Valencia defender Jeremy Mathieu has issued a statement in an attempt to get his club negotiating with Barcelona ahead of a possible transfer. The club want up to €20m for the defender but Barcelona have been put off by the figure, offering around €14m initially. Mathieu, 30, was the subject of a bid from Barca but Valencia rejected the offer. Now desperate to clinch a deal to move to a club he calls 'the biggest in the world', Mathieu released a long statement clarifying his position and why he feels the club should reward his loyalty. "Valencia CF has an offer on their table from an … [Read more...]
Filipe Luis to join Diego Costa at Chelsea
Atletico Madrid will see another of their stars from last season depart for Stamford Bridge after Chelsea agreed a fee for defender Filipe Luis. Striker Diego Costa made the move earlier this month for £32m, following weeks of speculation, and the Brazilian left-back will join him in London. Luis, 28, is likely to replace Ashley Cole who left the club for Roma and become the club's first-choice left-back. The defender will now agree personal terms with the Blues after the clubs agreed on a £20m deal, and complete a medical in the coming days. With Atletico Madrid last season, Luis enjoyed … [Read more...]
Kroos makes Real Madrid switch
Real Madrid have completed the signing of German international Toni Kroos from Bayern Munich today for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around €30m. Kroos joins the club on a deal that will make him a Madridista until 2020. The 24-year-old, who played every minute of Germany's triumphant World Cup campaign in Brazil last month, will wear the number 8 shirt after joining the European Champions. Rumours had been flying around concerning Kroos' future at Bayern Munich, with Manchester United also interested in the midfielder. Instead Kroos preferred to make the move to Spain and join Madrid … [Read more...]
Analyzing the Signing of Luis Suarez
With Barcelona publicly announcing the successful signing of Luis Suarez, the constant rumor has become a reality. When Neymar is fit and Suarez’s ban is over, Barcelona will boast a frontline that contains 3 of the best strikers in the world: Messi is the best in the world, Suarez was the best in the EPL last season, and Neymar was arguably the best at the World Cup. Thus, on paper Barcelona’s new attack looks nearly unstoppable. However, just because something looks good and sounds good, doesn’t mean it is. As such, it is worth analyzing the problems Suarez’s arrival could have, as Eric … [Read more...]
Arsenal target Atletico’s Manquillo on loan
Arsenal have interrupted Marseille's attempts to sign Atletico Madrid defender Manquillo in a bid to bring the Spaniard to London instead. It is thought that Arsene Wenger wants Manquillo to provide competition to incoming signing Mathieu Debuchy. Manquillo, 20, was due to sign with Marcelo Bielsa's Marseille but for Arsenal's interventions. The move has now been paused as news of Arsenal's interest filters through to Manquillo's representatives. Arsenal want the youngster on a season-long-loan deal to provide Debuchy with competition upon his arrival at the Emirates Stadium. A deal for the … [Read more...]