April 2016 - Soccer Wiretap

Real Madrid Unlikely To Pursue Paul Pogba

May 31, 2016 4:37 PM

Real Madrid is unlikely to pursue a transfer for Paul Pogba.

Pogba has been the subject of transfer rumors in each of the past two summers with several teams from England as well as Barcelona linked.

"[Pogba] is a great player," Florentino Perez said. "I don't want to talk about him, but I will say that in midfield we have six great players."

Real Madrid has had difficulties playing all of their midfielders with Toni Kroos and Luka Modric nearly automatic starters, leaving Casemiro, Isco, James and Mateo Kovačić competing for time.

Dermot Corrigan/ESPN

Tags: Juventus, Real Madrid, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Perez Downplays Possible Real Madrid Move For David De Gea

May 31, 2016 4:34 PM

Florentino Perez said Real Madrid may not return to negotiations this summer on a transfer for David De Gea.

Keylor Navas enjoyed a great season in goal for Real Madrid.

"I am not the one who has to decide," Perez said in an interview with Marca. "I would say it is very difficult to manage two great players in this position."

De Gea signed an extension with Manchester United after his Real Madrid transfer fell through.

Dermot Corrigan/ESPN

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

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Spain Leaves Isco, Saul Off Euro 2016 Roster

May 31, 2016 3:07 PM

Spain has left Isco and Saul Niguez off their Euro 2016 roster.

Sergio Ramos, Juanfran, Lucas Vázquez and Koke were the final four players included, while Hector Bellerin replaced the injured Dani Carvajal.

“We have tried to select a balanced squad and I think every position is well covered in this 23,” Del Bosque said at a press conference.

“I’ve not spoken personally to any of the players who’ve been left behind. Everyone wanted to be here, but we only had 23 spots.”

Goalkeepers Iker Casillas (Porto), David De Gea (Man United), Sergio Rico (Sevilla).

Defenders Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Piqué, Jordi Alba, Marc Bartra (all Barcelona), César Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Mikel San José (Athletic Bilbao), Héctor Bellerín (Arsenal), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid).

Midfielders Bruno (Villarreal), Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta (both Barcelona), Thiago (Bayern Munich), David Silva (Manchester City), Pedro, Cesc Fábregas (both Chelsea), Lucas Vázquez (Real Madrid), Koke (Atletico Madrid).

Forwards Aritz Aduriz (Athletic Bilbao), Nolito (Celta Vigo), Álvaro Morata (Juventus).

Press Association

Tags: Spain, UEFA Euro

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Report: Monchi Considering Leaving Sevilla

May 31, 2016 11:48 AM

Monchi is reportedly considering leaving Sevilla.

Monchi has been one of the world's most successful sporting directors during his time with Sevilla, winning nine titles with the club.

Manchester United and Everton are two clubs who have interest in Monchi.

Jose Maria Lopez/Guerra/AS.com

Tags: Everton, Manchester United, Sevilla, Misc Rumor

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England Includes Marcus Rashford, Daniel Sturridge On Euro Roster

May 31, 2016 11:43 AM

Marcus Rashford and Daniel Sturridge have been included on England's Euro 2016 squad.

Roy Hodgson had already seen Fabian Delph ruled out with a groin injury, chose to omit Leicester City’s Danny Drinkwater and the Newcastle United winger Andros Townsend.

Sturridge’s inclusion comes after he proved he had recovered fully from his latest calf complaint.

Goalkeepers Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley), Fraser Forster (Southampton).

Defenders John Stones (Everton), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Danny Rose (Tottenham).

Midfielders Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Dele Alli (Tottenham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Ross Barkley (Everton), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), James Milner (Liverpool).

Forwards Jamie Vardy (Leicester City), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Harry Kane (Tottenham).


Dominic Fifield/The Guardian

Tags: England

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Diego Simeone Wants Bigger Investment From Atleti

May 31, 2016 11:40 AM

Diego Simeone openly talked about considering leaving Atletico Madrid after the Champions League Final, which shocked the club.

Simeone believes the grown of the club since he took over in 2011 should be reflected in their economic plan.

Simeone has been promised the use of the €42 million from the sale of Jackson Martinez to reinvest.

Atletico CEO Gil Marín and president Enrique Cerezo are also prepared to offer the manager an improved, extended contract to compel him to stay.

Simeone believes he may not be able to continue competing with Real Madrid and Barcelona at this level without an increased investment.

Javier G. Matallanas/AS.com

Tags: Atletico Madrid, Misc Rumor

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Bayern Rejects €50M Offer From Real Madrid For David Alaba

Jun 1, 2016 1:08 PM

Bayern Munich have rejected a €50 million offer from Real Madrid for David Alaba.

Real Madrid's director general José Ángel Sánchez has held meetings in Munich on numerous occasions with the players father George Alaba who oversees in business matters relating to his son.

Alaba is signed with Bayern through 2021 and the club won't consider any offers below €80 million.

Alaba is considered one of the world's best left backs and would replace Marcelo.

Javier Silles/AS.com

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

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Alvaro Morata Prefers Receiving Chance With Real Madrid

May 31, 2016 3:10 AM

Real Madrid will exercise their buyback clause with Juventus for Alvaro Morata.

Morata has been linked with a move to England with Arsenal interested.

But Morata has interest in simply joining Real Madrid, his hometown club.

"Clearly that is what I would like. That is my wish, to succeed in Madrid," he told AS.

"But in Madrid there are great players. And what I want is to play and feel important."

Morata emerged in his two seasons with Juventus.

"There are some offers from England that are tempting, not only by contract," Morata said.

"I think for my characteristics the Premier League would also be a great destination.

"I'm saying a move to the Premier League would not be a step backwards. With what I have learned in Italy, if I have the chance to learn something more in England I think it would make me a more complete, better player.

"I'm 23 and all I want is progress, to play and learn from the best."

AS.com

Tags: Arsenal, Juventus, Real Madrid, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Diego Simeone Considers Future With Atleti

May 31, 2016 2:42 AM

Diego Simeone was asked if he had thought about stepping down as manager of Atletico Madrid following their loss in the Champions League Final to Real Madrid.

“Do I have to continue with Atlético or is it the end of a cycle? I have to think about that,” Simeone told a news conference. “It’s a logical question for you to ask after a defeat like the one we’ve suffered today.

“I feel proud of my players. Quite frankly I love my players. It’s obvious that they’ve given everything that they have, and they always give everything they have. We had the chance to become champions, we didn’t take that chance.

“We need to continue working, I have to think things out on my part. That’s what I’m doing now. What is clear to me is that nobody remembers the losers. Losing two finals is a failure. We have to get over this and heal our wounds.”

Simeone couldn't hide his disappointment with their loss.

“You do your best, you try to do what you can, you get to two finals and you lose them both,” he said. “One you lose 4-1, even though it was 2-1 for a long time, the other you lose on penalties.

“This cycle for me at Atlético, two finals in three years, is actually a marvellous achievement, but I am not happy with what I have achieved.”

The Guardian

Tags: Atletico Madrid, Misc Rumor

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Manuel Pellegrini: The Challenge Of Managing Keeps Me Alive

May 30, 2016 1:58 PM

Manuel Pellegrini has interest in continuing his career as a manager.

Everton is believed to have interest in him but he will be patient for the right opportunity. 

“If I don’t have a really interesting option I will stop until I find one," said Pellegrini. "If I have to stop [completely], I will stop. It can be now, [until] December, one year or for ever. Of course, I would miss it. The challenge keeps me alive.”

Pellegrini is being replaced at Manchester City by Pep Guardiola.

Jamie Jackson/The Guardian

Tags: Manchester City, Misc Rumor

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N'Golo Kante Happy With Leicester 'For Now'
N'Golo Kante has been linked to a move to Arsenal.

Press Association

Marcus Rashford Signs Extension With United Through 2020
Marcus Rashford is an 18-year-old academy graduate who scored eight goals for United last season.

Press Association

Alan Pulido Rescued 24 Hours After Abudction
Alan Pulido is a striker from Mexico who plays for Olympiacos.

David Agren/The Guardian

Dortmund Calls Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Transfer Rumors 'Nonsense'
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been linked with a £70 million transfer with Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City and Arsenal all interested.

ESPN

James Claims To Prefer To Stay With Real Madrid
James Rodriguez would like to remain with Real Madrid after a season in which he fell out of Zinedine Zidane's plans.

ESPN

Leicester To Sign Keeper Ron-Robert Zieler
It is not clear how Ron-Robert Zieler's arrival will affect the status of current No. 1 Kasper Schmeichel.

Ed Aarons/The Guardian

Hull City Beats Sheffield Wednesday To Win £170M EPL Promotion
Mohamed Diamι scored in the 72nd minute to give Hull the 1-0 win.

James Riach/The Guardian

Cristiano Ronaldo Knew He'd Score Match Winner
Cristiano Ronaldo is now a three-time winner of the Champions League after also winning once with Manchester United.

Sky Sports

Raheem Sterling Admits 'Massing Learning Curve' With City
Manchester City bought Raheem Sterling from Liverpool last summer for £44 million.

Jonathan Smith/ESPN

Real Madrid Wins 2016 Champions League Final
Sergio Ramos scored the opening goal for Real Madrid in the first half while Yannick Carrasco equalized for Atleti in the 79th minute.

RealGM Staff Report

Lionel Messi Injures Back In Friendly
Lionel Messi went to the ground after taking a knee to the torso.

ESPN

Gareth Bale: I've Improved With More Variety In My Game
Gareth Bale scored a hat-trick against Inter Milan in the San Siro, which will host Saturday's match, at the age of 21 for Spurs.

Sid Lowe/The Guardian

Robert Lewandowski Holding Transfer Talks With Real Madrid
Real Madrid are reportedly prepared to offer Robert Lewandowski a six-year deal worth up to €25 million per season.

Ed Aarons/The Guardian

Sergio Busquets Signs Extension With Barcelona Through 2021
Sergio Busquets' contract has a buyout clause of £152 million.

PA Sport

Liverpool Shifting To Pursuit Of Sadio Mane
With Mario Gotze attempting to remain at Bayern Munich, Liverpool are considering a move for Sadio Mane of Southampton.

Andy Hunter/The Guardian

Mourinho Interested In £50M Transfer With Chelsea For Willian
Willian is open to the transfer and held discussions with Jose Mourinho earlier in the week in London.

Jamie Jackson/The Guardian

Jose Mourinho Appointed United Manager On Three-Year Deal
Jose Mourinho said being named "Manchester United manager is a special honor in the game."

Jamie Jackson/The Guardian

Gareth Bale: No Atleti Player Would Make Real Madrid's XI
Real Madrid have one of the world's most expensively assembled clubs and Gareth Bale believes no player on Atletico Madrid would even make their XI.

Sky Sports

Zlatan Confirms He Has Offers From EPL Clubs
Zlatan Ibrahimovic appears to prefer reuniting with Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.

Marcus Christenson/The Guardian

Cristiano: Forget PSG, City, I'm Retiring With Real Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo is hoping for a contract extension with Real Madrid.

ESPN