May 2014 - Soccer Wiretap

Liverpool Had Higher xG Than City In 3-1 Loss
According to data from Michael Caley, Liverpool had a 1.4 expected goal outcome compared to just 1.1 for City.

RealGM Staff Report

Henry Leads MLS In WhoScored Player Rating, Bradley Ranks 93rd
Thierry Henry has been the best player in the MLS this season, according to the WhoScored player rating.

RealGM Staff Report

Real Madrid Unveils Yamamoto Designed Black UCL Kit Featuring Dragon
Real Madrid will wear a black kit with a dragon featured on it for select matches of the 14-15 Champions League season.

RealGM Staff Report

Arsenal Likely To Keep Lukas Podolski Following Giroud Injury
Lukas Podolski has been linked with a move from Arsenal to Juventus and Wolfsburg, but Arsène Wenger has been forced to reconsider a potential transfer due to the injury to Olivier Giroud.

Goal.com

Daley Blind Still Waiting On Bid From United
Daley Blind is on Louis van Gaal's transfer short list for United.

Press Association

Daniel Agger Could Be Moved By Liverpool Ahead Of Deadline
Despite being linked with Barcelona, Arsenal and Atlético Madrid this summer, Liverpool have not received a firm offer for Daniel Agger.

Andy Hunter/The Guardian

MLS Explains Why Dempsey, Bradley Not Subject To Blind Draw
Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley were not subject to a blind draw process.

Grant Wahl/Sports Illustrated

Samuel Eto'o Agrees To Two-Year Deal With Everton
Samuel Eto'o will sign a two-year deal with Everton after nearly coming to terms with Liverpool.

Simon Jones/The Daily Mail

Arsenal, Juve Discuss Lukas Podolski Transfer
Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg are also interested in Lukas Podolski.

Dominic Fifield/The Guardian

Liverpool Acquires Mario Balotelli, Will Wear No. 45
Mario Balotelli will wear No. 45 for Liverpool, the same number he wore for City.

The Guardian

Diego Simeone Banned Eight Matches
Diego Simeone has received an eight-match ban for his actions during the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup in which Atlético Madrid won 2-1 on aggregate.

The Guardian

Giroud Could Miss UCL Qualifier With Ankle Injury
Olivier Giroud could miss the second leg of Wednesday's Champions League qualifier against Besiktas with an ankle injury.

Dominic Fifield/The Guardian

Gianmario Comi 'Does A Suárez', Bites Opponent On Free Kick
Gianmario Comi of Avellino is facing a lengthy ban after allegedly biting Bari’s Giuseppe de Luca in a Coppa Italia third-round tie on Sunday.

The Guardian

Arsenal, Liverpool, Everton Scouting Josh Brownhill
Arsenal, Liverpool, Everton and West Brom have all sent scouts to monitor 18-year-old Josh Brownhill.

William Joyce/Goal.com

Sami Khedria To Remain At Real Madrid
Sami Khedira has been a target for Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Manchester United.

Dan Lucas/The Guardian

Jermaine Jones Signs With New England Revolution
Jermaine Jones will receive $4.7 million on the contract, which lasts through the 2015 season.

ESPN

United Agrees To $106M Fee With Real For Di María
The stated fee for Angel Di María would match what Real Madrid paid to sign James Rodríguez from Monaco earlier this summer

Miguel Delaney/ESPN

Mario Balotelli To Join Liverpool Within Next Few Days
Mario Balotelli has agreed upon a three-year contract worth a basic £80,000-a-week plus £40,000 in performance and behavior incentives.

Andy Hunter/The Guardian

Mandzukic Leads Atleti To Spanish Super Cup Win Over Real
Mario Mandzukic scored for Atleti after just 81 seconds to give them a 2-1 aggregate lead that was enough over the remainder of the match.

ESPN

Best Fixtures Of The Weekend: Bayern/Wolfsburg, Atleti/Real, City/Pool
After a long World Cup summer, club football is all the way back with a very busy Friday-Monday list of must-see fixtures.

RealGM Staff Report

Dani Alves To Remain At Barcelona
Dani Alves says he has decided to stay at Barcelona after being given assurances by new coach Luis Enrique that he remained an important player at the club.

Dermot Corrigan/ESPN

Van Gaal Tells Danny Welbeck He Can Exit United
Louis van Gaal may have decided to look at promoting James Wilson, the 18-year-old who scored twice on debut in last season’s 3-1 win over Hull City at Old Trafford.

Jamie Jackson/The Guardian

Rodgers: Sometimes You Have To Take A Risk With People
Brendan Rodgers refused to disucss Mario Balotelli's imminent move to Liverpool, but insisted the club would not compromise their “extensive code of conduct.”

The Guardian

Report: PSG Accepts Arsenal's Bid For Cavani
Edinson Cavani and Arsenal must now agree upon contract terms.

Neal Collins/The New Age

LMA Calls Deeply Offensive Texts Between Mackay, Moody As 'Banter'
A series of racist, homophobic and sexist text messages by Malky Mackay and Iain Moody were submitted to the Football Association this week by Cardiff City.

James Riach/The Guardian

Tim Howard To Take One-Year Sabbatical From USMNT
Tim Howard is not retiring from international competition and will continue to play for Everton in the English Premier League.

ESPN

Pogba's Agent Denies Holding Extension Talks With Juventus
Paul Pogba’s agent has stated that no contract talks with Juventus are underway, despite general manager Beppe Marotta claiming a renewal was close.

Matt Jones/Goal.com

Hazard Selected For FIFA 15 UK Cover With Messi
Eden Hazard joins Lionel Messi on the United Kingdom cover of EA Sports' FIFA 15.

RealGM Staff Report

Arteta Injury Could Force Wenger To Get 'Creative' With Transfers
Arsène Wenger admits Arsenal could have to get “creative” in the transfer market if Mikel Arteta’s ankle injury proves serious.

Press Association

Scholes: United Risking Going To 'Wildnerness' Without Major Signings
Paul Scholes believes Manchester United risks “going into the wilderness in the same way that Liverpool did in the 1990s” if they don't make a series of major moves to improve their roster.

The Guardian