March 2022 - Soccer Wiretap

Bayern Signs Matthijs De Ligt From Juve For $69M

Jul 20, 2022 2:34 PM

Bayern Munich have signed defender Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus for $68.55 million.

"I'm very happy to become a player for this great club," he told the club's website. "FC Bayern are the most successful club in Germany, one of the most successful clubs in Europe and in the world.

"I felt the genuine appreciation from the sporting management, the coach and the board right from the start, which convinced me. On top of that, FC Bayern is a brilliantly run club with big aims. I'm very glad that I'm now becoming part of the FC Bayern story."

The Dutch defender moved to Juve from Ajax in 2019 and made 117 appearances for the Italian club.

ESPN

Tags: Bayern Munich, Juventus, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Robert Lewandowski Joins Barcelona On $51M Transfer

Jul 18, 2022 3:05 PM

Robert Lewandowski has joined Barcelona from Bayern Munich on a $51 million transfer.

Lewandowski credits Xavi for his decision.

“I was speaking with Xavi and from the beginning I know [what’s been on his] mind, his ideas. It was easy for me to decide to come to Barcelona because I’m the guy who wants to play, who wants to win, and I think that with Xavi it’s very possible.

“He knows exactly how to coach Barcelona because he was an amazing player and now he’s also a very good coach. He has an amazing future and I want to be a part of this as well.”

The Guardian

Tags: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Chelsea Rules Out Signing Cristiano Ronaldo

Jul 14, 2022 2:43 PM

Chelsea has ruled out signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United.

Ronaldo is seeking a transfer from United as the club won't be in the Champions League next season.

Ronaldo's agent, Jorge Mendes, met with Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly, who has since discussed the proposal with head coach Thomas Tuchel.

An unnamed Saudi Arabian club has made a €30 million bid to United to sign Ronaldo while giving the Portugal captain the chance to become the world's highest-paid player by offering him €275 million in wages for the next two seasons.

James Olley/ESPN

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

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Chelsea Signs Raheem Sterling From City

Jul 13, 2022 9:05 PM

Chelsea has signed Raheem Sterling from Manchester City in a £47.5 million transfer.

Sterling scored 131 goals in 339 appearances for City since signing from Liverpool for an initial £44 million in 2015.

"I've obviously achieved a lot in my career so far, but there is still so much more to achieve and I'm really looking forward to doing that in a Chelsea shirt, under [Thomas Tuchel's] management," Sterling told the club's website.

"London is my home and where it all started for me, and it's amazing I now have the opportunity to play in front of friends and family week in, week out at Stamford Bridge. I'm really looking forward to meeting the fans there soon.

"I do want to take the opportunity to thank Todd [Boehly], Behdad [Eghbali], the ownership group, Thomas, and all involved in the process of getting me here. I can't wait to get going now and continue to do my talking on the pitch."

ESPN

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

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Rodri Signs New Five-Year Extension With City Through 2027

Jul 12, 2022 11:09 AM

Rodri has signed a contract extension with Manchester City through 2027.

"Joining City in 2019 is the best decision I have made in my career," he said. "I have loved every second. The fans have been amazing with me, I feel totally supported by the Club and the manager pushes me every single day.

"I have improved so much as a player, and I want to thank Pep and all the backroom staff for their help. They are completely committed to helping me become the best player I can be, and I appreciate their hard work."

Rodri was bought by City from Atletico Madrid for £63 million.

Rob Dawson/ESPN

Tags: Manchester City, Misc Rumor, Signing

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Landon Donovan Could Become Manager Of Earthquakes

Jul 12, 2022 11:08 AM

Landon Donovan could become the next manager of the San Jose Earthquakes.

The Quakes parted ways with Matias Almeyda back in April, and since then have been managed on an interim basis by Alex Covelo.

Donovan, 40, is in his third season managing the San Diego Loyal in the second-tier USL Championship, with the team positioned in third place in the 14-team Western Conference with 34 points from 19 matches played. In addition to his managerial duties, Donovan is also the co-owner and executive VP of soccer operations.

If Donovan were to get the San Jose job, it would mark a return to the organization where he spent four seasons and led the team to the 2001 and 2003 MLS Cups.

Jeff Carlisle/ESPN

Tags: San Jose Earthquakes, Misc Rumor

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Luis Suarez Receiving Interest From Six MLS Clubs

Jul 11, 2022 8:26 AM

Luis Suarez has received interest from "five or six" MLS teams.

Suarez, 35, is without a club after leaving Atletico Madrid this summer, and in an interview with Radio Sport 890 he said he would decide his next team in the next two weeks.

"The thing is that some possibilities are for January, I have to analyse everything," Suarez said, after confirming that he had received multiple offers from the US.

"The market in MLS is very complex, some clubs want you but they don't have the slots, and so it would have to be for January. Other clubs want you now but I have to evaluate if they have a chance to qualify for the playoffs.

"I'm not closing the door to anyone and I've listened to all the offers. But if some MLS teams don't qualify for the playoffs, they end their season in the first week of October, and that's not useful for me because I would stop for a month ahead of the World Cup, which wouldn't be good for me."

ESPN

Tags: Misc Rumor

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Paul Pogo Returns To Juventus On Free Transfer

Jul 11, 2022 8:24 AM

Paul Pogba has rejoined Juventus on a free transfer, signing a four-year contract.

"I am back, I am here and I can't wait to get started," Pogba told the club's Twitter account."I am very, very happy. "I can't wait to get started and wear this Juventus jersey again."

Sources told ESPN in May that Pogba was keen on a return to Juventus after turning down interest from Premier League champions Manchester City.

ESPN

Tags: Juventus, Manchester United, Misc Rumor, Signing, Transfer Rumor

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D.C. United Hires Wayne Rooney As Manager

Jul 11, 2022 8:22 AM

D.C. United has hired Wayne Rooney as manager, replacing Hernan Losada.

Rooney will manage the side with which he spent 15 months as a player back in 2018-19. 

Rooney stepped down as manager of Derby this summer. 

Jeff Carlisle/ESPN

Tags: D.C. United, Misc Rumor

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Jesse Lingard Listening To 'Ground-Breaking' MLS Pitches

Jul 6, 2022 10:06 AM

Jesse Lingard is listening to pitches from MLS clubs in potential "ground-breaking" offers.

Lingard has left Manchester United as a free agent and is being chased by Premier League clubs including West Ham and Everton. 

West Ham manager David Moyes remains a keen admirer after Lingard's successful loan spell at the London Stadium in 2021, when he scored nine goals in 16 games.

Rob Dawson/ESPN

Tags: Misc Rumor

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United Signs Tyrell Malacia From Feyenoord

Jamie Jackson/The Guardian

PSG Fires Mauricio Pochettino, Hires Christophe Galtier As Replacement

ESPN

Christian Eriksen Signs Three-Year Deal With Manchester United

Rob Dawson/ESPN

Cristiano Ronaldo Requests Transfer From United, Seeks UCL Club

Adriana Garcia/ESPN