Chelsea Sign Manea, Hagi Joins Fio

Romania's young defender Cristian Manea has signed for Premier League champions Chelsea from FC Viitorul Constanta while his teammate Ianis Hagi is joining Serie A side Fiorentina, the club said on Thursday.

"Manea and Hagi deals were completed," Viitorul general director Cristian Bivolaru told local media without giving details of the transfer fees or length of contracts.

Manea, who turns 18 in August, made his Romania debut aged just 16 against Albania in a friendly in May 2014.

The teenager, considered one of the best young players in Romania, also attracted interest from Arsenal, Ajax Amsterdam and Udinese before signing for Chelsea, local media reported.

Botosaru said the versatile Manea, who can play at right back, centre back and as a holding midfielder, will probably be loaned out in the Netherlands for the 2015-2016 season.

Ianis Hagi, 16, is the son of former Romania captain Gheorghe Hagi, who founded and owns the club which is known for nurturing young talent in the Black Sea state.

He is an under-17 international and scored once in seven league appearances for Viitorul last season when they finished 11th in the 18-team Romanian league.

Botosaru said there is a possibility Hagi could be loaned back to Viitorul for a season.

Liverpool Reject City's Bid For Sterling

Liverpool have rejected Manchester City's £25 million offer for unsettled England forward Raheem Sterling, according to reports on Thursday.

Sterling has told Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers he wants to leave Anfield to join a club who can offer him Champions League action next season and City have made the first move in what could prove a lengthy saga to settle his future.

According to the Times, City's bid valued Sterling at £25 million, with an additional £5 million to be paid in potential add-ons.

But Liverpool are determined to keep hold of their most gifted youngster and have snubbed the approach for the 20-year-old, who has two years remaining on his current £35 000-a-week contract.

It is believed that only an astronomical offer of at least £50 million could persuade Liverpool to consider letting Sterling leave.

Liverpool remain keen to convince Sterling to sign a new contract, even though he rejected a deal that would have paid him around £100 000-a-week earlier this year.

Sterling's refusal to commit to Liverpool has angered the club's supporters, who jeered him at an end of season awards dinner.

The situation turned even uglier when his agent Aidy Ward last month said there was no chance Sterling would extend his contract no matter how much money Liverpool offered.

Liverpool responded by cancelling a scheduled meeting with Sterling and his representative, while Rodgers left the winger on the bench for the team's 6-1 thrashing at Stoke on the final day of the Premier League season.

City's approach for Sterling is unlikely to be their last since it came just hours after the club's chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak promised "high-quality" signings and admitted Manuel Pellegrini's team failed to meet expectations during their failed defence of the Premier League title.

Speaking in an interview with City TV, Khaldoon said: "We want a squad that is able and has the capability and quality to win the Premier League, compete and win the Champions League, compete and be able to go all the way in two cup competitions in England.

"I think you will see some changes. You will see some players who have served us well and maybe it is time for them to move to their next challenge, and you will see us in the market bringing high-quality individuals that fit within what we are aspiring to coming in this summer.

"I can assure you the squad will be stronger, the team will be more competitive. I am both confident and excited about what is coming next year."

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are also reported to be interested in Sterling, who is currently on international duty with England ahead of their Euro 2016 qualifier in Slovenia on Sunday.

Diaby On Arsenal Release List

Abou Diaby's injury-scarred nine-year stint at Arsenal is due to finish after he was included on a list of players to be released by the club on Wednesday.

Diaby, 29 and capped 16 times by France, had his ankle broken by Sunderland's Dan Smith shortly after joining Arsenal from Auxerre in January 2006 and has been bedevilled by injury ever since.

The midfielder's Arsenal tenure has been a succession of lengthy absences followed by aborted comebacks, with a cruciate knee ligament injury restricting him to just two appearances over the past two seasons.

While Diaby's contract is due to expire on June 30, the Premier League stresses that its list of released players "should not be seen as definitive for players leaving their club".

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has repeatedly expressed his belief in Diaby, in whom he has shown great patience.

"Diaby is a player that I have an enormous amount of respect for," Wenger said last November.

"Every time he comes back he has to start from zero with another injury. He is not a fragile player. He was the victim of an assassin's tackle that went unpunished."

Japan midfielder Ryo Miyaichi, who has had several spells on loan at other clubs since arriving in January 2011, was also named on Arsenal's release list.

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

Transfer Rumours And Paper Review – Wednesday, June 3

Here's the top transfer-related stories in Wednesday's newspapers...

Real Madrid are convinced they have finally won the battle to land David De Gea for £30million. Sources close to the player claim the deal for him to leave Manchester United is now virtually done. It is the news Manchester United fans have been dreading and is the latest twist in the summer’s biggest transfer saga. (The Sun)

De Gea has already said his goodbyes to United staff and told the Spanish giants he will be coming to the Bernabeu this summer. (Daily Star)

Real, meanwhile, have rejected a £110m offer from Manchester United for Gareth Bale and Raphael Varane. (Daily Express)

Robin van Persie has admitted he is at a crossroads in his Manchester United career.  Speaking for the first time about his frustrations at United, Van Persie claimed he wants to play every week next season. Van Persie, 31, has just one year left on his United deal and his admission will alert Juventus and Fenerbahce, who are interested in the Holland striker. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester City want £32million-rated Real Madrid midfielder Isco as they plan their summer revamp. The 23-year-old Bernabeu star is seen as a natural heir to the Blues' current playmaker David Silva, 29. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea have entered the race for Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain. Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United have all been linked with mega-money moves for the Argentine. Now the Blues have joined the chase and are ready to launch a £30million move. (Daily Star)

Tottenham want Marseille's £12million-rated midfield enforcer Giannelli Imbula  and are ready to offer Benjamin Stambouli to the French club as part of a deal. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester City have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Kevin de Bruyne after Wolfsburg warned the winger won't be sold. City are keen to bring the £35million-rated Belgian back to the Premier League following a miserable time in England with Chelsea. However, Wolfsburg's chairman Francisco Javier Garcia Sanz insists the 23-year-old, or any of his teammates, are not for sale. (Daily Mirror)

Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette has effectively ruled out a move to Liverpool this summer. (Daily Mirror)

Paul Clement is launching a £2million move for Aston Villa outcast Andreas Weimann. Clement, the new Derby County head coach, is ready to make an offer for the Austrian attacker after he was told he can leave Villa by manager Tim Sherwood. (Daily Telegraph)

Soccer-United Striker Van Persie Keeping Options Open

AMSTERDAM, June 3 (Reuters) - Robin van Persie is keeping his options open over his future at Manchester United as he enters a final season of his contract with the club, Dutch media reported on Wednesday.

"The club must do its homework and so must I. It's a new situation," he told reporters in an interview with several Dutch newspapers ahead of Friday's friendly international between the Netherlands and the U.S. in Amsterdam.

"I'm going to calmly and relaxed sit down and consider everything.

"I still have ambitions of playing every week. I feel top fit and I think I can still go on for several years. Take note of my words," said the 31-year-old, who moved to Old Trafford from Arsenal in 2012.

Van Persie said he should have had six or seven more goals than the tally of 10 he netted for the club last season.

"People don't accept that I just scored 10. Actually that's a compliment because they expect more of me on the basis of what I can do. I was the club's second highest goal scorer together with Juan Mata and behind Wayne Rooney (14 goals).

"It's not good that a top club like Manchester United does not have a scorer with 20 or more goals behind his name each season and that is why we only finished fourth."

Van Persie struggled with an ankle injury through the season, blaming a hectic pre-World Cup training programme, as he battled to get fit for Brazil, and then a lack of a break after the tournament last summer.

"After I came back from injury I realised that I would not automatically get back in the starting line-up," he said. "But I didn't have a problem with that because they were playing well at the time.

"These things happen. We are living in an adult world. Louis van Gaal is not the coach of Robin van Persie but of Manchester United with 25 in the squad." (Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Sudipto Ganguly)

Transfer Rumours And Paper Review – Tuesday, June 2

Here's the top transfer-related stories in Tuesday's newspapers...

Diego Costa has told friends he wants to QUIT Chelsea this summer and return to Spain. The striker is homesick and is prepared to take a massive paycut to rejoin Atletico Madrid. The Blues, however, will fight to keep him at Stamford Bridge. (The Sun)

Real Madrid will open talks over a £45million move for Raheem Sterling in the next fortnight. The winger wants to leave Liverpool and the Spanish giants are keen to tie up a deal. (The Sun)

Liverpool are poised to complete the signing of free agent James Milner this week as manager Brendan Rodgers prepares for his first post-season face-to-face meeting with key figures among the club’s American owners, Fenway Sports Group. (Independent)

Bayern Munich star Bastian Schweinsteiger remains Manchester United’s No.1 midfield target this summer. But United are ready to switch their attention to Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin if they fail to strike a deal for the Germany skipper. (Daily Star)

Manchester United believe they are in pole position to recruit Dani Alves from Barcelona should Louis van Gaal wish to sign the right-back. Other right-backs United may consider are Everton’s Séamus Coleman and Paris Saint-Germain’s Gregory van der Wiel. (Guardian)

Christian Benteke will tell Aston Villa he wants to leave the club for European football next season, despite the Midlands club being willing to make the striker the best-paid player in their history. That is a boost to Liverpool, who are chasing the Belgian. (The Times)

Liverpool and Tottenham target Andriy Yarmolenko has opened the door for a move to the Premier League by admitting that now is ‘the perfect time to change clubs’. The £20m-rated Dynamo Kiev forward Yarmolenko led the Ukrainian club to their domestic title this season and says he has had discussions with the club about moving on this summer. (Daily Mail)


Read more at http://talksport.com/football/transfer-rumours-and-paper-review-tuesday-june-2-150602149060#XSGyP10XopEYXUcL.99

Pogba: Playing With Messi Would Be A Dream Come True

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has admitted that he dreams of playing alongside Barcelona forward Lionel Messi.

The Frenchman has long been linked with a move away from Turin, with both the Catalan giants and Real Madrid said to be very interested in him.

Pogba has now spoken of his admiration for Barca - his side's Champions League final opponents on Saturday - singling their Argentine star out for particular praise.

"Playing with Messi would be a dream come true," he is quoted as saying by AS.

"He's the best player in the world. I love watching Barcelona play, but I also love watching them lose. We know that we're not favourites but it's a final.

"We're going to give our all. We have nothing to lose and you never know what can happen."

Despite his admiration for Barcelona, Pogba emphasised that he had no immediate plans to leave the club in the summer.

"I never said that the final in Berlin would be my last game. People can believe what they want."

Barcelona and Juventus kick off in the German capital at 20:45CET on Saturday.

'We will see what happens' - David De Gea coy over Manchester United future

David De Gea has admitted his future is up in the air as the Manchester United goalkeeper continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid.

United fans fear the 24-year-old has already agreed to join the Spanish giants this summer having refused to sign a new contract at Old Trafford.

But De Gea is not willing to confirm just yet whether he will push to leave Louis van Gaal’s side.

"We will see what happens regarding my future," De Gea said to Spanish sports newspaper AS. "Right now I'm on holiday."

De Gea, who has a year left on his contract at Old Trafford, is currently in Spain and was named on Sunday as the "adopted son" of the Castilla La Mancha region in Madrid, where he grew up.

"I'm delighted for this recognition," he said.

De Gea joined United from Atletico Madrid in a £17.8million deal in 2011 and has made 133 appearances for the Premier League side.

Real, meanwhile, have yet to announce who will be their coach for the new season despite strong suggestions - including an off-hand comment from vice-president Eduardo Fernandez de Blas - that outgoing Napoli boss Rafa Benitez will be named as Carlo Ancelotti's successor.

Transfer Rumours And Paper Review –Monday June

Manchester United are trying to hijack Arsenal’s move for Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger wants to build Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge around £25m rated Schneiderlin but Louis van Gaal is lining up a rival bid for the France World Cup star. (Daily Mirror)

Hugo Lloris has no intention of leaving Tottenham to join Manchester United. The France captain, 28, has been touted as a possible replacement for current United NO.1 David De Gea, who is reportedly on the verge of joining Spanish giants Real Madrid, but has no interest in leaving White Hart Lane. (Daily Star)

Liverpool are in talks with Lyon to complete the transfer of Alexandre Lacazette. France international striker Lacazette, 24, has had a blistering season in front of goal, netting 31 times in all competitions for the Ligue 1 outfit and the Reds will have to spend around £35million to secure a deal. (Metro)

Tim Sherwood will try to convince Christian Benteke to stay at Aston Villa by offering him a new contract that smashes the club’s current ceiling on wages. Benteke, who has a £32.5million release clause, is wanted by Liverpool but Villa are determined to keep the striker and will offer him wages of around £75,000 per week. (Daily Mail)

But Aston Villa are making plans for Benteke’s exit, with Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson seen as the man to replace the big Belgian. (Daily Mirror)

Theo Walcott is confident his Arsenal future will be resolved but had warned "it will take time". The England international has just a year to run on his current contract. (Independent)

Chelsea are keen on defender Toby Alderweireld. The 26-year-old Belgium star, whose year-long loan at Southampton from Atletico Madrid has ended, impressed at St Mary’s this season. (Daily Mirror)

Arteta Hints At Arsenal Contract Extension Despite Limited Influence

Mikel Arteta insists that he intends to remain at Arsenal despite the emergence of Francis Coquelin and his limited game-time at the Emirates Stadium.

Arteta, the Gunners' captain heading into Saturday's FA Cup final against Aston Villa, has made just 12 senior appearances for the club in 2014-15, with injuries limiting his influence on the team.

The Spaniard last appeared for Arsenal in the Premier League in the 2-1 loss to Manchester United on November 22 and says that he has enjoyed having an "input from outside" despite his troubles.

And the 33-year-old has hinted that he is set to sign a contract extension after this weekend's clash with Aston Villa.

"I will discuss my future after the final, it's been a strange season for me since November, with my injury," he told reporters at the club's London Colney training headquarters.

"I had some really tough times. But I have learned a lot. My aim is to be on the pitch as much as I can.

"I would love to stay. The indication is we are both very clear on what we want and we will announce something after the final."

Coquelin has enjoyed a stunning rise since he returned from his loan spell at Charlton Athletic in December, with Arteta full of praise for his young team-mate.

"I think it was probably the nicest surprise of the season because he had to go on loan and I don't think he was really happy to do that," he added.

"But he put a really good impact to it, the way he adapted to the game and the way he gave something to the team that we were missing. He was great, he's given balance, he has competed as well as anybody else in the team, and he's been really consistent. He will be here for a good few years.

"I've always liked Francis and I like him a lot now."

Aaron Ramsey has previously outlined his desire to see Arsenal win the Premier League title next season and Arteta echoed the Welshman's sentiments, though he says that investment this summer is necessary as the club "missed something" in 2014-15.

"We want to push and win the Premier League, that's for sure, and it's up to the manager and board to decide what's the missing ingredient," he said.

"There's something we missed, whether it's that we didn't have the full squad ready for the biggest part of the season, with a lot of players out, whether we were missing that final bit of quality to win it or deepness in the squad, I don't know what it is, it's up to them to analyse that.

"Everybody's up for it and I'm sure they are as well."

Wenger: Arsenal Will Not Sell Wilshere

Arsene Wenger has dismissed talk of Arsenal selling Jack Wilshere and hinted at a possible contract extension.

The midfielder recently made his return after yet another injury setback, which has restricted the 23-year-old to just 13 Premier League appearances this season.

In his absence, Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey have shone in midfield has while Francis Coquelin established himself in the first team, with Wilshere recently admitting he is yet to discuss his future with his manager.

Wenger, though, insists he has never entertained the idea of selling Wilshere and is not about to start, pointing to the loyalty shown by the club during the England international's many injury troubles.

"I made Jack Wilshere start at 17 years of age," Wenger told reporters. "That means that you cannot show a bigger desire of wanting a player.

"We have always extended his contract and we have been very patient with all his injuries. At some stage I think he must feel wanted.

"We always stood by him through every difficult moment. Does that mean we want him to stay here for a longer period? Yes, as we would like to benefit from his talent now."

Transfer rumours and paper review - Thursday, May 28

Here's the top transfer-related stories in Thursday's newspapers...

Rafa Benitez wants to make Liverpool star Raheem Sterling one of his first transfer targets for Real Madrid. (Daily Mirror)

Burnley striker Danny Ings has made it clear to Tottenham Hotspur that it is his preference to join Liverpool this summer in spite of the London club’s continued attempts to muscle in on the deal. (Evening Standard)

Mario Balotelli’s agent has placed a potential obstacle in the way of Liverpool’s transfer plans by insisting the striker will not be leaving Anfield this summer, although the club remain determined to cut their losses on the Italy forward. (The Guardian)

Bayern Munich want Angel Di Maria - but Manchester United will demand most of his record £59.7million fee. (Daily MIrror)

David De Gea has been urged to sign for Real Madrid by this No.1 rival - Iker Casillas. (Daily Star)

Roberto Mancini is expected to make a personal call to Yaya Toure to assess what the midfielder's plans are after a move to Inter Milan stalled this week. (Daily Mail)

Striker Darren Bent is expected to be Derby County's first signing ahead of next season. (Derby Evening Telegraph)

QPR are considering making a bid for Liverpool and England striker Rickie Lambert. (Evening Standard)

‘Balotelli Staying At Liverpool’

Misfiring Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli will remain at the club next season, his agent Mino Raiola claimed on Wednesday.

Balotelli, 24, struggled in his debut campaign at Anfield following his £16 million move from AC Milan last year, scoring just one league goal and four in all competitions.

It has prompted speculation that Liverpool, who did not qualify for the Champions League, will look to move the Italy international on in the close-season transfer window.

But Raiola told Sky Sports: "We have talks with Liverpool and he will stay. I spoke many times with the club and they were happy with his input as a professional."

Asked if Balotelli and Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers had successfully adapted to working with each other, Raiola replied: "I think Mario did. I cannot talk for Brendan Rodgers.

"Obviously we're pretty confident it'll happen next year."

Blow For Arsenal! Transfer Target 'Very Close' To Agreeing Juventus Move

Arsenal target Sami Khedira is 'very close' to agreeing a summer move to Juventus, according to reports in Spain.

The Real Madrid midfielder is out of contract at the end of the current season and he has confirmed he will move on.

That has seen him linked with Arsenal, while Chelsea are another club said to be tracking the German international.

But Marca believe Champions League finalists Juventus have stolen a march on their rivals and are on the verge of announcing a deal that will see Khedira join them on a free transfer

That would mean Arsene Wenger has to act fast if he is to have any chance of luring Khedira to the Emirates.

Man United Flop Falcao Could Remain In The Premier League Next Season

Manchester United misfit Radamel Falcao could yet still end up playing in the Premier League next season, according to reports in France.

The Red Devils have sent the Colombian striker back to parent club Monaco after a miserable season at Old Trafford, which yielded just four goals in 26 Premier League appearances.

But Ligue 1 giants Monaco want to sell the 29-year-old, and according to French newspaper L'Equipe, several teams from England's top flight are chasing the former Atletico Madrid man - despite having seen United ship the striker out at the first opportunity.

Falcao earns around £10m-a-year at the Stade Louis II and the club's hierarchy believe there are younger and less expensive options which could fit the bill and satisfy the requirements of UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations.

Italian duo AC Milan and Juventus are both also interested in his signature.


Read more at http://talksport.com/football/man-united-flop-falcao-could-remain-premier-league-next-season-150525148126#b4sC4XdS7jABsLdt.99

Transfer Rumours And Paper Review – Wednesday, May 27

Here's the top transfer-related stories in Wednesday's newspapers...

Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema has emerged as a target for Manchester United. The French striker is also on Arsenal’s radar and they could fight it out for the £40m-rated star. (Guardian)

Manchester United have also placed Dani Alves on their shortlist of potential defensive recruits this summer, but will only turn to the Barcelona full-back if they fail to land their priority targets. (Daily Telegraph)

Liverpool are preparing a bid for Christian Benteke but will not lodge it until after Aston Villa have played Arsenal in the FA Cup final on Saturday. Benteke enters the final two years of his contract at Villa Park this summer and Liverpool are hopeful that an offer of more than £20 million will convince Villa to sell the Belgium forward. (The Times)

Arsene Wenger is monitoring Villarreal striker Gerard Moreno as a surprise summer target. Arsenal scouts have been watching the 23-year-old, who has scored 16 times for his Spanish club this season. Moreno has a £3million buy-out clause in his contract. (Daily Mirror)

Paul Pogba will snub interest from Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea after deciding his future lies in Spain. But the Juventus midfielder has yet to decide between Real Madrid or Barcelona. (Daily Star)

Eden Hazard is so happy at ­Chelsea he has set his sights on staying at the club for another decade. (London Evening Standard)

West Brom midfielder Graham Dorrans is to make his loan move to Premier League new boys Norwich City permanent in a £3m switch. (Daily Mirror)

West Ham are considering a move for Southend's highly-rated goalkeeper Daniel Bentley. (Daily Express)


Read more at http://talksport.com/football/transfer-rumours-and-paper-review-wednesday-may-27-150527148321#ctPG2uSEX9ZkzSJc.99

Chelsea's Moses Could Return To Stoke City, Admits Hughes

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has not ruled out a close-season swoop for Chelsea loanee Victor Moses after being impressed by the winger this season.

Moses played 19 games in the Premier League before a hamstring injury in April ended his campaign and saw him return to the Blues to recover.

However, such was the 24-year-old's impact at the Britannia Stadium, Hughes would be keen to see him back next season.

"Those are options you can pursue, because you can get good players in and not commit huge chunks of money," Hughes told the Stoke Sentinel .

"We've done okay ourselves with loans over the last couple of years.

"It was good to see Victor back at the ground for the final game of the season. I thought it was important he came, along with Bojan, because they have obviously played their part in our season as well as those on show for the last game.

"He's back at Chelsea now, but hopefully we can still do something. We'll have to see."

Stoke finished the campaign with a 6-1 demolition of Liverpool on Sunday, securing ninth place and a record haul of 54 points.

Transfer Rumours And Paper Review – Tuesday, May 26

Here's the top transfer-related stories in Tuesday's newspapers...

Radamel Falcao is willing to take a massive pay cut to join Chelsea. The Colombian’s representatives have already sounded out Chelsea after Manchester United decided not to take up the option to sign him permanently. They have made it clear they are willing to scale back his huge £265,000-a-week wages from his parent club Monaco if it makes a deal happen. (Daily Mirror)

Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin has ruled out a move to Tottenham and paved the way for a summer switch to north London neighbours Arsenal. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester United have been handed a big boost in their pursuit of Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi after the Argentine star’s agent, Eugenio Lopez, claimed the 27-year-old is desperate to leave this summer. (The Sun)

Real Madrid will not sign Javier Hernandez on a permanent deal from Manchester United. (Daily Express)

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is set to beat Liverpool to the £3.5m signing of Burnley defender Kieran Trippier. The former England U-21 right-back will leave Turf Moor this summer following the club’s relegation from the Premier League and Spurs have moved ahead of Liverpool and newly-promoted Bournemouth in the race to sign the 24-year-old. (Daily Telegraph)

Didier Drogba has set his sights on the MLS after revealing he could never play for another English club. Chelsea legend Drogba, 37, a target for New York City, is leaving Stamford Bridgeafter getting a hero’s send-off following their title triumph. (Daily Mirror)

AC Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi wants to keep on-loan Chelsea midfielder Marco van Ginkel for another season. (Daily Mirror)

Crystal Palace are set to listen to offers for captain Mile Jedinak this summer. West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis is a huge fan of the 30-year-old and will be tempted to move for the midfielder. (Daily Mail)

Dwight Gayle could also be on the move, with Bournemouth interested in the Crystal Palace striker. (Daily Mail)

'I'm Going To Juventus' - Dybala

Palermo starlet Paulo Dybala has confirmed that he will sign for Juventus this summer.

The Argentine striker has been the breakout star of the Serie A season, netting 13 times in 34 appearances, and has been linked with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain over the course of the 2014-15 campaign.

However, Juventus emerged as the frontrunners and last week Palermo claimed an agreement was in place to take the in-demand 21-year-old to Turin.

Dybala himself has now confirmed that he is bound for the Champions League finalists and is confident that he can justify the Bianconeri's reported outlay of €40 million.

"Juventus are the team that wanted me most," the forward told Sky Sport Italia.

"They made a great effort to sign me and I have chosen them for this reason.

"I've grown a lot in these last few years at Palermo and I think that I can grow even more at Juventus. I can still improve so much.

"I will give my all to show that Juve have done right spending all of this money on me.

"When I arrived at Palermo, they said that they spent too much on me. However, with time I replicated what I had done in Argentine.

"Now, it will be same."

Dybala also revealed that he would like to see Carlos Tevez, who has one year left on his Juve contract, extend his spell with the Italian champions.

"For me, it would be better if he says," the youngster added. "With him by my side, it would be easier to learn."