with an immense amount of pride that I am announcing my intention to retire from Professional Football at the end of this season.”
Owen, who has only appeared in six matches for Stoke City this season, is a far cry from the speedy striker that took the Premier League by storm in the late 1990s.
Owen made his professional debut with Liverpool at 17. Less than a year later, he made his international debut with England, becoming the youngest player to represent his country at the time. His astounding goal against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup is the most famous of his 40 goals scored during his 89 caps for England.
However, continuous hamstring injuries greatly deteriorated Owen’s effectiveness. After leaving Liverpool in 2004, he spent time with Real Madrid, Newcastle United, and Stoke City.
Owen’s statement expressed the utmost gratitude toward everyone who has helped him on the way. While thanking his family members, he paid special regards to his father Terry Owen: “From those freezing local parks to terrorising the best defenders in the World on the biggest stages of all. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Some more of his career highlights include: 2-time Premier League Golden Boot winner (1997-98 and 1998-99) and Ballon d’Or winner (2001).
Click on the man himself to see his career in pictures
After his attempts to outfox Liverpool with a 3-1-3-3 formation backfired in the Champions League on Tuesday night, Pep Guardiola looks set to return to the 4-3-3 system that has produced Manchester City’s best football this season when his side travel to Wembley to face Tottenham on Saturday.
But with so many offensive options available to Guardiola, especially now Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero have returned from injury, who starts where isn’t quite as clear as it was a few months ago – and Raheem Sterling’s berth on the right wing may well be under threat.
Indeed, summer signing Bernardo Silva – who Transfermarkt value at £36million – was arguably City’s most effective player in midweek, coming close to putting his side two goals up with a beautiful curler that deflected onto the post from Dejan Lovren’s head.
Sterling, meanwhile, provided an assist in a more central role but it was an otherwise forgettable performance from the former Reds youngster.
So, which attacker would you start on the right wing against Spurs on Saturday – the Portuguese playmaker or the 37-cap Englishman? Let us know by voting below…
Sorry folks, this poll is now closed!
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With news that Massimo Cellino has had his ban from the Football League extended until the end of the season, Leeds United can start to look forward to a life after their disruptive owner.
Cellino stepped away from the Championship side in order to clear his name and in February it was announced he would not be returning to the club – although this seems to be unconfirmed with different reports saying different things.
Leeds have already started to try and turn their season around after what has been a dire season for all involved in the club and have won their last two games in the Championship.
The club has been constantly in the news because of their controversial owner, Massimo Cellino. He purchased a 75% stake in the club through his company Eleonora Sport in April 2014 after his takeover was initially declined by the Football League.
In December he was disqualified from owning the club after the League obtained documents from an Italian court, which found him guilty of tax evasion. At first it was thought that he would return after his ban had finished but he decided to sell his personal stake in the Yorkshire club.
Despite what has been said about him, the former President has gone about things well in order to make sure that Leeds United don’t get caught up in any sanctions – the least everybody associated with the club deserves after what can only be described as the year from hell.
In Cellino’s absence, the club is being run by the chairman Andrew Umbers and chief operating officer Matt Child and Umbers is enjoying his new role making statements, talking to the press and hosting guests.
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While it might be the (possible) end of one Cellino, the club and it’s fans still have his two sons left to participate in the decisions of the club. Edoardo and Ercole Cellino remain on the club’s board and the identity of the buyer of Massimo’s stake is not yet known. So, will these two be able to bring in their father’s ideas like Cellino had said he wanted?
Hopefully, with the man at the top gone, who many fans despised, surely things can only get better for the side?
The problem is, it is still unclear whether Leeds are over the top of the mountain they’ve had to climb. There is still a lot of uncertainty around the club, transfers and the head coach, Neil Redfearn.
Umbers has not kept his opinions to himself and there has been confusion issues, particularly when it comes to emergency loan signings.
Redfearn has always been clear that his squad, whilst it is still improving, is unbalanced, and I am sure fans who watch their club on a regular basis agree with that statement.
Both the players and the manager are uncertain of their futures at the club – it has been announced that all contractual issues will be decided in the summer, which is risky when many of the players have attracted other teams around them in the league.
Despite Umbers’ best intentions, no major decisions will be made until the summer when Cellino may or may not return.
The club is one of the most well known in the country and, with all these issues off the pitch still to clear up, let’s hope we won’t see them slip like they did in the 2000s.
Somehow you just can’t quite believe this is the last chapter in the Leeds United and Massimo Cellino book.
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This season has seen a monumental shift in power in North London. Whereas Arsenal have traditionally been considered to always have the edge on local rivals Tottenham Hotspur, this year the decline of the former and rise of the latter has lead to a role reversal, with the Gunners struggling to make it into the top four while Spurs sit pretty in third place in the Premier League table.
But next season, both clubs will be wanting to show their ambition and take the next step towards challenging for the Premiership title. Although Arsene Wenger and Andre Villas-Boas possess decent squads, they’ll still need some new recruits if they are to compete with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.
We’ve complied a list of ten candidates from all across Europe who could help both North London clubs push on next year and launch a bid to become Champions of England.
Click on Marco Reus to check out the ten players who could soon be making their way to North London in the next transfer window