Misc Rumor - Soccer Wiretap

City Consider Two-Year Offer To Sergio Ramos

May 31, 2021 1:46 PM

Manchester City are considering a two-year offer to Sergio Ramos.

Ramos' contract at the Bernabeu expires on June 30 and his priority is still to renew with Madrid, but he will move on if an agreement with president Florentino Perez cannot be reached.

City could also structure the deal to allow Ramos to a play a third season for New York City FC of the MLS.

Pep Guardiola believes a footballer with Ramos' qualities would increase the competitiveness and experience of the squad in such high-profile matches.

Rodrigo Faez, Alex Kirkland/ESPN

Tags: Manchester City, Real Madrid, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Zinedine Zidane Criticizes Lacks Of Trust Given To Him By Real Madrid

May 31, 2021 1:45 PM

Zinedine Zidane criticized Real Madrid and Florentino Perez in an open letter days after stepping down as manager.

"I'm leaving, but I'm not abandoning ship and I'm not tired of coaching," Zidane said. "In May 2018 I left because after two-and-a-half years, with so many victories and so many trophies, I felt that the team needed something new to stay on top. Today things are different. I'm leaving because I feel the club is no longer giving me the trust I need, it isn't offering me the support to build something medium-to-long-term.

"I know the demands at a club like Madrid, I know that when you don't win you have to go. But a very important thing has been forgotten here ... I'm a born winner and I was here to win trophies, but beyond that are human beings, emotions, life, and I have the feeling that these things haven't been valued."

Zidane won three consecutive Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018, resigned, and then returned 10 months later.

Alex Kirkland, Rodrigo Faez/ESPN

Tags: Real Madrid, Misc Rumor

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Barcelona Signs Sergio Aguero To Two-Year Deal

May 31, 2021 1:42 PM

Barcelona have agreed to a two-year deal with Sergio Aguero on a free transfer.

Aguero spent 10 seasons with Manchester City.

Barcelona have been searching for a new No. 9 since letting Luis Suarez leave for Atletico Madrid last year.

Barcelona could also add another attacker and have been linked to Memphis Depay. 

Sam Marsden, Moise Llorens/ESPN

Tags: Barcelona, Manchester City, Misc Rumor, Signing, Transfer Rumor

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Thomas Tuchel Set To Sign New Deal Following Champions League Win

May 30, 2021 12:58 AM

Thomas Tuchel said he was close to extending his contract after Chelsea beat Manchester City 1-0 in the Champions League Final.

“I am not even 100% sure maybe I have already a new contract now,” Tuchel said. “My manager said something about it. Let’s check this first. I spoke to the owner right now on the pitch. It was the best moment for the first meeting. It can only get worse! We will speak tomorrow. We will speak later. I will stay hungry for the next title. My desire is for more victories ands to grow as a coach."

Tuchel originally signed an 18-month contract in January.

Tuchel added that he was surprised by Pep Guardiola excluding Fernandinho from City's starting lineup.

“We expected Fernandinho in the lineup to start,” he said. “He chose a very offensive lineup. A very, very technical lineup. It was hard to steal the balls. Everything else we more or less expected. We were sure we needed to play with a strong bond and a genuine belief. It was a tough match.”

Jacob Steinberg/The Guardian

Tags: Chelsea, Misc Rumor

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United Has $213M To Spend On Transfers In Summer

May 28, 2021 3:22 PM

Manchester United will have a net spend of up to £150 million ($213 million) this summer. United would like to strengthen five areas of the club with striker, winger, defensive midfielder, centre-back and right-back on the list.

United will likely aim to sign three first team players.

Jadon Sancho, Harry Kane, Jack Grealish, Pau Torres, Sven Botman, Raphael Varane, Declan Rice and Max Aarons are among the names being chased for the other positions.

A deal for Sancho is viewed as more achievable than it was last summer due to Borussia Dortmund lowering their demands.

Rob Dawson/ESPN

Tags: Manchester United, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Mauricio Pochettino, Spurs Hold Talks On Possible Return

May 28, 2021 2:54 PM

Tottenham Hotspur have held talks with Mauricio Pochettino for him to return as manager 18 months after he was fired.

Pocehttino was hired as manager of Paris Saint-Germain in January. 

Pochettino has one year remaining on his contract with PSG and there is a sense he is not happy with the club. Although Pochettino won the Coupe de France, his star-studded team finished second in Ligue 1 to Lille and lost their Champions League semi-final to Manchester City.

Spurs fired Jose Mourinho in April.

Pocehttino is also being targeted by Real Madrid. 

Jacob Steinberg/The Guardian

Tags: Tottenham Hotspur, Misc Rumor

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Antonio Conte Steps Down At Inter, Linked With Real Madrid, Spurs

May 28, 2021 2:52 PM

Antonio Conte has stepped down as manager of Inter Milan just a few weeks after winning Serie A.

Conte will receive a payout of €7m (£6m). He had one year remaining on a contract with a €13m salary.

Conte has since been linked with becoming manager of Tottenham Hotspur or Real Madrid. 

The Guardian

Tags: Internazionale, Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur, Misc Rumor

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Juventus Fires Andrea Pirlo, Brings Back Massimiliano Allegri

May 28, 2021 2:49 PM

Juventus have announced the return of Massimiliano Allegri as manager after firing Andrea Pirlo.

Allegri managed Juventus from 2014 until 2019 and won Serie A in every season. Juventus also reached the Champions League Final twice under Allegri. 

Under Pirlo this season, Juventus was eliminated int eh round of 16 in the Champions League and they finished fourth in Series A. Juventus did win, however, the Italian Supercup and Coppa Italia. 

Andrew Cesare Richardson/ESPN

Tags: Juventus, Misc Rumor

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Real Madrid Signs David Alaba To Five-Year Deal On Free Transfer

May 28, 2021 2:44 PM

Real Madrid have signed David Alaba to a five-year contract on a free transfer from Bayern Munich.

Alaba can play center back, fullback or even in midfield.

Negotiations over an extension for captain Sergio Ramos, who is also out of contract this summer, are deadlocked, while Raphael Varane's contract is due to expire in 2022.

In November, Bayern confirmed that they would not be renewing Alaba's contract and were withdrawing their offer of an extension after it was rejected by the player and his representative.

Alex Kirkland, Rodrigo Faez/ESPN

Tags: Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Misc Rumor, Signing, Transfer Rumor

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Zinedine Zidane Steps Down As Manager Of Real Madrid

May 26, 2021 10:22 PM

Zinedine Zidane has decided to step down as manager of Real Madrid.

The decision was made on Wednesday after Zidane asked the club for a few days to consider his future. 

Speaking after their final match, Zidane said he was "p---ed off" at failing to retain the title and would hold talks with the club "in the next few days" to determine the way forward.

Last week it was reported that Real Madrid was preparing for the departure of Zidane with Massimiliano Allegri and club legend Raul as possible replacements. 

Zidane returned to the Real Madrid job in 2019, having previously been in charge from 2016 to 2018.

Rodrigo Faez, Alex Kirkland/ESPN

Tags: Real Madrid, Misc Rumor

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Liverpool Signs Ibrahima Konate From RB Leipzig

Julien Laurens/ESPN

Zinedine Zidane Says He Will Talk To Real Madrid 'Soon'

Alex Kirkland/ESPN FC

Diego Simeone, Atleti Discuss Contract Extension

Alex Kirkland, Rodrigo Faez/ESPN

Ronald Koeman Unsure If He'll Be Fired By Barcelona

Moises Llorens, Sam Marsden/ESPN

Nuno Espirito Santo Will Leave Wolves

Reuters

Lionel Messi May Have Already Played Last Match With Barcelona

Sam Marsden, Moises Llorens/ESPN

Harry Kane Tells Tottenham He Wants To Leave Club

James Olley/ESPN

Real Madrid Preparing For Possible Zinedine Zidane Exit

Alex Kirkland, Rodrigo Faez/ESPN

Barcelona Interested In Signing Sergio Aguero, Memphis Depay

Moises Llorens, Sam Marsden/ESPN

Barcelona Was Interested In Hiring Hansi Flick As Manager

Sam Marsden, Moises Llorens/ESPN

Dortmund Announces Erling Haaland Will Remain With Club Next Season

Stephan Uersefeld/ESPN

Neymar Would Like To Play With Cristiano Ronaldo

ESPN

Mikel Arteta Suggests Arsenal Will Overhaul Roster In Summer

James Olley/ESPN

Edinson Cavani, United Agree To Extension Through 21-22

Rob Dawson/ESPN

Barcelona Board Will Consider Firing Ronald Koeman

Moises Llorens, Sam Marsden/ESPN

Jose Mourinho's Roma Job To Save Spurs $12.5M

James Olley/ESPN

Thomas Tuchel In No Rush To Sign Extension With Chelsea

James Olley/ESPN

Jose Mourinho Hired As Manager Of Roma

Jon Brodkin/The Guardian

Dortmund Prepared To Accept $121M Offer For Jadon Sancho

Stephan Uersfeld/ESPN

Maurizio Sarri Reportedly Close To Roma Deal

ESPN FC