Transfer Rumor - Soccer Wiretap

David Luiz Thought He Might Be Sold To Barça

Sep 30, 2014 4:21 PM

Barcelona pursued David Luiz, but he was eventually sold by Chelsea to Paris Saint-Germain for €50 million.

"It's true they (Barca) tried to tempt me a couple of times and everything looked good.

"But eventually I realized the team that really wanted me was PSG."

PSG has struggled to begin the season.

"We're progressing every week and need to find a better version for our style of play - something similar to Barca," he added.

"We know there is much room for improvement and are aware that is how the big teams think.

"Over the years I've learned that if you think you've reached the top of the ladder then you are heading for a fall. That's not a good mentality to have.

"You must be ambitious, with humility, because you can always improve.

"We are on the right road and PSG will get back to what they were last season."

FourFourTwo

Tags: Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

Discuss
Bartomeu: No Chance Of Messi Leaving Barcelona

Sep 30, 2014 4:19 PM

Josep Maria Bartomeu is confident of Lionel Messi spending his entire club career with Barcelona.

“I spoke to Messi a little while ago and he’s very happy at Barcelona," said Bartomeu. "I don’t see any possibility of him leaving the club.”

Messi signed an extension with Barcelona this year.

Tom Conn/Inside Spanish Football

Tags: Barcelona, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

Discuss
Mats Hummels Not Interested In Ever Leaving Dortmund

Oct 1, 2014 11:34 PM

Mats Hummels is not tempted to move to Manchester United or any other club.

Hummels calls playing for Borussia Dortmund "truly unique."

Hummels is considered one of the best defenders in the world.

“It’s nice to hear that big clubs like that are interested in you,” he said. “I take that as a compliment but it doesn’t influence me in any way, otherwise. We earn enough here in Dortmund.

“There will always be someone who can pay more than BVB but Dortmund have made a lot of progress during my time here. In any case I believe it’s enough for me. If one day I start thinking about playing abroad, money won’t be the reason. I don’t even think about that at the moment. We still have so much further to go here.”

The 25-year-old would like to spend the rest of his career at Dortmund.

“There are some [who stay at one club for their whole careers], and they are all really great players. Paolo Maldini of Milan, for example, or Steven Gerrard. I would have been so happy for him if he had won the championship with Liverpool. [Lionel] Messi always plays for Barcelona. Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thomas Müller, too, will perhaps play in Munich for ever.”

Marcus Christenson/The Guardian

Tags: Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

Discuss
Hazard Wants To Remain At Chelsea, Rules Out Move To PSG

Sep 30, 2014 1:16 PM

Eden Hazard has reiterated his wish to remain at Chelsea and ruled out a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

"When I left Lille, I wanted to leave France, so I couldn't have signed for PSG," said Hazard. 

"Every year I'm the priority of PSG. But I'm Chelsea and this is where I want to grow. This is the most important.

"Never say never, but if I came back to Ligue 1, it would be with Lille, the team I support and I still love."

Hazard has noticed how PSG has elevated their club to highest echelon of European football.

"Today, Paris is in the same world as Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern, but if they want to be part of the best, they must win the Champions League."

Jay Jaffa/Goal.com

Tags: Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

Discuss
Ancelotti Dismisses Ronaldo Departure Reports As 'Nonsense'

Sep 29, 2014 11:09 AM

Carlo Ancelotti has dismissed the growing rumors that Cristiano Ronaldo could return to Manchester United next summer.

Reports have indicated that Real Madrid feel inclined to sell Ronaldo with him soon turning 30 and remaining a valuable commodity that would help the club with their debt situation.

"Cristiano is happy here, very motivated to be here, and all madridismo is delighted with him," said Ancelotti. "So these [reports] are nonsense.

"He is the best player in the world, without doubt, and has been for a long time. He has been showing great professionalism, character and leadership. We must enjoy him and do everything to keep him in this physical and mental condition -- as he will help us to win trophies."

Dermot Corrigan/ESPN

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

Discuss
Bayern Monitoring Mesut Özil With Interest In January Transfer

Sep 26, 2014 3:56 PM

Bayern Munich have been monitoring the situation of Mesut Özil at Arsenal with interest in a potential January transfer.

Özil has produced mixed results since arriving at Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2013.

Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola is convinced Özil has much more to offer and is hopeful that Arsenal will be vulnerable to an audacious bid for the World Cup winner when the transfer window next opens.

Arsenal has considerable depth in the creative midfield roles.

Simon Rice/The Independent

Tags: Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

Discuss
Report: Real Madrid Prepared To Sell Ronaldo In 2015

Sep 26, 2014 3:53 PM

Real Madrid have decided the end of the season will be time to cash in on an asset who will have three years left on his contract by the summer of 2015, according to a report in The Guardian.

Ronaldo turns 30 in February.

Ronaldo has been linked to a return back to Manchester United.

Ronaldo and his advisors spoke to the majority of Europe's richest clubs approximately 18 months ago about potentially leaving Real Madrid.

Jamie Jackson/The Guardian

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

Discuss
Ronaldo's Return To United Would Cost At Least £140M Combined

Sep 27, 2014 1:22 PM

Manchester United would have to pay at least £140 million to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to their club.

Ronaldo and his advisors spoke to the majority of Europe's richest clubs approximately 18 months ago about potentially leaving Real Madrid.

Ronaldo earns €21 million a year, which is £16.4 million or £315,384 a week, with Real paying all of his 52% tax. He costs the Spanish club £34.1 million a season.  

United could further boost his take-home pay by offering him a lucrative image rights deal and other sizeable commercial incentives beyond the normal bonuses awarded for successful on-field performance.

The £140 million cost for United – or any prospective suitor – would be the transfer fee of around £60 million and his basic wage, should he agree to around £380,000 a-week as a gross figure, which on a four-year contract amounts to £79 million.

Real Madrid have decided the end of the season will be time to cash in on an asset who will have three years left on his contract by the summer of 2015. Ronaldo turns 30 in February.

Jamie Jackson/The Guardian

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

Discuss
Rodgers: Real Madrid Interest In Sterling Shows He's Playing Well

Sep 25, 2014 2:02 PM

A report this week indicated that Real Madrid has interest in Raheem Sterling.

Sterling has been unable to get a new contract with Liverpool.

“It shows that he’s playing exceptionally well,” said Brendan Rodgers. “I think you could probably link Raheem with every club in the world at the moment. He’s a fantastic young talent.

“I’ve nothing really to add to it. There’s obviously lots of speculation every day about players coming and going here at Liverpool.

“He’s a wonderful boy who’s developing very, very well here. I’m sure at some point in the future, whatever contract we’re looking to work with will be sorted, but he’s still got three years left and there’s no rush from my perspective.”

The Guardian

Tags: Liverpool, Real Madrid, IQ, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

Discuss
Martínez Takes Interest In Ross Barkley As 'Footballing Compliment'

Sep 26, 2014 12:22 PM

Roberto Martínez attempted to shrug off reports that Manchester City will pursue Ross Barkley by taking it as a compliment.

Barkley is one of the most coveted young players in England and there were published reports this week that Chelsea and Manchester City will try to pry him from Everton.

“It’s a rumor and we’ll leave it there," said Martínez. "We’ve spoken enough in the past about potential interest and I always mention the same – we take it as a footballing compliment and we’ll move on.

“All we want from Ross now is to be able to get him fully fit and get him ready to enjoy his football and help the team. We are looking forward to that day.”

The Guardian

Tags: Everton, Manchester City, Chelsea, IQ, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

Discuss
Lampard Could Remain At City Beyond January
Frank Lampard is due to return to New York City FC in January, but Manuel Pellegrini suggested he could remain at Manchester City for the entire season.

Jamie Jackson/The Guardian

Real Madrid Interested In Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling and Liverpool have been unable to agree upon a new contract.

John Cross/Daily Mirror

LA Galaxy Considering Transfer For Andrea Pirlo
The LA Galaxy insist Andrea Pirlo move in January during the middle of Juventus' season.

Frank Dell'Apa/ESPN

Chelsea Determined To Outbid City For Ross Barkley
Roberto Martinez may be forced to sell Ross Barkley due to huge offers from Chelsea and City.

Graeme Bailey/Goal.com

Roma Warns United Kevin Strootman Not For Sale
Roma has warned Louis van Gaal and Manchester United that Kevin Strootman will not be made available for sale.

Miles Chambers/Goal.com

West Ham, QPR Interested In Jermain Defoe Transfer With Toronto FC
Jermain Defoe joined Toronto FC in March.

Joe Prince-Wright/Pro Soccer Talk

Report: Arsenal To Purchase Sami Khedira From Real In January
Arsene Wenger has been linked with several holding midfielders over the past few months.

Joe Prince-Wright/Pro Soccer Talk

Van Gaal Dismisses Seriousness Of Ronaldo To United Speculation
Cristiano Ronaldo has openly talked about playing for United again.

FourFourTwo

United Confident Of Acquiring Kevin Strootman In January
Louis van Gaal is a huge admirer of Kevin Strootman and United will make a huge offer to secure him in January.

Greg Stobart/Goal.com

Van Gaal: Welbeck Not Up To 'The Standard'
Louis van Gaal said Manchester United's decision to let Danny Welbeck go had been made before it became apparent United could bring in Radamel Falcao.

Daniel Taylor/The Guardian

Wenger Preferred Loan Deal For Danny Welbeck
Arsenal agreed upon a £16 million transfer for Danny Welbeck on transfer deadline day.

The Guardian

Paco Alcacer Drawing Interest From Chelsea, Arsenal
Paco Alcacer scored 14 goals and added three assists in 37 games for Valencia last season.

Joe Prince-Wright/Pro Soccer Talk

Report: Real To Target Eden Hazard If Ronaldo Departs
Real Madrid has put together a list of attacking players that the club could target if Cristiano Ronaldo were to leave with Eden Hazard believed to be the top option.

The Daily Star (via Nicholas Mendola/ProSoccerTalk)

Juve, Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal Pursued Falcao
Radamel Falcao was linked to a move from Monaco to Real Madrid throughout the summer, but he ultimately went to Manchester United on loan after a deal stalled.

Press Association

Juan Cuadrado Happy To Remain At Fiorentina
Juan Cuadrado spoke about the transfer rumors about his potential departure from Fiorentina, but refused to give any details, instead insisting that he will remain with the club for the coming year.

Tom Conn/Inside Spanish Football

Mateo Kovacic Unaware Of Barça Bid On Deadline Day
According to Sky Sport Italia, Barcelona made an offer for Mateo Kovacic on deadline day but it was rejected by Inter Milan.

Mark Doyle/Goal.com

Valencia Working On Deal With City For Álvaro Negredo
Álvaro Negredo was sold by Sevilla to City last summer for £16.4 million.

Sky Sports

Arsenal Activates £12.5M Release Clause For Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is a 31-year-old striker that has played for Schalke since 2010.

De Stentor

Hull Buys Abel Hernández For Club Record Fee Of £9.5M
Abel Hernández has scored seven times in his 14 senior appearances for Uruguay and registered 31 goals in 111 fist team appearances in five years at Palermo.

Press Association

Report: Dormund Rejects Arsenal's €40M Bid For Marco Reus
Marco Reus is one of the world's best forwards with the capacity to play both winger or striker.

Thomas Wachtel/The Short Fuse