United Close on Kagawa - Modric Next?

Having lost out to Chelsea in the long, frustrating race to sign Lille's promising attacker Eden Hazard, Manchester United have turned their focus to Borussia Dortmund's attacking midfielder Shinji Kagawa.

Kagawa has been linked to United for a few months, with Sir Alex Ferguson travelling to Berlin to watch the Japanese international in action against Bayern Munich in the German Cup Final in which Kagawa scored in the Dortmund win several weeks ago.

Now reports claim that a deal is close to being completed for the 23 year-old midfielder, with only a few details to be finalised in order for the deal to go through according to Dortmund's director of sport, Michael Zorc who was also keen to highlight that Kagawa has a contract with Dortmund running until 2013.

With details having been completed between United and Kagawa's agent, Thomas Kroth, some reports claim that Kagawa will soon sign a five year contract worth £100,000 per week, with a fee somewhere in the region of £15 million to be paid to Dortmund, who spent just under £300,000 on the player two seasons ago.

Furthermore, Manchester United's interest in Tottenham's Croatian play maker Luka Modric has resurfaced in the speculation columns, with Kagawa's potential signing still not a solution for the often troubling situation United have in the centre of midfield which saw them forced to happily accept the retired Paul Scholes back into the squad last season.

Tottenham have failed to reach the Champions League despite finishing in a qualification spot due to Chelsea's European Cup win and therefore automatic entry to next years competition, and this will only fuel the suggestions that Luka Modric will want out of White Hart Lane. Having been chased by Chelsea and United last summer, we may see this race reignited.

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Nasri To Stay - Mata Deal Close

There finally seems to be some good news at Arsenal, or better news than what has been wheeled out in the last few weeks. Instead of more on Cesc Fabregas' endless transfer saga to Barcelona, we turn to Nasri, who has had his own saga this year, but has now has apparently told Arsenal that he will stay for at least one more year.

While this does mean that he will be a likely departure next summer, it also means Arsenal will be able to squeeze another year out of him, and considering his good form at the start of last season, this is a good thing for Arsenal, who are doing their best to keep hold of their best players.

It is understood that Nasri has turned down Arsenal's new contract offer of £115,000 per week and will run down his contract with a year remaining, due to strong interest from both Manchester City and Manchester United. According to reports, City are willing to pay Nasri £160,000 a week, and had offered Arsenal £20 million for his services - a bid that was rejected.

Meanwhile, the Star makes a very bold and extremely confident claim that "Juan Mata will sign for Arsenal in the next 24 hours." It is a sentence which will delight many Arsenal fans, who have seen the promising young Spaniard play for the Spain Under-21's and his club Valencia after putting in some superb performances.

Arsenal have been tracking Mata all summer, mainly because many thought that he would come in as a replacement for Nasri. However, due to strong interest from several other top clubs across Europe in Mata, Arsenal have had to move fast to dissuade him from joining anyone else.

The 23 year-old midfielder has a £17.5 million buy-out clause in his Valencia contract, but it is believed that he is available for £13.2 million considering his relative inexperience, and it is a fee Arsenal have met. Arsenal's local rivals, Tottenham were said to have attempted to hijack the deal, but Arsenal remain strong favourites.

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Gervinho close to Arsenal switch

Lille striker Gervinho claims that his move to Arsenal is imminent has ''only a few details left to sort out'', and that is moving to the Gunners to win trophies.

The Ivory Coast international, has been linked with a switch to London since winning the French league with Lille last season.

"I chose Arsenal because it's a young group within which I will be able to integrate easily," Gervinho told The Sun. "I could develop more over there. There's only a few details left to sort out."

Asked if it was a risk swapping first-team football at Lille for a place in a squad with more competition for places, the forward replied: "A risk? Not at all. I'm going to Arsenal to play. The best risk to take is to look to score goals and to play a lot.

"In football you have to take risks if you want to win. I'm going to Arsenal to win."

Arsenal's initial bid of £7 million had reportedly been turned down, but negotiations continue and a move is expected soon.

Speaking to France Football, Gervinho said he was always confident he would be moving to the Emirates Stadium.

"I had no hesitation. None. But in a transfer there's always a period of analysis and negotiations,'' he said. "All sides had to be satisfied so that things could develop smoothly.

"I'm going there to play, not to be on the bench. Arsenal love the game. And I love teams that love the game. The Premier League is a notch above [the rest]. It's maybe the best league in the world. I want to live that sensation."

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SERGIO AGUERO CLOSE TO JUVENTUS ? DON´T SEE IT ( AT THIS MOMENT)

SPANISH FOOTBALL is a buzz with transfer speculation, one being the future of Argentine International & ATLETICO DE MADRID forward SERGIO AGUERO. From Italy & from its Sports paper "La Gazzetta dello Sport", the Italians see Ageuro as a Juventus player - nearly. 

Sergio Aguero

The Italian Club has Aguero as their Nº 1 priority, & have offered 35M€, to which Atletico wants 40M€. To continue negotiations it is said that the Clubs will meet early next week to continue advancing. However there are some points that makes me believe that the optimism of Juventus may be torpedoed & that signing Aguero is not so easy as the Italian press makes one believe:

1. The Aguero purpose for leaving Atletico is to play on the European stage, concretely Champions League. Juventus hasn´t qualified for Europe & Atletico has, at least for the Champions League prelimary qualifiers. Does it seem logical to leave a Club for another not in Europe?
2. Aguero has said publicly he wishes to stay in Madrid.
3. Maradona - his father in law - let "slip" his future was in the city of Madrid
4. The salary of Aguero is around 6.5 - 7M€ ( net ). In Italy due to tax laws that would have to be higher ( gross wise ) to keep his level. Few Clubs in the World can pay his salary.


All clues point to REAL MADRID & some say there may all ready be a "verbal agreement".

The big existing problem is that Atletico de Madrid cannot openly sell Sergio Aguero to Real Madrid due to the supporters backlash. Atletico de Madrid owner Gil Marin is "frightened" of how Atletico fans will react selling their star to the enemy. Thus a whole series of "strategies" need to be put in place to "soften" public opinion & it looks as if that process has already began. Comments from Atletico de Madrid President Cerezo yesterday has attempted to put some water on the Aguero fire & if things go accordingly, Real Madrid ( who does not wish to break Club relations with Atletico ) may begin opening talks & pressuring further. 


The "JUVENTUS manoeuvring" also "smells" like pressure from Sergio Aguero,  & a clear message to Real Madrid to get "their shit together" & lift a few gears with the transfer process & negotiation.


I see Sergio Aguero in Real Madrid, it is the true desire of the player & Real Madrid is interested. Does this mean that the "Juventus option" is therefore discarded? No,  one can never say never, Football is too volatile to make clear predictions, but if I had to bet today I see Aguero closer to Real Madrid than any other Club. Stay tuned!

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Guus Hiddink Close To Chelsea Return

Reports are out claiming that Guus Hiddink is edging closer to a return to Chelsea.

The Daily Mail has revealed that publicly, Hiddink’s agent declared that he would not be available until Turkey’s European Championship qualifying campaign ends in October.

However it is said that the Dutch tactician is likely to be sacked if his side fail to beat Belgium in Brussels on Friday week.

Hiddink is then expected to return to Stamford Bridge for the role he occupied on a temporary basis in 2009.

According to sources close to Hiddink, the man who guided PSV Eindhoven to European Cup glory in 1988 has even been given permission in principle by Roman Abramovich to work as an advisor to Ajax while operating as Chelsea’s manager.

There was a very obvious shift in the attitude of the Turks on Monday, as there was from Hiddink’s agent, Cees van Nieuwenhuizen.

Until now, both had dismissed suggestions that Hiddink could return to Chelsea but senior Turkey national team communications manager Turker Tozar said: “At this stage, we will leave everything to Mr Hiddink and if he sees the need to speak about this issue, he will do this personally. We have a press conference on May 27. If he wishes to comment on these rumours or leaks, he will do it.’

Pressed on whether they would refuse any approach for Hiddink from Chelsea, Tozar added: “Last month, our vice-president was asked and he said we had long-term plans with Mr Hiddink.

“If there are new issues, Hiddink will talk about this.”

Asked whether his client had completely ruled out a club management role as his next move, Van Nieuwenhuizen said: “I don’t know that you can say that.”

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Gareth Bale Close To Tottenham Return

Good news for all Tottenham fans as it has been revealed that Gareth Bale is winning his fight to be fit for Spurs’ Real Madrid clash.

However Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has admitted that is the only plus on a grim injury list that has ravaged his squad.

Spurs take on Wigan tomorrow at the DW Stadium before Tuesday’s Champions League battle in the Bernabeu.

And Redknapp revealed: “Gareth looked OK on Thursday. Whether he is OK to play two games inside four days is doubtful. We will decide which way to go by leaving any fitness test late.

“I’d love to have him fit for both but if he isn’t fully fit then he can’t play.”

The 21 year old winger pulled out of Wales’ 2-0 defeat by England with a hamstring problem.

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Chelsea Close To Completing A Deal For Brazilian Starlet Lucas Piazon

Premier League champions Chelsea are on the verge of agreeing a deal to sign Sao Paulo starlet Lucas Piazon. However it is said that the deal will only take effect when the youngster turns 18.

Piazon, now age 17, has been hailed as the new Kaka, is set to join Chelsea, who reportedly beat off competition from Juventus for the services of the attacking midfielder.

Lucas Piazon is currently playing for Brazil in the South American Under-17 Championship.

The fee is unclear but reports suggest it could be anywhere from £5 million to £8 million.

Piazon’s signing would reaffirm Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s commitment to bringing more young players to the club in addition to splashing out on the likes of Fernando Torres and David Luiz when necessary.

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