Marco Reus 'flattered' by transfer speculation

Marco Reus: Keen to stay at Dortmund

Arsenal and Liverpool target Marco Reus is "flattered" by speculation concerning his future, but is happy at Borussia Dortmund, according to his agency.

The German international has long been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Arsenal and Liverpool regularly credited with an interest in the forward's services.

Real Madrid are also thought to be fans of the 26-year-old, while reports emanating from Italy claimed Arsenal were frontrunners for his signature on Saturday.

The agency representing Reus, Sport Total, have welcomed the speculation concerning their client's future, but insist he is happy at Dortmund.

"We read the rumours that are circulating about an alleged transfer for Marco," the agency said in a statement released to Tuttojuve.com.

"We can say with certainty that the player is having a wonderful time at Dortmund. He is flattered by the interest of many European teams but he's recently decided to stay in Dortmund."

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Norwich agree loan of Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom

Andre Wisdom: To join Norwich on loan

Premier League newcomers Norwich have agreed a season-long loan deal for versatile Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom.

Although the defender has made just 22 appearances in three years within the Liverpool first-team, Wisdom arrives with plenty of experience after loan spells at Derby and West Brom over the last two seasons.

Wisdom made 38 appearances for County in 2013/14, helping them finish third in the Championship, before making 24 Premier League appearances for West Brom last campaign.

The 22-year-old has been on the books at Anfield since 2008, and signed a five-year deal back in May, but will complete his move to Carrow Road within the week, according to widespread reports.

Alex Neil is willing to pay a fee of around £1.25million to secure Wisdom's services for a year, and the defender, who is adept across the back four, will become the Canaries' fourth signing of the summer, with Robbie Brady expected to join soon from Hull.

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Liverpool striker Danny Ings says 'I'll create space for my new team-mates'

Danny Ings: Celebrates a goal during Liverpool's recent pre-season friendly against Adelaide United

Danny Ings believes his all-action style should help to create space for his new Liverpool team-mates.

The summer signing from Burnley faces plenty of competition for a striking role at Anfield this season following the purchase of Christian Benteke, not to mention Daniel Sturridge who will be pushing for a place in the starting line-up once he recovers from injury.

Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert are also members of the first team squad but Ings says he is ready to make difficult for Premier League strikers.

The 23-year-old said: "After my knee injury a few years ago, I sort of devoted my whole time to working on my speed, my movement, and my creativity.

"What I've found was really effective, even at Championship level, was making runs constantly in behind.

"As soon as a defender switches off that run in behind is so effective.

"As long as there's someone stretching the pitch and you've got your creative players behind you in that space – and you've got players at this football club to feed those runs – you can be an effective team.

"With the way the game is going, it's full of creative players now, players who want to be on the ball all the time.

"But I really do think, even if I don't touch the ball as much as some other guys if I'm still stretching the game it's still as effective.

"It can all get too crunched and if you don't create space for those players, in behind you, then it's hard to create opportunities.

"I'll always work on my game and stretching in behind."

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Rafael Benitez 'tidying up Jose Mourinho's messes'

Jose Mourinho and Rafael Benitez: Managerial rivals

Rafael Benitez has found himself tasked with clearing up another of Jose Mourinho's "messes" at Real Madrid, according to the Spaniard's wife.

Benitez has succeeded Mourinho, with whom he shared a particularly bitter rivalry while manager of Liverpool, as manager at three clubs after his summer appointment at Real Madrid.

Mourinho left Inter Milan after winning the treble with the Italians in the 2009-10 season, with Benitez lasting just six months as his immediate replacement.

Benitez was also one of seven Chelsea managers in the six-year period after Mourinho's first spell at Stamford Bridge, and has now jumped into the Real Madrid hot seat just two years after the Portuguese left the Santiago Bernabeu.

Speaking to Spanish outlet La Region, Benitez's wife, Montserrat Seara, says the former Napoli boss has had to "tidy up" what Mourinho has left behind at each of those clubs.

"We tidy up his messes," she said. "If you think about it, of course you end up crossing paths. There are only a few world-class clubs out there."

Montserrat Seara added the 55-year-old, who began his managerial career in 1993, is not close to considering retirement.

"I don't know if he'll ever retire," she added. "All being well, he has 20 years of football left."

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Aston Villa 'to beat' Liverpool, Spurs to Jordan Veretout

Jordan Veretout: On brink of Villa move

Nantes chief Waldemar Kita says a deal to sell Aston Villa and Liverpool target Jordan Veretout to a Premier League club is "basically agreed".

Midfielder Veretout has been linked with moves to Aston Villa, Liverpool and Spurs throughout the summer, with French newspaper L'Equipe claiming last week that the Reds had offered £10.7million for the 22-year-old's services.

The Frenchman scored seven goals and provided six assists for Nantes in 36 Ligue Un appearances last season, with many of Europe's top clubs now taking an interest in the France youth international.

With Liverpool thought to be winning the race for his signature, Nantes president Kita has admitted a deal to sell Veretout to "a great English club" is "basically agreed".

"We are basically agreed on everything," Kita told L'Equipe, who claim Villa are now the frontrunners for Veretout's signing.

"I am obliged to give in, he is 22, he has a big future and he will play for a great English club."

"The problem is that there is a substantial tax in France that does not exist elsewhere.

"If (Veretout) has a delusional salary and he comes to see me and decides to leave, it will be hard to oppose."

Veretout would become Villa's seventh permanent signing of the summer after Scott Sinclair, Micah Richards, Mark Bunn, Idrissa Gueye, Jordan Amavi and Jordan Ayew have all arrived for a cumulative £29million, with the departures of Christian Benteke and Fabian Delph leaving Tim Sherwood with room to improve his squad.

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Sampdoria ask Liverpool for Mario Balotelli 'discount'

Mario Balotelli: On the market

Sampdoria have admitted their interest in Italian striker Mario Balotelli, but have asked Liverpool to lower their £7.1m asking price.

After struggling in his debut season at Anfield, Balotelli's future has come under intense scrutiny this summer, with Brendan Rodgers reportedly willing to listen to offers for the man he signed for £16million just 12 months ago.

The Northern Irishman fueled further speculation just last week by admitting he was "not sure" whether the Italian international would still be at the club by the conclusion of the current transfer window.

Sampdoria, who finished 7th in Serie A last season, have previously discussed a potential move for Balotelli, while Serie C outfit Castelli have offered an unlikely exit route for the 24-year-old.

With Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino and Danny Ings all signing this summer to strengthen Liverpool's forward line, Sampdoria have admitted purchasing Balotelli is a temptation, but that the Reds would have to lower their asking price.

Reports claim Liverpool are seeking to recoup less than half of what they initially paid for the striker, who scored four goals in 28 appearances last season, but Sampdoria are only willing to do a deal if the price is cut further, says club president Massimo Ferrero.

"They told me that Mario was yesterday in Genoa," Ferrero told reporters on Monday.

"He costs €10m (£7.1m) but, with discount, you look with open arms."

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