April 2017 - Soccer Wiretap

PSG Planning Unveiling Of Neymar

Jul 31, 2017 6:23 PM

Paris Saint-Germain have begun planning the unveiling of Neymar as a member of their club.

PSG hopes to finalize a £197 million ($260 million) transfer by the end of this week.

A five-year contract has been finalized for several days. 

When PSG signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic, they introduced hi at the Trocadero with the Eiffel Tower behind him. The club is planning something even bigger for the introduction of Neymar.

Julien Laurens/The Guardian

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

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United Agrees To Buy Nemanja Matic From Chelsea

Aug 1, 2017 10:15 AM

Manchester United has agreed to buy Nemanja Matic from Chelsea on a three-year deal.

“Nemanja is a Manchester United player and a José Mourinho player. He represents everything we want in a footballer; loyalty, consistency, ambition, team player," said Matic.

“I would like to thank him for his desire to join us because without that, it would be impossible to have him here. I am sure our players and supporters will love him. A big welcome to our new number 31.”

Matic said: “I am delighted to have joined Manchester United. To work with José Mourinho once again was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.

“I have enjoyed my time at Chelsea and would like to thank the club and the fans for their support. I cannot wait to meet my new team-mates and to start training with them.This is a very exciting time for the club and I am looking forward to playing my part in creating more history for this great club.”

Matic’s signing represents a significant boost to Mourinho after United failed in their efforts to purchase Eric Dier from Tottenham Hotspur.

The Guardian

Tags: Chelsea, Manchester United, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Newcastle Pursuing Lucas Vazquez

Jul 31, 2017 10:28 AM

Rafa Benitez is pursuing a transfer for Lucas Vazquez of Real Madrid.

Vazquez would receive regular playing time with Newcastle, who were promoted back to the Premier League.

Real Madrid already will find it difficult to play Vazquez and are also pursuing Kylian Mbappe.

As.com

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

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Neymar Storms Off Training Session Following Confrontation With Semedo

Jul 28, 2017 9:50 AM

Neymar was involved in an altercation with new Barcelona teammate Nelson Semedo during practice.

Javier Mascherano and Sergio Busquets had to separate Neymar and Semedo.

Neymar was seen removing his training bib and storming off.

Paris Saint-Germain remains confident of their chances to sign Neymar.

Ed Aarons/The Guardian

Tags: Barcelona

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Alexis Sanchez Could Be Late Returning To Arsenal For Training

Jul 28, 2017 9:47 AM

Alexis Sanchez's return to training with Arsenal has been cast into doubt due to the flu.

Sanchez is out of the country and his representatives have been in touch with the club.

Sanchez would like to leave Arsenal this summer to join Manchester City. Paris Saint-Germain is also interested in Sanchez though he would prefer a reunion with Pep Guardiola.

Arsenal has remained steadfast that Sanchez is not for sale.

David Hytner/The Guardian

Tags: Arsenal, Injury, Misc Rumor

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Neymar Will Fly To China After Saturday's Match

Jul 27, 2017 10:58 PM

Neymar will fly from Miami to China instead of returning to Barcelona after Saturday's match against Real Madrid.

Neymar has promotional obligations in China for Barcelona and Nike.

PSG is reportedly set to trigger his €222 million release clause.

ESPN

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Antonio Conte Would Buy Harry Kane If He Could Sign Any Striker

Jul 31, 2017 10:28 AM

Antonio Conte admitted he would buy Harry Kane if he could acquire any striker. Conte's comments followed Chelsea's £58 million purchase of Alvaro Morata.

“Tottenham is a really good squad if they are able to keep all the players,” said Conte. “For me, Kane, now, is one of the best strikers in the world. If I had to buy one striker I would go to Kane. He is a complete striker.

“He is strong physically, with the ball, without the ball, he fights and he’s strong in the air and acrobatic on the right and the left. He’s a complete player. He’s one of the top strikers in the world. If you go to buy Kane now it would be at least £100 million. At least. For me, if I see this price for a striker I know for sure he’s a big striker.”

Kane has scored 93 goals over the past three seasons.

Ed Aarons/The Guardian

Tags: Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Real Madrid Has Generated $167.4M From Youth Academies Since 13-14

Jul 26, 2017 4:10 PM

The youth system of Real Madrid has generated €142.8 million ($167.4 million) over the past five seasons starting in 13-14.

Eleven players have left the club with Alvaro Morata being the most recent departure at €80 million to Chelsea.

Barcelona has earned €17 million with the sales of Marc Bartra, Cristian Tello and Alen Halilovic and Atletico have added €73 by selling four players - Theo Hernandez, Oliver Torres, Borja Baston and Javier Manquillo.

Real Madrid spends €20 million per year running their youth academies. 

Sergio Santos Chozas/As.com

Tags: Real Madrid, IQ, Stats

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PSG Attempting To Accelerate Neymar Transfer

Jul 26, 2017 3:17 PM

Paris Saint-Germain are attempting to accelerate a transfer for Neymar.

The deal is expected to cost PSG a sum of $260 million plus €30 million per year in salary.

PSG believes the longer negotiations drag on, the more likely it is Neymar will remain with Barcelona.

Barcelona have remained firm in their position that Neymar will remain at Camp Nou.

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Gerard Pique have been active in attempting to persuade Neymar to remain with Barcelona.

As.com

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

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United Prepared To Pursue Gareth Bale

Jul 27, 2017 9:03 AM

Manchester United are prepared to pursue Gareth Bale should he become available.

Jose Mourinho has expected Real Madrid to keep Bale, but reports in Spain suggest he could be moved if Kylian Mbappe is purchased.

Madrid have offloaded Alvaro Morata to Chelsea and James Rodriguez to Bayern Munich.

Bale wants to remain with Real Madrid but he could face a reduced role with Mbappe.

Mourinho confirmed this week that he wants "an attacking player to play through the wings" as one of two additional signings before the close of the transfer window.

Rob Dawson/ESPN

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

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Everton Plan To Sell Ross Barkley
Ross Barkley has informed Everton he will not sign a new contract with the club.

Andy Hunter/The Guardian

Galaxy Agree To $5M Transfer For Jonathan Dos Santos
The LA Galaxy have agreed to sign Jonathan dos Santos to reunite him with his brother Gio do Santos.

Ives Galarcep/Goal.com

City Prepared To Match Any Bid To Monaco For Kylian Mbappe
City are prepared to match any offer and any deal for Kylian Mbappe.

Jonathan Smith/ESPN

Real Madrid Close To $210.5M Deal With Monaco For Kylian Mbappe
Sources at Real Madrid insist to The Guardian they are optimistic that a definitive deal is close.

Sid Lowe/The Guardian

MLS Rejects $4 Billion Media Deal Requiring Promotion, Relegation
The offer would have quadrupled the annual rate of the current deal.

Jeff Carlisle/ESPN

Juventus Buys Federico Bernardeschi From Fiorentina For $46.6M
The signing will give Max Allegri another wing to play his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.

Danny Penza/SB Nation

Pedro Suffers Multiple Facial Fractures, Concussion
Pedro is expected to be back in training with a mask in 10 days after he suffered multiple fractures.

Press Association

Real Madrid Gives Luka Modric No. 10
The No. 10 for Real Madrid has most recently been worn by James Rodriguez and Mesut Ozil.

Lucas Navarrete/Managing Madrid

City Announce $34.4M Transfer With Real Madrid For Danilo
Danilo's arrival means City have now spent almost £150 million this summer following the transfers of Kyle Walker, Bernardo Silva and the goalkeeper Ederson.

The Guardian

United Rules Out Possibility Of Selling David De Gea To Real Madrid
David De Gea has been persistently linked with a move to Real for the past three years.

Mark Ogden/ESPN

City Agree To $67.6M Transfer With Monaco For Benjamin Mendy
Pep Guardiola had identified the 23-year-old left-back as one of his transfer priorities at the end of last season following the departure of Gaël Clichy.

Ed Aarons/The Guardian

Neymar Agrees To Net $35M Per Year With Paris Saint-Germain
PSG can now push forward with their plans to trigger Neymar's $259 million buyout clause with Barcelona.

Jonathan Johnson/ESPN

Barcelona Letting Neymar Determine Whether He Goes To PSG
PSG could trigger Neymar's $258 million release clause with Barcelona.

ESPN

Monaco Rejects City's $58M Bid For Benjamin Mendy
Pep Guardiola has been targeting full backs all summer.

Jamie Jackson/The Guardian

Monaco Threaten To Report Any Clubs Approaching Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe has reportedly already been the subject of a €120 million offer from Real Madrid

ESPN

Chicharito Bought By West Ham For $16.9M
Javier Hernandez scored 39 goals in 76 appearances for Leverkusen.

Sergio Dipp/ESPN

City Close To $34.5M Deal With Real Madrid For Danilo
City also signed Kyle Walker at right-back but they view Danilo as being capable of playing left-back and as a holding midfielder.

Fabrizio Romano, Marcus Christenson, Jamie Jackson/The Guardian

Chelsea Buys Alvaro Morata From Real Madrid For $91.2M
Alvaro Morata will replace Diego Costa, who will be sold this summer.

Dominic Fifield, Fabrizio Romano/The Guardian

PSG Becoming More Optimistic Of $256M Neymar Transfer
PSG can easily meet Neymar's release clause and salary requirements.

Julien Laurens/The Guardian

Jose Mourinho Wants 15-Year Stay At Manchester United
The longest Jose Mourinho has stayed at a club was during his first tenure at Chelsea, when he entered a fourth season at the helm in 2007-08.

Jamie Jackson/The Guardian