March 2015 - Soccer Wiretap

Chelsea Bids €25M To Augsburg For Baba Rahman

Jul 31, 2015 7:16 PM

Chelsea are set to sign Baba Rahman from Augsburg after submitting a €25 million bid for the 21-year-old defender.

After Filipe Luís was sold back to Atlético Madrid after just one season at Stamford Bridge, José Mourinho has stepped up his search for a replacement left-back this week.

“Both clubs are still working on fine-tuning but we hope the agreement will be finalised soon,” Rahman’s agent, Sascha Empacher, told Guardian sport.

Ed Aarons/The Guardian

Tags: FC Augsburg, Chelsea, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

Discuss
Guardiola Hasn't Made Decision On Future

Aug 1, 2015 1:34 PM

Pep Guardiola remains unsure on his future beyond the upcoming season with Bayern Munich.

Guardiola is entering the final season of his contract that was signed in 2013.

There is new speculation that Guardiola has already agreed upon terms with Manchester City for the 16-17 season.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's German Supercup clash with Wolfsburg, Guardiola said he has not made any decision about his next move.

"This will be the last time I talk about it," Guardiola told a news conference on Friday. "I have not yet decided what is best for this club -- and I want to do the best for this club. I have not made a decision yet.

"When I have made a decision, I will inform [former president] Uli Hoeness, [CEO] Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and [sporting executive] Matthias Sammer. That's the situation."

Stephan Uersfeld/ESPN

Tags: Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Misc Rumor

Discuss
PSG Close To £40M Transfer With United For Angel Di Maria

Jul 31, 2015 4:09 PM

Paris Saint-Germain is closing in on a £40 million deal with Manchester United for Angel di Maria.

United paid £59.7 million for Di Maria last summer from Real Madrid.

Ed Woodward, the executive vice-chairman of United, is in final negotiations and it would be a surprise if the Argentina international did not depart the club. 

“You know negotiations are in tandem [ongoing] and as Paris Saint-Germain [and United] are both big clubs, that can be difficult," said Laurent Blanc. "But we feel we are close to the end.”

PSG initially offered £28.5 million to United.

Jamie Jackson/The Guardian

Tags: Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

Discuss
Rickie Lambert Expected To Move To West Brom

Jul 30, 2015 11:19 AM

Rickie Lambert is finalizing a move from Liverpool to West Bromwich Albion, though no fee has been agreed upon by the two clubs.

Lambert joined Liverpool for £4.5 million from Southampton last summer.

Albion have opened talks with Liverpool over the striker’s future and are firm favorites to sign Lambert, who has also been linked with Leicester City, Crystal Palace and a possible reunion with the former Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham Hotspur.

Andy Hunter/The Guardian

Tags: Liverpool, West Bromwich Albion, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

Discuss
Zlatan: Next Destination Will Be Very Big Surprise

Jul 30, 2015 4:53 PM

Zlatan Ibrahimovic insists he remains "very happy" at Paris Saint-Germain, but he could leave next summer when his contract expires.

Ibrahimovic has previously expressed his desire to play in the MLS someday.

“Where I go next, it will be a surprise, a very big surprise,” said Ibrahimovic.

“I’m very happy at PSG. You don’t see that on the field?” Ibrahimovic said.

“I have another year on my contract with PSG and I am very happy. Things are getting better. We are a strong team, we can do much more than we have been doing so at the moment but I am very happy.”


Press Association

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

Discuss
Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid Agree Upon Extension Through 2020

Jul 30, 2015 11:19 AM

Sergio Ramos and Real Madrid have agreed upon an extension through 2020.

Ramos' existing deal was set to expire in 2017 and he sought a move to Manchester United.

Ramos was bought by Real Madrid in 2005 for €27 million after coming up through Sevilla's academy.

With Iker Casillas' departure this summer, Ramos will assume captain duties for Real Madrid.

Jose Felix Dia/Marca.com

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

Discuss
Andres Iniesta Confident Of Role With Barcelona

Jul 29, 2015 12:49 PM

Andres Iniesta insists he remains happy with his role playing for Luis Enrique at Barcelona.

How Iniesta fits in past December is unclear with the addition of Arda Turan.

"It is not true that I am suffering in Luis Enrique's style of play," Iniesta told Mundo Deportivo.

"In the end, you always have to find your place and feel well in a certain formation and I am able to continue doing just that. Is is true that perhaps some things have changed for me, but that is not a negative thing in my opinion.

"I have gone through all kinds of moments last season, with different emotions, I don't think it was a bad season for me on a personal level. I am more than happy both on an individual and collective level for what we achieved.

"I am hoping for an even better season on both levels in 2015-16."

Goal.com

Tags: Barcelona, IQ

Discuss
Bologna Interested In Mario Balotelli

Jul 30, 2015 11:19 AM

Bologna would like to give Mario Balotelli another opportunity in Serie A.

Balotelli is still just 24 and his position at Liverpool is uncertain following their acquisition of Christian Benteke.

Sampdoria have already expressed their interest in bringing Balotelli back to the league where he has represented both Inter and AC Milan, and now Bologna’s director of sport, Pantaleo Corvino, has hinted at a loan deal.

“I would take him, he would be highly motivated here,” Corvino told the Corriere dello Sport. “Of course, Bologna have to respect certain financial parameters, but for the right price I would even look at the possibility of buying him outright.”

Press Association

Tags: Bologna, Liverpool, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

Discuss
Michel Platini To Run For President Of FIFA

Jul 29, 2015 9:48 AM

Michel Platini will run to replace Sepp Blatter as president of FIFA.

Platini is currently president of UEFA.

Platini held talks with football powerbrokers at the 2018 World Cup draw in St Petersburg last weekend and is now confident he has the support necessary to win.

“This was a very personal, carefully considered decision, one in which I weighed up the future of football alongside my own future. I was also guided by the esteem, support and encouragement that many of you have shown me,” Platini said in a statement, having written to all 209 member associations of Fifa to inform them of his intentions to stand.

“There are times in life when you have to take your destiny into your own hands. I am at one of those decisive moments, at a juncture in my life and in events that are shaping the future of Fifa.”

Tags: World Cup

Discuss
Miguel Herrera Fired As Manager Of Mexico

Jul 28, 2015 7:02 PM

Miguel Herrera has been fired as manager of Mexico following an alleged incident at the Philadelphia airport.

Incoming federation president Decio de Maria explained the decision at a lengthy news conference.

"After listening to all my colleagues who are part of this federation, and reasoning I have made the decision to take Miguel Herrera out of the national team," De Maria said. "It is not a simple decision, but it is the correct one.

"Matches never finish, and as public figures we have to keep that in mind. Everyone has had an opinion but as I said, our values have to be kept and no one can be above the type of situation we saw on Monday at the Philadelphia airport."

Mexican television commentator Christian Martinoli on Monday accused Herrera of assaulting him in the TSA line at the airport, despite denials from airport officials that any such incident was captured on security cameras.

The move comes just two days after Mexico won the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the nation's first major title since 2011.

ESPN

Tags: Mexico

Discuss
Benitez's Wife: We Always Tidy Up Mourinho's Messes
Rafa Benitez directly replaced Carlo Ancelotti, who was at Real Madrid for two years after Jose Mourinho.

Goal.com

Wenger Defends Arsenal's Spending Following Mourinho's Comments
Arsenal has spent almost £166.06 million since the summer before the 12-13 season compared to £271.6 million by Chelsea.

PA Sport

United Ramp Up Attempts To Sign Pedro
Pedro has a £22 million release clause with Barcelona.

Jamie Jackson/The Guardian

PSG Offers United £28.5M For Angel Di Maria
The fee is less than half the British record £59.7 million United paid Real Madrid for Angel di Maria 12 months ago.

Jamie Jackson/The Guardian

Schalke Rejects £15.5M Bid For Julian Draxler From Juve
Juventus says they're "looking for eclectic players, who can allow us to set out the team in various different ways."

Ed Aarons/The Guardian

Montreal Signs Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba is believed to have signed a contract worth more than $3 million per season.

ESPN

Putin: Sepp Blatter Deserves Nobel Prize
Sepp Blatter said that FIFA, facing a major bribery scandal, had passed a resolution offering full support for holding the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Tom Miles/Reuters

Arsenal Close To New Contract With Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott has had an impressive preseason for Arsenal.

James Riach/The Guardian

Real Madrid Tell Sergio Ramos He Won't Be Sold Under Any Cicrcumstance
Manchester United have made two formal bids for Sergio Ramos, who has two seasons remaining on his deal.

Sid Lowe/The Guardian

Roma Interested In Edin Dzeko
Edin Dzeko was signed by City in 2011 from Wolfsburg and has scored 50 goals in 130 appearances.

Jamie Jackson/The Guardian

Inter Secures Loan Agreement With City For Stevan Jovetic
Inter can buy Stevan Jovetic at the end of the season for £10.25 million.

Jamie Jackson/The Guardian

United Signs Sergio Romero
Sergio Romero could become United's top option in goal if David De Gea leaves.

Jamie Jackson/The Guardian

Red Bulls Sign Shaun Wright-Phillips
Shaun Wright-Phillips will join his brother Bradley with the Red Bulls.

ESPN

Zlatan: Di Maria Can Help PSG Win Champions League
Angel di Maria has been linked to Paris Saint-Germain since last summer.

Steve Brenner/The Guardian

Chelsea To Bid £26M For Everton's John Stones
John Stones is seen as the perfect long-term replacement for John Terry.

Steve Brenner/The Guardian

Montreal Acquires MLS Rights To Didier Drogba
Montreal sent over $100,000 to Chicago for the MLS draft rights to Didier Drogba.

Jeff Carlisle/ESPN

Sergio Roberto Could Have Role At Fullback For Barcelona
Sergio Roberto, a graduate of La Masia, has played well throughout the preseason.

ESPN

Enrique: United Capable Of Winning Treble
Manchester United defeated Barcelona 3-1 in a friendly in Silicon Valley on Saturday.

ESPN

Angel Di Maria Misses Flight To Meet Up With United
Reports in France have claimed Angel Di Maria will undergo a medical in New York on Monday.

Jamie Jackson/The Guardian

Bartomeu: We Are Going To Fight Premier League's Cash Influx
The Premier League's new television deal will change the money equation for even the richest clubs in the world like Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Sky Sports