REVEALED:How Ronaldo stopped Real Madrid from signing Mbappe

Argentina legend Diego Maradona claims the reason Real Madrid declined the opportunity to sign Kylian Mbappe was due to Cristiano Ronaldo's presence at the club.
Mbappe was the most sought-after player in the summer transfer window and reports linked him with a potential move to Real Madrid after he helped fire Monaco to the Ligue 1 title last season.
According to Goal, Real held talks with Monaco to sign Mbappe, 18, before the teen sensation secured a move to PSG on an initial loan with the obligation to make the move permanent for £166 million.
But Maradona has now claimed that he personally told Real president Florentino Perez to sign Mbappe, who he has hailed as the "revelation of football".
However, Perez suggested Ronaldo's presence at the Santiago Bernabeu was one of the main reasons why Real did not land Mbappe, according to Maradona.
He told AS: “For me, Mbappe is the revelation of football. I think he can surpass many.
“Why did they not sign him? I told Florentino to sign Mbappe. I told him when we saw each other at Fifa.”
And when asked about Perez’s response, Maradona replied: “He told me…’but you know I have Cristiano’”.
Mbappe has scored 10 goals in all competitions for PSG so far this season with Unai Emery's men top of Ligue 1 and through to the Champions League last 16.

Read More »

Two Stars Leaving Barca In January?

Reports have suggested that two FC Barcelona senior team players could leave the club in January, although one might only be a temporary departure.

According to AS and Sport, Javier Mascherano and Gerard Deulofeu are nearing exits from the Spanish giants.

While it is believed the Argentina international could be on his way to Chinese Super League club Hebei Fortune, it is believed Deulofeu could be leave for Napoli on loan until the end of the season.

Despite Barca insisting they do not want to weaken in January, Mascherano’s exit rumours come as no surprise.

The former Liverpool player was already linked with a move at the start of the campaign, but his lack of football since August has seemingly resulted in him requesting a transfer, though, he will only allowed to leave if the club can secure a centre-back replacement with Yerry Mina being closely linked with a January switch from Palmeiras.

Deulofeu, however, only joined the Spanish giants before this season got underway, but has struggled to cement his place in the club’s strongest XI. 

Read More »

Mesut Ozil favours Man Utd move over Barcelona

Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil favours a transfer to Manchester United over Barcelona, according to the
Daily Mail .
The Germany international, aged 29, is out of contract at the end of the season and is yet to show any indication that he intends to put pen to paper on a new deal.
If he does leave the Emirates Stadium this summer, Old Trafford is reportedly his preferred destination.
United boss Jose Mourinho a big admirer and keeping a close eye on the situation. The Red Devils are keen to add to their squad some creativity that is often missing when Paul Pogba is absent.
Ozil is said to favour a reunion with his former Real Madrid coach over burning his Bernabeu bridges by joining their La Liga rivals Barca.
Ozil has already turned down an offer of £235,000-a-week from the Gunners, who manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed are still negotiating with the World Cup winner. He is believed to want a deal closer to £300,000-a-week.

Read More »

Barcelona line up shock move for Manchester United star Daley Blind

Barcelona are lining up a shock move for Manchester United‘s Daley Blind, according to reports in Spain.
Blind, 27, has made over 100 appearances for the Red Devils since signing from Dutch giants Ajax in 2014.
The Netherlands international has been a regular for United in the
Champions League and cup competitions this term but has only started three Premier League games under Jose Mourinho.
Blind’s current contract at Old Trafford expires at the end of the season and he may look to move on if first-team opportunities continue to be limited.
And his next destination could be Spain as Marca say La Liga heavyweights Barcelona have expressed interest in securing his signature.
It is claimed Barca boss Ernesto Valverde is attracted to Blind’s versatility and views him as a potential replacement for Javier Mascherano, who is expected to land a move to China.
Marca claim fellow Dutch star Stefan de Vrij is another player on Barcelona’s radar. The 25-year-old has become a key player for Lazio over the past three seasons and is also being linked with Liverpool.

Read More »

David Luiz issues Chelsea transfer ultimatum after Antonio Conte talks - EXCLUSIVE

Brazilian Luiz was dropped by Conte after a disagreement between the two over tactics following Chelsea's Champions League defeat by Roma in Rome in October, and his reaction to being substituted in the home game against the Italians.
The flamboyant centre back then picked up a knee injury and has been out of the Chelsea side now for three weeks.
But he could be ready for a return on Saturday when Chelsea face Southampton at home (3pm).
Luiz, now 30, has been linked with moves to Manchester United and Real Madrid, and it is understood that Bayern Munich are also monotoring his situation.
David Luiz (left) has not played for Chelsea since his mistakes against Roma
'He has to work' Antonio Conte explains David
Luiz omission

Express Sport understands that Luiz and Conte met this week.
And the manager said he wanted the defender back in his team.
Luiz, however, told the Italian that he wants regular first team football.
A source close to Luiz said: "David like any player wants to play. So now he is waiting to see what happens."
Andreas Christensen has since taken Luiz’s place at the back for Chelsea, with Conte impressed with the Dane’s progress.
Asked last week if Luiz was happy at Stamford Bridge, Conte said: “I think now is not the right moment to speak about this.
"There are a lot of games before the transfer window and now is not the right time this is not important."
The next month, when he is fit to play, will now be pivotal to Luiz's future at Stamford Bridge.
And Conte would want a replacement for Luiz, in his second spell at Chelsea after rejoining in a £34million deal from Paris Saint-Germain in August 2016, if the Brazilian were to leave.

Read More »

Ivan Rakitic believes that Barcelona has coped with the departure of Neymar absence through collective effort well and that they play like more of a team now.

The Brazil international departed Camp Nou in the summer for Ligue 1 dethroned champions Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record £200m move which many believed would have left Blaugrana weakened.
"He is one of the best players in the world, but sometimes the best players in the world don't make the best team," he said to Croatian publication Sportske Novosti.
"We have overcome his departure with collective work.
"We have worked as hard as possible and have been able to win."
Speaking about the Clasico on December 23, Rakitic joked that a loss might ruin Christmas.
"One of the two teams will have a sad Christmas," he said.
"I'm joking.
"It will be a great game once again and I'm sure we have a chance of winning it.
"Winning would be a nice way to finish off the year."
Barcelona sits comfortably top of the La Liga table having gone 15 games unbeaten, and are also in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Rakitic side welcome Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday in La Liga

Read More »

Manchester United were heavily interested in signing Ivan Perisic from Inter Milan last summer but the Croatian international eventually stayed and signed a new deal with the Nerazzurri.

Recently, it was reported that the Italian club only renewed Ivan’s contract to keep the asking price high and that United could sign him in the winter transfer window for a fee worth 45 million pounds (€51 million).

Mourinho has been in search of a wide player for quite some time and Perisic would be a fantastic signing if Jose can somehow lure him.

The 28-year-old star has been in fantastic form and will largely improve Man United’s attack. At the moment, United do not have a natural left winger in the squad and Perisic’s arrival would solve that dilemma.

The former Dortmund attacker has scored 7 goals and provided 6 goals in the current campaign for Inter and if he signs, we can expect him to get straight into the starting XI and play on the left wing.

Read More »