April 2017 - Soccer Wiretap

PSG Closing In On Transfer For Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

May 31, 2017 2:03 PM

Paris Saint-Germain are closing in on a transfer with Borussia Dortmund for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Antero Henrique, who will take over from Olivier Letang, is already in Paris and has met coach Unai Emery and chairman and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi to discuss summer plans.

The transfer fee could be as high as €85 million.

While PSG prefers a move for Alexis Sanchez, they are receiving competition from Manchester City and Bayern Munich.

Jonathan Johnson/ESPN

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

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Antoine Griezmann Expects Future To Be Decided Soon

May 31, 2017 12:28 PM

The future of Antoine Griezmann with Atletico Madrid remains uncertain.

There have been conflicting reports on whether Griezmann has approached Atleti about a transfer. Spanish radio station Cope reported Griezmann asked Atleti to let him leave for Manchester United. But a senior Atleti source refuted that report.

"I'm good with my club, but my future will be decided this summer," Griezmann said. "My agents are talking with Atletico Madrid. We will see what happens.

"My future will be decided soon. If I leave this summer, the date will depend on the World Cup qualifiers."

Griezmann said he had discussed the situation with Atletico boss Diego Simeone.

"I am very happy here at Atletico, and I've spoken with my coach, with [teammates] Koke and with Diego Godin," he said. "The case is the hands of the club president [Enrique Cerezo]."

Atleti reportedly perceives Griezmann's aim as securing a pay increase.

Dermot Corrigan/ESPN

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

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Gareth Bale Admits He Won't Be Fully Fit For UCL Final

May 31, 2017 12:25 PM

Gareth Bale admits he may not be physically able to play in the Champions League final played in his hometown of Cardiff.

Bale admitted that he returned too soon after surgery on an ankle ligament injury sustained in November and that he is not yet fully fit. 

Bale is prepared to play a substitute's role against Juventus.

There's been debate in Spain whether it would be Bale or Isco to start for Real Madrid, but it appears now certain that it will be Isco.

“I am not 100%: I haven’t played for six or seven weeks: I obviously had my operation which still really hasn’t recovered,” Bale said. “If I’m called upon to start, I will start obviously. But to last 90 minutes: I haven’t played a lot of football this year since my operation, so that would be difficult. Isco has been playing fantastically well for us, at the end of the season, so whatever the manager decides I will [accept it]. Whether he or I start, we’ll both be cheering each other on.

“I’m sure [Zidane] will speak to us and I’ll find out at some point, but I have been working hard, training now the last few days. We had a practice game on Saturday and I came through it all unscathed. I feel strong, feel fit, [but] obviously match fitness is a different thing.

“It has been a difficult season, so whatever I am required to do [I will do]. I obviously have battled hard to get fit for this, and whatever is the best for the team is the most important thing: to lift that Champions League trophy is the most important thing.”

Sid Lowe/The Guardian

Tags: Real Madrid, UEFA Champions League

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Luciano Spalletti Steps Down As Manager Of Roma

May 31, 2017 10:25 AM

Luciano Spalletti has stepped down as manager of Roma after guiding the club to a second place finish in Serie A.

Roma won more points during the 16-17 season than in any previous one in club history.

“We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Luciano Spalletti for all of his hard work and the significant contribution he has made to the club since his return,” said the Roma president, James Pallotta, in a statement on the club’s website.

Spalletti has been linked with the Inter Milan job.

The Guardian

Tags: Internazionale, Roma, Misc Rumor

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Riyad Mahrez Submits Request To Leave Leicester

May 30, 2017 1:53 PM

Riyad Mahrez has submitted a request to leave Leicester City this summer.

Mahrez, who won the 15-16 PFA Player of the Year award, was linked with Arsenal last summer after helping Leicester to a stunning Premier League title.

Leicester struggled for most of the 16-17 season.

In a statement published by Sky Sports, the 26-year-old wrote: "Out of the huge admiration and respect I hold for Leicester City Football Club, I wanted to be totally honest and transparent with them and have therefore informed the club that I feel now is the time for me to move on.

"I had a good discussion with the chairman last summer and we agreed at that time that I would stay for another year in order to help the club as best as I could following the transition of winning the title and in the Champions League.

"However, I am fiercely ambitious and feel that now is the time to move on to a new experience."

ESPN

Tags: Leicester City, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Liverpool Sign Dominic Solanke From Chelsea

May 30, 2017 1:36 PM

Liverpool will sign Dominic Solanke from Chelsea.

Solanke refused to sign an extension with Chelsea over concerns on his playing time opportunities

“Liverpool FC have agreed personal terms with Dominic Solanke to sign the England youth international this summer,” read a statement on the club’s official website. “The 19-year-old striker will complete the transfer to the Reds on July 1, 2017, upon the expiry of his contract with his current club, Chelsea.”

Jürgen Klopp intends to deploy Solanke in Liverpool’s under-23s team initially.

Andy Hunter/The Guardian

Tags: Chelsea, Liverpool, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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John Brooks To Joins Wolfsburg On Record Fee For U.S. Player

May 30, 2017 11:37 AM

John Brooks is set to leave Hertha Berlin and join Wolfsburg for at least €17 million ($18.9 million).

The transfer fee is the highest ever paid for a player from the United States.

Brooks came through the ranks at Hertha and has made 90 Bundesliga appearances for the club.

The previous record was €10 million when Jozy Altidore when from AZ Alkmaar to Sunderland.

Stephan Uersfeld/ESPN

Tags: Hertha BSC, VfL Wolfsburg, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Arsene Wenger To Sign New Two-Year Deal With Arsenal

May 31, 2017 10:25 AM

Arsene Wenger is set to receive a new two-year deal from the board of Arsenal.

Wenger was present at Tuesday's meeting and joined by the majority shareholder, Stan Kroenke, his son Josh, the chairman, Sir Chips Keswick, the chief executive, Ivan Gazidis, the directors Ken Friar and Lord Harris of Peckham and the club secretary, David Miles. 

Wenger's future with Arsenal has come under scrutiny for months.

When asked if he would make a presentation at the board meeting, he replied: “The best presentation? Watch the game [against Chelsea] and there can be no doubt.”

David Hytner/The Guardian

Tags: Arsenal, Misc Rumor

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Thomas Tuchel, Dortmund Part Ways

May 31, 2017 10:25 AM

Thomas Tuchel has stepped down as manager of Borussia Dortmund after two seasons.

Tuchel led Dortmund to victory in the DFB-Pokal final only three days ago.

Dortmund said in a statement the decision to “go their separate ways with immediate effect.”

Tuchel reportedly had a strained relationship with the board of Dortmund.

Bayer Leverkusen are said to be the frontrunners to sign Tuchel.

The Guardian

Tags: Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, Misc Rumor

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City To Sign Ederson From Benfica For $44.8M

May 29, 2017 11:01 AM

Manchester City will sign Ederson from Benfica for £34.9 million ($44.8 million).

Ederson is known for his footballing skills at keeper, which fits the mould of what Pep Guardiola seeks from the position.

Ederson’s fee would represent a world record for a goalkeeper, eclipsing the £32.6 million paid by Juventus to Parma for Gianluigi Buffon in 2001.

Mark Dobson/The Guardian

Tags: Benfica, Manchester City, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Ernesto Valverde Hired By Barcelona As New Manager
Ernesto Valverde spent two seasons at Barcelona as a player from 1988-1990.

BBC

Marc-Andre Ter Stegen Agrees To Barcelona Extension
Marc-Andre ter Stegen will extend his contract with Barcelona until 2022.

Samuel Marsden/ESPN

Ander Herrera To Turn Down Barcelona Transfer To Stay With United
Ander Herrera worked with new Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde at Athletic Bilbao before joining United in a £24 million deal in 2014.

Rob Dawson/ESPN

Pablo Zabaleta Signs Two-Year Deal With West Ham
Pablo Zabaleta is coming off more than 200 appearances with Manchester City since 2008 and now joins Slaven Bilic.

Press Association

Arsene Wenger Insists He Remains Right Manager For Arsenal
Arsene Wenger has won the FA Cup seven times, with three coming in the past four seasons.

Mattias Karen/ESPN

Antonio Conte Interested In Extending Contract With Chelsea
Antonio Conte would like to remain with Chelsea "for many years."

BBC

Isco Voted Real Madrid Fans' Player Of The Year
Since arriving from Malaga in 2013, Isco has consistently been a fan favorite that they have wanted to receive more playing time.

As.com

LAFC Can't Afford To Sign Chicharito
When talks between Javier Hernandez and MLS surfaced back in February, a league source said the annual salary would be around $9 million.

Jeff Carlisle/ESPN

City Sets Club Transfer Record Paying Monaco $76.8M For Bernardo Silva
Bernardo Silva becomes the most expensive player in City history, beating the £55 million record paid by City for Kevin De Bruyne in 2015.

Marcus Christenson, Fabrizio Romano/The Guardian

United Won't Overhaul Roster This Summer
United are expected to target a center back, a midfielder, an attacking player and a striker this summer.

Rob Dawson/ESPN

AC Milan Offering $67M To Real Madrid For Alvaro Morata
Alvaro Morata has been linked to a move to AC Milan this summer with the club offering Real Madrid a transfer fee of $67 million.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Not Saying Where He'll Play Next Season
Before his injury, it appeared Zlatan Ibrahimovic would remain with Manchester United for at least one more season.

As.com

Pique Supports Barcelona Hiring Ernesto Valverde
Ernesto Valverde has stepped down as manager of Athletic Bilbao.

As.com

Gael Clichy, Jesus Navas To Leave City
Gael Clichy joined City from Arsenal in 2011.

ESPN

Wayne Rooney Has 'Lots Of Offers' To Consider
Wayne Rooney said he has made up his mind about whether to leave Manchester United this summer.

Daniel Taylor, Jamie Jackson/The Guardian

United Win 2017 Europa League Championship
Paul Pogba scored the first goal for United in the 18th minute, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan added a second in the 48th minute.

RealGM Staff Report

Court Upholds 21-Month Jail Term For Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is unlikely to serve any time in jail.

BBC

Jermain Defoe Returns To Bournemouth On Three-Year Deal
Jermain Defoe has exercised a relegation-release clause in his Sunderland contract and he will return to the club for whom he played at the beginning of his career.

David Hytner/The Guardian

Sam Allardyce Steps Down As Manager Of Crystal Palace
Sam Allardyce was due a bonus of around £2 million for keeping the club in the Premier League.

Dominic Fifield/The Guardian

Real Madrid Sign Vinicius Junior For $50.3M
Vinicius is just 16 and won't join Real Madrid until he turns 18 in July of 2018.

ESPN