La Liga
Report: Real Madrid launch ‘Operation Mbappe’ by axing several star players
Real Madrid have once again set their sights on Kylian Mbappe. The French forward has been on the radar of Los Blancos for over three seasons. The Daily Mail reports that Madrid has now come up with a plan called ‘Operation Mbappe’. Florentino Perez is adamant on the signing of the Frenchman and has drawn up a masterplan. Los Blancos plan on generating a figure between 150-200 million Euros during the summer transfer market. The club has shortlisted six first-team players to be sold at the end of the season to garner funds. Luka Jovic, Dani Ceballos, Gareth Bale, Isco, Marcelo and Brahim Diaz have been added to the list. The funds generated through these player sales will be used to secure Mbappe’s services. Jovic is close to being loaned out to Eintracht Frankfurt for the rest of the seas...
La Liga president hits back at Zinedine Zidane
La Liga president Javier Tebas has responded to Zinedine Zidane’s comments about the decision not to postpone their fixture against Osasuna. Zidane was unhappy with the league after they refused to call off the game against Osasuna due to heavy snowfall. Real Madrid ended up drawing the game 0-0, costing them the chance to jump into first place above local rivals Atletico Madrid. I love summer! 😜💪🏻 ⛄ ❄️ pic.twitter.com/HEq9DBabJw — Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos) January 7, 2021 After the game, the Real Madrid boss expressed his discontent with the league. As quoted by Marca, Zidane said: “It was not a match football. The conditions were not there. It should have been suspended.” Tebas has hit back at the Frenchman’s comments, claiming that Zidane i...
IFFHS: Diego Simeone the best club coach of the decade
Diego Simeone’s consistency at Atletico Madrid has been rewarded. The International Federation of Football and History Stats (IFFHS) have put the Argentine ahead of managers like Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp. This will be talked about for a while. The IFFHS have voted Cholo Simeone as the best coach of the latest decade (2011-20). Ahead of Pep Guardiola (Man City) and Champions League winners like Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool) and Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid), who win three straight Champions Leagues, the IFFHS have gone for the Argentine’s consistency. After arriving at Atletico in 2011, he took a struggling Atleti to Champions League regulars. He has won 203 matches, drawn 118 and lost 82, as well as seven titles. A La Liga title, a Copa del Rey, two Europa Leagues, two UEFA Super Cups and...
Everton hoping to snag Rui Silva from Real Betis
Everton are looking to sign Granada stopper Rui Silva on a pre-contract deal this January – despite reports claiming that the Portuguese has already agreed to join Real Betis in the summer. The 26-year-old has been at Granada since January 2017, arriving from Liga NOS side Nacional. He has since established himself as the club’s number one goalkeeper. Silva should be on the move this summer Silva’s contract is set to expire in the coming months, leaving him free to negotiate a pre-contract deal this January. Betis looked to have won the race for his signature, with reports emerging that he had signed with Los Verdiblancos. However, Estadio Deportivo are now claiming that the transfer has not been finalised, and that he could still move elsewhere. Everton are believed to be pushing to bring...
‘I said already that he’s going nowhere’: Mourinho delivers an update on Tottenham star linked with move
Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Harry Winks will not be leaving the club. Speaking to the media ahead of Spurs’ rearranged fixture against Fulham in the Premier League on Wednesday, the Portuguese was adamant about Winks’ future. The midfielder has been linked with a loan move to Valencia, but Mourinho says that he remains part of his plans. “What do I have to say to stop with this talk?” said Mourinho. “I said already that he’s going nowhere. When I say he’s going nowhere, what more do you want me to say? “He played the last matches. He didn’t play the last one because it was a chance to let players like Gedson (Fernandes) get minutes. “Tomorrow he’s selected again. If someone’s talking to other clubs I’d say don’t waste your time.” SL View – Harry Winks While W...
Islam Slimani set for medical ahead of Lyon move
Islam Slimani is set to have a medical tomorrow ahead of his proposed transfer to Lyon, as reported by journalist Gianluca Di Marzio. The Algerian joined Leicester City in the summer transfer window of 2016 following their title win, becoming the club’s record signing – although this has since been beaten by Youri Tielemans. Slimani underwhelmed at Leicester City His time at the King Power Stadium did not work out as planned, scoring just 13 times in 48 appearances in all competitions. The striker was sent out on loan three times by the Foxes, returning good numbers at Monaco, but failing to make an impact at Newcastle United and Fenerbahce. And now it seems like he is set for another spell in the French league, with Di Marzio reporting that Slimani is on his way to Lyon as a replacement f...
Alisson’s agent reveals he nearly joined Real Madrid
Fabrizio De Vecchi, agent of Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker, has revealed to AS that he almost moved to Real Madrid. In 2018, Alisson came to Liverpool, replacing the highly questionable Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius. Within two seasons, the Brazilian stopper won the Champions League and the Premier League with the Reds. Alisson has enjoyed some incredible times at Liverpool Alisson is one of the main men credited with turning Liverpool’s fortunes around, and elevating them to the next level needed to win major honours. But things could have turned out so differently had he instead made the move to Madrid. Speaking to Spanish outlet AS, De Vecchi claimed that his client almost went to the Bernabeu in 2018 before his transfer to Jurgen Klopp’s side. “It will seem strange, but I have ...
Report: Tottenham plotting January move for versatile £45m Real Madrid man
According to AS, Tottenham Hotspur head coach Jose Mourinho is keen on bringing Real Madrid defender Eder Militao to North London before the end of the January transfer window. Spurs were interested in signing the Brazilian during the summer, but a move didn’t work out. They are now willing to try again as Mourinho looks to bolster his options at the back for a crucial and busy second half of 2020-21. Militao is out of favour at the Santiago Bernabeu and has played just three times across La Liga and Champions League so far this season. Madrid could be open to letting him go, but Spurs and other suitors must be willing to pay close to the £45 million they spent on him in the summer of 2019. The 22-year-old is primarily a centre-back, but he plays excellently well at right-back too, and suc...
Barcelona Plan to Keep Antoine Griezmann Despite Hunt for New Striker
Barcelona have no intentions to sell French forward Antoine Griezmann, as reported by Sport. Griezmann signed for Barcelona in the summer transfer window of 2019 for an astronomical €120m fee, off the back of five highly successful years at Atletico Madrid. It was hoped that he could be the man to replace Neymar, who left for a world record fee in 2017. Griezmann enjoyed his best days at Atletico Madrid However, things have not gone to plan for Griezmann at the Camp Nou. He has scored just 20 goals in 68 appearances in all competitions for the Catalan giants, and has reportedly been involved in feuds with captain Lionel Messi and manager Ronald Koeman. There were rumours that the Blaugrana were willing to cut their losses on the World Cup winner and let him go. However, Sport has dism...
Report: Celtic want midfielder Rodgers described as ‘real talent’ as Barca plot Jan move
According to The Sun, Celtic are keeping tabs on the situation of Leicester City midfielder Sidnei Tavares as he enters the last six months of his contract. The 19-year-old is also on the radars of the likes of Juventus, Porto and Bayern Munich, while Marseille manager Andre Villas Boas attempted to snap him up last January. However, it’s Spanish giants Barcelona that are looking more than ready to make a move for Tavares during the January transfer window. The La Liga heavyweights are hoping that Leicester will be keen to cash in on him in order to prevent losing him for nothing at the end of the season. However, should the Foxes hold on to the Portugal youth international beyond the January transfer window, Barca have a gentleman’s agreement with the club to be Tavares’ first choice dest...
Sevilla Midfielder Plays Down Transfer Talk Amid Arsenal Links
Spanish midfielder Joan Jordan has cooled any transfer speculation following reports of a move to Arsenal, insisting that he is focused on Sevilla. Jordan has made 19 appearances for Los Nervionenses in all competitions this season, helping them to sixth place in La Liga, and qualification for the Champions League round of 16. Jordan up against Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior His performances have reportedly attracted the attention of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who is believed to be a big admirer of the 26-year-old. According to the Mirror, the Gunners would have to stump up a £32m fee for his services. However, Arsenal’s hopes of signing the former Espanyol man have taken a blow, with the player confirming that he is committed to Sevilla at this moment. Speaking to Estadio Deportivo on the ...
Opinion: Out of favour Premier League ace would be the ideal signing for Atletico this month
Atletico Madrid have done very well in the Spanish League so far this season and they will be one of the favourites to win the title. Diego Simeone’s men are currently at the top of the table with 38 points from 15 matches. Their closest challengers Real Madrid are two points adrift having played two matches more. Atletico Madrid will be hoping to pull further clear of their cross town rivals in the coming weeks and a clever January addition could make a world of difference for them during the second half of the season. The fixture list during the second half of the season is going to be a lot more congested and teams will need more options at their disposal. Key areas that need strengthening Atletico Madrid could certainly use some depth in their attack and it will be interesting to...
