Swansea Sign Ayew On Free Transfer

Ghana forward Andre Ayew has joined Swansea City on a free transfer and signed a four-year contract, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old has joined from French club Olympique Marseille, where his contract expired at the end of last season, having scored 10 league goals in his final campaign.

Ayew, who has 62 caps for Ghana, has played in four African Nations Cups and two World Cups.

"The project that the club has for the future is very exciting, and when I spoke to the chairman and manager I felt this was the right place for me," Ayew said on the club website.

"I felt that my desire to play in the Premier League and wanting to grow as a player meant that Swansea was the best solution for me in every way.

"Seeing the honesty and desire of the club made me feel that they really wanted me to come. They have proved that in all ways."

Ayew made 181 appearances for Marseille, scoring 52 goals and winning two French League Cups as well as playing in the Champions League.

"It was a very difficult decision to leave Marseille. I spent so many years there – I was in the youth team before breaking into the first team and stayed all of my life in Marseille," he said.

"It's true that I had a lot of offers, so I needed to take my time to make the right decision for my future. I didn't want to rush but I feel I have made the right decision.

"Football is all about growing up and becoming a better player and a better person."

Messi Loses Appeal, Trial Nears

Barcelona star Lionel Messi lost his appeal over tax fraud charges on Wednesday, meaning he could face a trial over the allegations which involve an estimated €4.6 million.

The Argentine international and his father Jorge were accused last year of not paying tax on earnings from the player's image rights from 2007-2009.

Both Messi and his father denied wrongdoing and instead pointed the finger instead at a former agent.

But prosecutors in Barcelona on Wednesday decided to press ahead with the case.

"While it is understandable that a player of this magnitude is not aware of all the details of managing a millionaire," they said "there are elements of a fiscal debt".

Messi and his father have been accused of using companies in Belize and Uruguay to sell the player's rights – an allegation the player denies.

Jorge has since admitted that his son knew nothing of the alleged fraud, but the appeals court rejected the defence.

"Messi could have had knowledge of the irregularities of contracts which he was signing," said a statement.

Four-time World Player of the Year Messi is one of the world's richest sportsmen.

Forbes magazine estimated that in 2014 his income was $64.7 million (€47.30 million).

Transfer Rumours And Paper Review - Wednesday, June 10

Manchester United are closing in on Atletico Madrid strike star Mario Mandzukic. The Croatian is Louis van Gaal’s new number one target. (The Sun)

Manchester United have been offered Paris Saint-Germain right back Gregory van der Wiel. The 27-year-old is valued at around £7million and he has one year left on contract. United missed out on Dani Alves after the Brazilian agreed a new deal at Barcelona. (Daily Mail)

Louis van Gaal may look to revive his interest in Southampton right-back Nathaniel Clyne after miss out on 32-year-old Alves. (Daily Express)

West Ham United will follow the appointment of Slaven Bilic as manager by launching a series of ambitious moves in the transfer market and will explore the possibility of prising the Chelsea forward, Loïc Rémy, from Stamford Bridge. (The Guardian)

The Hammers will also announce the signing of midfielder Pedro Obiang from Sampdoria for £4.4million on Wednesday. (Daily Mail)

Paul Clement is ready to pay Hull £6million to make Tom Ince his third signing for Derby. The former Real Madrid assistant manager has already bought Alex Pearce and Darren Bent. (Daily Mirror)

James Chester has reaffirmed his commitment to Hull City despite being continuously linked with a move back to the Premier League. Newcastle, Aston Villa and West Brom are reportedly interested in the Welsh international, who is one of many Tigers stars being linked with a move away from the KC Stadium, including Robbie Brady and Ahmed Elmohamady. (Hull Daily Mail)

James McCarthy has NOT told Everton he wants to leave the club this summer. (Liverpool Echo)

The Toffees have targeted Crystal Palace centre-back Scott Dann in their summer of recruitment. (The Independent)

Tottenham are interested in Stuttgart striker Timo Werner. Spurs, already set for talks with Monaco over £18.2million Anthony Martial, also have Werner, 19, in their sights. (Daily Mirror)

Jurgen Klopp would be interested in a move to the Premier League and would not be restricted to a top four club, his agent has claimed. (Liverpool Echo)

Christian Eriksen has revealed he has no desire to leave Tottenham this summer after admitting he feels "at home" at the north London club. (London Evening Standard)

Manchester City outcast Alvaro Negredo will join Valencia at the end of the month, as part of the agreement which took him to the Mestalla on loan for the entirety of last season. (Manchester Evening News)


Read more at http://talksport.com/football/transfer-rumours-and-paper-review-wednesday-june-10-150610150154#C97ef16Iqy4ZXhyH.99

Colombia Deny Mexico First Win

A late goal from Daniela Montoya allowed Colombia to escape with a 1-1 draw against Mexico in their Group F opener at the Women's World Cup in Moncton on Tuesday.

Taking a back pass from Tatiana Ariza, Montoya drilled home a shot from just outside the penalty area that rang off the crossbar in the 82nd minute to deny Mexico a first World Cup win.

Mexico was the better team dominating possession, grabbing the early lead on a brilliant 36th minute strike from midfielder Veronica Perez.

El Tri thought it had pulled out a miracle finish in injury time when striker Charlyn Corral's shot rolled across the goal line only to have it waved off when teammate Stephany Mayor was called for a foul on Colombia's Angela Clavijo.

Ranked 26th in the world, Mexico will play England in its next game, while number 28 Colombia will face France.

Messi Targets Title Jinx As Copa Kicks Off

Argentina are favourites to end a 22-year trophy drought when the Copa America kicks off on Thursday as a resurgent Brazil chase redemption following their ill-fated campaign at last year's World Cup.

One of the most eagerly anticipated Copas in years gets under way in Santiago, with hosts Chile launching the three-week extravaganza of South American football against Ecuador in Group A at 8.30pm (2330 GMT).

The 12-team tournament is a convention of football's deadliest attacking talents, with a galaxy of Europe-based stars including Lionel Messi, Neymar, James Rodriguez, Alexis Sanchez and Edinson Cavani set to shine.

The competition also comes as a welcome relief to South America's governing body CONMEBOL, which has been battered by corruption allegations in the ongoing scandal which has rocked world football.

Argentina captain Messi and Brazilian counterpart Neymar head to Chile less than a week after inspiring Barcelona to their Champions League triumph in Berlin on Saturday, the final act of a glittering treble-winning season.

Both No 10s are carrying the weight of expectation on their shoulders, with Messi determined to finally taste glory at a major international tournament with Argentina and Neymar aiming to erase the memory of last year's World Cup.

POINT TO PROVE?

While Messi has been the key figure in Barcelona's emergence as the dominant force in club football over the past decade, he has yet to taste victory in an Argentina shirt, a gold medal in the 2008 Olympics aside.

"Our aim is to win this year," said Messi, who fell agonisingly short of ending Argentina's jinx in an extra-time defeat to Germany in last year's World Cup final. "It's great to play with the national team, to wear the shirt and to be captain," Messi added. "But getting a title would be the ultimate for me."

Messi may feel he has a point to prove, four years after being jeered by his home fans during Argentina's quarterfinal exit to eventual winners Uruguay.

Argentina open their campaign against Paraguay on Saturday, and should comfortably progress from a Group B which also includes Uruguay and Jamaica, one of two teams from the CONCACAF region invited to bolster the tournament.

The biggest threat to Argentina's hopes of topping the group is likely to come from defending champions Uruguay, who are bullish about their chances despite the absence of suspended talisman Luis Suarez. The holders will instead look to Paris Saint-Germain striker Cavani to provide the cutting edge in attack.

Cavani heads into the tournament after notching 31 goals in all competitions for the French giants this season, a haul which has reportedly made him a transfer target for Manchester United this summer.

BRAZIL ON TRACK

Brazil and Neymar meanwhile begin their campaign against Peru in Group C on Sunday.

Brazil's biggest challenge of the first round comes three days later when they face Colombia on June 17, a rematch of the two sides' bruising World Cup quarterfinal last year.

That stormy encounter was notable for a series of rugged Brazilian challenges on Colombia star James, although Brazil's 2-1 win came at a price, with Neymar suffering a broken vertebra that ended his World Cup.

Brazil's World Cup dream was ultimately demolished by Germany in the next round, when the hosts were humiliated 7-1 in the semifinals, before losing 3-0 to the Netherlands in an abject third place play-off display.

Fast forward a year however and Brazil, under the guidance of former coach and 1994 World Cup-winning captain Dunga, are back on track.

Dunga's men have reeled off nine straight victories since the World Cup and will feel confident of reaching the Copa final in Santiago on July 4.

Dunga, who coached Brazil to their last Copa America win in 2007, believes the form of striker Neymar has been key to the revival.

One of Dunga's first acts last year was to hand the captain's armband to the Barcelona forward, and the 23-year-old has thrived on the added responsibility.

"It is not a surprise, but the statistics are there to show that when Neymar puts on the captain's armband, he takes a step forward," Dunga said in March.

"He is a player who likes challenges. The more responsibility he has, the more he will develop."

Fifa To Elect Blatter Successor On Dec 16

Scandal-hit Fifa is likely to elect a new president at a Dec. 16 emergency meeting in Zurich, the BBC reported on Wednesday.

"The BBC has learned that is the likely date for an emergency meeting in Zurich to decide his successor," the report said without citing sources.

"Representatives from all 209 member associations will be invited to the Swiss city to vote in a new presidential election," it added.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter tendered his resignation last Tuesday, less than a week after Swiss police staged a dawn raid on a luxury hotel in Zurich and arrested several officials on corruption charges filed by U.S. prosecutors in New York.

However, Blatter is intent on staying in office until his successor is appointed.

"A final decision on the date for a presidential election is not expected to be made until July, but it is believed holding an emergency congress in mid-December is Blatter's preferred option," the BBC added.

Fifa confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that its executive committee would meet in July to pick a date for the full presidential vote, with various options set to be discussed.

Jordan's Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, who lost out to Blatter in election, is tipped as a possible candidate while Chung Mong-joon, the billionaire scion of South Korea's Hyundai conglomerate, is also weighing up his bid to replace Blatter.