Everton slap £17m price tag on Baines to deter Manchester United

Manchester United's pursuit of Leighton Baines remains in the early stages despite recent speculation that a deal is close to completion. We understand that the interest from Old Trafford has not yet progressed beyond informal discussions.   Should United step up their chase, Everton intend to remain firm in their resolve to hang on to England's deputy left-back.   It is understood that the Merseysiders privately value Baines at £17 million, a sum they feel could be beyond what United are willing to pay.  Sir...

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Xavi unsure if Euro 2012 will be his last tournament with Spain

Xavi has admitted that he does not know if he will feature in another major tournament with Spain after Euro 2012.   The 32-year-old has played a crucial role in La Roja's domination of international football over the last four years, which has seen them crowned both European and world champions.   However, the Barcelona man could neither confirm nor deny whether Euro 2012 would be his last competition with the national side, with his full focus on trying to make history in another final against Italy in Kiev on...

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Two-year suspension for Nasri would be 'ridiculous & shameful', says Platini

The Manchester City midfielder could reportedly be banned for two years by the French Football Federation (FFF) for his actions after Les Bleus' 2-0 quarter-final loss to Spain.  However, the Uefa president and former France captain has come out in Nasri's defence, and says that being excluded from international duty until after the 2014 World Cup would be heavy-handed.  if I had been suspended every time I insulted a journalist, I wouldn't have had many caps in the national team," said Platini, according to France Football.   "Nasri...

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Kalou uncertain on Chelsea future

Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou is still unsure where he will be playing his club football next season.   The striker is on holiday in the United States, and took part in Steve Nash's Showdown, a charity event for underprivileged children staged annually by the basketball star who has twice been named the NBA's Most Valuable Player.   Kalou, 26, was himself named the game's top performer, and after the match, talked about Chelsea's penalty shootout victory over Bayern Munich in last month's Champions League final.  The...

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Blake stuns Bolt to win Jamaican Olympic trials with fastest time of 2012

Yohan Blake ran the fastest 100 metres in the world this year as he and Usain Bolt booked their places at London 2012 in the Jamaican National Championships and Olympic trials.  All eyes were on Olympic champion and world record-holder Bolt in the final in Kingston, but it was world champion Blake who stole his thunder, running 9.75 seconds to best his rival's time of 9.76 set in Rome last month.   Bolt was second in in 9.86, while former world record-holder Asafa Powell was just behind him in 9.88 to book the third...

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Mamma Balotelli: It's very difficult to see Mario cry

Silvia Balotelli, who is the Manchester City forward's adoptive mother, also revealed that her son does not react well when treated badly, but that his performance against die Mannschaft freed him from his troubles.  When he feels in difficulty, under attack or betrayed, Mario reacts by clamming up.  He isolates himself from others and that's what happened before the Ireland game [when he was dropped]," she told reporters.  We struggled to contact him and he wouldn't answer messages.  This is why I wept with...

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Liverpool and Tottenham tracking Barcelona star

Ibrahim Afellay is ready for showdown talks over his Barcelona future - with Tottenham and Liverpool watching developments.   Afellay wants to speak to new coach Tito Vilanova in the next week to discuss his plans for the new season.  Following a surprise switch to the Nou Camp from PSV Eindhoven in 2011, Afellay has failed to shine at Barcelona.  Injuries have halted his progress and he has made just 20 La Liga appearances since moving there - and Afellay is eager to be more involved.  The 26-year-old...

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Newcastle chiefs head to Holland for De Jong talks

NEWCASTLE UNITED chiefs are in Holland today discussing a move for Luuk De Jong.  United have already bid once at £8million but appear ready to increase that offer with a trip to the Netherlands a signal of intent.   As reported earlier this month, United are concerned over their striking options ahead of the new season - not least with the possibility of Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse potentially taking part in the African Cup of Nations in January.   United - have also stepped up their bid for Mathieu Debuchy...

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CHELSEA SET TO BEAT REAL MADRID TO LUKA MODRIC WITH £36M BID

CHELSEA look set to beat Real Madrid's offer for Luka Modric after it was alleged they are preparing a £36m bid for the midfielder.  Roman Abramovich has vowed to dig deep as he wants a replacement for Frank Lampard in midfield and Tottenham's Modric has come under the spotlight.   The midfielder looked set for a move to Real Madrid after he showed a preference for the club.   But his dreams of Spanish stardom could be at an end as the club are only able to stump up £20m for Modric.   Chelsea...

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Kagawa and Powell set for United tour

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that new signings Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell will join Manchester United on their pre-season tour of South Africa and China.   The duo are two of the few certainties for the tour, with several players set to be rested after Euro 2012 while others, including Ryan Giggs and David de Gea, are set for Olympic action.   Besides those absentees, Nemanja Vidic and Chris Smalling will not be considered due to injury, and Darren Fletcher has been sidelined long-term with a bowel complaint.  It's...

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Tottenham to Appoint Villas-Boas Before Launching Bids for Chelsea and FC Porto Stars

Andre Villas-Boas will make signing Porto star Joao Moutinho his No.1 target if he takes charge of Tottenham as expected next week.  Villas-Boas is set to be confirmed as the new manager at Spurs, who sacked Harry Redknapp earlier this month.  The 34-year-old has spoken with chairman Daniel Levy over his plans and ideas for the club as part of the interview process and knows that he will probably have to find a replacement for Luka Modric. Villas-Boas is believed to already have a replacement in mind and wants to be reunited...

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Liverpool Complete £20m Uruguay star signing

GASTON Ramirez has achieved his goal of securing a move to a “big club” this summer, with Liverpool reportedly signing the Uruguay international for £20 million.  Although the young player has revealed he would have had no problem remaining at Bologna for another season, the 21-year-old has voiced his enthusiasm to move to one of the biggest clubs in Europe.   our source believes Liverpool have already done the deal to capture Gaston Ramirez and given that the Uruguayan would be joining a host of his countrymen at Anfield...

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Napoli to take on Chelsea for Porto star

Chelsea will face competition from Serie A side Napoli to secure the services of Porto full-back Alvaro Pereira.  Pereira, 26, was expected to follow former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas from Porto to Stamford Bridge last summer, but that move failed to materialise.  And despite penning a new long-term deal with the Portuguese club at the close of the last transfer window, Pereira has already indicated his willingness to entertain any offers that come his way this summer.  With the departure of Jose Bosingwa, Chelsea...

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Hummels: Germany screwed up against Italy

The Azzurri booked their spot in Sunday's final to take on Spain thanks to a double from Mario Balotelli, who benefitted from poor German defending to send one of the tournament favourites home empty-handed.   Despite picking up their performance and rallying late on through a Mesut Ozil penalty, Hummels believes the Mannschaft ultimately left themselves too much to do against quality opposition.  We screwed up in the first half," the 23-year-old told reporters after the game. "Two-nil down against a team who are so...

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Germany face Italy in must win

The German revolution after Euro 2000 is approaching its apex.  In retrospect, it seems an obvious and logical response to the disastrous performance of 12 years ago, particularly as, since reunification, they have won only one major international trophy, but Germany of all countries could have been excused for keeping the faith in their trademark efficiency.  After all, only two years later, long before the revitalised coaching system began to bear fruit, they reached the World Cup final.   The changes have...

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Beckham omitted from Team GB Olympic football squad

LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham has revealed that he has been left out of the Team GB Olympic football squad. T he former England captain had been included in coach Stuart Pearce's 35-man shortlist, and was expected to be named in the final squad of 18 as one of three over-age players.   Craig Bellamy has already confirmed his place in Pearce's plans and fellow Welshman Ryan Giggs is also reportedly set to be involved.   Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole and Manchester City's Micah Richards have also been linked...

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Barcelona agree €14m deal for spain star

Barcelona have announced on their official website that they have agreed a fee with Valencia for the signing of Jordi Alba.   The Blaugrana had long been linked with a move for the left-back, and are now one step closer to completing the deal after negotiating a €14 million fee.   Alba will undergo a medical next week, and sign a five-year deal upon successful completion of his physical examination.  Barcelona announce that today an agreement with Valencia has been reached for the transfer of Jordi Alba,...

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Van Marwijk leaves Netherlands post

Bert van Marwijk has stepped down as coach of the Netherlands national team.  The 60-year-old's position had been under threat after Oranje crashed out of Euro 2012 at the group stage with three defeats from three matches.   He also faced strong criticism from players and media alike and reportedly lost control of the dressing room after rebellion led by vice-captain Rafael van der Vaart.   After a meeting between Van Marwijk and the Dutch Football Federation (KNVB), both parties decided that the coach's...

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Arsenal to play against Super Eagles in Abuja

Arsenal FC have concluded plans to test their full team against the Super Eagles of Nigeria as part of their 2012-13 pre-season preparations.   The game has been scheduled for Abuja on August 5.  Arsenal have never played a West African side though they have paraded many West Africans in their side amongst whom is former Super Eagles captain Nwankwo Kano, Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor and they currently have Cameroonian midfielder Alexandre Song in their team.   Nigeria is currently ranked 60 in the...

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Fabregas puts holders into final

Spain progressed to their third consecutive major final with an 4-2 penalty win over Portugal in the Euro 2012 semi-final at the Donbass Arena.  Despite playing at far from their best and with chances to find the net at a premium, a total of 120 minutes failed to separate the two sides as the game ended 0-0. With the shoot-out level at 3-2 after Bruno Alves rattled the bar it was Cesc Fabregas who netted the winner.   Vicente del Bosque sprung a surprise before kick off as he made one change to the side that defeated...

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Bayern Munich confirm Mandzukic deal

Bayern Munich have confirmed that striker Mario Mandzukic will be moving to the Allianz Arena on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee.   The Bavarians have lost Ivica Olic this summer, and although they have re-signed Claudio Pizarro, they were also linked with a move for Manchester City's Edin Dzeko.   However, they were priced out of a move for the Bosnian, and turned their attention to the Croatia international, who scored three goals at Euro 2012.   Bayern general manager Christian Nerlinger...

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Hodgson defends Rooney over Capello criticism

England manager Roy Hodgson has defended Wayne Rooney's performance at Euro 2012 after Fabio Capello's criticism of the forward.   The former Three Lions manager hit out at Rooney's 'lost in translation' jibe on Tuesday by suggesting that he could 'only understand Scottish'.   Hodgson, however, leapt to the defence of the 26-year-old before continuing to praise the squad for their efforts in Poland and Ukraine, where they fell in the quarter-finals to Italy. Capello is entitled to his opinions, I suppose," Hodgson...

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