Sports Arena

Thursday, 23 January 2014

Premier League - Paper Round: Chelsea to gazump Liverpool over Salah

Chelsea could be about to step in an snatch away Liverpool's main January target but might have a hard job landing Wayne Rooney - here are the main stories making headlines in today's papers.

Chelsea ready to gazump Liverpool for Salah: Chelsea have launched a late bid to rival Liverpool for FC Basle forward/widemanMohamed Salah, according to the Daily Mail and reports in the Egyptian press. Salah has been long linked with Liverpool and was expected to be their big January capture but Chelsea are now said to be keen after selling Kevin De Bruyne and with Juan Mata seemingly on his way to Manchester United. Salah was thought to be valued around £12 million but Basle, sensing an auction, have asked for £16m for the 21-year-old and will now await improved offers.

Paper Round's view: Liverpool may have paid the price for haggling over a fee yet again (Clint Dempsey anyone?). If Salah was the man they really wanted they should have locked him, ready to announce on January 1st. Chelsea are hard to beat in the transfer market at the best of times, but with them flushed with cash after two big sales, it is hard to see Liverpool being able to compete if it is a straight bidding war for the player. Liverpool may have built up some goodwill with Salah but they certainly need to act fast now if they are to get their man. Chelsea certainly know all about the player after he starred against them in the Champions League earlier this season.

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Rooney makes United u-turn: It may be 'Crisis Point' for United after last night's League Cup exit at the hands of Sunderland, but to every cloud there is a silver lining - and in this case it is the news that Wayne Rooney wants to stay beyond next season. That's the claim in the Daily Mirror this morning, with United ready to open talks with him once they have tied up the signing of Juan Mata. The paper says that United boss David Moyes has instructed his money-men to start discussions with Rooney in a bid to keep the England striker out of Chelsea's grasp in the summer.

Paper Round's view: The headline and opening gambit of the article claim that Rooney himself is keen on contract talks, but the remainder of the piece fails to back up that view - it merely adds that the club are ready to open talks on a new deal. So nothing new there. That's not to say that Mata's arrival at Old Trafford will not tempt Rooney to stay on beyond this season, but until Rooney himself speaks out - something he has seemed reluctant to do - we are all pretty much in the dark.

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Chelsea planning renewed Rooney bid: Despite the Mirror's claims, The Times reports today that Chelsea are plotting another bid to sign Rooney in the summer, in the belief that his expiring contract will enable them to get him on the cheap. The paper is clear that Rooney's name has not been discussed in this week's Mata talks between the two clubs but he "remains very much in José Mourinho’s plans for next season". The London club believe that selling Mata to United may even increase their chances of landing the England striker, given that the Spain midfielder could be viewed as an ideal replacement for Rooney.

Paper Round's view: Chelsea may not mind selling a top player to United, but the outgoing champions (barring a miracle) have made it clear they do not wish to do likewise - as evidenced by the two Blues bids that were rejected last summer. Reports yesterday claimed that Real Madrid were interested and the Spanish club would surely be more preferable destination in United's eyes, should the decision be made to offload Rooney. Still, that won't stop Chelsea from trying and United may come to a point where they are forced to sell up, or face writing off a £20m-plus fee and destabilising the dressing room should the player want out.

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Cardiff confident of getting Zaha: In yet more Manchester United transfer news (it was always going to be all about them this month, wasn't it?), Cardiff City expect to sign Red Devils misfit Wilfried Zaha, according to the Daily Mirror. But the report makes clear that the England winger has not yet had a medical ahead of a move to the Welsh club. Zaha was spotted leaving the Bridgewater Hospital in Manchester on Wednesday, but the Mirror "understands" that he was having a regulation x-ray on his toe after a picking up a knock while playing for the reserves.

Paper Round's view: Zaha's exit from United seems as certain as Mata's from Chelsea. This news of a non-medical is unlikely to throw any spanners in the works and with the player having little chance of breaking into the first team under Moyes, his future clearly lies elsewhere.

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Senderos targeted by Italian giants: In rare non-Manchester United news, Philippe Senderos is ready to quit Fulham after being targeted by Serie A side Lazio, reports the Daily Express. In a brief report, the paper claims that contract talks to keep the 28-year-old at Craven Cottage have been put on hold until the end of the season. It adds that the Switzerland international will become a free agent in the summer and can open negotiations with clubs from the continent.

Paper Round's view: If Senderos wanted to feel wanted by Fulham, the club have failed him here. For a club to say they will only open talks once his contract has already expired is as good as telling the player where to get off. If Lazio are indeed interested, Senderos should jump at the chance.

Transfer news: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says January signing unlikely

Arsene Wenger says it is looking increasingly unlikely that Arsenal will sign anyone with just over a week left to go in the January transfer window.

Arsenal had been linked with moves for a number of players and had been expected to add to their squad after a spate of injuries in the last month.

But Wenger - who dismissed speculation linking the club with a move for Schalke midfielder Julian Draxler - insists he will not bring in a player this window purely for the sake of it.

"It looks very unlikely," Wenger said regarding the prospect of bringing any new faces in this month. "It is 23 January today and at the moment I must say we are not close to doing anything.

"I feel a bit guilty always going to a press conference during the transfer market and having nobody to announce (as a signing) but I don't want to lie.

"We have Chamberlain back, Bendtner back and I hope next week Arteta and Ramsey back, so I feel overall we have the squad needed. We have Yaya Sanogo coming back into the squad next week as well.

"Overall we have a very strong squad. If something exceptional turns up we will do it but having said that not everybody will strengthen. They buy, but buy does not always mean strengthen."

Meanwhile, Arsenal face Coventry in the FA Cup fourth round in front of a sell-out crowd on Friday evening and Wenger insists his side will be going all-out for victory.

"I have total respect for people who will come to this game and it is a sell-out. It's fantastic," he said.

"We have to prepare for this game seriously. We are on a good run and we want to gain respect

"I know much more than you think about Coventry," he added. "I've had many difficult games against them."

Premier League: Arsene Wenger is ready to offer a new deal to Thomas Vermaelen

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is hoping to conclude contract negotiations with four senior players.

Thomas Vermaelen has seen his chances limited this season due to the form of centre-backs Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny, with the Belgian starting just three Premier League games.

However, Wenger believes the former Ajax defender is worthy of a new deal despite a lack of playing time this term.

"I am ready to extend his contract. We want Thomas Vermaelen to be happy and have the number of games a player of his class deserves," Wenger told arsenal.com.

"On my side, I have a high respect for his qualities and attitudes and I am ready to extend his contract.

"At the moment we're all on board for something this season that is respectable. At the end of the season I can sit down with Thomas and see what he thinks about it."

Vermaelen's replacement Mertesacker is expected to secure a new deal soon, along with right-back Bacary Sagna and 33-year-old Tomas Rosicky.

Wenger revealed: "The new contracts are very close. Not for all of them but for most of them."

FA Cup: Arsene Wenger warns Arsenal against complacency when facing Coventry

Arsene Wenger has warned his Arsenal side to take nothing for granted as they prepare to host Coventry City in the FA Cup on Friday night.

It has been almost a decade since Arsenal lifted silverware, and Wenger is confident this side can finally deliver the trophy the supporters crave in 2014.

"We have to prepare seriously for this game, because we are on a good run and it will be really not welcome at all not to take this game seriously," Wenger said.

"We are still in a moment of our lifetime, this team, where we want to gain respect and through our attitude is the best way to gain respect.

"Football maybe is the only sport which can make it so unpredictable and that is why it is so interesting as well.

"If you have two or three divisions' difference in basketball or rugby, volleyball or handball, you cannot do it, but in football you can."

Wenger, reflecting on last season's fifth round exit defeat by Blackburn, said: "It was the first time in 16 years that we lost against lower league opposition in the FA Cup, so that was a great warning.

"At the moment, this is just our next game and we want to win it."

Wenger also added that he would be keen to keep Thomas Vermaelen at the club, despite the Belgium defender's lack of first-team opportunities this season.

"I have a high respect for his qualities and attitude and I am ready to extend

his contract," he said.

"We want Thomas Vermaelen to be happy and have the number of games a player of his class deserves.

"At the moment we are all on board for something this season that is respectable. At the end of the season I can sit down with Thomas and see what he thinks about it."

Arsene Wenger thinks Juan Mata's proposed transfer to Man Utd from Chelsea is unfair

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Juan Mata's possible move from Chelsea to Manchester United lacks 'fairness'.

It is understood that the Spaniard will move to Old Trafford, with reports suggesting that the Blues have accepted a £40m offer from the Premier League champions.

However, Wenger believes it is unfair that Chelsea are selling Mata to United, particularly as the two clubs have played each other twice in the Premier League this season.

"I am surprised. Juan Mata is a great player and they sell a great player to a direct opponent," Wenger said.

"Chelsea have already played twice against Man United, they could have sold him last week.

"I think if you want to respect the fairness for everybody, this should not happen.

"I can understand completely what Chelsea are doing, and they do not make the rules, but maybe the rules should be a bit more adapted for fairness."

Arsenal, who are two points ahead of third-placed Chelsea, could face Mata when United travel to the Emirates on February 12.

Manchester United slip to fourth in Deloitte money league of richest clubs

Manchester United have dropped to fourth place for the first time in a list of the world's highest earning clubs.

United's total revenue has increased from £323.7m to £346.5m in the last season, but they've still been overtaken by Bayern Munich in Deloitte's Football Money League report.

That has been put down to the German club's UEFA Champions League and domestic success, which helped their revenue increase by 17 per cent to £352.5m.

The report puts five English clubs in the top 20. Sheikh Mansour's Manchester City have risen to sixth position in the table, putting them above Premier League rivals Chelsea (7th) and Arsenal (8th) for the first time.

Tottenham Hotspur maintained their 14th position. Deloitte say other English clubs such as Everton, Newcastle United, and West Ham United could challenge for top 20 positions next season because of the new Premier League broadcast deal.

The combined revenue of the top 20 clubs, almost all of which grew during 2012/13, increased by 8 per cent to £4.4bn, much faster than the global economy.

Real Madrid top the money league for the ninth consecutive year, beating Manchester United's previous eight-year run, with total revenue of £424.2m. Barcelona hold onto second spot.

Austin Houlihan, senior manager in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte said: "Whilst Manchester United drop one place in the money league, a number of the club's recent commercial deals will boost revenue in 2013/14, so this fall to fourth place may only be temporary.

"These deals, combined with the impact of the improved three-year Premier League broadcast deals from 2013/14, mean they are likely to get close to the €500m (£408.7m) revenue mark in next year's money league.

"Beyond 2013/14, consistent qualification for the Champions League is key in United challenging to regain top spot in the money league, a position it last held in 2003/04."

Dan Jones, partner in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte, said: "Real Madrid remain firmly at the top of the money league, even though the club experienced a trophy-less end to the 2012/13 season.

"Despite tough economic conditions, particularly within Spain, the club's ability to generate substantial commercial revenue both domestically and internationally is central to their success. This helped widen the gap to their nearest rivals in the money league, FC Barcelona, to €36m (£29.4m)."

In addition, Paris Saint-Germain climb into the top five. The club's revenue has almost quadrupled to £326m since 2010/11, and includes commercial revenue of £208.2m - the highest ever single revenue source from a football club.

Houlihan added: "PSG are the fastest climber in this year's money league, claiming the highest ever position for a French club. They are the country's sole representative in this year's top 20.

"We expect to see them become a mainstay in the top five in years to come, backed by their ambitious Qatari owners and strong commercial support.

"The high-profile signing of David Beckham in the second half of the 2012/13 season only served to enhance the club's worldwide profile.

"Importantly, commercial success off the pitch is translating into improved on-pitch performance for the club, including winning their first Championnat title in 19 years."

Galatasaray and Fenerbahce's appearance in the money league, following successful campaigns in European competition, make it the first time since 2005/06 that two clubs from outside the 'big five' European countries appear in the top 20.

United should go the way of Chelsea FC and not Liverpool FC

When Sir Alex Ferguson bow last season and hand pick the then Everton boss David Moyos a lot of football analys around the world saw it as a reward for hard work considering the fact that Moyes sent 11 years of coaching/managerial life with one club. The question that was not consider then was is "United looking for a Manager or longetivity" ? Well as harsh as it sounds I think they pay more attention to the later.If the idea of attempting to emulate Chelsea isn't favourable to them, United would do well to considerLiverpool’s fate over the past 20 years. Then they may soon change their tune.

"King" Kenny Dalglish, who had a similar iconic status at Anfield as Ferguson did at Old Trafford, resigned as Reds manager in 1991, with Graeme Souness the man selected to replace him.

Under Dalglish Liverpool had been league champions three times and FA Cup winners twice, and had never finished lower than runners-up during the Scotsman’s five-and-a-half years in charge.

But during three-and-half unfruitful years in charge of the Reds, Souness could only guide Liverpool to a highest finish of sixth. The manager was sacked midway through the 1994/95 season, and the once-great club have searched for a league title ever since. Liverpool’s first season under Souness was an embarrassment and he should have been shown the door, but he wasn’t – a fine example of a manager being given too much time.

Sacking David Moyes may lead to a managerial merry-go-round, something Manchester United – who had 27 years of consistency, reliability and success – are not used to.

But game has changed since they gave all that time to Ferguson at the start of his regime in the eighties.

Sacking Moyes would be a financial burden but any compensation due would pale in comparison to the figures they would lose if they slip out of the Champions League reckoning.

The crisis in the red half of Manchester in recent time shouldn't have come as a huge surprise to many who follow the procedures or process at which Moyes was handed the big job, by big Sir Alex Ferguson to fill a very Big a shoe of his. Before Moyes was considered by the board they were some big name managers waiting deligently around the world for the seat, with report linking Mourinho and others to fill the void then but the special one later got his dream job at Chelsea. You've been the most experience of my life now is time to get behind your new manager, those was the word of Sir Alex ferguson which I think the fans should not honour anymore. But it’s now time they stopped getting behind their manager, because he’s the wrong man for the job - and the defeat to Sunderland in the semi-final of the League Cup is last piece of evidence needed. The United board need to hold their hands up and admit they made a mistake, thank Moyes for his efforts, and part ways. Manchester United aren't a club to make snap decisions – they did honour the Scot with a six-year deal, after all – but, with over half of the season gone, a change needs to be made if they are to resurrect their shambolic campaign or even make top four position this season.
The 20-times league champions would be reluctant to take any tips from Chelsea, but there are lessons to be learned from the Blues. Andre Villas-Boas was named manager of the London-based club in June of 2011, but the Portuguese manager – who cost them over £13 million in compensation from Porto – failed to impress at Stamford Bridge.If the idea of attempting to emulate Chelsea isn't favourable to them, United would do well to considerLiverpool’s fate over the past 20 years. Then they may soon change their tune.

"King" Kenny Dalglish, who had a similar iconic status at Anfield as Ferguson did at Old Trafford, resigned as Reds manager in 1991, with Graeme Souness the man selected to replace him.

Under Dalglish Liverpool had been league champions three times and FA Cup winners twice, and had never finished lower than runners-up during the Scotsman’s five-and-a-half years in charge.

Sacking David Moyes may lead to a managerial merry-go-round, something Manchester United – who had 27 years of consistency, reliability and success – are not used to.

But game has changed since they gave all that time to Ferguson at the start of his regime in the eighties.

Sacking Moyes would be a financial burden but any compensation due would pale in comparison to the figures they would lose if they slip out of the Champions League reckoning.

Paper Round: Rooney gives United reason to cheer

Rooney makes United u-turn: It may be 'Crisis Point' for United after last night's League Cup exit at the hands of Sunderland, but to every cloud there is a silver lining - and in this case it is the news thatWayne Rooney wants to stay beyond next season. That's the claim in the Daily Mirror this morning, with United ready to open talks with him once they have tied up the signing of Juan Mata. The paper says that United boss David Moyes has instructed his money-men to start discussions with Rooney in a bid to keep the England striker out ofChelsea's grasp in the summer.

Read the full story.

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Read the full story (paywall).

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Sports Arena

Thursday, 23 January 2014

TOP TRANSFER STORIES

Video - Latest transfer news

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Premier League - Paper Round: Chelsea to gazump Liverpool over Salah

Chelsea could be about to step in an snatch away Liverpool's main January target but might have a hard job landing Wayne Rooney - here are the main stories making headlines in today's papers.

Transfer news: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says January signing unlikely

Premier League: Arsene Wenger is ready to offer a new deal to Thomas Vermaelen

FA Cup: Arsene Wenger warns Arsenal against complacency when facing Coventry

Arsene Wenger thinks Juan Mata's proposed transfer to Man Utd from Chelsea is unfair

Manchester United slip to fourth in Deloitte money league of richest clubs

United should go the way of Chelsea FC and not Liverpool FC

Paper Round: Rooney gives United reason to cheer

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Thursday, 23 January 2014

22:01

21:34

21:02

20:52

20:34

20:19

20:13

20:12

19:14

19:14

19:12

19:11

19:11

19:10

18:49

17:59

17:42

16:49

16:28

16:27

16:24

Chelsea could be about to step in an snatch away Liverpool's main January target but might have a hard job landing Wayne Rooney - here are the main stories making headlines in today's papers.

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