Alexandre Lacazette will only leave Lyon for team in Champions League

Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette wants to play Champions League football next season

In-demand striker Alexandre Lacazette says he will only leave Lyon for a team playing Champions League football.

Lacazette, 23, has attracted interest from a number of Europe's top clubs after scoring 27 goals for Ligue 1 runners-up Lyon and being named as France's player of the season.

Liverpool and Arsenal are two of the teams to be linked with his signature, but a move to Anfield appears to be out of the question after Lacazette told Le Parisien he wants to play in the Champions League.

"Everything depends on the destination. It would have to be for a Champions League club. Barcelona and Real Madrid - you don't reject them,” Lacazette said.

"I could stay at Lyon next season and have a terrible season, I could leave and have an incredible season.

"But today, between leaving and staying, it is not 50-50 - it is zero. I am not thinking about it. I am going to enjoy the national team and I will think about it after."

Lacazette, who is in the France squad for upcoming friendlies against Belgium and Albania, says he intends to relax this summer and let his agent deal with his future.

“I will go on holiday, let my agent talk and take care of all that. I won’t be disturbed. It won’t worry me at all,” he said.

“Once I have decided, I want everything to go quickly…If I go to a club with six centre-forwards, it's not the same as if I'm first choice."

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Reds demand Arsenal duo in Sterling deal

Theo Walcott: Impressed during the FA Cup final

Liverpool have reportedly informed Arsenal that they will only let Raheem Sterling join the Gunners if Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs are included in a swap deal.

Reds winger Sterling has been the subject of great interest from a number of top European clubs after it emerged that he was unwilling to sign a new deal, with Arsenal and Manchester City fronting the queue from these shores.

The 20-year-old has refused to change his stance on matters at Anfield and now the club could be looking into securing the best possible deal for them before Sterling's contract expires in 2017.

With Arsenal's apparent admiration for the young winger, ESPN claims that Liverpool have pushed ahead with a proposal that would see Walcott and Gibbs swap north London for Merseyside if the Gunners were keen to act upon their interest.

Both Walcott and Gibbs have struggled to nail down first-team places this season, but the Arsenal forward's goalscoring display in the FA Cup final could make Arsene Wenger reluctant to lose his services.

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Jamie Carragher: James Milner a potential Liverpool captain

Milner: has been widely linked with a move to Liverpool

Jamie Carragher says James Milner will compete for the Liverpool captaincy if he completes a free transfer from Manchester City.

The England midfielder is out of contract this summer and former Liverpool defender Carragher is hoping he will finalise a move to Anfield in the next fortnight.

And the Sky Sports pundit says Milner could now rival Jordan Henderson both for his position in Brendan Rodgers’ midfield and also as a potential successor to Steven Gerrard as club captain.

“Brendan Rodgers will have spoken to him about where he sees him fitting in but he's very similar to Jordan Henderson,” Carragher wrote on Kicca.

“I have no doubt one reason he's joining is to play in a more central role rather than out wide. Could Milner play a holding role? Maybe, but I don't think that's what suits him.

“His main strength is his engine which could suit him and Jordan to both play alongside a holding midfielder (Emre Can?) but his best position is tucked in from the right in a central role which is also Jordan Henderson's so it'll be interesting how those two fit into next year’s midfield set up.

“The fact that Brendan Rodgers wouldn't confirm Jordan Henderson as this season’s captain even though he was captain in Gerrard's absence last season makes me think him and Milner could be competing for the armband.

“Was that another thing that enticed Milner to join?”

Milner has won two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the League Cup since joining Manchester City from Aston Villa in 2010.

But after he started just 18 Premier League matches last season, Carragher applauded the 29-year-old for his willingness to move to a team that isn’t playing in the Champions League.

He added: “I think it's a very good signing - a free transfer who can play in a few positions and got great experience.

“A good character which you can see from the fact he's left Man City in the Champions League for Liverpool.

“That shows regular starts mean more to him at this time than being a squad player with more chance of picking up trophies at City.”

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Agent: Benteke won't sign new Villa deal

Christian Benteke: Linked with moves to Premier League rivals

Christian Benteke will turn down a new deal from Aston Villa and try force a move out of the club, his agent revealed during a prank phone call.

Regarded as one of the Premier League's most dangerous centre forwards, the Belgian has been heavily linked with a move away from Villa Park with a number of Premier League teams leading the chase for his signature.

With a turnaround in fortunes since Tim Sherwood joined the club, the 24-year-old has returned to his devastating best with the former Spurs boss desperate to tie down the striker to a new deal. 

Benteke's representative Kismet Eris stated on Monday the player wanted to play for a club in Europe's premier competition with Villa reluctant to sell him for anything less than his £32.5m buy-out fee.

Eris confirmed that he was hoping to meet with the club's chief executive Tom Fox and Sherwood in the next nine days to discuss what will happen with the Belgium international this summer.

However, Eris apparently revealed that his representative would not be staying at Villa during a prank phone call with an individual posing as a Premier League manager. 

"There is one thing for sure, he will not sign a new contract. I am waiting on a phone call from Tom Fox, I have to meet him," Eris is heard saying in the clip posted on Facebook.

"One thing for sure is that Christian will do whatever is possible legally, by insisting if he has to, to leave Aston Villa.

"That is not because he is not happy at all, it’s because just he wants to play for a higher team.

"Whatever happens he will not sign a new contract, but I can only talk about a new contract when it is proposed. As for now, there is nothing."

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Real Madrid do not want Raheem Sterling or Sergio Aguero, says Guillem Balague.

Sergio Aguero has been linked with a move to Real Madrid

Real Madrid will not make moves for Raheem Sterling or Sergio Aguero this summer, according to Sky Sports' Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.

Sterling has been linked with a move away from Liverpool but Balague insists he is not on Real’s radar.

Balague believes Madrid will monitor players who fit into the Galactico business model - which Aguero fits into - but does not expect the club to move for the player yet.

Aguero won the Premier League’s golden boot and has been praised for his impressive goal tally for Manchester City in the 2014-15 campaign and he looks set to stay in England.

Balague says Real Madrid are focussed on their pursuit of David de Gea and recalling players that impressed out on loan, rather than try to poach attacking talent from the Premier League.

“Sterling is not a player that they are looking to get. It is not someone they want to invest on and it is not someone they are going to even try," he said.

“The story of every summer with Real Madrid is they try to maintain the business model that has worked, which is to try to get a Galactico every year. There isn’t many players that people would be excited about Kun Aguero is certainly one of those and I think the media are responding to that.

“The plan is clear, to get De Gea and get players that were happy with on loan like Denis Cheryshev but there are no plans at the moment to get anybody as big as Aguero.”

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Alexandre Lacazette has offered a boost to the Ligue 1 club by hinting that his future lies there for at least another year

Alexandre Lacazette: Linked with move away from Lyon

Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette has offered a boost to the Ligue 1 club by hinting that his future lies there for at least another year.

The 24-year-old was Ligue 1's top scorer with 27 goals in the season recently concluded, earning him a recall to the France squad and sparking speculation over a summer switch to champions PSG and Liverpool.

But speaking to Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport, he described those reports as "unfounded" even while expressing his desire to stay in France - with Premier League interest also mooted.

He said: "At Lyon there is everything needed to have another good season.

"Staying in France reduces the risk, especially in the year leading up to the Euro. But all the rumours about PSG are unfounded."

Reflecting on his wonderful season, Lacazette pin-pointed the moment his form turned around.

He missed a penalty in Lyon's defeat to fierce rivals St Etienne on November 30 and drew a blank again Reims next time out, but then scored 13 goals in his next nine appearances in all competitions - 20 in 21 between December 7 and the season's end.

"Things picked up after November," he said. "When I missed my penalty against St Etienne, that mistake made me work harder."

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Martinez to make Porto exit this summer

Jackson Martinez: On the verge of leaving Porto

Arsenal and Liverpool target Jackson Martinez has announced that he will be leaving Portuguese giants Porto in the summer.

The Colombian international has proven to be one of the most lethal strikers in Europe with the 28-year-old racking up 21 goals in 29 league games last year.

While Martinez impressed individually, and guided Porto to the quarter-finals of the Champions League with his seven goals, the club finished second in the Portuguese league to rivals Benfica.

Now the forward appears eager to further his career after completing his duties in the Copa America this summer as he revealed in an interview to Colombian radio station Radio Caracol.

"I already received permission from Porto to leave," he said.

"Now I'm focused on the Colombian national team, but obviously waiting to know what will be my future."

 

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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers deserves time to win trophies, says Harry Kewell

Brendan Rodgers: Liverpool manager deserves time to bring trophies to the club, says former player Harry Kewell

Harry Kewell feels Brendan Rodgers is doing ‘a wonderful job’ at Liverpool and deserves to be given time to bring trophies to the club.

Rodgers will hold talks with chairman Tom Werner and other Anfield executives this week as they review the past season, although it is understood the manager’s position is not in any doubt.

Liverpool finished sixth in the Premier League but Rodgers came in for some stern criticism, initially for the poor form of his summer transfer signings and more recently when Liverpool finished their season with a 6-1 defeat at Stoke City.

That final-day thrashing was their worst loss since a 7-2 defeat to Tottenham in April 1963 but despite the nature of the result, Kewell – who made 139 appearances for the club in a five-year spell – feels Liverpool should show the same faith in Rodgers that Manchester United did with Sir Alex Ferguson during his early years in charge.

“Everyone is getting bigger, everyone is getting better and everyone is getting better players,” Kewell told Sky Sports News HQ.

“Everyone is criticising Liverpool at the moment, the way that they are playing, the way they are not scoring, not buying the right people. This, that and the other.  

“You have got to give it time. Brendan Rodgers is a good manager, I think he is doing a wonderful job. I think you just have to give him time.  It takes time to win titles.

“If you want to go back look at Alex Ferguson, he had a terrible time at the start of his career when he went to United but look what happened when he got stood by, look at what he achieved.

“I think it is easy to criticise managers straight away, saying if it’s not working let’s get rid of them and bring someone else in, but you need to be able to work with someone for a while to get them to understand your philosophy of football.”

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Gossip: Real Madrid plot £45m Sterling bid

Raheem Sterling: Linked with Real Madrid switch

Raheem Sterling to Real Madrid, Bastian Schweinsteiger top of Man United's wanted list and Chelsea chasing Enner Valencia are among the rumours in Tuesday's papers.

REAL MADRID REMAIN KEEN ON STERLING SWOOP

Raheem Sterling's future is likely to dominate the gossip columns for much of the summer, until that is that the player either signs a new Liverpool deal, or moves elsewhere.

Although linked with a move to the Spanish capital before, reports in The Sun claims powerful Real Madrid supremo Jose Angel Sanchez will make an official £45million bid for the star in the 'next fortnight'.

It's claimed that Liverpool's top brass will travel to Spain for a June 14 friendly between Real and Reds legends, with Sanchez keen on face-to-face talks to thrash out a deal.

Speaking to The Sun, a Bernabeu insider is claimed to have said: "A deal for Sterling is possible. He is definitely on the agenda and a deal could happen very soon if Liverpool want to do business."

SCHWEINSTEIGER STILL UNITED'S TOP TARGET

Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger remains Man United boss Louis van Gaal's number one target this summer, according to the Daily Star.

The long-serving Bayern star, 30, could be sold by Bayern this summer for a fee as low as £10million - a price that has very much peaked LVG's interest.

The paper, however, insists that should Schweinsteiger opt to stay in with the Bavarians, then United will switch tact to Morgan Schneiderlin - a story we brought you in Monday's Paper Talk, while Ilkay Gundogan remains another option.

CHELSEA TO STRIKE VALENCIA DEAL

West Ham striker Enner Valencia is wanted by Chelsea this summer, according to the Daily Star.

The champions reportedly see the powerful Ecuadorian as the perfect replacement for Didier Drogba, who played the final game for Chelsea on the last day of the season.

Valencia, who is currently back home preparing for the Copa America, said: "We are going to see what happens after the competition.

"I've heard of the interest from Chelsea, yes, and other teams.

"But we're going to wait. If it's for my good and that of West Ham then it's welcome."

Valencia, who signed in a £12million deal from Mexican club Pachuca last summer, has four years remaining on his Hammers deal, with the club insisting it would take a big bid to prise him from their clutches.

AND THE REST

- Leicester will step up their £8million pursuit of Shinji Okazaki after Mainz landed a replacement for the striker. (Daily Mirror)

- Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has confirmed he will move for Feyenoord skipper Jordy Clasie if Morgan Schneiderlin defects to a Champions League club. (Daily Mirror)

- Everton have opened talks with Tom Cleverley over a move to Goodison Park. (Daily Mirror)

- Steve Bruce has slapped a £10million price tag on in-demand Hull defender James Chester. (Daily Mirror)

- Manchester United are confident of signing Brazil's Dani Alves from Barcelona if Louis van Gaal opts to make a move for the 32-year-old right back. (The Guardian)

- Newcastle midfielder Moussa Sissoko is keen on a switch to Chelsea this summer and believes Jose Mourinho is keeping tabs on him. (Daily Express).

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Liverpool must stand firm on Raheem Sterling row, says Dietmar Hamann

Liverpool should forget about talking to Raheem Sterling or his agent unless a big offer comes in for him, says Dietmar Hamann.

Sterling has been at the centre of a contract row, and recently revealed he will not be signing an extension on his current deal, which has two years remaining.

Sterling’s agent, Aidy Ward, has come under fire for the ordeal being played out in public, and former Liverpool midfielder Hamann, speaking to Sky Sports News HQ at the Well Child Ed Chamberlin Classic golf day, believes the club should stand firm.

“It’s time for Liverpool to flex their muscles and show players and agents that this is Liverpool Football Club,” he said.

“I’m not sure whether Sterling’s agent would have come out with this quotes if he played for another club – whether it was Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea or Man Utd.

“Liverpool have got to show their teeth now and show people ‘this is how we do things’.

“Unless a club comes in with a big offer I wouldn’t even speak to the agent or the player. The player’s got two years left on his contract – there’s no need to talk now.

“I certainly wouldn’t offer him a new contract. I would wait and see because I think the jury’s still out. He’s a very talented player, but he was under par last season.”

Hamann admitted, however, it will be difficult for Liverpool to keep Sterling if he is already set on leaving.

If that is the case, says the German, Liverpool will want to cash in to avoid disruption, but they may struggle to get the fee they want.

“I always find it very difficult, when a player wants to leave the club, to keep them,” he added.

“If his head’s not there, he doesn’t want to be there, it’s a tricky situation.

“I’d rather see him somewhere else and get the money, but having said that, the price has got to be right.

“Whatever Liverpool ask for him – in excess of £35m, £40m or maybe £50m – whether anybody pays it I don’t know.”

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Liverpool close in on Milner - Report

James Milner: Heading for Anfield

Want-away Man City midfielder James Milner could be announced as a Liverpool player by the end of the week, according to reports.

Milner has held talks with both Arsenal and Liverpool about signing for them on a Bosman free transfer this summer, but now the Liverpool Echo reports an agreement has been reached with Liverpool and Milner's representatives, with advanced talks scheduled for later in the week.

The 29-year-old's contract at City expires this month and the club are believed to have offered him an improved deal of around £165,000 a week to stay, but Milner looks set to leave in pursuit of regular first-team football.

The England man started just 18 of the 32 Premier League games he appeared in last term and he is understood to be interested in a move to a club that would guarantee him a regular first-team place.

Liverpool are understood to have made those assurances to Milner, who will increase his current salary, although they will certainly not match the money offered to him by City in a bid to extend his five-year stay at The Etihad.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini said last month that he thought it was "possible" for Milner to stay with the dethroned champions. 

"Maybe City have already offered all that the club can offer, maybe it's not about more money, maybe there are different things to sign a new contract," said Pellegrini.

"You must ask James what is happening with him. I hope he will find an arrangement, and I think it's possible."

However, all the indications are that the versatile midfielder will sign on a free transfer at Anfield on July 1.

It will represent a huge boost for under-fire boss Brendan Rodgers, who had made Milner one of his top summer targets.

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Brendan Rodgers to meet with Liverpool owners

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