Brazil Legend Named New Manager

Brazil legend Dunga has been named the Selecao’s new manager following Luiz Felipe Scolari's resignation.

‘Big Phil’ stepped down after his side's home World Cup ended in humiliation, crashing out in the semi-finals with a crushing 7-1 defeat to eventual winners Germany, with the hosts eventually finishing in fourth place after a 3-0 loss to Holland in the third-place play-off.

And 1994 World Cup-winning captain Dunga has now returned to the hotseat following an announcement on Tuesday afternoon, having already managed the side from 2006 to 2010.

He led the five-time world champions to the 2007 Copa America and 2009 Confederations Cup crowns, and guided Brazil to the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals, but was sacked shortly after the competition.

Dunga launched his second spell at the helm with an attempt at dampening expectations of the national side by stressing that Brazil always have a target on their backs.

"I'm very happy for the opportunity the CBF (Brazil Football Confederation) have given me. We need to stop thinking we're the best and work harder," Dunga said.

"Before the World Cup happens we sell to the public the idea we're going to win, but we don't know if we'll win.

"We need to be more modest. It's important to compromise because our opponents always want to beat us because we're Brazil.

"The Brazilian shirt is very respected, but everyone wants to beat us. We have to be prepared for that.

"We can't think that we'll pull on the Brazilian shirt and win the World Cup before it's even started.

"Nothing happens before the game starts. The most important thing is what happens during the 90 minutes on the pitch because that's when you win or lose."

Stoke Announce Capture Of Barcelona Ace

Stoke have secured the signing of Spanish forward Bojan from Barcelona.

Reports from Spain this week suggested the 23-year-old was nearing a loan switch to the Britannia Stadium, having endured stints at Ajax and AC Milan in recent years.

But the Premier League outfit have announced for former Barca No.9 has instead signed a four-year contract with the Potters for an undisclosed fee, and will now join his new team-mates for their pre-season training camp in Germany.

Bojan's prolific form for the Catalan club's youth side saw the youngster hailed as a future Spain star, and was mainstay of the La Liga giants’ first team ever since his debut as a 17-year-old in 2007.

But his career faltered following his £10million move to Roma in 2011, and he then struggled to make an impression at Barca after re-signing last summer following two years in Italy.

And the frontman will now get the chance to prove himself in the English top flight under former Barcelona star Mark Hughes.

The Potters boss said: "Anyone who knows European football will be aware of him as a player and the fact that he sees his future at Stoke City is really exciting and an endorsement of the Club itself.

"He's desperate to prove himself in the Premier League and we're pleased to be able to offer him that platform.

"The time he spends with the squad in Germany will help him settle in and will give myself and the coaches the chance to take a good look at him."

Club chief executive Tony Scholes also added: "We are delighted to have signed such a richly talented and exciting player, who is still only 23.

"A number of other clubs had expressed an interest in him but Bojan believes joining Stoke City will benefit his career and we have no doubts he will prove to be a wonderful addition to our squad.

"The signing of Bojan, along with the other players we have recruited ahead of the new season, underlines the progress we are making as a Club."

Bojan become's Stoke's fifth summer signing, following the arrivals of Mame Biram Diouf, Steve Sidwell, Phil Bardsley and Dionatan Teixeira.

Boost for Arsenal and Liverpool as Marseille star's Agent Rubbish Dinamo Link

Arsenal and Liverpool are still in the race to sign Mathieu Valbuena after the player's agent rubbished talk of a move to Dynamo Moscow.

It had been reported that the France international would seal a £5.5million move to Moscow this week, however sources in Marseille deny the presence of such a deal.

Instead Valbuena's agent, Jean-Pierre Bernes, has distanced his player from a move to Russia.

Speaking about the move to Moscow, Bernes told French website Le Phoceen: "That's bull****".

Valbuena starred for France at this summer's World Cup and the news that he is still available will come as a boost to a host of Premier League clubs.

Fear Not Arsenal Fans! Here's FOUR alternative Signings To Remy

Loic Remy and Arsenal were meant to be. It was always thought the French striker would head to the Emirates, particularly when he was spotted in the stands at the Gunners’ last home game of the season. But somehow it appears he is now on his way to Liverpool for £8.5m instead.

It’s fair to say Gooners are used to Arsene Wenger’s dithering in the transfer market in recent seasons, but this one left a particularly sore mark as they always felt the QPR forward was bound to move to north London.

Remy has history of doing the unexpected – QPR signed him from right under the noses of Newcastle, who thought they had a deal tied up – but while Arsenal fans are unimpressed by their failure to land the France international it should not be all doom and gloom.

Wenger has since said he is not looking for new strikers but with plenty of time left in the transfer market, he could yet change his mind and as these players prove, there are still options out there for the Gunners.

Mario Balotelli (AC Milan)
The difficult Italian striker is well known on these shores and Arsenal have been linked with a move for his services all summer. The Italy international – England’s scourge in their World Cup match – is thought to be available for £15.8million and while almost double the fee Liverpool are paying for Remy, he is younger and is considered more of an explosive star, both on and off the pitch.









Jackson Martinez (Porto)
The Colombian has gone goal crazy in Portugal, netting 60 times in 91 games for Porto and has already admitted he would love a move to Arsenal – the club he has supported all his life. The Gunners are understood to have held discussions with the 25-year-old but that was prior to Alexis Sanchez’s arrival and since then things have gone a tad quiet. Martinez has made it known he would happily accept a move to the Emirates but it will take £35m to prise him away from Estadio do Dragao.

Wilfried Bony (Swansea)
Liverpool and Arsenal have competed for various players this summer. Alexis Sanchez chose the Gunners, while it seems as though Remy has opted for the Reds. Bony is another player both have cast their eye over, with the Merseyside club reportedly agreeing terms for the Ivory Coast international but failing to meet Swansea’s £20m valuation. Brendan Rodgers’ decision to bring Remy to Anfield indicates he is no longer interested in the Jacks' forward and with the striker making it obvious he wants a move to a ‘top six’ club, Arsenal could benefit from Liverpool’s failure to bring in the 25-year-old, who scored 25 goals in his debut season on English soil.

Javier Hernandez (Manchester United)
The Red Devils forward has proven since moving to Old Trafford in 2010 that he has an eye for goal. A natural poacher, he is quite possibly the exact type of player Arsenal are crying out for. Currently he is one of six United players who are thought to be having their futures assessed by new boss Louis van Gaal. But should the Dutchman conclude his time is up, then Arsene Wenger should act quickly to snap up the Mexico international for what is likely to be only £7m.

Done deall! Aspas leaves Liverpool for Sevilla loan spell

Liverpool flop Iago Aspas has joined Sevilla on a season-long loan.

Aspas arrived from Celta Vigo for £7.2m last summer and was immediately handed the No.9 shirt at Anfield.

But he endured a nightmare season on Merseyside, starting just six games and scoring only once - against Oldham in the Fa Cup.

Sevilla offered him an escape route and he was delighted to join them on loan for the coming campaign.

'We don't need him, Jose!' Chelsea fans react to transfer rumour

Didier Drogba is currently a free agent after ending his stint at Galatasaray.

That has opened the door for a return to Chelsea where he is loved by the fans. Manager Jose Mourinho signed him from Marseille in 2004 and now that Demba Ba's exit has freed up a space in the squad, Drogba could sign.

The 36-year-old left in 2012 after his penalty clinched Chelsea the Champions League trophy in a shoot-out win against Bayern and apparently the striker will be given a coaching role when he retires from playing if he makes a return to south west London.

However, there was a mixed reaction on Twitter from Blues fans, with some delighted and some preferring that his final contribution in a Chelsea shirt remain as that spot-kick in Munich.

Tottenham Transfer News: Spurs to land Serie A striker?

Tottenham could be in the process of luring Roma forward Mattia Destro to White Hart Lane, according to reports in Italy. The striker was previously considered not for sale by Rudi Garcia, but Sport Mediaset say the purchase of Juan Iturbe has changed Destro’s position in the squad, meaning the Serie A side are more open to Tottenham’s advances. talkSPORT’s Transfer Spotlight has the details...

Name: Mattia Destro
Date of birth: 20 March, 1991
Birthplace: Ascoli Piceno, Italy
Position: Striker
Club: AS Roma
International appearances: 5 (Italy)

What’s the latest?
Italian outlet Sport Mediaset say the arrival of Juan Iturbe in Rome means Destro will no longer be a regular starter for Roma next season, and that could mean the club consider the enquiries they have had for the forward this summer. Along with Tottenham, Bundesliga side Wolfsburg are also said to be interested.

Did you know?

Video evidence below
 
1) Destro joined the Inter academy in 2005, winning several honours at youth level and standing out from his peers. In 2010, Genoa signed him in a loan deal with the option to buy, and in September of that year he made both his Serie A debut and goal debut against Chievo.

2) At the end of the 2011/12 season Destro was loaned out to Siena, where he would go on to score regularly for the first time in his senior career, producing 13 goals in 32 appearances for the humble Tuscan side. In the summer of 2012 he was on the move again, this time to AS Roma.

3) The 2012/13 campaign proved to be a memorable one for the forward, with five goals in five Coppa Italia games – including three against boyhood club Inter – making him the top scorer in the competition.

4) Last season saw Destro continue to find the net against the tougher sides in Serie A, with goals against Fiorentina and AC Milan in the league. The striker scored his first league hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Cagliari on April 6, 2014.

5) Destro was a regular for Italy at youth level, playing in the U17, U19 and U21 sides. Though he made the initial 32-man list for the seniors ahead of Euro 2012, he missed the final cut, but was soon rewarded with his debut in August of that year, playing against England at Wembley. His first Italy goal came in a 2014 World Cup qualifier against Malta in September 2012.

They say
“Destro is no longer non-transferable. It’s a delicate issue at Roma, given the good things he has done as Rudi Garcia’s striker. Something has changed in the last few days however, perhaps to do with the purchase of Iturbe who, with Gervinho and Totti, will form the trident set to assault Juventus. There has been strong pressure from abroad regarding Destro. First Wolfsburg, then Tottenham. Offers that were made to the player and the club were rejected, but something is changing, with doubts about his immediate future.” Sport Mediaset on Destro.




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Tottenham set to swap Gylfi Sigurdsson for Swansea's Ben Davies and sign Holland international Michael Vorm for £3.5m

Tottenham could announce the signing of Ben Davies from Swansea City as early as Sunday evening after completing a deal to sign the Wales left back.

The 21-year-old had a medical with Spurs on Sunday while the two clubs were on their respective tours of the US.

Swansea will re-sign Gylfi Sigurdsson as a straight swap for Davies and, in addition, Mauricio Pochettino has reached a deal to sign goalkeeper Michel Vorm for a fee understood to be in the region of £3.5m.

Reports: Liverpool track Isco as Real Madrid look to fund Rodriguez swoop

Liverpool have made enquiries to Real Madrid over the availability of young playmaker Isco, according to reports in Spain.

The 22-year-old enjoyed a successful debut campaign at the Bernabeu last term, netting 11 goals in 46 appearances, but may find first team chances limited this season following the arrival of World Cup winner Toni Kroos.

The La Liga side are also expected to strike a deal with Ligue 1 outfit Monaco for Colombia star James Rodriguez. The team from the Principality are expected to command a hefty fee off the back of Rodriguez's Golden Boot-winning World Cup campaign, and Isco and unsettled midfielder Angel Di Maria could be sold to fund the transfer.

Liverpool have secured four signings already this summer, Brendan Rodgers making up for the departure of star forward Luis Suarez with the arrivals of attacking duo Lazar Markovic and Rickie Lambert, as well as midfielders Emre Can and Adam Lallana.

Given that the club’s chances of securing a first Premier League title since 1990 were severely hampered by their poor form at the back last season, many have noted the strange absence of any defensive back-up among their top targets this summer.

And it seems Rodgers it still keen to add to his attacking force, with Madrid starlet Isco next on his radar, according to Spanish sports daily AS.

Italian giants AC Milan are also reported to be interested in the attacking midfielder, who signed for Real Madrid from Malaga for £23million last June, while Europa League winners Sevilla are said to be seeking a loan deal for the youngster.

However, AS report that sources close to the Spain international say he is happy and wants to fight for his place at Madrid, though they admit he may look to leave next summer if Los Blancos' new arrivals limit his playing time.

Chelsea edge ahead of Arsenal in race for Khedira

The Gunners have made contact with Real Madrid about a €25m deal for the World Cup winner but the move has stalled and the Blues have now moved for the 27-year-old

Chelsea are emerging as frontrunners in the race to sign Sami Khedira as they step up plans to reinforce their midfield.

The Blues have made contact with Real Madrid about discussing a €25 million deal for Khedira, who has only a year remaining on his contract with the Spanish giants.

Chelsea's move comes as Arsenal's pursuit of the Germany World Cup winner has stalled due to his salary demands. Khedira is believed to be pushing for a €250,000-a-week plus top-up bonuses.

That would make him comfortably the highest paid player at Emirates Stadium, where the top earners are €160,000-a-week duo Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, but he would fit in with the Chelsea wage structure for A-list players.

Jose Mourinho had made Juventus star Paul Pogba his top target to partner Nemanja Matic in central midfield next season but the Italian club's €75m asking price has put off the west Londoners.

With new signing Cesc Fabregas pencilled in for the No.10 playmaker role next season, Chelsea have begun exploring Khedira as a back-up option to Pogba given his availability and reasonable transfer fee.

Real are willing to offload the 27-year-old for €25m because his contract expires in 12 months' time, when he could leave on a free transfer. The Champions League holders have failed to make any headway in agreeing a new deal with the German and on Thursday completed the signing of his countryman Toni Kroos from Bayern Munich.

Chelsea could be encouraged to bid for Pogba following Antonio Conte's shock resignation as Juve manager earlier this week, although the situation at the Serie A champions is fluid due to doubts about the future of his team-mate Arturo Vidal. It is unlikely that Juve would cash in on more than one of their two prize assets.

Arsene Wenger is ready to pursue alternatives to Khedira as he bids to recruit a proven midfield anchorman this summer, with Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin among those admired by the Arsenal manager.

The Gunners will imminently confirm the signing of Mathieu Debuchy from Newcastle United for €10m plus add-ons and are closing in on a €4m deal for Nice goalkeeper David Ospina and a season-long loan of Atletico Madrid right-back Javi Manquillo.