FC Barcelona are doing everything possible to sign Gundogan

According to the German newspaper 'Bild', Dortmund midfielder İlkay Gündoğan has been approached by the Spanish giants.

FC Barcelona are doing everything possible to sign İlkay Gundogan

FC Barcelona have met with Gündoğan's agents (his father and uncle) several times not and are desperate to bring him to Camp Nou.

The club apparently wants to him to replace Xavi Hernandez, who is said to have agreed terms with the American side New York Red Bulls.

Gündoğan has also been linked with other top clubs, mainly Manchester United and Real Madrid, but the midfielder has made it clear that he will make his decision very wisely. He said: ‘I have not made a final decision yet. BVB are the first team I am talking to.

‘I will soon make a well-thought decision. But I am keeping my options open at this point.

‘Borussia Dortmund have not set me an ultimatum. I am just trying to get healthy again and get back to my best form. That’s the main priority for BVB and for myself.’

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Rumour: Vidic set to be offered a new deal

According to Daily Mirror, Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic is set to be offered a 12 month contract extension.

Vidic set to be offered a new deal

Vidic will be out of contract  in the summer and both Galatasaray and Monaco are interested in signing him.
However, Vidic’s agent Silvano Martina claims that the Serbian international would not be signing a new deal at Old Trafford.
Galatasaray manager Roberto Mancini is trying to land Vidic and has told the Turkish club to be ready to offer a two year £150,000-a-week contract deal.

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Rumours: Chelsea set to complete Matic transfer

Chelsea FC have received an immense boost in their hunt for Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic as the Portuguese press has reported that the player has informed Benfica that he wants to move back to Stamford Bridge.

Nemanja Matic set to sign for Chelsea FC

Matic has been strongly linked with a possible return to his former club Chelsea in the January transfer window, as it seems that Jose Mourinho is looking to strengthen his midfield options.

Benfica has been adamant on retaining the Serbian’s services, but it seems that the 26 year old midfielder is set to leave the club this month.

It is rumoured that a move back to Stamford Bridge for Matic will cost Chelsea around £21million and if the transfer is completed, the player will return to Chelsea after being sold in 2011 as part of the David Luiz deal.

Manchester United is the other club keenly following the Serbian midfielder, but Chelsea remain the front runner at this moment.

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Moyes doesn't want risking Rooney on tour

Manchester United manager David Moyes said there was no point in risking Wayne Rooney on the team's tour of the Far East, which is why the injured striker was returning home just hours after arriving in Bangkok.

"We won't take any chances, there is no point in taking him any further around the world," Moyes told Manchester United TV from the Thai capital, explaining that Rooney suffered the injury before leaving England."

"The day we left, he just felt his hamstring tighten up right at the end of training and we thought there would be no problem," the Scot added.

"But after the long flight, we decided we'd get him tested and scanned and have a look at things and there is just a small grade one injury there.

"He didn't train yesterday. We won't take any chances - there is no point in taking him any further round the world so we've sent him back [for treatment]."

The 27-year-old faces a month on the sidelines after suffering the injury and is doubtful for the Community Shield against FA Cup winners Wigan Athletic at Wembley on August 11 and England's friendly against Scotland three days later.

United begin their Premier League title defence at Swansea City on August 17.

Rooney has been the subject of transfer speculation since retired United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said at the end of last season the England forward had asked to leave the club.

However, Moyes reiterated on Wednesday the striker was not for sale and would not be leaving Old Trafford.

United open their tour against a Singha All-Star XI in Bangkok on Saturday and will also play in Sydney, Yokohama, Osaka and Hong Kong before facing AIK in Stockholm on August 6.

They have left Manchester without captain Nemanja Vidic, who is struggling with sciatica. The club said it was not serious and expected the Serbia centre-back to join them at some point.

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Mobbed Moyes feels like he has joined The Beatles

David Moyes felt like he was travelling with The Beatles when he arrived here.

The enormity of Manchester United and their worldwide following hit home for the new boss when the team touched down for the first leg of their pre-season tour in Thailand.

And Moyes said: “We arrived at the airport and I heard screaming young ladies. I don’t think it was at me!

“The amount of people who were at the airport was incredible and the excitement when we arrived was like The Beatles — it was something else.

“There are fans in and outside the hotel and everywhere we go. It just shows the power of United. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to it!

“It was an incredible welcome and we were then taken to pay our respects to the King who is in hospital.

“It was pandemonium when we got there. I’ve not been surprised but the scale of things has been fantastic.”

The Scot added: “When I first got the job I was aware my first game would be in Thailand.

“You see the amount of Manchester United supporters in Thailand so I’m looking forward to being here and, hopefully it’s just the first of many games as manager.”

Moyes can hardly keep the smile off his face right now and a lot of that is down to the men he is managing.

He said: “I’m really excited but I’m more excited about the players I’m working with.

“They’d lift any coach but they’ve certainly lifted me because I see the ability, their professionalism and their commitment to be winners.

“Every training game we play they want to win and I think that says something about Manchester United players and their attitude.”

Moyes does not have his full squad out here. As well as Wayne Rooney, Chris Smalling (foot), Ashley Young (ankle) and Nani (broken nose) have all been left behind while club captain Nemanja Vidic has sciatica. Moyes said: “He’s doing fine. He’s having a course of injections in his back and if he improves we would consider bringing him out later on.

“But the one thing we don’t want to do is make it any worse by flying him a long way around the world.

“Nani had an operation on his nose to clear some breathing. At the moment I’m not sure if flying is allowed so that’s the one down side.

“What it’s going to do is give some young players an opportunity.”

Rio Ferdinand revealed new boss Moyes has stepped up training already.

The defender, 34, said: “I think the intensity has gone up.

“As the new manager comes in the players want to impress the new coaching staff — but it has been very hard.”

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Rooney sent home from Manchester United tour after hamstring injury

Manchester United have sent Wayne Rooney home from their pre-season tour of Asia after the striker suffered a hamstring injury in training. 



The want-away United striker had flown out to Thailand with the rest of the squad where he was expected to feature in David Moyes' first game in charge against Singha All-Star XI.
However, the 27-year-old has become the latest injury concern to hit the Premier League winners following a back problem picked up by Nemanja Vidic, and Rooney will now fly back to England for treatment.

“Following a scan this evening on a hamstring injury sustained in training, it has been decided that Wayne Rooney should return home immediately for further assessment and rehabilitation,” read a statement on the club's website.

United's medical team expect Rooney to be unavailable for selection for a month, which puts his participation in the club's opening game of the Premier League season in do

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Vidic to miss Manchester United's pre-season tour due to injury

Nemanja Vidic is set to miss David Moyes' first match in charge of Manchester United due to injury, the club have confirmed.

The Red Devils captain was not part of the 19-man squad which left for Thailand on Wednesday, and will instead continue training in Manchester as he overcomes a back injury.
"It's nothing serious," a club spokesperson told the club’s official website. "Nemanja has a touch of sciatica [pain stemming from nerves in the back] and may still join the tour at a later date
.

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Guardiola wants Thiago at Bayern

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has admitted he has asked sporting director Matthias Sammer and chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge to sign Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara.

The Spain international initially seemed destined to move to Manchester United, but a number of recent reports suggest Bayern are now leading the race to sign the 22-year-old.

Guardiola has now confirmed die Roten are keen to lure the playmaker to the Allianz Arena, although he was unable to give any clarity on the status of the Bavarians' interest.

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Perez: Ronaldo wants to retire at Madrid

The Portugal international has been repeatedly linked with a move away but the Blancos president insists the 28-year-old wants to see out his career at the club

Cristiano Ronaldo wants to retire at Real Madrid just as previous greats of the game have, says club president Florentino Perez.

Ronaldo, 28, has two years to run on his contract at los Blancos but continual rumours have linked him with a move away to either Manchester United or Paris Saint-Germain.

And although no negotiations have taken place to extend Ronaldo's stay at the club, Perez remains convinced that the Portuguese star wants to retire at Madrid.

"The person who wants to retire at Real Madrid is Ronaldo, and Real want him to retire here too," Perez told broadcaster Univision.

"There haven't been any negotiations [on a new deal] because he is on holiday. Be in no doubt, Cristiano will retire here because he wants to. Just as [Zinedine] Zidane and other great players have done."

Ronaldo has scored 201 goals in 199 appearances for the Liga giants.

Source : Goal

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Strootman accepts Roma offer

Strootman has accepted Roma offer according to Sky Italy. 

Now Roma will have to match PSV request of 20m € after having bid 16m €. Premier League Club Manchester United had been heavily linked with the central midfielder.

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Scholes snubs Manchester United coaching role

Despite the appointment of Ryan Giggs and Phil Neville to David Moyes' backroom staff, the recently retired midfielder has opted to spend more time with his family

Paul Scholes has rejected the chance to form part of Manchester United’s new-look coaching team due to family reasons.

New manager David Moyes revealed that he asked the 38-year-old to follow in the footsteps of Ryan Giggs and former team-mate Phil Neville by becoming a coach following his decision to retire from playing for a second time in May.

Scholes is keen to spend more time with his family after discussing a potential coaching role with Moyes, though the Scot hinting that the former England international still forms part of his long-term plans behind the scenes at Old Trafford.

Moyes told the club’s official website: "I wanted to make sure I had connections to what happened here.

"I spoke to Paul Scholes as well. He wants to have some time off with his family.

"Paul was fantastic with me and wanted to help a lot. I probably spent an hour or two on the phone with him. He wants to spend time with his family at the moment.

"We'll bring him in when he's ready."

On the decision to involve Giggs and Neville in his coaching set-up, Moyes added: "I wanted to make sure I had some young members of staff behind me as well."

Scholes spent his entire professional career at United, winning 11 Premier League titles and the Champions League twice.

Source : Goal

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Roma set to beat Manchester United to Strootman

Italian side AS Roma are set to beat Manchester United in the race to sign PSV midfielder Kevin Strootman.

The hard-working Dutch international midfielder has been linked with Manchester United to become the long-term replacement for Michael Carrick, but according to the Daily Express, United are set to be bested by the Italian capital club.

Manchester United are closing in on Spain’s Thiago Alcantara and maybe that’s the reason why David Moyes cooled off his interest for Strootman, who was a favourite to become Moyes’ first signing at United; however, Roma new boss Rudi Garcia stepped up his bid and is expected to land the Dutchman.

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Manchester United winger Nani, 26, could join Roma this summer, his agent Jorge Mendes has revealed.

Nani’s future at United is currently up in the air with the 26-year-old believed to be considering a move away after failing to receive assurances over playing time.

Real Madrid, Juventus and even United’s Premier League rivals Arsenal have been linked with bids for the winger, but Roma have now emerged as a more likely option.

And according to his agent, Nani could well end up signing for them this summer.

‘Nani is a good player – the whole world knows it,’ Mendes told Radio Mana.

‘Will he go to Roma? Why not?

‘Serie A is one of the best leagues in the world and Rome is a beautiful city. There is the possibility that he will leave United, but at the minute nothing is concrete.

‘We will meet Manchester United and see, but there is interest.’

Nani is already believed to have spoken to new manager David Moyes to discuss his role, but was told he will not be guaranteed regular match action.

The former Sporting Lisbon ace has just 12 months left on his current contract, and has previously indicated he will not be penning a new deal at Old Trafford.

Galatasaray looked like bagging Nani last month but refused to meet United’s £8.5million price tag. [Source : Metro] 

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Arsenal and Chelsea remain interested in Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, 27.

Manchester United stars have had enough of the Wayne Rooney sideshow.

Chelsea and Arsenal remain ­convinced Rooney can be prised out of Old Trafford this summer, despite new manager David Moyes insisting the striker will not be sold.

Moyes has met with Rooney, but would not ­reveal whether the 27-year-old striker had told him he wants to stay at United.

With only two years left on Rooney’s United ­contract, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and Arsenal manager ­Arsene Wenger are refusing to give up the chase.

[Source : Mirror ]

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Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcântara is set to be unveiled as a Manchester United player. [Source: Sport]

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