April 2019 - Soccer Wiretap

Milan Target Marco Giampaolo For Managerial Role

May 31, 2019 6:26 PM

Marco Giampaolo has moved into first-choice to fill Milan's managerial vacancy.

The 51-year-old drew attention for his attacking style at Sampdoria.

Simone Inzaghi also remains a contender for the Milan position.

Football Italia

Tags: A.C. Milan, Misc Rumor

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Zinedine Zidane Reportedly Prefers Paul Pogba to Christian Eriksen

May 31, 2019 6:23 PM

Zinedine Zidane is delaying a potential move for Christian Eriksen as he waits for Paul Pogba to make a decision on his future.

Zidane prefers Pogba, though Eriksen would be more economically feasible.

Dani Ceballos and Marcos Llorente are said to be leaving Real Madrid this summer.

José Félix Díaz/Marca

Tags: Real Madrid, Transfer Rumor

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Monchi Targets Julen Lopetegui For Sevilla Role

May 31, 2019 6:20 PM

Monchi has focused on Julen Lopetegui as the next manager of Sevilla.

Monchi is said to have offered a 2 year contract for Lopetegui.

Sevilla finished 6th in La Liga this season.

Alberto Fdez/Marca

Tags: Sevilla, Misc Rumor

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Filipe Luis Linked With Barcelona Move

May 31, 2019 6:11 PM

Barcelona are rumored to sign Filipe Luis this summer.

Atletico Madrid are unlikely to offer Luis a new contract, which expires in June.

Barcelona hope Luis can provide cover for Jordi Alba.

Isaac Suárez/Marca

Tags: Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Transfer Rumor

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Zinedine Zidane Saved Sergio Ramos From Leaving Real Madrid

May 31, 2019 10:43 AM

Zinedine Zidane was instrumental in ensuring Sergio Ramos remains with Real Madrid.

Ramos seriously considered leaving Real Madrid due to disagreements with Florentino Perez. Ramos was ready to leave Real Madrid and even told his camp there was no way he'd be back.

Zidane spoke to Perez and made clear that Ramos was key to his side still.

Ramos has an €800m buy-out clause in his contact

Eduardo Fernandez-Abascal

Tags: Real Madrid, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Antonio Conte Hired As Manager Of Inter Milan

May 31, 2019 10:40 AM

Antonio Conte has been hired as manager of Inter Milan.

Conte spent the 18-19 season out of soccer following his firing by Chelsea at the end of 17-18.

“A new chapter in my life is beginning, I’m really excited,” said Conte on Inter’s official website. “Through my work, I’ll try to repay all of the trust that the president and directors have placed in me.

“I have chosen Inter because of the club it is, because of the project’s sound basis and how ambitious it is. Because of Inter’s history. I was struck by the club’s transparency and the desire to bring Inter back to where it belongs.”

Conte replaces Luciano Spalletti following Inter's fourth place finish in Serie A.

The Guardian

Tags: Internazionale, Misc Rumor

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Cesc Fabregas: Hazard Can Win Balon D'Or At Real Madrid

May 30, 2019 6:09 PM

Cesc Fabregas said that a potential move to Real Madrid would give Eden Hazard an opportunity to win the biggest trophies in the game.

“I don’t think Chelsea, right now, can give what Hazard deserves. There’s a ceiling at Chelsea. I know Eden says he doesn’t care about the Balón d’Or but deep down he does and at Real Madrid he can win it and he can win the Champions League,” said Fabregas.

Fabregas added that the biggest clubs have no ceiling on what their players can achieve.

“He can go so much higher, past the ceiling, at a club like Real Madrid. These clubs: Real Madrid, Barcelona, now Manchester City, and Bayern Munich—they always come back."

Matt_Wiltse/Managing Madrid

Tags: Chelsea, Real Madrid, Transfer Rumor

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Liverpool To Extend James Milner, Joel Matip Contracts

May 30, 2019 6:05 PM

Liverpool will extend the contracts of James Milner and Joel Matip following the Champions League Final.

The 33-year-old Milner will be extended through the 2021 season.

The 27-year-old Matip will receive a new contract after solidifying his place next to Virgil van Dijk in the center of Liverpool's defense. 

Chris Bascombe/The Telegraph

Tags: Liverpool, Terms Agreement

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Sergio Ramos Announces He Wants To Retire With Real Madrid

May 30, 2019 3:18 PM

Sergio Ramos said he will not leave Real Madrid this summer and said he'd like to finish his career with the club.

Ramos had been linked with a move to China.

"I want to make it clear over my future," Ramos told a hastily convened news conference at Madrid's Valdebebas training facility on Thursday. "There has been a lot of speculation. I am a madridista, I want to retire here, to finish out my contract, and to rebuild for the future after what has been a bad season.

"The day I leave, I want to go out on a high, after a victory. If I leave it will be as my level has dropped, but I will not join a team which competes with Real Madrid."

Dermot Corrigan/ESPN

Tags: Real Madrid, Misc Rumor

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Manchester United Set Romelu Lukaku Fee At $100 Million

May 30, 2019 1:08 PM

Manchester United have placed a $100 million price tag on Romelu Lukaku amid interest from Inter.

Antonio Conte, who is expected to be named the new manager at Inter, has targeted Lukaku as his top signing.

Conte previously tried to sign Lukaku when he was the manager at Chelsea. 

Rob Dawson/ESPN

Tags: Manchester United, Internazionale, Transfer Rumor

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Josep Bartomeu Has Doubts On Signing Antoine Griezmann
Bartomeu has concerns over Griezmann's transfer fee and salary demands.

Luis F. Rojo/Marca

Juninho Pernambucano Named Sporting Director At Lyon
The club also named Sylvinho as their new manager.

Marca

Atletico Madrid Sign Felipe Monteiro From Porto
Monteiro is the most expensive defensive signing in team history.

David G. Medina/Marca

Real Madrid Targeting Ferland Mendy
Zidane wants Mendy to compete with Marcelo at left back.

Pablo Polo/Marca

Eden Hazard: 'Maybe It's Time For A New Challenge'
Hazard has reportedly agreed to a deal with Real Madrid.

Marca

Maurizio Sarri Focused On Europa League Final Amid Juventus Rumors
Sarri has been linked with Juventus.

Dominic Fifield/The Guardian

Unai Emery: Arsenal Lost Competitive Quality Under Arsene Wenger
Emery said that a team needs both technical quality and physical ability.

Sam Dean/The Telegraph

3 La Liga Games Under Investigation For Match Fixing
Authorities are looking at "irregular betting patterns" between matches involving Valencia, Real Valladolid, Real Betis, and Huesca.

Football Espana

Marcelo Bielsa Will Return To Leeds Next Season
Leeds finished 3rd in the Championship last season.

Marca

Andre Villas-Boas Named New Marseilles Manager
Villas-Boas replaces Rudi Garcia as manager.

Billy Munday/Marca

Eden Hazard Rules Out Playing For Another Premier League Club
Eden Hazard's final match with Chelsea will likely be the Europa League Final against Arsenal.

Dominic Fifield/The Guardian

Real Madrid Won't Allow Sergio Ramos To Leave For China For Free
Sergio Ramos has told Florentino Perez he has received an attractive offer from a Chinese Super League club.

The Guardian

Roberto Martinez Emerges As Candidate For Barcelona
Koeman and Henry are also said to be candidates if Valverde is sacked.

Juan Jiménez/As.com

Reports Suggest Ernesto Valverde Will Be Fired At Barcelona
Valverde is under pressure following Barcelona's Copa del Rey loss to Valencia.

Football Espana

Raul To Manage Real Madrid Reserve Team
Raul has won 23 out of 26 matches at Real Madrid's U18 manager.

José Félix Díaz/Marca

Gian Piero Gasperini: Atalanta Will Do Well In Champions League
Atalanta made the Champions League for the first time in club history.

ESPN

Luka Jovic: Premier League Or Serie A Suit Me Better Than Bundesliga
Jokic has reportedly agreed to terms with Real Madrid.

Marca

Matthijs De Ligt Willing To Turn Down Barcelona For Manchester United
Barcelona are not interested in entering a bidding war for de Ligt.

Nacho Labarga/Marca

Pochettino: Harry Kane Decision Will Define Champions League
Kane is on pace to be fit for the Champions League Final.

David Hytner/The Observer

Maurizio Sarri Reportedly Agrees To Juventus Deal
Lampard has been linked with the Chelsea position.

Tancredi Palmeri/Sportsnews