Rooney Would Welcome Sneijder Signing

When Wayne Rooney signed a new five year contract back in October of 2010, he said he was "delighted" to be staying at the club where he belongs. He was probably also rather pleased with the amount of money he would be taking home each week, as he had been then made Manchester United's top earner with a reported wage of something above £200,000 per week.

Manchester United have been linked to a player reportedly demanding more than Rooney's mammoth wages in Wesley Sneijder, and it had been said in numerous speculative reports that Rooney was uncomfortable with a player earning more than him. That to me sounds extremely egotistical and selfish of the English striker, and it is something I wouldn't really expect from him, so I was pleased to hear that Rooney would in fact welcome Sneijder to United, no matter what his wages would be.
A source close to Rooney said:

"It's nonsense to suggest Wayne would ever stop Manchester United signing a player like Wesley Sneijder because he wants to stay the top-paid player at Old Trafford; its absolutely not true. In fact, it's just the reverse. He’s happy to see United sign any world-class player to improve the club's chances of success."

"What other players earn when they join United is of no concern to Wayne. He is happy with his own situation at the club. Wayne is committed to seeing Manchester United improve at every level, which is why he signed on for five more years last season."

Indeed, despite the questionable demands from Sneijder about his wages, it should be of no concern to any other players what they earn per week. For a player to be against a club signing another player because they would exceed their own wages is quite frankly ridiculous to me, especially when we are talking about the already massive sums of money they are being paid.

While Rooney may support the Sneijder signing, Sir Alex Ferguson's latest comments to "forget" United signing Sneijder seems to rule out the signing, unfortunately for the majority of Manchester United fans, who find Sneijder as the perfect replacement for Paul Scholes.

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Xavi would welcome Fabregas move

Xavi insists he would welcome the competition Cesc Fabregas would offer if joins Barcelona this summer.

Barca failed with two bids for the Arsenal captain last year and have reportedly had an initial offer turned down this summer too.

However, Arsenal have conceded that they are prepared to sell their skipper this summer, provided the price is right.

The European champions are expected to return with a new bid for their former youth team midfielder, 24, despite already having the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.

Xavi believes signing a player such as Fabregas to their midfield ranks can only be a positive thing, though.

"Competition is always good and Cesc is an extraordinary footballer," he said.

"If he comes, it will be to help out."

However, Xavi hopes Fabregas does not face the same comparisons he faced himself when he broke through in the late 1990s.

"They put that label on me of being a replacement for Pep Guardiola and it wasn't fun at all," said the 31-year-old.

Barca have also kept faith in their home-grown players, though, with 20 year-old midfielder Thiago Alcantara signing a new contract until 2015.

"Thiago has renewed and that's great news," said Xavi.

"He is a fantastic player with a lot of talent - the competitiveness of the group is great."

And Xavi has answered questions about his long-term fitness, by insisting he is feeling fresh ahead of the new campaign.

"I feel good physically, I'm very motivated and content," he said.

"Last year I suffered some tendonitis in the Achilles tendon but I'm over that.

"I'll try to start off as best I can and at the highest level."

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Walcott: Benzema Signing Would be Good - Wenger Knows

While Arsenal prepare for their busy summer, Theo Walcott discussed the possibility of some new additions to the Arsenal side. With Wenger open about the prospect of a summer which involves more transfer activity than usual, naturally, there are more rumours to contend with, one of which is Arsenal's link to Real Madrid's Karim Benzema.

Wenger has already expressed his interest in Benzema, but the young French striker is unlikely to be looking for a move away from Spain after his successful second season under Jose Mourinho in which he scored 26 goals in all competitions and assisted 9Not only that, but Benzema, who has a long term contract with Madrid would cost Arsenal and Wenger a lot of money - money that, although Wenger probably has, would not be willing to spend. Walcott has heard about these rumours:

"Its always nice to see new additions to the squad but maybe one player will attract more players and keep players." 

"I've heard rumours of Karim Benzema at Real Madrid. Someone like that would help you hold on to your best players, get the crowd on their feet as well."

Meanwhile, as his manager comes under increasing pressure to bring big names to the club, the 23 year-old English winger was quick to defend his transfer policy and past record in the market, citing Thomas Vermaelen as a fantastic signing. It is true, Arsenal missed the Belgian centre back hugely over the season, and will gain a lot of confidence at the back thanks to his recovery and place back in the side. Walcott said:

"The manager knows what he's doing, it's up to him. He brought in Thomas Vermaelen and we've missed him because he's a great signing."

"The boss knows what he's doing and he says he is going to spend so it will be interesting."

Interesting it will be, but it will also be disappointing if Wenger fails to live up to the expectations he gave the Arsenal fans when he said  there would be a busy summer. Arsenal fans want to see some experience, some solidity, some more quality in their team that was lacking in much of this last season where they ended up withering away and finishing in a poor, poor, fourth place for Arsenal's standards.

Follow Me on Twitter @DBSFootball

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Ancelotti would have no complaints if Chelsea fired him

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Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti concedes he would have 'no problem' if the club decided to fire him at the end of the season.



The Italian's position at Stamford Bridge has been a talking point for a number of weeks, and Wednesday's Champions League exit at the hands of Manchester United has merely served to intensify the speculation about his future.



But despite the scrutiny, Ancelotti insists he is remaining calm over his future.



"I don't know what my future is," he said. "At the end of the season, I think the club can decide if they want me to continue or if they want to change.



"If they are not happy, they can change without problem.



"If, at the end of the season, the owner decides my job was not good enough, this is not a problem.



"I will try to do my best, because I want to stay here. If there is a possibility to do that, I will be happy."



Chelsea have only finished a season without a trophy twice under Abramovich's reign, with the Russian tycoon sacking the manager on both occasions.



Ancelotti won the Premier League and FA Cup double with Chelsea in his first campaign at the helm, but the Italian admits that achievement has already forgotten.



"Last year is the past," he said. "Everyone was happy to win the double last year but this is the past.



"Obviously, this season was not a good season for us but now we have seven games."



He added: "To speak now about which kind of change the club wants to do for next season about a new transfer or my future is not the right time.



"Every one of us has to try to do the best for the left seven games.



"After that, in the summer, we can speak about this. But to speak now is not the right time."



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Diego : Playing For Liverpool Would Be An Honour

Reports are out claiming that Wolfsburg midfielder Diego is thrilled by the interest of Liverpool.

The Premier League giants have been linked with the Brazilian playmaker, who only moved to struggling Wolfsburg in August from Juventus.

It is said that Diego has been watched by Reds football chief Damien Comolli and is aware of the rumours linking him with a move to Anfield.

“I am honored that such a club has set their eyes on me,” said Diego.

“They are one of the most prestigious teams in the world. Playing for them would be an honour.”

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