May 2016 - Soccer Wiretap

Barcelona Close To Loan Deal For Nolito
Nolito was capped for the first time by Spain last year and previously played for Luis Enrique.

Pete Jenson/Daily Mail

Rudi Garcia Fired By Roma
Rudi Garcia was appointed in June 2013 and led Roma to consecutive second-place finishes in Serie A.

The Guardian

Saul Has €45M Atleti Release Clause As United Links Begin
Super agent Jorge Mendes represents Saul.

Dermot Corrigan/ESPN

Ballon D'Or Motivates Young Players Now More Than Ever
Barcelona will have to pay Neymar an extra €425,000 if he ever finishes first in the ballot.

Miguel Delaney/ESPN

Johan Cruyff Nearly Signed With Leicester City In 1981
Jock Wallace wanted an experienced player that could help save his young Leicester City side from relegation.

Jeff Livingstone/The Guardian

Premier League Eliminating Crowned Lion Logo
The lion is based on the original tie-up with the FA's three lions.

Charles Sale/Daily Mail

Barcelona Still Wants To Deepen Forward Line
Academy graduates Munir el Haddadi and Sandro Ramírez are the only other recognized forwards in the squad beyond Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suare.

Reuters

Leicester City Won't Add More January Transfers
Leicester City is already done improving their team in the January transfer market as they compete for the Premier League title and a place in the Champions League next season.

Press Association

Dortmund Rules Out Selling Neven Subotic During January Window
Neven Subotic has been linked with Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool.

Stephan Uersfeld/ESPN

Thomas Muller: You Don't Leave Bayern Even For Major English Money
Thomas Muller had been linked to a major move to Manchester United last summer.

Stephan Uersfeld/ESPN

Carli Lloyd Named 2015 FIFA Women's World Player Of The Year
Carli Lloyd edged out striker Celia Sasic of Germany and midfielder Aya Miyama of Japa

Laura Vecsey/Fox Sports

Lionel Messi Win 5th Ballon d'Or
Lionel Messi has won the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or, the fifth time he's won the award.

RealGM Staff Report

Barcelona, Real Madrid Have Eight Of 2015 FIFPro World XI
Representing Barcelona are Lionel Messi, Neymar, Dani Alves and Andres Iniesta, while Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo, Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric were named to the team from Real Madrid.

ESPN

Mats Hummels In No Rush To Sign Extension With Dortmund
Mats Hummels' current deal expires in 2017 and Dortmund could be inclined to sell in the summer.

Stephan Uersfeld/ESPN

Schalke Likely To Sell Leroy Sane With Barca, Real Also Interested
Schalke is "increasingly unlikely" to sell Leroy Sane in January as his transfer price could exceed €50 million.

Kicker

Real Madrid Uses 4-3-3 In Zidane's First Match, 4-4-2 In Defense
Real Madrid Madrid shifted into a 4-4-2 in defense when they lost possession with Gareth Bale providing an extra midfielder.

Sid Lowe/The Guardian

Yaya Toure's Agent: Pep Guardiola Overrated As Manager
Yaya Toure was sold by Barcelona to Manchester City after Guardiola decided he didn't fit in his plans.

Press Association

Bournemouth Signs Benik Afobe For £9M
Benik Afobe scored 23 goals in 48 appearances for Wolves, after leaving boyhood club Arsenal, where he failed to make a first team appearance.

Ben Fisher/The Guardian

Lazio Rejected €50M Offer From Untied For Anderson
United have yet to be in contact in the winter transfer window.

ESPN

Giovinco Wants To Remain With Toronto Despite Approach From Barcelona
Sebastian Giovinco moved from Juve to Toronto last year and has scored 22 goals in 34 appearances for the club.

ESPN

Mario Gotze Rules Out January Transfer To Liverpool
German newspaper Bild reported this week that Jurgen Klopp is eager to reunite with Mario Gotze.

ESPN

Zidane: Cristiano Ronaldo 'Non-Transferrable'
Zinedine Zidane said Cristiano Ronaldo will not leave Real Madrid and said he's "the soul of the team."

Dermot Corrigan/ESPN

Van Gaal Not Concerned About Losing United Job To Guardiola
Louis van Gaal claims the ambition of Pep Guardiola to work in the Premier League won't impact his standing with Manchester United.

Jamie Jackson/The Guardian

Hertha Berlin May Be Forced To Sell John Brooks
John Brooks has been linked with a move to Wolfsburg.

Stephan Uersfeld/ESPN

Chelsea Prepared To Beat Any Offer From City For Pep Guardiola
Roman Abramovich has longed coveted Pep Guardiola, trying to bring him to the club in 2013 when they instead hired Jose Mourinho.

Evening Standard (via Goal.com)

Sounders Offer Jordan Morris Richest Homegrown Deal In MLS History
Jordan Morris grew up in Seattle and joined the Sounders' youth academy for one season before playing collegiately at Stanford.

Grant Wahl/ESPN

Coutinho Out Through End Of January With Hamstring Injury
Philippe Coutinho suffered the injury against Stoke City in the Capital One Cup.

Andy Hunter/The Guardian

United Asks Dortmund To Cancel Loan For Adnan Januzaj
Adnan Januzaj has struggled with Dortmund, making just five appearances.

Peter O'Rourke/ESPN

Earthquakes Sign Simon Dawkins As Designated Player
Simon Dawkins spent spent two seasons on loan with the Earthquakes from 2011-12.

ESPN

Liverpool Signs Marko Grujic, First Transfer Under Klopp
Liverpool have paid Red Star Belgrade about £5.1 million for Marko Grujic.

Tom Bell/ESPN