April 2019 - Soccer Wiretap

Paul Pogba Rejected Contract Extension With United Over Winter

Mar 31, 2019 7:17 PM

Paul Pogba's camp rejected Manchester United's attempts to negotiate a contract extension in January, further adding fuel to rumors of an imminent move to Real Madrid this summer.

Zinedine Zidane has publicly praised Poga's ability in press conferences. 

Pogba's agent Mina Raiola has reportedly assured Real Madrid that a transfer for Pogba would be easier than one for Kylian Mbappe.

José Félix Díaz/Marca

Tags: Real Madrid, Manchester United, Transfer Rumor

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Jurgen Klopp After Last Minute Win: 'We Did It Our Way'

Mar 31, 2019 7:04 PM

Jurgen Klopp stated that Liverpool are building the right character by winning matches late as opposed to winning 5-0 after Liverpool's 2-1 win over Tottenham.

“If you win 5-0 – and I don’t think that would have been possible today – it can lead you on the wrong path. We are all human beings. Nine months ago we started this mission, this ride, and wanted to go for the highest stakes in two competitions. We did it our way. We had to find a way to win games much more often than in the past. Until now it worked. It is all good. The boys work so hard and if we could be first in the table after the last match of season then it would be a championship of will. We want it. We get used to situations, bit by bit, a bit better. The whole stadium, at 1-1, was the best performance of a Liverpool crowd after an equaliser since I am in. The atmosphere was completely front-footed. I am really happy about the attitude again today,” said Klopp.

Mauricio Pochettino praised his players for giving it their best throughout the season despite trying circumstances.

“Our players deserve massive credit. You can not only judge Tottenham this season on the way they play or the position in the table but all the circumstances – playing at Wembley, moving from one stadium to another. My players are heroes and deserve a lot of credit and whatever happens in the end of the season, I’m going to be happy my players are heroes. The circumstances are so tough and we are doing everything to fight to be competitive," said the Spurs manager.

Andy Hunter/The Guardian

Tags: Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Game Recap

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Neil Warnock After Loss To Chelsea: 'Roll On VAR'

Mar 31, 2019 1:34 PM

Neil Warnock criticized the referee following Cardiff City's 2-1 loss to Chelsea.

The goal in question came after Cesar Azpilicueta tied the match at 1 off a corner kick. A replay showed the Chelsea player clearly offsides.

"To get let down by the officials - roll on VAR. I might be too old by the time we get VAR, but that's why we need it. The offside [for Azpilicueta's goal] is not even close. We've worked three weeks for this, and we get let down by decisions," said Warnock.

Ben Reynolds/Sky Sports

Tags: Cardiff City, Chelsea, Game Recap

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Zinedine Zidane: 'I Like Pogba A Lot'

Mar 30, 2019 3:24 PM

Zinedine Zidane stated his admiration for Paul Pogba, although he added that he is still a Manchester United player.

"I like Pogba a lot and that's not something new, as I know him personally. He is different and he contributes things that few can do, as he knows how to attack and defend. However, he is not my player and he is a Manchester United player and we have to respect that," said Zidane.

Zidane then discussed rumors surrounding Kylian Mbappe.

"We can't say what Mbappe is worth, as that is something defined by the clubs. When I arrived at Real Madrid the cost of my transfer was 70 million euros and it was crazy and now look where we are going. We know what a player he is, but he is not my player and I will not speak out of respect for my players and the clubs."

Pablo Polo/Marca

Tags: Real Madrid, Transfer Rumor

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Sergio Busquts On Messi Free Kick: We Have Become Used To It

Mar 30, 2019 3:25 PM

Sergio Busquets praised Lionel Messi after the Argentine scored a free kick to open the scoring in Barcelona's 2-0 over Espanyol.

"We know what Leo is about, how important he is to us and what he is capable of. He takes a very good free kick. We have become used to it but he deserves a lot of credit," said Busquets.

Busquets then admitted the difficulties of playing the first game back following an international break. 

"It costs us a lot because there's a lot of traveling. There's almost no time to prepare for this game. Big teams, with big players, usually pass the tests."

Marca

Tags: Barcelona, Espanyol, IQ

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Ander Herrera Reportedly Offered 3-Year Contract By PSG

Mar 29, 2019 1:46 PM

Ander Herrera is seeking a move to PSG once his Manchester United contract expires this summer, according to sources.

The 29-year-old Herrera, who was looking to re-sign with United, has reportedly been offered a 3-year contract with PSG.

PSG are looking at Herrera to replace the departing Adrien Rabiot.

Eduardo Fernandez-Abascal/ESPN

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

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Manchester United Have Been Scouting Chucky Lozano Since Pachuca

Mar 29, 2019 1:43 PM

Pachuca president Jesus Martinez claims that Manchester United have been scouting Chucky Lozano since he was 16 years old.

"What I can say and guarantee is that Hirving has had a Manchester United scout watching him since he was 16. They have his whole record. They have everything: videos, goals, behaviour, qualifications. They are one of the clubs with the best scouts and professionals in that area," said Martinez.

The 23-year-old Lozano, now at PSV, has become one of the most sought after wingers in European football.

Ricardo Cariño/ESPN

Tags: Manchester United, Transfer Rumor

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Barcelona Executives Split Over Signing Antoine Griezmann

Mar 29, 2019 1:38 PM

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is interested in signing Antoine Griezmann, leading to a split between him and other club executives.

Pep Segura and Eric Abidal are among those arguing against Griezmann's signing.

Griezmann would reportedly take a pay cut to join Barcelona.

Moises Llorens/ESPN

Tags: Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Transfer Rumor

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Manchester United Pay Molde $650K For Solskjaer

Mar 29, 2019 1:35 PM

Manchester United will pay Molde around $650,000 as a good faith gesture after permanently hiring Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Solskjaer was named interim United manager just weeks after signing a 3-year contract with Molde.

The recent installment is on top of another $650,000 payment from United to originally sign Solskjaer on loan.

Rob Dawson/ESPN

Tags: Manchester United, Official Transfer

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Christian Pulisic Out 3-4 Weeks With Torn Thigh Muscle

Mar 29, 2019 1:18 AM

Christian Pulisic will miss the next 3-4 weeks with a torn thigh muscle.

He suffered the injury in the United States' 1-1 draw with Chile. 

He became the youngest American to reach double digits in goals after scoring an early chance.

ESPN

Tags: United States, Injury

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Pep Guardiola Has Contractual Clause To Manage NYCFC
Guardiola has an apartment in New York City, and has previously taken a sabbatical in the city between Barcelona and City appointments.

Ollie Salt/Daily Star

Gonzalo Higuain Retires From International Play
Higuain scored 31 goals in 75 appearances for Argentina.

BBC Sport

Atletico Madrid Looking To Add Hector Herrera, Alex Telles From Porto
Herrera has reportedly signed with Atleti on a free transfer move, according to reports.

David G. Medina/Marca

Manchester United Signs Ole Gunnar Solskjær To Three-Year Contract
Ole Gunnar Solskjær went 12 matches unbeaten in the Premier League before a defeat at Arsenal in early March.

The Guardian

Harry Kane Says He Wants To Be A Kicker In NFL
Kane said he's inspired by the self-belief of Tom Brady.

The Guardian

Jose Mourinho Interested In Ligue 1 Move
Rumors have linked Mourinho to potential openings with Monaco and Lyon.

Marca

Madrid Derby Announced For New York City, Griezmann Appears In Promo
Griezmann, Oblak, and Koke appear promoting the summer event.

Marca

Bayern Munich Sign Lucas Hernandez For Record Fee
Bayern spent a club-record $90 million to purchase Hernandez from Atletico Madrid.

Sky Sports

Real Madrid, Juventus, Bayern Looking To Create New Competition
Andrea Agnelli added that he wanted to create a solution that would satisfy top European sides and smaller clubs.

José Félix Díaz/Marca

Barcelona Rule Out Move For Antoine Griezmann
Barcelona are looking to sign Luka Jovic this summer.

Luis F. Rojo/Marca

Mauro Icardi Returns To Training At Inter After 6 Weeks
The 26-year-old was in contract dispute with Inter and stripped of his captaincy.

Geoff Gillingham/Marca

Report: Kylian Mbappe Will Request Transfer From PSG To Real Madrid
Real Madrid could include James Rodriguez and Isco as part of a transfer for Kylian Mbappe.

As.com

Ajax To Sign Razvan Marin To Replace Frenkie De Jong
Ajax will sign Razvan Marin to replace Frenkie de Jong for €12 million.

Ivan Cordovilla/As.com

Cristiano Ronaldo Out Two Weeks With Right Leg Injury
Juventus will take on Ajax on April 10.

ESPN

England To Report Montenegro For Racial Abuse Following Match
Danny Rose, Raheem Sterling, and Callum Hudson-Odoi were targeted with abuse.

BBC Sport

Zinedine Zidane Targeting Sadio Mane For Summer Transfer
Zidane is reportedly impressed with Mane's directness.

Nacho Labarga/Marca

Real Madrid Preparing $317M Offer To PSG For Kylian Mbappe
Real Madrid pursued Kylian Mbappe in 2017, but Monaco sold him to PSG.

Agustin Martin/As.com

Sergio Ramos Ranked UEFA's Best Player Of The Season
Ramos topped the rankings due to a low amount of errors and fouls, while completing a high number of passes and interceptions.

Jose Felix Diaz/Marca

Cardiff, Nantes Battle Over Emiliano Sala Transfer Fee
Cardiff will claim that Sala was not under contract at the time of his death.

The Guardian

Benfica Seeking $226M Release Clause For Joao Felix
Joao Felix has been linked with Manchester United, Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Adriana Garcia/ESPN