Andre Villas-Boas has suffered a transfer setback, as striker Ciprian Marica rejected the opportunity to join Tottenham on a free transfer after failing to agree personal terms, according to the Metro.
The Romanian forward is still looking for a club after being released by Bundesliga outfit Schalke last season, and appeared to destined for a switch to the Premier League.
North London rivals Arsenal were also said to be interested in the striker, but it was Tottenham who began the negotiations, although on this occasion they proved unsuccessful.
Andre Villas-Boas is in the market for another striker, with the futures of both Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor both uncertain.
Both are yet to earn a Premier League start this season, with £26million forward Roberto Soldado starting every game so far – although Defoe was able to notch a brace in Tuesday’s 4-0 win over Aston Villa in the Capital One Cup.
Villas-Boas was hoping to sign Marica – who can also play on the wing – on a deal until the end of the season, but the forward and his agent were able to come to an agreement with Tottenham officials.
Arsenal may yet look to pounce and see if they can tempt the forward to the Emirates, whilst West Ham are also keen to bring in another forward, although the forwards agent Victor Becali reckons Spain and Rayo Vallecano is the most likely destination for his client, after failing to agree terms with Tottenham.
‘Marica’s transfer to Tottenham has unfortunately failed,’ said Becali.
‘They would not match his salary – they would not even match half the salary he had at Schalke.’
It is difficult with Rayo, because few teams in Spain can pay well at the moment,’ he added.
‘But we are very hopeful and Marica is now in Madrid and we will wait and see.’
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Leeds manager Neil Warnock is in the hunt for a new midfielder and has identified Tottenham’s Jermaine Jenas as a target reports Sky Sports.
The Spurs midfielder is understood to be surplus to requirements at White Hart Lane since the summer arrival of Andre Villas-Boas, having featured just once this season as a late substitute in the 1-1 draw with West Brom.
A proposed move to Sunderland fell through for Jenas during the transfer window, so a drop down to the Championship may be the only way to play regular first team football, with the loan window still open.
The 29-year-old saw a year long loan spell at Aston Villa wrecked by an achilles injury, but the former Newcastle man is now fit and eager for first team action.
Leeds are in the hunt for a central midfielder having lost the services of David Norris, Michael Brown and Paul Green to injury.
Warnock told the Yorkshire Evening Post : “We are looking all over for a midfield player to join us before the weekend.
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“We’ve asked about a couple of midfield players and we should know soon because we need someone in there. We’re looking at what there is around.”
Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a deal with Real Madrid to re-sign Gareth Bale, according to Don Balon.
What’s the story?
The Wales international transformed into a star at Spurs, and his impressive form earned him a big-money move to the Bernabeu.
At the time of the 2013 transfer, Bale was the most expensive player in history, costing the Spanish side around £85m.
Since then, the attacker has won a plenty of trophies, including three Champions League crowns.
This season, though, the 28-year-old has struggled for game time due to various injury problems, particularly relating to his calf.
As a result, Bale has been restricted to just 22 starts in all competitions and 31 appearances in total.
In that time, the Welshman has scored 15 goals and created four assists.
According to Don Balon, Madrid have agreed to sell to Tottenham, but they are still miles apart when it comes to price.
The La Liga outfit are looking for around £79m, while Spurs value the injury-prone star at around £52.7m.
Is Bale the marquee signing Tottenham need?
Given that Tottenham have gone another season without winning silverware, they could do with recruiting a big name this summer.
The club are moving into a new state-of-the-art stadium, so a show-stopping signing would be a great way to kick off the new era.
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On paper, bringing Bale back to the club would be the stuff of fairytale, but there is no escaping the regular injury troubles that he experiences.
The Welshman is not getting any younger, so his fitness issues are likely to increase rather than dissipate.
Despite this, Bale still has plenty to provide a team and if he stays fit, he is more than capable of lifting Tottenham to where they need to be, but it is important not to fall to Madrid’s demands in terms of price tag.
After spending some pretty inflated sums of cash in last summer’s transfer window, yet subsequently failing to witness much return on their new stars when it mattered out on the pitch – Brendan Rodgers and his determined Liverpool side truly had a campaign to forget last term.
2014/15 can largely be defined as an extremely disappointing season for the Anfield faithful. The Reds categorically failed to build upon the success Luis Suarez brought to Merseyside just the year before, they looked uncharacteristically slow in almost every aspect of their game – and as for Liverpool’s record in front of goal last season – perhaps the least said about that, the better.
With the likes of Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert seemingly finding themselves somewhat out of their depth at Anfield, Liverpool have nonetheless approached the 2015 summer transfer window with some pretty distinct striking goals in mind.
The ever-loyal Raheem Sterling may have already packed his bags for the Etihad this summer, yet as Roberto Firmino and Danny Ings have already put pen-to-paper on a contract at Anfield in recent weeks, Rodgers does in-fact seem to be addressing his side’s major issues in front of goal from last season.
[ffc-gal cat=”liverpool” no=”5″]
However, even though several other top talents in the striking department have been purposely sounded out for the Reds this summer – Liverpool still arguably won’t win anything in 2015/16 for one reason and one reason only…
…and that would be Brendan Rodgers’ increasingly questionable defensive back-line.
Let’s face it, if the Anfield faithful had paid witness to an improved defence back in 2013/14, Liverpool could have easily won the league that season.
Even when the goals seemingly couldn’t stop flying in for the Reds with the likes of Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling and Coutinho all pulling the strings in unison – defensive calamities ultimately cost Brendan Rodgers’ side dearly that campaign, and stopped the club from becoming the formidable European force that their fans so desire.
Although some new attacking outlets will eventually have to be sourced for the Reds in the not too distant future, Liverpool must therefore learn from their past errors and prioritize their back-line before anything else this summer. If their fans get carried away with the potential signing of a player like Christian Benteke in the run up to the 2015/16 campaign without enough solid defensive strengthening, the immediate outcome will likely prove successful, but the long-term effect could be disastrous.
Whilst Reds fans have seemingly taken to his style and overall work rate in recent years, Slovakia international, Martin Skrtel, ultimately isn’t quite at the level Liverpool require if they really want to solidify themselves as worthy Champions League representatives. The fearless centre-back obviously isn’t scared of putting his head where it hurts – yet when it comes to concentrating solidly for the whole 90 minutes and keeping the back-line as tight as possible – Skrtel has simply proved himself to be an incomplete defender time and time again.
The same can also be said of the increasingly ageing Kolo Toure, and the obscenely expensive Mamadou Sakho – who have each failed to provide their team with much reliability at the back whatsoever. Both centre-backs frequently fail to relieve the pressure throughout the rest of the team thanks to their unpredictable style and less than convincing approach.
Perhaps that same ability to make mistakes at key moments managed to rub off on fellow Reds centre-back, Dejan Lovren, last season as well, seeing as the former Southampton man also largely fell short of his requirements throughout the 2014/15 campaign.
The Premier League now knows all about such players well enough, and if the chance to exploit their respective weaknesses crops up across the coming season, expect even the lower placed teams to attack the Liverpool back-line at full throttle.
Nathaniel Clyne’s recent addition to Brendan Rodgers’ squad nevertheless seems likes a sensible one – but as Liverpool seemingly haven’t managed to improve their centre-back situation since the powerful Daniel Agger decided to move back to Denmark last summer – Clyne won’t exactly strengthen up the Reds defence overnight, will he?
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Therefore, even though a top striker would certainly be welcomed in at Anfield this summer with open arms to say the very least, Liverpool ultimately won’t look worthy of winning any silverware next season in their current precarious situation at the back.
No matter how optimistic certain Reds fans out there prove to be with every passing season, the club’s centre-backs at this stage of the game simply aren’t good enough, or reliable enough, to be trusted next term – regardless of how much money their initially cost Liverpool in the first place.
Sunderland winger Adam Johnson has backed boss Paolo Di Canio after he came under fire for his hard line approach to management.
The Italian has hit out at the poor discipline at the club recently and it is understood seven players have been hit by fines in the past week for various misdemeanours.
That has led to some players complaining to the Players’ Union, the PFA, who have warned Di Canio that he cannot make up discipline as he goes along and must observe established rules.
Johnson, though, backs his manager’s approach, telling the Northern Echo: “He’s come in and managers have new things that they want to do.
“The gaffer is big on discipline and if it means us getting more wins, I’m all for it.
“There’s nothing worse than losing game after game after game after game all season. I haven’t been used to that in my career, so it’s been difficult,” the former Manchester City winger added.
“It’s been poor, very poor, I think. The table doesn’t lie. I think the only thing that we can say is that the only way is up for us now.
“We can’t get any lower to be honest.
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“We survived and now next season all we can do is progress. That’s the positive way of looking at it.”
Andre Villas-Boas will go in search for his first league victory as Tottenham manager when his side travel to the Madjeski to take on Reading this Sunday.
The Spurs boss has endured a frustrating start to the season, losing 2-1 to Newcastle on the opening day before consecutive 1-1 home draws against West Brom and Norwich respectivley.
Despite the £12million signing of Hugo Lloris, Brad Friedel is expected to keep his place between the sticks, whilst other new signings Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele could make their first starts.
Dembele particularly impressed on his debut, coming off the bench to score a cracker against Norwich.
Reading have had to wait longer than most to make a return to Premier League action, after their last scheduled match at Sunderland was postponed due to wet conditions.
Their last Premier League outing was in fact the 4-2 defeat at Stamford Bridge, in which Brian McDermott’s side felt unfortunate to come away with nothing.
Adam Federicci, who made a mistake in that match as well as during the opening day fixture against Stoke City, is likely to continue in goal.
Brian Mcdermott must decide whether to name the same side that pushed Chelsea so close, or revert back to 4-4-2, with Pavel Pogrebnyak likely to be partnered by Adam Le Fondre up front.
Jimmy Kebe is out with injury, whilst Chris Gunter is likely to feature against his former club.
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Prediction: Reading 1-1 Tottenham
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Manchester United can move a step closer to ensuring they end the Premier League season in second position when they host Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday, and Red Devils fans are desperate for Jose Mourinho to start Anthony Martial alongside Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez in attack.
Having started the campaign as a regular in the starting XI under the Portuguese manager, the 5ft 11in forward has found first-team minutes harder to come by following the arrival of Sanchez from the Gunners during the January transfer window, with reports from Spain suggesting the France international could be sold and replaced with Gareth Bale in the summer.
The Old Trafford faithful want to see the 22-year-old get an opportunity to impress in what is going to be Arsene Wenger’s final trip to the Theatre of Dreams as manager of the north London outfit.
Man United supporters have been quick to have their say on Martial via social media, and while one said “Martial needs to start today”, another said “start Martial, Alexis and Lukaku together”.
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As reported by BBC Sport this afternoon, Chelsea’s Petr Cech has been ‘given permission’ to talk to other clubs regarding a potential summer move.
The Czech international is undoubtedly one of the greatest goalkeepers in Premier League history, boasting four league titles, the 2012 Champions League title and 332 appearances as the Blues No.1, and at 32 years of age is still firmly within his goalkeeping prime.
But he’ll be leaving Stamford Bridge in the coming transfer window after losing his starting berth to the prodigious Thibaut Courtois.
Arsenal and Liverpool are considered to be his likeliest suitors; but Jose Mourinho revealed last weekend his reluctance to let Cech leave for another Premier League side – as reported by The Guardian.
That could rule both English clubs out of the equation, amid rumours Cech’s already held talks with Turkish outfit Besiktas.
But fear not Liverpool fans, for Football Fancast is here to help. Using our god-given powers of transfer know-how, we’ve listed FIVE alternative goalkeepers the Reds could turn to this summer.
NOBERTO NETO
According to reports from The Daily Mail last week, Liverpool have been running the rule over Fiorentina’s Noberto Neto for some time.
The 25 year-old has emerged as one of the most consistent No.1s in Serie A since joining the Florence outfit from Atletico Paranaense in summer 2011, this season claiming nine clean sheets and making 46 saves in 27 league starts.
Perhaps most appealingly to Liverpool, the Brazilian is set to leave Viola on a free transfer this summer – as Fiorentina revealed in an official club statement during the January transfer window.
But if there’s one predominant concern, it’s Neto’s limited exposure to English, international or Champions League football – although he did reach the semi-finals of the Europa League this season.
Liverpool aren’t the only interested party, however; The Metro have alleged Arsenal and Juventus to be also courting his signature.
BERND LENO
Primarily considered an Arsenal target, but with a release clause of just £13million, Liverpool would be wise to enter the race for Bayer Leverkusen’s Bernd Leno too.
The 23 year-old has served as the Bundesliga outfit’s No.1 for the past four seasons, amassing 164 appearances in all competitions, and particularly impressed in the Champions League’s group stages earlier this year.
Domestically too, he’s been in fantastic form, claiming the second-most clean sheets of any goalkeeper in the German top flight, 15, after Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer, 19.
Germany have produced an outrageous number of high quality goalkeepers over the last few years and Leno is yet another. He also boasts the record as the youngest goalie to ever feature in the Champions League, aged 19 back in 2011.
That suggests a bright future ahead for the 6 foot 3 shot-stopper – but as aforementioned, Arsenal are considered the front-runners for his signature.
KEYLOR NAVAS
Keylor Navas signed for Real Madrid in a €10million deal only last summer following his World Cup heroics for Costa Rica, playing an intrinsic role in their march to the tournament’s quarter-finals.
But he’s since made just ten appearances in all competitions for Los Blancos, with public consensus firmly on the side of veteran No.1 Iker Casillas, including only five starts in La Liga.
If the European champions launch a swoop for Manchester United’s David De Gea this summer as widely expected, the 28 year-old could find himself plummeting even further down the Bernabeu pecking order.
No doubt, Navas is a sensationally talented goalkeeper; last term he claimed La Liga’s Goalkeeper of the Year award, having made the most saves of any ‘keeper in the division – an incredible 141 – for former club Levante.
Should Real’s move for De Gea come into fruition, Navas might be keen to jump ship – in fact, The Metro have already alleged such a scenario. Earlier this season, however, the 6 foot 1 shot-stopper stated his intentions to continue fighting for a starting berth in the Spanish capital.
ASMIR BEGOVIC
In terms of goalkeepers with Premier League-proven pedigree who are realistically available this summer, Asmir Begovic tops the list.
He’s shown a remarkable consistency as Stoke City’s No.1 over the last five seasons, in that time winning the club’s Young Player of the Year, Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year (twice) and Supporters’ Club Player of the Year awards.
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With just a year remaining on his Potters contract and discussions over a new deal yet to get underway, Stoke could be forced to cash in on the Bosnian international this summer.
In fact, manager Mark Hughes has dropped the 27 year-old from Stoke’s last two matchday squads, facing Swansea and Spurs, in favour of prodigious understudy Jack Butland – suggesting Stoke could already be preparing for life without him.
According to reports from the Stoke Sentinel, Begovic will be made available for just £8million this summer – but Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have all been linked by the tabloids in recent weeks.
SAMIR HANDANOVIC
Head and shoulders above the rest in Serie A this season, Samir Handanovic looks set to claim his third spot in the division’s Team of the Year.
That’s in no small part due to him keeping eleven clean sheets and making 71 saves in his 34 league outings for Inter Milan, ranking him fourth and seventh throughout the Italian top flight in each category respectively.
The 30 year-old also lays claim to the rather incredible feat of saving six consecutive penalties for the San Siro outfit and boasts considerable experience at the top end of the game, with 35 appearances in continental competitions and 75 caps for Slovenia under his belt already.
And although Inter Milan now find themselves privy to the fortunes of owner Erick Thorhir, they could still be forced to cash in on Handanovic this summer; his contract is set to expire in 2016, and Nerazzurri need to balance their books to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.
The Metro value him at around the £16million mark, but also moot Manchester United as his likeliest suitors.
With Manchester City and Chelsea both set to strengthen their squads this summer, in a bid to win back the Premier League title, Manchester United boss David Moyes will be looking to add to his new team too, in order to stay ahead of the chasing pack. United’s old rivals Liverpool will also be looking to buy some players in the summer, as Brendan Rodgers sets his sights on the top 4.
But both clubs will be looking to sell some unwanted players too, to free up some wages and space for the incoming arrivals. But which Premier League stars could be available this summer, and for a bargain too? Forget Rooney and Suarez, here are players that could be available on the cheap.
Click on Jose Enrique to unveil the 10 bargains that could be available from Manchester United and Liverpool
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Manchester City and David Silva have failed to come to an agreement over a contract extension due to the player’s wage demands, The Daily Mail state.
The Spanish playmaker has been a key man for the Etihad Stadium outfit since moving from Valencia two years ago, and now has two years remaining on his current deal with the Premier League champions.
As such Roberto Mancini is eager to tie his talented attacking midfielder down to a new deal, and discussion have been ongoing.
However, Silva is eager to be paid the same as the top earners at the club, with Yaya Toure and Carlos Tevez both earning in the £200,000 a week bracket.
However, with Fifa’s Financial Fairplay regulations starting to take an effect on the game, City are reluctant to increase Silva’s wages so much and as such a deal is now in jeopardy.
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