Manchester City make improved Sterling bid

Raheem Sterling: Subject of another bid from Manchester City

Manchester City have made an improved £45million bid for wantaway Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling, according to reports.

The club have already failed with two bids for the England international but the Daily Mail have reported that Man City sources believe they are close to securing a deal for the 20-year-old.

With Manuel Pellegrini making Sterling a priority in the transfer window, City's eagerness to wrap up the deal means that the winger will not travel with the Liverpool squad when they head out to Thailand on Sunday, it is understood.

Sterling was named in Liverpool's 30-man squad on Saturday for their tour of Thailand, Australia and Malaysia, but fresh developments mean he will not board the plane.

While there is no deal in place, talks are sufficiently advanced that Sterling will stay behind to see if a deal can be completed.

petikan dari LiverpoolTeamTalk

Continue Reading→

Raheem Sterling to miss Liverpool's tour to Thailand

Raheem Sterling: To miss Liverpool tour

Raheem Sterling will not travel with the Liverpool squad when they head out to Thailand on Sunday.

Sterling was on Saturday named in Liverpool's 30-man squad for their tour of Thailand, Australia and Malaysia, but fresh developments over a potential move to a Premier League club - which Sky sources understand is Manchester City - mean he will not board the plane.

While there is no deal in place, talks are sufficiently advanced that Sterling will stay behind to see if a deal can be completed.

Sterling missed the start of pre-season training earlier this week, citing illness as he sat out Wednesday and Thursday's sessions before reporting on Friday.

Liverpool are due to fly to Bangkok on Sunday ahead of their first friendly against a Thai All Stars side next Tuesday.

More to follow…

petikan dari LiverpoolTeamTalk

Continue Reading→

Steven Gerrard's class shone through on LA Galaxy debut

Steven Gerrard showed plenty of class on LA Galaxy debut

Steven Gerrard showed that he’s more than capable of having a huge effect on the MLS after a classy 45 minute debut for LA Galaxy.

The Galaxy’s new signing started in central midfield in their 2-1 win over Mexican giants Club America in the International Champions Cup and his team-mates would have been impressed with how quickly Gerrard fitted into their system.

The former Liverpool captain was donning a shirt of a different club team for the first time in 27 years but it didn’t stop him producing much of the same from his time in the Premier League.

No player on the pitch during the first half had more touches or completed more passes than Gerrard. His long passing, especially, was of a very high standard as shown in the fifth minute when he raked a 50-yard pass right into the path of full-back Dan Gargan, who didn’t have to check his stride to control the pass.

It was one of four 40-yard or further passes that Gerrard completed in his 45-minute cameo as he quickly got onto the wavelength of his team-mates – something that can take months to master. 

That understanding was on full show on 22 minutes when he linked up superbly with Jose Villarreal, whose flick was perfectly timed for a trademark Gerrard forward burst from midfield but it was just a shame he couldn’t find a way past goalkeeper Hugo Gonzalez with the finish.

His relationship with central midfield partner Juninho made for interesting viewing. Head coach Bruce Arena is particularly excited about the duo as a potential MLS force with Gerrard given licence to roam forward as Juninho is more of a holding player in front of the back-four. 

You could perhaps argue that their lack of positional awareness played a small part in Club America’s opening goal when Carlos Quintero strode through the heart of the Galaxy defence unmarked but Arena was happy with what he saw from the pair.

He said: “Steven played well - his passing was very good and his partnership with Juninho was good. 

“He won some tackles and help create some chances. He also could have had a goal but the goalkeeper made a great save, so it was very encouraging. He looked like he belonged and his leadership was really good.

“He is probably about a month away from being fit enough to play a full match. It will take some games. It doesn't come from training, he will have to play some matches and we will try to slowly build him into that."

As with all major transfers, the marketing men would have been keeping a close eye on how the Gerrard brand was going down in and around the stadium. A big tick can go in that box, according to Sky Sports News HQ reporter Vinny O’Connor, who is in LA following the Gerrard story.

He reported that the Galaxy hierarchy would have delighted with the reception that their marquee signing received from the 27,934 sell-out crowd at the StubHub Center stadium.

O'Connor said: “He was introduced to the fans at half-time last week against Toronto and he got the same reception here. The fans were shouting for him and asking for autographs. When the game kicked off the fans started chanting his name. Inside the StubHub Center, every kiosk is selling Gerrard merchandise. It’s really been an immense welcome for him. 

“His debut went according to plan. He eased himself into the game gently and there is still bit of work to be done in that central midfield partnership with Juninho in terms of who goes and who stays as they operate in that 4-4-2.

"After that initial first 15 minute spell you could start to see more of the full range of Gerrard passing. He got more involved in the game and became more vocal, even with the referee at times. 

“All-in-all it was a promising debut.”

Promising indeed. Next stop for Gerrard will be the San Jose Earthquakes next Saturday morning, where - barring no fitness issues – he’ll make his MLS debut.

petikan dari LiverpoolTeamTalk

Continue Reading→

Gossip: Man United ready Benteke bid

Christian Benteke: Target for Manchester United

Manchester United are set to make a move for Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, while Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool eye Barcelona's Pedro.

UNITED STEP UP BENTEKE INTEREST

The Sun on Sunday says that Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke is next on Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal’s hitlist after the stunning capture of Bastian Schweinsteiger.

After Villa captain Fabian Delph decided to snub a move to Manchester City, Tim Sherwood will be hoping that his formidable striker will be the next man to reject a move to the north west.

Van Gaal's sights are now set on adding reinforcements to the forward department with the outgoing Robin van Persie and exit of Radamel Falcao earlier in the summer.

Since rediscovering his goalscoring touch last season, Benteke has notched up an impressive 42 goals in all competitions and could be the ideal fit to lead the line for LVG.

TRIO BOOSTED BY PEDRO NEWS

According to the Sunday Express, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea have been put on red alert following the news that Barcelona have reduced Pedro's buy-out clause from £107million to just £21.5million.

The Barcelona winger spent the majority of last season on the bench and despite signing a new contract with the Catalan giants until 2019, the addition of Atletico Madrid winger Arda Turan has moved the Spaniard further down the pecking order, with Pedro admitting that his position is "obviously delicate".

Arsenal have reportedly been long-terms suitors for the 27-year-old, but Liverpool and Chelsea are also circling with the news that the player's buyout clause has been drastically reduced.

AND THE REST

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is set to switch from budget brand to big money buyer with a £40m transfer spree. (Express on Sunday)

Daniel Levy has told Spurs head coach Mauricio Pochettino to show at least six players the door before he can pursue any more costly imports such as Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin. (Express on Sunday)

Martin O'Neill will ask Roy Keane to move with him if he’s offered the chance to make an emotional return to Leicester City. (Sunday Mirror)

Tottenham are preparing a bid for Everton midfielder James McCarthy, who is valued at around £20m by the Toffees. (Sunday Mirror)

Manchester United have made their move for Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak. Atletico are demanding the £30m get-out clause in the Slovenia goalkeeper’s contract is met, but sources close to the club claim an offer in the region of £21.5m will land him. (Sunday Mirror)

Real Madrid are considering a £22m offer from Liverpool for winger Denis Cheryshev. (Sunday Mirror)

Manchester United are reportedly demanding Sergio Ramos and Keylor Navas from Real Madrid in exchange for David de Gea. (Sunday Mirror)

Premier League new-boys Bournemouth are set to splash the cash again – with a £7.5m swoop for Nottingham Forest winger Michail Antonio. (Daily Star)

Paul Pogba's move to Manchester City is being held up because of an image-rights problem. (Daily Star)

Jose Mourinho has reportedly made an eleventh hour move to bring Manchester United target Nicolas Otamendi to Chelsea from Valencia. (Daily Star)

Juventus are eyeing a shock £28.8m raid on Arsenal for midfielder ace Mesut Ozil. (Daily Star)

Liverpool are ready to make Dortmund winger Marco Reus their next summer signing. (Daily Star)

Defender Federico Fazio looks set to be kicked out of Tottenham — less than a year after signing. (The Sun on Sunday)

Stoke City are in talks with Udinese midfield destroyer Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu. (The Sun on Sunday)

Tottenham are set to re-enter the race to sign Morgan Scheiderlin from Southampton after Manchester United agreed a deal for Bastian Schweinsteiger. (Mail on Sunday)

Rangers boss Mark Warburton is keen to sign Andy Halliday after he impressed in a friendly against Spurs and is also considering fellow trialist Reece Wabara. (Mail on Sunday)

Watford have joined the race to sign Max Gradel from St Etienne along with Bournemouth. (Mail on Sunday)

Former Tottenham youngster Tomislav Gomelt is set to join Serie B side Bari. (Mail on Sunday)

Stephan El Shaarawy set to leave AC Milan to join Ligue 1 side Monaco. (Mail on Sunday)

John Guidetti lands permanent move to Celta Vigo after being released by Manchester City. (Mail on Sunday)

Arsenal have been boosted in their hopes of signing Alexandre Lacazette after Lyon's head coach admitted the strike could leave. (Sunday Telegraph)

The Gunners are also interested in Real Madrid's Karim Benzema and Roma's Kostas Manolas. (Sunday Telegraph)

Marco Reus is a contender to replace Raheem Sterling at Liverpool. (Sunday Telegraph)

Manchester United are interested in replacing Robin van Persie with Thomas Muller. (Sunday Telegraph)

petikan dari LiverpoolTeamTalk

Continue Reading→