Football News: Boca Invite Real Madrid To Bid As Injury Victim Nears Return For Liverpool And More News
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1. Taylor on comeback trail
Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor is closing in on a comeback from injury. The centre back has been out since September with a hamstring problem but returned to training last week and could be in the squad for Saturday's Premier League game with Watford. Taylor is out of contract in the summer and is desperate to earn a new contract with Newcastle. Winger Rolando Aarons and forward Emmanuel Riviere have both also returned to the squad recently after recovering from injuries. The Toon are still assessing the injury which saw Paul Dummett taken off against West ham United, with midfielder Jack Colback likely to fill in for him if he is not fit for the weekend.
2. Real Madrid asked to bid
Boca Juniors midfielder Rodrigo Betancur has been tracked by Spanish giants Real Madrid and the 18 year old has been linked with a transfer to the Spanish capital in the last few days. Now Boca Juniors president Daniel Angelici has spoken about the rumours, which have put a large price tag on the head of the youngster. "We've still had no formal offer from Real Madrid for Bentancur," he told TyC Sports. "The figure being put about is not correct. His clause is lower than what is mentioned. There's a lot of talk but I want to see a written proposal. If that comes we'll look at it as it could well be very convenient for the club and for the player."
3. Defender gets new deal
Left back Nacho Monreal has signed a new long term contract with Arsenal. The Spanish defender signed for the Gunners in the January transfer window of 2013 and has become the first choice full back. "He has the consistency in his performances that is requested at the top level," Wenger told Arsenal Player. "Overall, his attitude has been absolutely fantastic on a daily basis since he arrived here. He's 100 per cent committed and I think as well he has always improved since he has arrived and has shown that in many big games as well. He's calm, focused and dedicated. He's well-accepted and loved by his partners. He has the modest approach of a player who wants to give his best to the team. Everybody senses that and that's why I think it's important for the club to have that stability. Everyone in the Premier League would say that he has become a very strong player. Arsenal are gifted at the moment, I must say, with two top-class left backs [Monreal and Kieran Gibbs]. We have many young players. They need to be surrounded by experienced players, especially at the back. We now have experience at the back. Nacho is part of that - he's a good example for the young players and we have a good bunch of young players."
4. Flanagan close to return
Liverpool full back Jon Flanagan could be set to make his long awaited comeback from injury against Exeter City in the FA Cup 3rd Round replay on Tuesday night. The 23 year old has been sidelined for nearly two years with knee problems, but has managed to make through U21 matches in recent weeks and could be set to play his first competitive match since 2014. Flanagan was in excellent form before his injury, and will now hope to work his way back into long term contention for the first team. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, Flanagan will hope he return goes well.
5. Transfer round up
Wilberto Cosme unattached to Garcilasco
Jaroslav Mihalik MSK Zilina to Salvia Prague undisclosed fee
Galip Guzel Osmanlispor to Alanyaspor on loan
Lynel Kitambala released by Levski Sofia
Andres Rios unattached to Defensa y Justicia
Ilia Aleksievich BATE Borisov to Panetolikos free
Ahmed Kantari released by Toronto FC
Ajdin Mahmutovic Viktoria Plzen to Sigma Olomouc on loan
Rafael Marques Henan Jianye to Palmeiras £513,000
Martin Linnes Molde FK to Galatasaray £1.4m
Vilson Vitoria-SP to Corinthians on loan
Renato Chaves Ponte Preta to Fluminese £561,000
Eric Bicfalvi released by Lioaning FC
Vagner Love Corinthians to AS Monaco £1.05m
Camilo Zuniga Napoli to Bologna on loan
Jack Hunt Crystal Palace to Sheffield Wednesday undisclosed fee
Joel Cruzeiro to Santos on loan
Alessandro Diamanti Guangzhou Evergrande to Atalanta on loan
Bernard Berisha KF Skenderbeu Korce to Anzhi Makhachkala £420,000
Josef Sural Slovan Liberec to Sparta Prague undisclosed fee
Jakub Sylvestr 1.FC Nuremberg to SC Paderborn on loan
Yuri Mamute Gremio to Panathinaikos on loan (fee £70,000)
Woo-Young Jung Vissel Kobe to Chongqing Lifan £805,000
Jonathan Parr Ipswich Town to Stromsgodset IF £67,000
Stefano Sensi AC Cesena to Sassuolo £3.5m
Christian Bekamenga Lens to Troyes loan return
Michael Olaitan Twente Enschede to Olympiacos loan return
Edu Oriol unattached to Llagostera
Daigo Watanabe Omiya Ardija to Busan Ipark undisclosed fee
Jonathan Bottinelli unattached to Arsenal de Sarandi
Daniel Genov Botev Plovdiv to OFK Pirin free
Mohamed Elneny FC Basel to Arsenal £4.62m
Dae-Sung Ha Beijing Guoan to FC Tokyo undisclosed fee
Ricardo Santos Beijing Renhe to Cerezo Osaka undisclosed fee
Florin Acsinte FC Botosani to Pandurii Targu-Jiu £14,000
Sandro Gotal St Gallen to Alima Yeni Malatyaspor on loan
Yoric Ravet Grasshoppers Zurich to BSC Young Boys £980,000
Stefano Sensi Sassuolo to AC Cesena on loan
Turgut Sahin unattached to Genclerbirligi
Bakary Soro Osmanlispor to Alanyaspor on loan
Jean Barrientos Racing Club to Olimpo free
Christian Tabo Atlas Guadalajara to Nacional on loan
German Herrera Vasco Da Gama to CA Rosario on loan
Bruno Meneghel Dalian Yifang to Cerezo Osaka free
Sebastian Piriz Penarol to CA Tigre free
6. Gareth Bale may miss Champions League clash
Welsh international Gareth Bale is facing a race against time to be fit for Real Madrid's final 16 Champions League clash with AS Roma after suffering a calf injury during the 5-1 win over Sporting Gijon. This is Bale's 5th calf injury since his world record transfer to Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur. Bale is targeting the first leg match against Roma on 17th February for a return to the first team. Madrid's new head coach, Zinedine Zidane, is expected to be cautious with Bale, who has impressed this season. "Karim [Benzema]is just a bang, thankfully," Zidane said after the match. "Gareth's is a bit more difficult, calf muscle, on the left, another problem. But we will see the scans tomorrow, and hope it is a small one."
7. Luiz tells Costa to come to PSG
Former Chelsea defender David Luiz has told current Chelsea star Diego Costa that he should join him at Paris Saint-Germain if he decides to leave the Londoners. Costa has been involved in lots of controversy on the pitch while in the Premier League, squaring up to Luiz when the two faced each other in least season's Champions League clash. Despite that, Luiz would like to become team mates with Brazilian-born Spanish international. "If Diego decides he has had enough of England and wants a new challenge he would be welcome here," Luiz said. "Diego is one of the clinical strikers in Europe and would be a welcome addition to any team. I think PSG have made their intent clear over the last three or four seasons - that we only add the best players. Diego and myself have had our clashes. On the field he is physical and confrontational - he will get in your face. That is part of his game. But off the field he is one of the nicest guys you can meet."
8. Juanfran backs Simeone to establish an Atletico legacy
Atletico Madrid defender Juanfran believes Argentine manager Diego Simeone could be their very own Alex Ferguson, emulating his lengthy reign at the Vicente Calderon. Simeone has already entered his 5th year in charge, but is still a long way from matching the Scotsman's 26 years of managing Manchester United. Not only has Simeone lifted four cups while in charge, he also ended Atletico's 18 year wait for the La Liga title. "He doesn't give me the feeling that he can leave," Juanfran told Onda Cero. "He signed until 2020 and he can extend that, for him there is no better team than ours. He feels what this club is - why can't he be the Ferguson of Atleti?"
9. Wales agree warm up matches for Euro 2016
With Wales set to face England and Russia in the their Euro 2016 group, head coach Chris Coleman has set up a couple of warm up games with that in mind. Wales will face Northern Ireland at Cardiff City Stadium on 24th March, to prepare for their clash with England on 16th June. Four days after Northern Ireland, Wales will be in Kiev to take on Ukraine to prepare for the Russia game. Wales first opponents in Group B are Slovakia, who they are set to face on 11th June.
10. Feyenoord urged to get rid of Kazim-Richards
Colin Kazim-Richards has been suspended following a confrontation with Algemeen Dagblad writer Mikos Gouka in which the Turkish forward is alleged to threatened the reporter with physical violence. Former Feyenoord defender Jan Everse believes that the club should look to get rid of Kazim-Richards following the incident. He told AD: "If he had 25 goals, then you could have found a new club for him, but now it is very difficult. This is very annoying for Giovanni van Bronckhorst in his first year as coach. Kazim-Richards has a huge ego and now his true nature [comes] to the top." Speaking on the possibility of cancelling Kazim-Richards' contract, Everse said: "Then you have to give him a lump sum and take your loss. You do not want him later in February again [as it] will cause problems."
Written by Tris Burke January 19 2016 18:27:28
