Liverpool beat Arsenal to sign Real Madrid's Nuri Sahin on a season long loan

The Reds offered to pay a larger proportion of the 23-year-old's £115,000 a week wages, swinging the deal in their favour.  Sahin, who has 31 caps for Turkey, will undergo a medical ahead of the match against Manchester City on Sunday. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is now considering a number of other targets.  Sahin had been expected to join Arsenal, having privately expressed a preference for the north London club.But the deal stalled when Real and Arsenal could not agree a £14m option to buy the player at the end of the...

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Hail Cezar : Azpilicueta eager to help Chelsea to more trophies

Chelsea's latest signing Cesar Azpilicueta has expressed his desire to help the Blues bring in further silverware this season.  The Spaniard, who featured for his country at the London 2012 Olympics ths summer, completed a £6 million move from Ligue 1 outfit Marseille on Friday.  And he has already set his sights on helping the Stamford Bridge side build on their FA Cup and Champions League successes of last term.  "I am very happy to play for Chelsea. I want to play my part to the club's project and help them grow.  I'm...

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Emmanuel Adebayor completes £5m move to Tottenham

Emmanuel Adebayor has completed a £5m move to Tottenham Hotspur from Manchester City.  The Togo striker impressed during a loan spell with Spurs last season, scoring 17 Premier League goals. Adebayor will be among the top-earners at White Hart Lane, but City will subsidise the 28-year-old's wage, having paid him £175,000 per week.  The former Arsenal man revealed the news on Twitter: "Tottenham here I come! I'm hungry for goals. Get ready."  Adebayor had two years to run on his City contract, having been sent out...

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Official: Inter and AC Milan finalise Cassano-Pazzini swap deal

AC Milan have confirmed on their official website that they have completed the signing of Giampaolo Pazzini from Inter, while Antonio Cassano moves in the opposite direction as part of the deal.  Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has praised Antonio Cassano and feels the flamboyant attacker could make the difference for his team.  "Cassano is the sort of signing that can make a difference, but you don't go out of your way to look for that difference," Moratti told reporters.  "You try to do things that can be useful...

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Nigeria 1-1 Brazil: Falconets scrape a draw with Brazil

The Falconets earlier today in Saitama drew their second game 1-1 with Brazil in the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.  Francisca Ordega scored Nigeria’s goal late in the first half while the Brazilians equalised though Giovanna Oliveira in the second half to hold on for their second point in the group.  The Brazilians had the better of the match and were also better in the second half but the Nigerians held on to take their points haul to four in the group ahead of their last match against the Italians on Saturday.  The...

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Inter closing in on Man city star

Nigel de Jong is one step closer to leaving Manchester City for Inter as Roberto Mancini has given the Netherlands international the green light to move on.  The Nerazzurri already secured the services of Gaby Mudingayi from Bologna earlier this summer to add some steel to their midfield, but Andrea Stramaccioni is not impressed with the Belgian.  The Inter coach has therefore demanded the arrival of another holding midfielder, and the 2010 Champions League winners see De Jong as the perfect addition to their squad.  De...

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Man City close to €30m Jovetic swoop

The Premier League champions made a move for the Montenegro forward after missing out on Robin van Persie to rivals Manchester United after a long pursuit.  City have indicated to the Serie A club that they are willing to meet their €30 million (£23.6m) valuation of the 22-year-old forward.  Sources have us that negotiations between the clubs are progressing well and City are increasingly confident of capturing Jovetic before the end of the window.  The Premier League champions made their move at the end of last week...

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Fellaini stuns Man Utd

Robin van Persie's much-anticipated debut for Manchester United failed to prevent Everton delivering an early reality check in their bid to regain the Premier League title.  While defending champions and near-neighbours City achieved a come-from-behind win against Southampton yesterday the Red Devils were second best for most of the night at Goodison Park.  The thorn in their side was midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who was a constant threat and deservedly capped an impressive performance with the only goal early in the second...

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(Image) Alex Song Arrives at Barcelona to Complete Deal to Sign for Nou Camp Giants

Song to barca a done deal ...

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Rennes Confirm Yann M’Vila Is In Talks to Sign for Tottenham and Not Arsenal

Ligue 1 outfit Rennes have confirmed that midfielder Yann M’Vila is closing in on a move to Tottenham – despite interest from Spurs’ north London rivals Arsenal.  Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has long admired M’Vila and was understood to be close to signing the 22-year-old in June.  But the youngster’s poor disciplinary record – highligted when he clashed with French teammates at Euro 2012 – was thought to have put Wenger off a deal.  Alex Song’s imminent departure for Barcelona has led to speculation that Wenger is set...

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La Liga wrap: Barca on song as Real stumble

Tito Vilanova's Barcelona fired a warning shot to champions Real Madrid with an emphatic 5-1 win over Real Sociedad on Sunday.  Talismanic forward Lionel Messi kicked off a scintillating start to the Vilanova era at Camp Nou with a brace inside 20 minutes after Carlos Puyol had opened the scoring.  The win saw Barcelona immediately seize the initiative at the top of La Liga after Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw with Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu.  Puyol headed Barca in front on four minutes and Messi scored...

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Van Persie compatriot on verge of Manchester United move

Vitesse left-back Alexander Buttner has revealed he is on the verge of signing for Manchester United in a £3.9 million deal.  The 23-year-old, who was close to joining Southampton earlier this summer before a move fell through, has been identified by manager Sir Alex Ferguson as the man to compete with Patrice Evra on the left flank at Old Trafford.  United have also been targeting Leighton Baines this summer, however Everton’s reported £17m valuation of the England international has seemingly prevented Sir Alex from landing...

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Arsenal close to signing Song's replacement

Arsenal are close to completing the loan signing of Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin.  The 23-year-old, who has also been targeted by Liverpool this summer, is set to join on a season-long basis with a view to a permanent move.  His arrival should be confirmed early next week as Arsenal look to replace Alex Song, who is on the verge of a £15m transfer to Barcelona.  Turkey international Sahin made 11 appearances for Real last season. He joined the Spanish giants from Borussia Dortmund on a six-year contract in May...

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Real Madrid 1-1 Valencia: Below-par Blancos held at home in La liga Opener

Real Madrid were less than convincing as they begun the defence of their La Liga crown with a 1-1 draw against Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu.  Things began promisingly for the reigning champions as Gonzalo Higuain, who was picked ahead of Karim Benzema, put them ahead after just 10 minutes.  But they soon became guilty of sitting back and failing to make their ball retention count and shortly before the break Jonas resotred parity.  Los Blancos were unable to regain their advantage in the second half and thus had...

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Hazard not getting carried away after impressive Premier League debut for Chelsea

Chelsea's £32 million attacker, Eden Hazard, is refusing to get carried away following a dream debut for the Blues in their first Premier League match of the season, a 2-0 win at Wigan on Sunday.  The former Lille man laid on Branislav Ivanovic’s opening goal at the DW stadium, and then won a penalty which was converted by Frank Lampard.  He was substituted midway through the second half for fellow new signing Oscar and, despite impressing both Lampard and his manager, Roberto Di Matteo, the 21-year-old says that he still has...

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Manchester City 3-2 Southampton: Dzeko & Nasri earn champions thrilling comeback victory

Manchester City began their Premier League title defence in much the same way as they had claimed the championship months earlier by coming from behind to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory over Southampton at the Etihad Stadium.  The excellent Carlos Tevez gave City a first half lead, although Roberto Mancini had been dealt an early blow when Sergio Aguero left the game on a stretcher with a knee injury.  Southampton had been largely confined to their own half before they stunned the hosts by racing into a 2-1 lead in the second...

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Barcelona are ready for Real Madrid

Barcelona wing-back Adriano is eagerly anticipating the upcoming Spanish Supercopa tie against Real Madrid, and has stressed that the Catalans are ready for the start of the 2012-13 campaign.  The Brazilian defender wants to start the new season on a high, and believes the team is in good condition ahead of the opening weekend of La Liga and the new term's curtain raiser.  "It is always appetising to play against Madrid and we hope to start off the season on the right footing by winning the Supercopa," Adriano stated at a press...

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Chelsea target Hulk keen on Premier League switch

Porto forward Hulk admits that he is keen on a move to either the Premier League or La Liga, citing them as the biggest leagues in the world.  The 26-year-old, who has scored an impressive 52 goals in 96 league appearances for the Portuguese giants, has been linked with a number of club this summer including Chelsea, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.  After representing Brazil at the Olympic Games, the forward has turned his attention back to domestic football and has listed England as one of his preferred destinations....

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Wenger: Song could leave

 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that Alex Song could be the next player to leave the club, with Barcelona set to seal a move for him.  Wenger was unusually open about the possibility of further exits from the Emirates Stadium after Robin van Persie moved closer to completing a £24 million transfer to Manchester United.  Pressed on the subject ahead of Saturday's season opener, Wenger replied: "Both could happen, but my focus is on the Sunderland game.  This decision (on Song) is not made." Asked if...

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Liverpool complete Oussama Assaidi signing

Liverpool have completed the signing of Oussama Assaidi from Dutch side SC Heerenveen.  Assaidi, 24, joins for around £3 million and passed a medical at Melwood before signing a long-term deal with the club.  He scored 10 times in the Dutch League last season and Rodgers thinks he will become a crowd pleaser at Anfield.  "We're delighted with the signing, he's a young player who has done very well, in particular in the last couple of seasons, in Holland," he said.  "He fits our style perfectly, he's an exciting...

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Azpilicueta set to seal €10m Chelsea move

Cesar Azpilicueta is poised to complete a €10 million (£7.9m) move to Chelsea early next week.  The Marseille defender’s representatives were in London on Friday to discuss personal terms and put the finishing touches on his switch to Stamford Bridge.  Sources have it that Azpilicueta will play for Marseille in their Ligue 1 home fixture against Sochaux on Sunday before joining Chelsea early next week.  The two clubs have finally reached agreement on the fee to bring an end to a summer-long pursuit.  Chelsea...

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Van Persie: The little boy inside me screamed 'Manchester United!'

The 29 year-old Dutch striker completed his move to Old Trafford and spoke glowingly about the club's history and the opportunity to play for the side.  At his press conference unveiling, it was revealed that Van Persie would be taking the No.20 shirt for the coming campaign, after Fabio vacated it after he moved to QPR on a season-long loan deal this summer.  The Dutch international and current PFA Player of the Year was keen to explain his reasoning behind the controversial switch, insisting that there was no ill will between...

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Fabregas admits to Barca struggles

Cesc Fabregas concedes that he struggled to adapt at Barcelona last season under Pep Guardiola's system.  The Spain international left Arsenal for Camp Nou last year but had a tough time living up to high expectations. Fabregas believes the lack of freedom in the 41-year-old Guardiola's formation hindered him.  "Under Guardiola I never really got to grips with the system," the 25-year-old told Marca. "I had been playing another style of football and to take on board so much so quickly was difficult, because everyone else had...

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