Mourinho hoped to lure bale back

CHELSEA have been knocked back by Real
Madrid after inquiring about stars Gareth Bale
and Raphael Varane.
The Blues were ready to use the Premier League
TV windfall to make a £100million summer swoop
for the Bernabeu pair.

-The Sun

Chelsea could follow Tottenham to Australia in June for Sydney FC friendly

Chelsea are considering following Tottenham's
lead and travelling to Australia to play a friendly
against Sydney FC at the end of the season.
It is believed the club are looking into setting up
a fixture to be held on June 2, four days after
Spurs meet the same opponents on May 30th.
The match will also be held at the ANZ Stadium,
which has a capacity of 83,000. The venue will
be expected to sell out, with Chelsea expected
to arrive as the new Premier League champions.
Manager Jose Mourinho admitted recently he
was in talks with the board over setting up a
tour at the end of the campaign.
It was reported that the club were heading to
Japan, which is the home of their new sponsors
for next season Yokohama Rubber, but they
appear to be heading Down Under instead.
Mourinho said at the time he was hoping to
schedule two fixtures, but Chelsea didn't want to
comment on the prospect of playing in Australia.
Should the plans be confirmed, the news is not
expected to be greeted warmly by international coaches.

-London Evening Standard

Chelsea face battle for Marseille Midfielder

The 22-year-old has emerged as a vital player
for Marseille since joining from Guingamp in
2013 and is attracting interest from some of
Europe's major clubs.
Chelsea were interested in doing a deal for
Imbula while he was still at Guingamp and their
interest has not cooled since his move two years
ago.
Jose Mourinho has been linked with a summer
approach for the defensive midfielder but now,
according to reports in Italy, Juventus are
preparing an offer of their own.
Scouts from the Serie A club have kept a close
eye on Imbula and have been impressed by his
performances this season.
The France Under-21 international is under
contract until 2018 but Marseille may be
tempted to cash in on the £25m-rated


-Talk sport

PSG to battle Manchester united over Wesley Sneijder's transfer

Paris Saint-Germain are set to battle it out
with Manchester United for
Galatasaray’s Wesley Sneijder.
Reports in Turkey claim the 30-year-old will
be sold this summer, with the French
champions now leading the race for the
Dutch international.
Sneijder still has two years left on his
contract but it is understood is keen to
move on and return to one of Europe’s
biggest leagues.
United boss Louis van Gaal is a big admirer
of the player and was linked with him in the
January transfer window.
Sneijder joined Galatasaray from Inter in
January 2013 and has scored 32 in 94
games for the club.

Arsene Wenger has expressed regret at Cesc Fabregas leaving Arsenal in 2011

Arsene Wenger has expressed regret at
Cesc Fabregas leaving Arsenal in 2011.
The then Gunners captain opted to
move to Barcelona in a £30m deal
despite the club wanting to retain his
services.
This weekend he will return to the
Emirates for the first time as visitors
Chelsea look to move a step closer to
winning the league title
Despite some fans being disappointed
by Fabregas' move to Chelsea - which
came only after Arsenal opted not to
take up their option to sign him when
Barcelona indicated they were ready to
sell - Wenger has called on fans to show
the World Cup winner respect.
"I want every player to be respected,
and Cesc Fabregas when he comes to
the Emirates on Sunday to be respected
like he deserves," the Arsenal manager
said.
"The regret I have is that he wanted to
leave here. This club and myself had a
very positive influence on Cesc's life, so
I would be a bit uncomfortable to have
to justify today why he is not here.
"I believe I would rather it was the
other way around."

It remains to be seen what sort of
reaction the former crowd favourite
will receive from home supporters on
Sunday, but Wenger feels it should not
be hostile.
Victory for Chelsea would put them just
one win away from the Premier League
title, whilst victory for the Gunners
would keep alive their slim hopes of
catching the Blues.


-The Independent

Arsenal's Manager has not spoken to Fabregas since he returned to England

It may be that Wenger is waiting until after
Arsenal’s clash with Chelsea at the Emirates
Stadium on Sunday to share a handshake and a
catch-up with Fabregas.
Wenger, the Arsenal manager, may also feel there
is no need to make a special effort to speak to
Fabregas, just as he would not contact any other
player from a rival club.
The silence has not altered the fact that Fabregas
remains grateful to Wenger for bringing him to
England as a 16-year-old and making him Arsenal
captain at the age of 21.
But Wenger’s stance over the midfielder has been
baffling since he was first offered the opportunity
to re-sign the Spaniard the week before last
season’s FA Cup final.
Arsenal made a big play of the fact they managed
to negotiate a first-option clause in the deal
which took Fabregas back to Barcelona in 2011.
It was agreed that Arsenal could re-sign Fabregas
for the £30 million they sold him for, should the
player tell Barca he wanted to return.
Wenger said publicly more than once that he
believed Fabregas would one day return to north
London and potentially finish his career with
Arsenal. So there was more than an element of
surprise when Wenger did not jump at the chance
to re-sign Fabregas when he was first offered
back to Arsenal a week before they secured a
first trophy in nine years.
Wenger did not give an immediate 'non'. He
instead did not give a definitive answer, allowing
Barcelona to look elsewhere for buyers. The
Spanish club approached Chelsea, Manchester
United, who had tried to sign Fabregas a year
earlier, and Manchester City.
Within a couple of days of being offered
Fabregas, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho
informed his son that he would have to miss his
final game of the season so he could meet the
player personally.

-The Telegraph

A forceful transfer approach will bring success to Liverpool-Brendan Rogers

 Liverpool manager stressed the need for
players to come straight into the starting line-up
for next season as he insisted he remains the
best man for the job despite the impending
availability of Jurgen Klopp, who is leaving
Borussia Dortmund.
Rodgers’ position – and also the ownership model
of Fenway Sports Group – has been brought
under scrutiny after the FA Cup semi-final defeat
to Aston Villa anchored the accusation his current
squad are ‘nearly men.’
Liverpool have spent more than £200m in the last
three years mainly on potential, rather than
proven, talent and Rodgers said reaching two cup
semi-finals and currently being fifth in the Premier
League was “on a par” with where the club was
at - especially given the loss of Luis Suarez last
summer and the injuries which have decimated
Daniel Sturridge’s campaign.
FSG remain supportive of Rodgers, who is
coveted by Manchester City, and he backed
himself to deliver silverware in an impassioned
defence of his acumen.
“When I sit down and look at it, I will hold myself
up against anyone to manage this club and to fit
the model of what they want,” he said.
“I am super-ambitious in terms of wanting to win
and there will be no greater place to do that than
here, but of course in modern football there are
lots of processes that go on behind the scenes
that people will never be aware of.
“In terms of what we are trying to do, I do not
see anyone better in terms of the hand we were
given.
“When I came in the team was eight. Yes, we had
the Carling Cup win, but in terms of where the
club wanted to go we implemented a philosophy
that was exciting and won games and
unexpectedly nearly won the league and qualified
for the Champions League.
“We’ve got to two cup semi-finals one of which
we have not performed well in. The plan here and
the focus is to be consistent, and to be
consistent winners not, to be ‘nearly men’. We do
not want that label.
“We are here to win and there is no-one more
ambitious. If there comes a time when that is not
the case and we move on, there will no-one who
respects the owners more than me.
“But Christ, no, I will fight for my life as I have
said before to be here and if I can get the tools
here to help us we can be really successful.”
Targeting players to go straight into the team
was supposed to be the aim of last summer’s
dealings, but Liverpool have struggled to land
their first-choice targets as they compete against
the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea,
Manchester City and Arsenal.


-Express

Liverpool Midfielder Jordan Anderson has urged teammate Raheem Sterling to follow his lead

Jordan Henderson has urged Raheem Sterling
to follow suit after committing his long-term
future to Liverpool.
The Reds midfielder has signed a five-year
contract to keep him at Anfield until 2020 and
he’s hoping his fellow England international
also puts pen to paper over the coming
months.
Sterling, whose current deal runs until 2017,
recently rejected Liverpool’s latest offer of
£100,000 per week and told boss Brendan
Rodgers that he didn’t want to hold any further
talks until after the end of the season.
That stand-off has sparked fears that
Sterling’s agent is trying to engineer a move
away from the club with speculation linking
him with Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea
and Arsenal.
However, Liverpool have no intention of selling
him this summer and Henderson believes
Anfield is the best place for Sterling to
continue his development.
“I’ve known Raheem for a good few years now.
He is a good friend of mine and my team-
mate,” Henderson said.
“He has just got to do whatever he thinks is
best but, if I was giving him advice, of course I
would say: ‘This is Liverpool’. I think this is the
best place for him’.
“But at the end of the day that decision is up
to him. He is a fantastic player for us.
“I hope he stays here and develops with us. He
will be a big part of what we are looking to do.
“Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho have
committed as well. They have made a
statement because they are two top players. If
we can get a few more done before the end of
the season, I really believe we have got a chance of doing something special.


-Liverpool Echo

Arsenal ordered to take down Cesc Fabregas Emirate banner as he returns with chelsea

Arsenal superfan Claude has demanded the
Gunners take down a banner hailing Cesc
Fabregas from the Emirates Stadium.
The banner was put up during Fabregas’
spell as captain at the club, when Gooners
fell in love with the Spaniard.
But after his transfer to Barcelona and then
subsequent move to Chelsea, Arsenal fans
have turned on Fabregas and want the
banner taken down.
And ahead of his return with Chelsea to the
Emirates this weekend – the first time he’s
been back as a player – Claude has
demanded it’s removal.


-Metro sports

Stoke City promise Peter Odemwingie a secure future

STOKE City have vowed to do their best by Peter
Odemwingie as he battles to save his Premier
League career over the next month.
Odemwingie will be 34 in July and hasn't played
since rupturing a cruciate knee ligament last
August.
But he returned to first-team training last week
without any ill-effects and could yet feature with
five games still to play this season.
And now chairman Peter Coates, who sanctioned
the signing of Rory Delap in 2007 after he had
broken his leg while on loan with Stoke, insists
the club will do everything reasonably possible to
accommodate Odemwingie.
He said: "We hope to have him back playing as
well as he was before his injury.
"I've had some encouraging reports about him
from the training ground and I am certainly
optimistic for him.
"He will be an asset for us if we get him back
playing for Stoke City, and that is certainly the
intention.
"These things take time, patience and a lot of
effort, but we will do all that we can as a club
for the best possible outcome for all concerned."
Odemwingie played a key role in kick-starting
Stoke's 2013/14 campaign after arriving from
Cardiff in January of last year as part of a swap
deal also involving Kenwyne Jones.
He later represented Nigeria at the last summer's
World Cup, but suffered a major setback when
sustaining his long-term injury at Manchester
City on August 30.
Odemwingie is likely to remain a bystander on
Saturday when Stoke play a Sunderland side
fighting for their Premier League future at the
Britannia Stadium.
Coates warned against any complacency ahead
of a fixture with hidden dangers for the home
side.
He said: "It will be a tough game, as every game
in the Premier League is, but you could argue a
game against a team down the bottom is even
tougher because they clearly have so much to
play for."
STOKE are following up their anticipated signing
of 19-year-old Barcelona winger Moha El Ouriachi
with a pursuit of 18-year-old Blackpool striker
Dom Telford.
Stoke have watched the youngster and see him
playing a part in improving the quality in the
under-21 development squad.
Telford's record since his senior debut earlier
this season is modest, just one goal in eight
league starts and one sub appearance, but that
has been in a Blackpool side struggling at the
foot of the Championship all season.

-The Sentinel

Westham stars want Sam Allardyce to stay next season-Andy Carrol

Andy Carroll today claimed the West Ham squad
want Sam Allardyce to stay next season and
spearhead a challenge for European football.
Allardyce’s contract expires at the end of the
season but he is yet to be offered an extension
amid growing speculation the Hammers could
part company with the 60-year-old.
The club were yesterday forced to deny reports
linking them with outgoing Borussia Dortmund
coach Jurgen Klopp and maintained that
Allardyce’s situation will be resolved once the
campaign is over.
West Ham are on course for their third
consecutive mid-table finish following promotion
in 2012 and the striker believes a period of
stability is required before kicking on next
season.
“Everyone loves him, everyone loves the training
and the routine we are in. I am sure all the lads
want him to stay next season,” Carroll told
Standard Sport.


-London Evening Standard

Liverpool free to complete £29m Radja Nainggolan transfer from Roma

Liverpool are reportedly free to complete a
transfer deal for Roma midfielder Radja
Nainggolan, with the Italian side unable to
afford a permanent move.
Roma co-own the Belgian international with
Cagliari, but the pair are yet to agree on a
fee that would release him outright to the
former.
A combative central midfielder, Nainggolan
has been a key member of Rudi Garcia’s
side this season, with Liverpool believed to
be interested in bringing him to Anfield.
And according to Belgian journalist Kristof
Terreur, the Reds could get a deal over the
line this summer, with Roma allegedly
unable to afford a permanent deal for the
26-year-old.
Nainggolan – who previously admitted to
Gazzetta dello Sport that he is ’50 percent
likely’ to leave Roma – is believed to be
valued by his current owners at
roughly £29million.


Metro.co.uk

Wenger wants me- Victor Wanyama

VICTOR WANYAMA has revealed to SunSport that
he is on Arsene Wenger’s shopping list.
The Kenyan ace, 23, will cost Arsenal around
£20million after a stunning season at
Southampton.

Arsene Wenger wants to give About Diaby a chance of making the first team.

Arsenal still want to give Abou Diaby a final
chance to resurrect his career and will consider a
pay-as-you-play deal or an arrangement that
allows him to continue training at the club even if
he does not prove his first team fitness by the
end of the season.
Diaby has been back playing with the Under-21
team over recent weeks following a horrific
sequence of injuries, although he was absent
from the squad last night that lost 3-2 to
Middlesbrough at the Riverside.
His latest comeback has impressed Arsenal
coaches - Under-21 manager Steve Gatting
described him as “excellent” in last week’s match
against Reading - and Arsene Wenger does want
to give him every opportunity of making a
comeback.
A new contract is clearly not on the table for a
player who has managed just 16 Premier League
games in the last four seasons but Wenger
retains the highest regard for Diaby’s potential.
He has also sounded more optimistic about the
situation than he was earlier in the year.
It is understood that Wenger would still be open
to allowing Wenger to continue his rehabilitation
at the club even without any formal contract and
then reassess the situation should he ever return
to full match fitness. Arsenal could then make
some sort of pay-as-you-play offer. A final
decision will be made at the end of the season.

Tottenham plans to sell off 9 players

Tottenham will try to offload as many as nine
players this summer, who cost the club in total
£90million.
Four of the players were bought in the summer
of 2013 with the money from the £86m sale of
Gareth Bale and include Roberto Soldado, who
was signed for a then club record fee of £26m.
Also on the list are Younes Kaboul, who started
the season as captain but has not started a
Premier League match since November, and
Emmanuel Adebayor, who still has a year left on
his £100,000-a-week deal.
Vlad Chiriches, Younes Kaboul, Etienne Capoue,
Paulinho, Mousa Dembele and Aaron Lennon are
all surplus to requirements. The future of
Benjamin Stambouli is also unclear, even though
the French midfielder joined the club only last
summer.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino aims to
finalise his summer transfer plans when he
meets key staff shortly after the club’s final
game of the season against Everton.
But he already has a clear idea of the players he
is willing to lose and will communicate this to
chairman Daniel Levy. Paul Mitchell, the club’s
head of recruitment and analysis, will also have
a significant role to play during the close
season. Pochettino will seek to sit down with
Mitchell, Levy and other senior figures in the
final week of May, although Tottenham leave the
country soon after the match at Everton on May
24. They have games in Kuala Lumpur and
Sydney on May 27 and May 30 respectively and
Pochettino is keen to have his project set in
stone as soon as he can.

Manchester City,keen on signing Southampton striker Jay Rodriguez

Manchester City will have to spend in excess
of £20m to land Southampton striker Jay
Rodriguez.
The England international is one of a clutch of
home grown players being monitored by the
Premier League champions ahead of a
summer of change at the Etihad.
Ross Barkley and Raheem Sterling are also on
their wanted list.
But just as with those two, City will be forced
to spend heavily if they want to land
Rodriguez.
Southampton are determined to hold on to the
25-year-old, who has been sidelined all season
with a cruciate knee ligament injury.
Tottenham are also keen to sign him this
summer, with former Saints manager Mauricio
Pochettino eager to be reunited with the
forward at White Hart Lane.
But Southampton are not encouraging bids
and rejected approaches from Spurs last
season.

A long term deal for Jordan Henderson alongside Jordan Ibe- Liverpool

Liverpool are hopeful of following up
the long-term deal for Jordan
Henderson with another for Jordon Ibe,
the 19-year-old who has a year left on
his contract to run after this season.
Ibe has impressed this season and made
a return from injury earlier this month.
He was Cup-tied for the FA Cup semi-
final defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday,
having gone on loan to Derby County,
and has found himself under scrutiny
in recent weeks having been the latest
young English footballer pictured
holding shisha pipes, this time with
team-mate Raheem Sterling. The club
are keen to get their latest promising
teen secured on a five-year contract.
Liverpool are set to announce the
signing of Henderson’s five-year
contract on Thursday and expect a deal
for Ibe to be agreed before the end of
the season.

Manchester United could be signing the new christiano ronaldo

The Red Devils are understood be in pole
position to land the £25-million rated attacking
starlet, who has enjoyed a sensational season to
help fire PSV Eindhoven to the Eredivisie title.
And, according to De Boer, the 21-year-old has
the potential to be a United superstar.
“He is one of the biggest talents in Europe,” said
the former Ajax and Barcelona star, speaking on
the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast .
“He has skill compared to a young Cristiano
Ronaldo. He Is very lively, technically
unbelievable, very skilful, very fast, he has a
great goalscoring record, he can shoot from
every distance - he has everything.
“For me, he is without doubt one of the best
talents we have.”
Liverpool are also believed to be keen on luring
Depay to the Premier League, but De Boer says
the fact he has worked under Louis van Gaal
before with the Netherlands national team
suggests a move to United is more likely.
He added: "I don't want to say which club is
more suitable for him, but if he goes to United
he knows there is a Dutch coach there who
knows him from the World Cup. That is an
advantage."

Real turns to Arsenal and Liverpool target Asmir Begovic

Reports in Spain suggest that Real are now
ready to accept defeat in their pursuit of De Gea
and turn their attentions to Begovic instead.
Begovic has just begun contract talks of his own
with the Potters, having previously been linked
with Arsenal and Liverpool.
Stoke boss Mark Hughes said yesterday: "We
want to be a team that's consistently in the top
ten.

Hugo Lloris ready to leave Tottenham

Hugo Lloris will consider his future at
the end of the season if and more likely
when Tottenham Hotspur do not qualify
for the Champions League. The France
goalkeeper signed a five-year contract
last July but he has long made it plain to
the club’s chairman, Daniel Levy, that
he wants to play in the Champions
League.
Tottenham even took Michel Vorm from
Swansea City two weeks after Lloris had
re-signed in a move that was seen as a
shrewd contingency on Levy’s part in
the event of Lloris pushing to join a
Champions League club. Vorm, 31, was
Holland’s third-choice goalkeeper at the
World Cup in Brazil and cost £4.5m.
Lloris is frustrated and finds his career
approaching a crossroads. He joined
from Lyon in 2012 for an initial £8m
and he hoped to play with Spurs in the
Champions League. It has not happened
and Lloris knows there is the strong
possibility that it will not do so next
season either. Tottenham trail fourth-
placed Manchester City by seven points
and have a hugely inferior goal
difference, with five matches to play

Manchester City's yaya toure says no amount of money would make him stay at a club where he isn't wanted

his admiration for Paris st Germain.
Toure’s position has been in question after an
inconsistent season for the Premier League
champions.
Mancini wants to be reunited with him at
Inter, while PSG have long-been linked with a
move for the 31-year-old.
He still has two years to run on his £200,000-
a-week contract at City, but insists he is not
financially driven.
“No amount of wages will make me stay at a
club if I feel that I no longer belong there or if
no challenge exists for me,” he said.
“It would be unjust on my part. There comes
a moment where numbers don’t stop us, it
goes beyond that, even if the English press
seem more interested in the numbers than the
sport itself.

England's Manager Roy hodgson intends to visit Bradford city this weekend

Roy Hodgson intends to visit Bradford
City this weekend after informing the
Football Association he wants a
Saturday off watching Premier League
football so he can pay tribute to the 56
people who died in the fire at Valley
Parade in 1985.
Greg Dyke, the FA’s chairman, was
already booked in to watch the League
One club and plans are now being made
for the England manager to join him.
Bradford’s game against Barnsley will
be their last home match of the season
and that is why the FA has designated
this weekend as the appropriate time to
mark the 30th anniversary of the fire.
Every match in England, down to
county FA level, will be preceded by a
minute’s silence.

Monaco are not in negotiation with any club other than Manchester United over the future of Radamel Falcao

Falcao, 29, joined United on a one-season loan
deal from the French club in September but has
scored just four goals in 25 appearances this
campaign.
Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev said the
club are waiting on United's decision on whether
to sign Falcao.
"We are not in any further negotiations for the
moment, even if big clubs are interested," he said.
Under the terms of the Colombian's loan, the Old
Trafford club have first option to sign him in the
summer for £43.5m.

Robin van persie returns to action

Robin van Persie made his first
appearance in a Manchester United shirt
for two months last night when he
turned out for the under-21 team as the
club stepped up their interest in the
striker’s Holland team-mate, Memphis
Depay.
The former Arsenal forward looked
lively during a 62-minute run out,
setting up a goal for Sean Goss as a
strong reserve side came from behind to
draw 1-1 against Leicester City at the
King Power Stadium. As encouraging as
the sight of Van Persie on the comeback
trail was for Louis van Gaal, the United

Manchester United Players fear goalkeeper David De Gea is on his way to Real Madrid

If United’s worst fears are confirmed and De
Gea does ask to go, they will demand the best
possible price for him, valuing the 24-year-old
shot-stopper at close to £50million.
Another option should De Gea go is a player-
plus-cash deal involving Real’s Gareth Bale, a
long-term United target who has endured a
difficult second season in Madrid.
Although Bale has said he has no desire to
leave Real, United will explore every avenue
with regard to his potential capture should De
Gea stand firm in his desire to leave.

Aston Villa officially have the worst injury problem

Aston Villa currently have the worst injury
problems in the Premier League.
Nine players are on the treatment table right
now and that’s excluding Christian Benteke
whose hip injury is almost healed.
Jores Okore (knee), Tom Cleverley (groin), Ron
Vlaar (calf), Aly Cissokho (groin), Kieran
Richardson (calf), Chris Herd (knee), Nathan
Baker (knee), Philippe Senderos (calf) and
Libor Kozak (broken leg) have all sat out of
training leaving the Bodymoor Heath training
pitches a sparsely-populated place this week.
Benteke completed a light workout for Belgium
on international duty while Fabian Delph has
now joined the England squad after suffering
with a sickness bug over the past few days.
The only other team with an injury list close
to the claret and blues is Newcastle who have
eight players currently sidelined.

Ruby Gestede will not be sold on cheap-Blackburn

Gary Bowyer, the Blackburn Rovers
manager, has said that Rudy Gestede will
not be allowed to leave Ewood Park for
less than his market value in a summer
fire sale.
The Sky Bet Championship club need to
raise revenue to cut their debts and ease
the impact of a restrictive transfer
embargo, making player sales almost
inevitable. Gestede is the club’s chief
asset, but Blackburn have already turned
down a £3.5 million bid from Crystal
Palace and are likely to hold out for
nearer double that amount, with the 26-
year-old on 19 goals for the season in all
competitions.

Luke Shaw feeling more confident after a hard start at Manchester United

After conceding ‘coming to the biggest
club in the world hasn’t been easy’, the
England left-back believes his
performance in the defeat by Chelsea
was his best for Louis van Gaal’s side
and the fixture could be a title decider.

Hector Moreno ready to accept Arsenal's transfer over tottenham

Arsenal are clear to seal the signing of
Espanyol star Hector Moreno with the
defender ready to accept the move.
The Gunners have been watching Moreno
for months and were strongly linked with a
deal in January.
A summer deal is now being lined up, with
Tottenham also keen, but reports in Spain
say Moreno has set his heat on joining
Arsenal this summer.
The £15million-rated centre back will
apparently ‘do anything’ to help negotiations
over a deal be successful, with Arsenal his
number one choice.

£20m bid enough for Chelsea to secure filipe Luis replacement

 former Ipswich left-back has been in top
form under Sam Allardyce at Upton Park, and has
been linked with a move to west London at the
end of the current campaign.
Filipe Luis has become the forgotten man at
Stamford Bridge, with Atletico Madrid believed to
be interested in bringing him back to La Liga.
And the Daily Mail claims that Chelsea are looking
to land Cresswell as a replacement for the
Brazilian in a move which would help the club
boost its quota of English players.
West Ham are apparently hoping to keep 25-year-
old, but will sell if Jose Mourinho offers £20m for
his signature.
Chelsea can sign westham star Aaron Cresswell this summer if they make a bid of £20m,according to report.

Manchester United are closing in on a £25m deal to sign Memphis Depay

Depay's Dutch club PSV Eindhoven have
confirmed the winger is expected to leave them
this summer.
It is understood officials from both clubs have
held talks about a deal for the 21-year-old, who is
regarded as one of the brightest talents in
Europe.
Depay struck a stunning free kick to help his side
beat Heerenveen 4-1 on Saturday and win the
Dutch title for the first time since 2008.
Now he appears destined for Old Trafford, as
revealed in last month's Starsport , with PSV
director Marcel Brands confirming the interest in
their prize asset.
He said: "There is
serious interest from big
clubs for Depay. If we
were to reach an
agreement in the end
he'll make his choice.
"Surely then it will be impossible to say no to this
kind of club."
Louis van Gaal travelled to Amsterdam to watch
Depay in action during Holland's 2-0 friendly win
over Spain last month.
United are in pole position to go on and confirm
the signing of Depay, despite interest from French
big-spenders Paris St-Germain.

Radamel Falcoa's agent negotiating with Liverpool as Manchester United pass on permanent deal

The striker is currently on loan at Manchester
United, but has failed to make an impression after
scoring just four goals in 23 appearances.
Louis van Gaal has the option to make Falcao's
stay permanent, but reports in Spain claim that
the Dutchman has informed Monaco that the
Colombian will be returning to France at the end
of the season.
Falcao has been linked with moves to Chelsea
and Liverpool recently, and his agent Jorge
Mendes is said to have made contact with the
latter in order to seal a new destination for the
ex-Porto and Atletico Madrid icon.
Anfield forwards Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert
and Fabio Borini have been tipped to leave
Merseyside, and Mendes is apparently trying to
persuade Brendan Rodgers to sign Falcao on a
full-time contract.

Jose mourihno complains about Ander Herrera

José Mourinho hailed Chelsea’s win
against Manchester United as a tactical
masterclass of his own making but could
not resist breaking free from the
celebrations to complain about the way
he perceives Louis van Gaal’s players
are treated differently in the media
compared with his own.
Ten points clear, Chelsea can wrap up
the championship with almost a month
to spare if they win their next two
games but Mourinho insisted it was no
time to celebrate. “Football is not about
‘if’, it’s not about ‘almost’, it’s about
mathematics. When mathematically it’s
done, it’s done, we celebrate. Until that
moment, no. We need two victories to
be champions.”

Newcastle wants starlet James Wilson on loan

 England Under-20s ace is regarded as an
outstanding prospect at Old Trafford and United
boss Louis van Gaal wants to release him on loan
to increase his experience.
He'll go out on a temporary transfer provided
United are covered in for strikers.
Newcastle have been made aware of the situation
and have registered their interest.
Former Old Trafford assistant Steve McClaren -
now at Derby - is expected to be in charge at the
Toon next season.
Speed-merchant Wilson, 19 will sign a new
contract with United before going.
Meanwhile, Petr Cech's summer move to PSG is
virtually a done deal, claims former player and
manager Ray Wilkins.
The Czech, 32, and still a world-class keeper, has
found playing time limited following the return of
Thibaut Courtois from his loan spell at Atletico
Madrid.
Wilkins, speaking to the French media, said: "Petr
is to join PS in the summer."
Arsenal, Liverpool and Inter Milan have all been
linked with Cech in the past.

Christian Benteke a potential target for Manchester United

The Aston Villa striker impressed United boss
Louis van Gaal with his recent performance at Old
Trafford.
United have their striker department to address in
the summer with the futures of Robin van Persie
and on-loan Radamel Falcao in serious doubt.
And starlet James Wilson is set to go out on
loan.
All that could leave Wayne Rooney as United’s
only recognised striker. Van Gaal said of the Villa
target man’s performance against United:
“Benteke won all his duels.”
The £25m-rated Belgium striker, 24, is in hot form
and has two years remaining on his contract.
But Villa boss Tim Sherwood admitted last Friday
he could be sold

Check out some of the pictures from Saturday's FA cup Semi Final win RFC vs AFC

Summer Move for Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen to Everton

 according to
Tuttomercatoweb.
It is claimed Everton are already planning
for next season and a bid for the former
Gunner could be made in the coming
months.
A fee has not been mooted for the player,
who has been plagued by a troublesome
hamstring in recent months, but the Catalan
giants may struggle to recoup the
£15million they paid to take him away from
the Emirates last August, given his injury
troubles.
It has, though, been suggested Barcelona
may be willing to cut their losses on
Vermaelen, who could be lined up as a
replacement for 37-year-old centre-back
Sylvain Distin.

The U-23 National Team goes on a six weeks break

–U-23 squad to regroup May 25 ahead AAG
preparation
The U-23 National Team, known as Dream
Team, will go on break on Friday, 17th April
Samson Siasia’s wards, who recently booked
a spot at the Men’s Football Tournament of
this year’s All-Africa Games, will resume on
May 25.
Addressing the players and officials, the Head
Coach, Samson Siasia advised the players
not to see their qualification for the All-Africa
Games as the ultimate, but to see it as a
wake up call to work harder and qualify for
the Olympics taking place in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil next year.
He disclosed that Nigerians will only accept
them as true heroes if they qualify for both
games, as the nation has not qualified for the
football event of these games at the same
time for a very long time.
While congratulating them for making the
nation proud, Coach Siasia said any player
who has not measured up will be dropped for
those who can add value to the team, and
that he intends to have a look at some
overseas-based professional players who
should be on break in May/June to see those
who can bolster the squad.
Coach Siasia then advised players who intend
going abroad to further their career to seek
advice from the NFF and the coaches so that
it would be inscribed in their contracts that
they will be released any time the team has
matches or tournaments to play.
For those who play in the local league, Coach
Siasia urged them to add value to their clubs
by showing that they are national team
players with their level of discipline and
dedication.

Awoniyi plays down yekini's comparison

Two years ago, he was a bit-player with the
Nigerian under-17s at the FIFA Under-17
World Cup in the UAE. Success Isaac was the
preferred frontman while he was just a back-
up for the man, who now plays in the
Spanish top flight with Granada CF. Anyway
that was just after the first game in which he
came on as a substitute for Chidera Ezeh in
the last 18 minutes of the 6-1 win over
Mexico in Al Ain City.
In the second game of that tournament,
Isaac had to make way as early as the 32nd
minute and the then Nigeria Under-17 team
head coach, Garba Manu, now manager of
the under-20s, sent on starry-eyed Taiwo
Awoniyi. It was Awoniyi’s goal in the last 10
minutes that secured a point in a 3-3 draw
against Sweden. Awoniyi went on to play
against Iraq, Iran, Uruguay, Sweden and
Mexico, and notched up four goals in total.
Awoniyi relived that winning feat and his rise
to first-team to supersport.com: “It was one
experience I won’t forget. And I thank God
for the chance and the coaches for believing
in me when our main striker got injured.”
Ever since the 18-year-old has not looked
back, and has become some sorts of a cult
hero within his own standards, and is already
drawing comparisons with a former legend,
who passed away almost three years ago.
There have been a number of players, who
have been likened or touted to fill the
vacuum left by late Rashidi Yekini –
Nigeria’s all-time leading scorer at senior
level. Recently Super Eagles and Fenerbahce
striker, Emmanuel Emenike, was compared to
the legendary striker for his bulldozing nature
in front of goal, but the Fener man has hit a
bad patch.
Now that ribbon is dangling on the neck of
teenager Awoniyi, who is even yet to play for
the Super Eagles. Awoniyi in recent weeks
has shown his predatory instincts as a striker
and those characteristics were evident in the
2-1 win in Lusaka when he scored twice to
down Zambia’s under-23s despite being
called into the Nigerian team few days before
the game. His goals at the National Heroes
Stadium ensured Nigeria’s passage to the
men’s football event of the All-Africa Games
in Congo in September this year.
His recent shows for the under-20s and now
the under-23s of Nigeria have seen him not
just getting plaudits, but also a big
comparison to Yekini. Awoniyi said he is
happy with such comparison but still feels
they are just words of “encouragement that
should keep me working hard.”
“I thank God Almighty, the author and creator
of all things. Well he [Yekini] was a legend I
heard about, but as a little boy just growing
up, praying and hoping to get there. I believe
it is just a word of encouragement that
should keep me working hard in getting and
surpassing where he got to, Awoniyi told
supersport.com this week.
Former Super Eagles captain, Nwankwo
Kanu, has already described the teenage
forward as Nigeria’s “hottest kid” which has
left Awoniyi saying he is excited and
privileged to get such comments from a big
figure like the former African Footballer of the
Year winner.
The Flying Eagles star has boldly said he
does not feel any pressure with the amount
of plaudits and comparisons he gets. Awoniyi
responded that he is only focused on his
career as a footballer, and believes that being
compared to any of the legendary players in
the country will only serve as “a way of
praise” for him.
He also spoke of the chance of becoming
Nigeria’s next number nine and was,
however, philosophical about it.
“Not at all [am I under pressure]. Like I said
earlier I believe it is just a way to praise me.
But with God’s help and hardwork I can get
there. I am not under any pressure at all.
“God knows best and makes all things
happen. He knows what we humans don’t
know and I believe everyone is destined for a
purpose on Earth. I am just starting but I
believe God’s will, will be done [as per being
Nigeria’s next number nine],” he said.

Louis van Gaal demands perfection

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal wants
his team to put in a perfect performance against
league leaders Chelsea on Saturday.
Van Gaal's men have moved to within eight
points of the Barclays Premier League leaders
after six successive wins that included a
thumping 4-2 win over Manchester City last
Sunday.
United needed a 94th-minute equaliser to scrape
a draw against Chelsea in October put van Gaal
feels recent performances and results show the
team are finally understanding his football
philosophy.
"We are progressing and playing more like a
team," the United manager said.
"There is more balance. I do believe that we can
play very well but we haven't played very well for
90 minutes.
"First we have to play 90 minutes very well.
Against City we didn't manage.
"It's because they know why they have to play in
a certain way," he said.
"You are capable but unconscious and I want
them to be capable and conscious. Then, at the
end, they are unconscious-capable, that they are
doing it from their stomach.
"Now we have reached the point they're doing it
as a team, not as an individual because football
is a team sport, so that is the difference."
The Dutchman has reservations about United's
ability to beat teams that are physically bigger
than them, and that might be something that
Chelsea, with the aerial threat from John Terry,
Gary Cahill, Branislav Ivanovic and
Nemanja Matic, put to the test at Stamford
Bridge on Saturday.
"We have a big deficit in height," he said.
"When you speak with a basketball coach one or
two centimetres is very important.
"In football it is the same because a third or
quarter of the goals come from set-plays."

Jose Mourinho has revealed how Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen klopp has reassured him

Jose Mourinho has revealed how Borussia
Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has reassured
him that he is not after the Portuguese's job at
Chelsea.
Klopp is resigning from Dortmund in the summer
and is already being linked with a number of
clubs across Europe.
The two managers are close friends and Klopp
has already been in contact to say he won’t be
pitching for his post in west London.

Mourinho joked: “He is a very good coach, a
good friend and we have been been in touch.
The only thing he told me was that he is not
coming to Chelsea for sure, so I’m calm!”
One role in London that Klopp has been linked
with is the Arsenal manager's job.
He has long been perceived by many as a
potential successor to Wenger even though the
Gunners remain fully supportive of their long-
term manager.
On Wednesday, Wenger said he didn't appreciate
being asked about whether Dortmund would
thrive without Klopp.
"I'm not an agency to place managers and I like
every manager and respect everybody, but I find
that circus a bit ridiculous," said Wenger.
"It's down to every club to make the right
decision and to respect Dortmund. Dortmund is
a massive club and will survive, and has the
ability to keep their best players. They have a
big history linked with great results and great
achievements so I don't think that will stop
Dortmund."

Pavel Pogrebnyak will be involved for Reading's FA Cup semi final

Pavel Pogrebnyak will be involved for Reading's
FA Cup semi-final after overcoming a calf
complaint.
On-loan duo Nathan Ake and Kwesi Appiah are
unavailable as they are cup-tied but fellow
loanees Nathaniel Chalobah and Jamie Mackie
can play.
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere could make his
first appearance after recovering from an ankle
problem.
However, Mikel Arteta and Alex Oxlade-
Chamberlain are still not fit. Wojciech Szczesny
will start in goal.
France defender Mathieu Debuchy may also be
included in the squad again, having been out
since January after needing shoulder surgery.
There have been 24 goals in the last three
meetings between Arsenal and Reading, which
bodes well for the neutral as the Berkshire club
taste their first FA Cup semi-final since 1927.
You'd need to be very old and have a very good
memory to recall that one (a 3-0 defeat to Cardiff
at Molineux).
Arsenal only need short memories for something
of a cautionary tale. Twelve months ago they
were eight minutes away from being beaten by
another Championship club, Wigan, at this stage.
In the end Arsenal squeaked through on penalties
to what was a record-equalling 18th FA Cup final.
There are big differences though - 12 months ago,
rather than being on an eight-game winning
streak, Arsenal had gone four games without a
win - one of which had been a 6-0 defeat by
Chelsea. Against Wigan, rather than having Olivier
Giroud and Alexis Sanchez threatening their
opponent's goal it was Lukas Podolski and Yaya
Sanogo.
Reading haven't had an easy route to Wembley;
they may not have faced Premier League
opposition but they've been drawn away in every
round and got the better of both Derby and
Cardiff. They are all but safe in the
Championship but haven't won a game since the
quarter-final replay victory over Bradford City a
month ago.
In the pugnacious Pavel Pogrebnyak and
rumbustious Jamie Mackie they have strikers
who are a handful on most days. Jordan Obita
and Michael Hector are excellent defensive
prospects, Nathaniel Chalobah - on loan from
Chelsea - is a real presence in midfield and
Garath McCleary and former Arsenal trainee Hal
Robson-Kanu offer a threat from wide areas.
Arsenal will not take them lightly, but Reading
boss Steve Clarke is probably correct when he
says that his side will need to play "the perfect
game" to win.

Raheem sterling has become a distraction-Carragher

The off-the-field behaviour of Liverpool winger
Raheem Sterling has become a "distraction",
according to former defender Jamie Carragher.
Sterling, 20, has held talks with Reds manager
Brendan Rodgers after being photographed using
a shisha pipe and appearing to inhale nitrous
oxide.
"Even if you don't talk about it, it is in the
background," said Carragher, 37.
"Rodgers is asked the day before a game, when
he should be talking football he's thinking about
Sterling."
Carragher, who made 737 appearances for
Liverpool - below only Ian Callaghan in the club's
record-appearance list - also believes Sterling's
interview with BBC Sport - unsanctioned by the
club - was an issue.
Sterling explained he had turned down a new
contract offer worth £100,000-a-week but said he
is "not about the money".
"As young players, and I have been guilty myself,
we have made mistakes but hopefully this will be
a maturing point for him," Carragher added.
Rodgers told BBC Sport's Football Focus his
player - nominated for the PFA's Young Player of
the Year award this week - will look back on
recent events and "wonder what he was doing".
Asked if players would intervene in this situation,
Carragher added: "If it continually happens you
know you've got a problem and you may need to
pull someone and have a word with them."

Jimmy Anderson THE WICKET MAN

James Anderson surpassed Sir Ian Botham as
England's highest Test wicket-taker with his
384th dismissal in his 100th match.
Anderson, 32, had West Indies' Denesh Ramdin
caught at first slip on the final day of the first
Test in Antigua.
The seamer, who began the Test on 380 wickets,
was mobbed by his team-mates as his family
celebrated in the crowd.
Ramdin's departure left West Indies 294-7, but
Jason Holder's unbeaten 103 helped them secure
a draw.
Lancashire's Anderson, who made his Test debut
in 2003, has helped England win three Ashes
series and rise to the top of the Test rankings in
2011.
How Anderson made history...
All-rounder Botham took 383 wickets in 102 Tests
between 1977 and 1992, as well as scoring 5,200
runs at an average of 33.54.
Anderson bettered Botham's tally in two matches
fewer as England pressed for victory at the Sir
Vivian Richards Stadium in the first Test of the
three-match series.
Having taken two wickets in the first innings, he
had Marlon Samuels taken at gully midway
through the morning session to move level with
Botham.
But he had to wait until an hour of play remained
before he located Ramdin's edge, removing the
West Indies captain for 57 courtesy of a smart
catch by Alastair Cook and ending a seventh-
wicket stand of 105.