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)

Mascherano Wary Of Old Friend Tevez

Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano will line up against a friend turned rival in the Champions League final on Saturday as compatriot Carlos Tevez attempts to fire Juventus to their first European Cup in 19 years.

Mascherano and Tevez moved to Europe together to join English side West Ham United from Corinthians in 2006.

After an inauspicious start at Upton Park, both went onto enjoy successful careers in England as Mascherano joined Liverpool before moving to Barcelona in 2010, while Tevez won Premier League titles with Manchester United and Manchester City.

However, it is at Juventus where Tevez has shown his best form in European football.

The 31-year-old has scored 29 goals this season to guide Juventus to the brink of their first ever treble of Serie A, Italian Cup and Champions League.

"Carlos's career is there for everyone to see. It is formidable," said Mascherano.

"He is one of the best players I have ever shared a pitch with and has an incredible winning mentality.

"He has left a mark at all the teams he has played with. Obviously, if you are faced with playing him you have to be very careful.

"He is a player that likes to play these type of games and clearly is one of the most important players in the Juventus team."

At the other end of the field the clash between the Spanish and Italian champions brings Luis Suarez face-to-face with old foes Patrice Evra and Giorgio Chiellini.

Suarez was banned for eight matches after being found guilty of racially abusing Evra in 2011 during their time at Liverpool and Manchester United respectively.

The fiery Uruguayan then received a four-month ban for biting Chiellini at last summer's World Cup.

However, Mascherano believes Suarez has shown this season he has the right temperament to concentrate solely on winning the Champions League for the first time.

"For Luis that is already in the past," added Mascherano.

"It is a special game for him because it is his first Champions League final and these games are special, but not because of the players he will face.

"Luis is of an age now and has shown that we don't need to say anything. He is responsible for his actions."

Mascherano has already tasted victory in a Champions League final during his first season at Barca, but also lost one while at Liverpool in 2007.

However, he insisted that even winning the treble would not wipe away the pain of losing the World Cup final to Germany in extra time last July despite his heroics throughout the tournament.

"The worst feeling is to lose a World Cup final.

"Apart from that the feeling of winning any title is very gratifying because it is the reward of all the work done during the year.

"The Champions League has that feeling but also an added prestige. As a footballer that prestige is also something that we play for."

Fifa Suspends Two Congolese Officials

Fifa have announced the temporary suspension of Jean-Guy Blaise Mayolas and Badji Mombo Wantete, respectively the vice president and secretary general of the Republic of Congo football federation (Fecofoot).

The world’s football governing body said the two officials are under investigation on the breach of code of ethics.

At the request of Cornel Borbély, President of the Ethics Commission of the investigating chamber of Fifa, Hans-Joachim Eckert, the chairman of the trial chamber, temporarily suspended both men from any activity related to football at national and international levels.

The suspension follows a request for "various offences under the Ethics Code of Fifa”, according to a statement.

The Ethic Code prohibits corruption, conflicts of interest, accepting gifts and committing discrimination. It also obliges Fifa officials to observe the principle of neutrality.

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)

Swiss Attorney General: Blatter Not Under Investigation

The Swiss Attorney General (OAG) has stated Sepp Blatter is not part of their investigations into alleged corruption concerning Fifa officials following the president's resignation.

Blatter confirmed his intention to step down on Tuesday, having been re-elected for a fifth term on Friday.

The organisation has been rocked by allegations of corruption in recent weeks but the OAG confirmed Blatter was not under investigation.

"The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland has taken note of the announced resignation of Joseph S. Blatter as President of the Federation Internationale de Football Association (Fifa)," read an OAG statement.

"The OAG has opened criminal proceedings against persons unknown on suspicion of criminal mismanagement and of money laundering.

"Therefore, Joseph S. Blatter is not under investigation by the OAG. His announced resignation will have no influence on the ongoing criminal proceedings. The OAG will not release any further information."

Last week's Fifa Congress at which Blatter was re-elected had been preceded by the arrest of seven senior officials at a hotel in Zurich, with a total of 14 people then indicted by the US Department of Justice under charges of racketeering, fraud and money laundering.

On the same day, Swiss authorities announced an investigation into corrupt practices by unnamed persons during the bidding process for the hugely controversial 2018 and 2022 World Cups in Russia and Qatar respectively.

Prince Ali Willing To Run For Fifa President Again

Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein has confirmed that he is willing to once again stand for Fifa president - but only if he has the adequate support to radically reform the organisation.

The Jordanian was the only man to challenge Sepp Blatter at last Friday's re-election and withdrew his candidacy after being comprehensively beaten during the first round of voting (73-133).

However, with Blatter having stepped down on Tuesday as the corruption scandal engulfing Fifa intensified, Prince Ali is now willing to put his name forward again at the Extraordinary Congress that will soon be arranged to find a new president.

"I'm a servant of football," he told CNN. "I love the sport and always have. So, we'll have to wait and see what happens.

"This [Blatter's resignation] was surprise news to me, as it was to everyone else.

"But, having said that, for sure, I will do my best to support national associations across the world to make a brighter future for football.

"That's the most important thing. I have to talk to national associations and see how they feel about this, as it's very early.

"But if they want me to do it, I will do it.

"I have to be careful about this. I don't want to see Fifa going down the wrong path again."

Dutch Football Association (KNVB) president Michael van Praag, who pulled out of the election race to throw his support behind Prince Ali, also intimated that he could re-enter the running.

"Blatter quitting is great news," he told De Telegraaf. "This weekend I will visit the Excecutive Committee in Berlin. There, I will talk with a few people that were involved in this case.

"After that, I will think about what decision I will take after the resignation of Blatter."

Fifa was rocked by the arrest of several officials last week as part of an FBI-led investigation into corruption while there was further controversy on Tuesday when it emerged that secretary general Jerome Valcke knew about an alleged bribe paid into an account owned by former vice-president Jack Warner for supporting South Africa's bid to host the 2010 World Cup.

Blatter, who has not been implicated in the scandal, subsequently decided to bring an end to his 17-year tenure, claiming that he felt he no longer had the full support of world football.

Watford Sign Austria Defender Sebastian Prodl

Newly-promoted Watford have signed Austrian defender Sebastian Prodl on a free transfer.

The 27-year-old centre-half, a free agent after leaving Werder Bremen at the end of last season, has agreed a five-year contract with the Premier League newcomers.

Prodl spent seven years at the Weserstadion and previously played for Austrian side Sturm Graz.

He also has 49 caps for Austria and appeared at the European Championships in 2008.

Prodl is the Hornets' first new signing of the summer, with the deal being completed despite the uncertainty surrounding the managerial situation at Vicarage Road.

Head coach Slavisa Jokanovic is out of contract at the end of June and talks about his future are understood to have broken down.

Instead Watford are expected to appoint former Atletico Madrid boss Quique Sanchez Flores

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.

Van Basten: I Didn't Think Suarez Could Play For Barcelona

Netherlands legend Marco van Basten has admitted that he did not believe that Luis Suarez could make it at Barcelona.

The Uruguayan moved to Camp Nou last summer from Liverpool and, after a slow start to life in Spain, has scored 24 goals in all competitions.

However, his fellow former Ajax striker believed that he would have been better suited to a career in Serie A to La Liga.

"I was expecting him to be a really good player but I didn't think of him playing for a team like Barcelona," he is quoted as saying by Sport.

"I felt he'd be more suited to a team like Juventus or Inter because the football in Italy is a bit different to the football they play at Barcelona.

"Barca play a really clever type of football, close together with everyone at a high level technically. I think he is more of an opportunistic forward who should just go forward and see what happens.

"He does that in a marvellous way but it's not the way he plays at Barcelona."