May 2016 - Soccer Wiretap

Dirk Nowitzki Offered Advisory Role With Bayern
Dirk Nowitzki is a lifelong supporter of the soccer club.

Mark Lovell/ESPN

Real Madrid Finalizes Deal For $442 Renovation Of Bernabeu
One of the stadium’s most notable features, the four corner access towers, will be covered by the new facade.

AP

Wayne Rooney Dropped From England's XI
Wayne Rooney will be used by Gareth Southgate as a substitute in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier for England against Slovenia.

The Guardian

Pique Plans To Retire From Spain In 2018 After Latest Criticism
Gerard Pique is unpopular in some parts of Spain due to his support of independence for Catalonia.

BBC

Sergio Ramos Out One Month With Knee Injury
Sergio Ramos could miss as many as six matches for Real Madrid.

ESPN

New York Red Bulls Not Interested In Bastian Schweinsteiger
Don Garber has encouraged the speculation by saying that Bastian Schweinsteiger would be welcomed "with open arms."

ESPN

Pep Guardiola: I Wouldn't Be Here Without Johan Cruyff
On the cover of Johan Cruyff's newly released autobiography, Pep Guardiola is quoted as saying: "I knew nothing about football before knowing Cruyff."

Donald McRae/The Guardian

Zidane's Marseille Allegiance Would Block Him From Ever Going To PSG
Zinedine Zidane says his strong feelings towards hometown club Marseille will prevent him from managing Paris Saint-Germain.

Jonathan Johnson/ESPN

Graziano Pellè Sent Home After Refusing To Shake Manager's Hand
Graziano Pellè was taken off on the hour after an ineffective display in the World Cup qualifier against Spain.

The Guardian

Christian Pulisic Has Rare USMNT Skill Of Unlocking Defenses
Christian Pulisic touches the ball in the final third 29.77 times per 90 minutes for Borussia Dortmund, which is in line with their other attackers.

Mike L. Goodman/ESPN

City Prepared To Spend Big Again In January
Pep Guardiola brought in five new players in the summer and may receive further talent in January.

Jonathan Smith/ESPN

Arsenal, Arsene Wenger To Mutually Decide His Future
Arsene Wenger's current contract expires at the end of this season.

Associated Press

Napoli Rejected $65M Offer From Chelsea For Kalidou Koulibaly
Antonio Conte had Kalidou Koulibaly as one of his top targets.

Liam Twomey/ESPN

Isco Would Welcome Real Madrid Exit If He Can't Get In XI
Real Madrid's preferred midfield features Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro while Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema are untouchable in attack.

As.com

Luis Suarez Expected To Sign Extension With Barcelona Through 2021
Luis Suarez will earn $17.9 million per season, which is what Neymar is earning under his new contract.

Samuel Marsden/ESPN

Pep Guardiola Bans Wi-Fi, Pizza For City Players
Pep Guardiola has arranged for certain areas of the City Football Academy to be free from 3G signal and disconnected from the in-house Wi-Fi system.

Jamie Jackson/The Guardian

FIFA Suggests Opening Up World Cup To 48 Qualifying Countries
The proposal to expand the competition to 40 teams was part of Gianni Infantino's manifesto when he was elected to succeed the disgraced Sepp Blatter this year.

Owen Gibson/The Guardian

Bayern May Let Kingsley Coman Return To Juventus
Bayern Munich may not take their option to sign Kingsley Coman permanently for £18.3 million at the end of the season.

Chris Davie/Metro

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Reveals Transfer Talks Were Held With City
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored 39 goals in all competitions last season for Borussia Dortmund.

Robin Bairner/Goal.com

United Has Most Expensive Squad Ever Assembled
Manchester United's current squad is the costliest ever assembled at a total of $805 million.

ESPN

Arsenal Working On Extension For Hector Bellerin
Hector Bellerin has three seasons left on his current deal as he's established himself as Arsene Wenger's first choice at right-back.

ESPN

United Interested In Leon Bailey Of Racing Genk
Leon Bailey was named the best young player in Belgium last year and is still just 19.

Peter O'Rourke/ESPN

Landon Donovan Earning $456,000 Prorated Salary
Landon Donovan earned $4.25 million in his final full season in 2014.

ESPN

Bob Bradley Hired As Manager Of Swansea City
Bob Bradley will inherit a Swansea side that sits 17th in the table, outside the relegation zone only on goal difference.

Stuart James/The Guardian

Aston Villa To Fire Roberto Di Matteo
Roberto Di Matteo's fate was sealed on Saturday, when Villa slumped to a 2-0 defeat at Preston North End

Stuart James/The Guardian

Valencia Hires Cesare Prandelli As Manager
Cesare Prandelli is Valencia’s eighth manager since parting ways with Unai Emery in 2012.

The Guardian

Luka Modric Out One Month Following Knee Surgery
Luka Modric suffered knee problems during the 14-15 season.

Dermot Corrigan/ESPN