Manchester United's pre-season tour tweaked by Louis van Gaal to boost title challenge

Kampusbet -  Manchester United's pre-season tour tweaked by Louis van Gaal to boost title challenge 

Judi Online -  Louis van Gaal has made a last minute change to Manchester United’s pre-season tour of the US in a bid to ensure his team’s Premier League title challenge gets off to a flying start.

United have switched the venue of one of their games in America to cut down on the amount of travelling the players will have to undertake this summer, report the Manchester Evening News.

 

Van Gaal’s side were due to face San Jose Earthquakes on July 21 at the Cal Memorial Stadium in Berkley, California.

But they have switched the venue to the Avaya Stadium near San Jose, which means they will avoid an overnight stay in Berkley.

Van Gaal is determined to ensure United’s title hopes are not undermined by their pre-season exertions. 

Bandar Bola -  He was critical of the amount of air miles his players racked up during last summer’s exhaustive tour of the States.

The alteration to this year’s schedule is the latest example of the Dutchman exerting his influence over the club’s pre-season plans.

He has already convinced United’s hierarchy to ditch a proposed lucrative friendly at Old Trafford in the week before the season kicks off in August.

Norwich to bid for Robbie Brady - with Dynamo Kiev striker Dieumerci Mbokani also on radar

Kampusbet -  Norwich to bid for Robbie Brady - with Dynamo Kiev striker Dieumerci Mbokani also on radar 

Judi Online -  Norwich are trying to prise Robbie Brady away from Hull but Steve Bruce is playing hardball over the Ireland star.

The Canaries are in the market for the versatile 23-year-old – who can ­operate in midfield or at the back – and are ready to pounce as the former Manchester United ­trainee has just 12 months left on his contract.

Norwich were ready to take Luke Garbutt from Everton, but the England Under-21 left-back has agreed a double-your-money five-year deal with the Toffees and is staying on Merseyside.

So Canaries boss Alex Neil has decided to look elsewhere – and is homing in on Brady.

Norwich are also on the trail of £5million DR Congo striker Dieumerci Mbokani.

The Premier League new boys are eyeing the Dynamo Kiev front-man to spearhead their attack next season.

Bandar Bola -  Mbokani, 29, is desperate for a crack in the top flight after spells in Belgium, Germany, France and the Ukraine.

An experienced international, with 15 goals in 30 appearances for Dr Congo, Mbokani boasts an impressive goalscoring record at club level too and is keen on making the summer switch to England. 

Norwich are chasing a new striker and have made enquiries for Mbokani but he is among a host of targets on their summer shopping list.

Nigel Pearson’s Leicester are also keen but are likely to cool their interest after signing Shinji Okazaki from German club Mainz.

Real Madrid plot £21million bid for Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny amid Sergio Ramos uncertainty

Kampusbet -  Real Madrid plot £21million bid for Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny amid Sergio Ramos uncertainty 

Judi Online -  Real Madrid are ready to launch a £21million raid for Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny.

The La Liga giants have targeted the Frenchman following the breakdown in negotiations over a new deal for Sergio Ramos.

Manchester United have registered their interest in the Spain international who has two years left on his contract.

But Arsenal will fight to keep 29-year-old Koscielny who remains a key member of their defence and signed a new long-term contract last year.

The former Lorient centre-back moved to north London in 2010 and has become one of the best centre-backs in Europe in that time.

Bandar Bola -  Meanwhile Lukas Podolski believes he made a mistake moving to Inter Milan on loan last season and thinks he could yet make an impact next season at Arsenal.

Turkish champions Galatasaray want to sign him but Podolski said: “English football is the one which best suits my style, but I know how suddenly everything can change, it was a mistake to go to Inter with no redemption clauses.

“But now I’m looking forward. I’ve always felt comfortable [at Arsenal].”

Paul Pogba WAS ready for Manchester United first team chance, says Thierry Henry

Kampusbet -  Paul Pogba WAS ready for Manchester United first team chance, says Thierry Henry 

Judi Online -  Paul Pogba was cut out and ready to hit the big time with Manchester United when the Reds allowed him to leave on a free transfer in 2012, says former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry.

Pogba is now the sought after big name of the 2015 summer transfer market but three years ago the United 2011 FA Youth Cup winning midfielder quit the Reds after an alleged fall out with Sir Alex Ferguson over a new contract, report the Manchester Evening News.

The young Frenchman, who played in May’s Champions League final for Juventus against Barcelona, was kept at arms length by Fergie at senior level and he grew fed up and left for Italy.

“He was ready to play at the time he left Manchester United. I don’t know what happened there, he was ready for me at that time,” said fellow countryman Henry.

“I saw him play in a World Cup with the France youth team and you could see already that he had something different from the other players.

Bandar Bola -  "It didn’t work for him at United for various reasons but he showed character, he went to Juve and showed he could play. Now everybody wants him.

"He is a special player and that’s why every team wants him. Whoever gets him is going to get an amazing player.

“I was a bit upset for him because he couldn’t perform the way he wanted to perform at the end of the season because he came back from an injury at the wrong time.

“For people to talk about him the way they talk about him right now, it’s because he has something that young players his age don’t have right now." 

Tottenham transfers: Andros Townsend AND Aaron Lennon are bait in Saido Berahino swap plan

Kampusbet -  Tottenham transfers: Andros Townsend AND Aaron Lennon are bait in Saido Berahino swap plan 

Judi Online -  Tottenham will offer both Andros Townsend and Aaron Lennon to West Brom in a bid to sign Saido Berahino.

Spurs are keen to snap up England Under-21 striker Berahino this summer and reckon a players-plus-cash exchange could give them the upper hand.

It would be a bold move by the north Londoners but may also give them the edge over Newcastle, who they know are also chasing £20million-rated ­Berahino.

Lennon - who was loaned out to Everton for the second half of last season - and Townsend are both England internationals but are not major parts of Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino’s plans for next season.

And Baggies boss Tony Pulis is understood to want a new attacking edge – so such an offer could prove tempting.

Bandar Bola -  The news will be a blow to Newcastle, who have been hoping to land the Burundi-born 21-year-old from West Brom in a straight-cash deal.

The Geordies have a large sum of cash ready to invest in their squad and are willing to stump up the entire transfer fee in one hit – rather than in instalments – in the hope that could tempt the Baggies to sell Berahino to them.

They had previously earmarked fellow striker Charlie Austin as their top target, but have reservations about whether he is worth QPR’s £15m valuation.

An intriguing tug-of-war for Berahino, who was forced to pull out of England's Under-21 European Championship squad this week due to a knee problem, is now set to break out ahead of the new season.

Berahino had a roller-coaster year, but still scored 14 goals in the Premier League last season and earned a call-up to the senior national squad.

Tottenham transfers: Aston Villa target Andros Townsend for reunion with old boss Tim Sherwood

Kampusbet -  Tottenham transfers: Aston Villa target Andros Townsend for reunion with old boss Tim Sherwood 

Judi Online -  Tim Sherwood wants to sign Tottenham winger Andros Townsend.

The Aston Villa boss is a big fan of the 23-year-old England star, who played in the Euro 2016 qualifying win over Slovenia last Sunday.

He is ready to move for Townsend this summer.

Townsend has three years left on his Spurs contract, signed soon after he helped England to reach the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Sherwood is already poised to clinch the signing of Micah Richards following the 26-year-old defender’s release from Manchester City.

Mirror Sport exclusively revealed last week that free agent Richards turned down a bigger financial package from Sunderland to join Villa after Sherwood become involved.

Sherwood is now set to turn his attentions to Townsend but Villa face a tough task agreeing a deal with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.

Bandar Bola -  Spurs were ready to allow Townsend to leave for the right offer last summer, but Levy rejected bids of £12million from Southampton and £10m from QPR.

Sherwood is a champion of young English talent and is also keen on former Spurs midfielder Tom Huddlestone, now at relegated Hull.

During his time at Tottenham, Sherwood helped to guide the likes of Harry Kane, Ryan Mason and Townsend along the road to the first team.

Townsend, 23, scored six club goals and two for England last season, including the late equaliser in their friendly against Italy in March.

He will be well aware he needs to be playing regularly next season to remain part of boss Roy Hodgson’s plans for Euro 2016.

Spurs have also entered the race to sign ex-Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye from Paris Saint-Germain.

Aston Villa eyeing £5.5million deal for Hull midfielder Tom Huddlestone

Kampusbet -  Aston Villa eyeing £5.5million deal for Hull midfielder Tom Huddlestone 

Judi Online -  Tim Sherwood will table a £5.5million bid for Tom Huddlestone after going to Hull and back again.

Aston Villa boss Sherwood has targeted the England midfielder following Jake Livermore’s drugs shame.

Sherwood had planned a summer swoop for Livermore - but he was forced to ditch his interest when the former Tottenham ace tested positive for cocaine after City’s 2-0 win at Crystal Palace two months ago.

Livermore was instantly suspended by his club and the FA for the rest of the season, and is now facing a two-year ban from playing.

And Sherwood’s hopes of landing loan star Tom Cleverley on a permanent deal were wrecked when the Manchester United midfielder snubbed Villa in favour of a move to Everton.

That has seen Sherwood turn his sights on Livermore’s Tigers team-mate Huddlestone who looks certain to be part of the big-name exodus from the KC Stadium following Hull’s relegation to the Championship.

Bandar Bola -  A source confirmed: “Sherwood is a big fan of Tom, and the pair have strong ties after working closely with one another during their time together at Spurs.

“Tim coached Tom at White Hart Lane when he was fighting his way back to fitness with the reserves following a bad injury, and rates him as one of the best creative midfield players in the country.

“He believes he is the manager who can bring out the best in him, and would relish the opportunity to throw him a Premier League lifeline.”

Huddlestone has also been linked with a switch to ambitious Bournemouth, but the ex-Derby schemer would prefer a reunion with Sherwood to hooking up with the surprise top flight new-boys.

Nottingham-born Huddlestone, who cost the Tigers £5.25million when he joined from Spurs two years ago, still has 12 months left on contract with the Humberside outfit

But he is expected to be on the move along with the likes of Nikica Jelavic, Abel Hernandez, Dame N'Doye, James Chester and Andy Robertson as Hull count the cost of dropping out of England’s elite.

Raheem Sterling transfer: Liverpool reject £30m bid from Manchester City - and want over £50m

Kampusbet -  Raheem Sterling transfer: Liverpool reject £30m bid from Manchester City - and want over £50m 

Judi Online -  Liverpool have rejected a £30million offer from Manchester City in the opening salvo in the bidding war for Raheem Sterling.

City have been tracking Sterling for months and yesterday tabled a bid of £25m up front and a further £5m in add-ons.

Liverpool knocked back their offer and it is understood they value the winger at more than £50m.

The rejection is unlikely to deter City and they will maintain their pursuit.

They believe they can prise Sterling away from Anfield because he has told Liverpool he wants to go and is refusing their offer of a new deal.

City feel the atacker is exactly the sort of young, English talent they need as they overhaul their side after last season's trophyless campaign.

Bandar Bola -  City's move is expected to spur Sterling's other suitors into action and Manchester United are willing to offer in excess of £25m for him.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are also monitoring developments, although all four clubs have yet to bid.

Liverpool are determined to play hardball in the negotiations over Sterling and publicly they maintain he is not for sale.

Privately, they would accept an offer over £50m because that would massively transform Brendan Rodgers' transfer budget for this summer.

Rodgers is believed to have around £30m to spend and so far has been limited to bringing in James Milner and Danny Ings on Bosmans.

His top target is Christian Benteke, but he does not have the cash to meet his £32.5m buy-out clause at Aston Villa.

Jurgen Klopp open to "exciting" Premier League move and would join Liverpool

Kampusbet -  Jurgen Klopp open to "exciting" Premier League move and would join Liverpool 

Judi Online -   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.

The former Dortmund coach is currently taking a break from the game after ending his successful tenure at Borussia Dortmund after German Cup final defeat to Wolfsburg.

The charismatic coach was linked with a possible move to Anfield prior to club owners FSG backing Brendan Rodgers to continue in the role next season.

Interestingly though, Klopp’s agent Marc Kosicke has suggested he would be open to coming to England and would want to work with a sporting director, something which was initially FSG’s plan at Liverpool, reports the Liverpool Echo . 

Brendan Rodgers rejected that model in agreeing to come to Anfield and it subsequently morphed into the transfer committee whose workings have caused such controversy with fans.

Speaking to SPOX, Kosicke said: “The Premier League is very exciting, And we do not only think about the top four because there are some other great clubs below them. But I am not sure the profile of the job could work.

Bandar Bola -  In Germany there is a clear separation between manager and sporting director and I think in principle this is very good. Jurgen does not like to speak to players’ agents or to carry out a transfer. 

So we have to see which is the most useful arrangement.”

Klopp would not necessarily need Champions League football to attract him to a role according to Kosicke.

“It is always all about the challenge,” he said. “When Jurgen signed for Dortmund there were other clubs who had better prestige and were in better financial mood at this time. Nevertheless he decided for Dortmund.

“He has the great ability to develop things. If he goes into a stadium, feels the energy and thinks that he can make a difference here, this could be more attractive to him than going with the big deals and aim for the treble.”

West Ham's Chelsea transfer target Enner Valencia valued at £30m as Sampdoria join the hunt

Kampusbet -  West Ham's Chelsea transfer target Enner Valencia valued at £30m as Sampdoria join the hunt 

Judi Online -   Sampdoria will have to splash out over £30million if they want to prise Enner Valencia away from West Ham.

The Italian club are rivalling Chelsea’s interest in the Ecuador international centre-forward. 

But the Hammers have no intention of selling the 24-year-old, who was signed for £12.5m from Mexican side Pachuca last summer after impressing at the World Cup last summer. 

It is understood only a massive offer would get them to consider changing their minds.

Valencia has impressed with his performances, but scored only four Premier League goals.

That has not dimmed the interest from Sampdoria, who are also set to conclude a £6m deal to sell Spanish midfielder Pedro Obiang to the Londoners.

The signing of Obiang, 23, would represent a coup for the Hammers, who have allowed last season's loanee Alex Song to return to parent club Barcelona because of concerns over his fitness. 

Bandar Bola -  West Ham believe Valencia should focus on improving his goal return. He signed a five-year deal last summer and formed a good understanding with Diafra Sakho until the in-form striker was injured and ruled out for the season.

The Hammers are sounding out the contract demands of Marseille boss Marcelo Bielsa as they continue their manager hunt.

Slaven Bilic, who left Turkish side Besiktas at the end of last season, was interviewed over the weekend but the former West Ham defender has not yet been made an offer.

With their 2015-16 campaign set to begin on July 2 in the first qualifying round of the Europa League after getting in through the Fair Play League back-door, the club hope to be close to an appointment by the end of this week.

Co-chairman David Gold said: “We would like someone who has managed successfully in one of the major leagues in the world. We want to bring in an established manager who has been there and done it.”

Xavi hopes Barcelona's attacking "beast" can seal dream farewell in Champions League final

Kampusbet -  Xavi hopes Barcelona's attacking "beast" can seal dream farewell in Champions League final 

Judi Online -  Xavi is hoping Barcelona will unleash their irresistible, attacking beast tonight.
 

The Nou Camp legend is preparing to leave the Catalans after 24 years, and has already shed tears when fans saluted his final La Liga ­appearance and the club ­organised a special ­presentation to him this week.

This evening in Berlin he will skipper Barca in the ­Champions League Final against Juventus.

One of the greatest midfielders of the modern game, Xavier Hernández Creus intends to sign off in style.

It will be his farewell ­appearance to a club where he has spent 17 years as a first-teamer. He will then head off to Qatar to join Al Sad.

The 35-year-old has inspired and has been inspired by some of the finest footballers on the planet.

And going into tonight’s final he revealed: “I’ve played with some incredible players during my time at ­Barcelona, but the front three of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Luis Suarez are something else, like nothing I’ve seen before.

“They create this beast of attacking talent and, as we have seen this season, between them they create a beast that cannot be contained.”

Assessing their ­individual merits, Xavi added: “Messi? I feel like I don’t even need to talk about. 

What is there left to be said? He is the best there has ever been, he is the best there will ever be.

As for Neymar, when Messi’s time as number one is up I have no doubt Neymar will replace him as the best player in the world. What is so special about Suarez is that he is one of the best attacking players in the world, but he also has the work-rate of a box to box midfield player.

“From the first day he arrived everybody at Barcelona has been so impressed with his attitude.

Bandar Bola -  Even when he wasn’t scoring the goals, he worked hard and his attitude got a lot of respect.”

Xavi played ­alongside an array of talent during his years at Barca.

He was in midfield with the likes of Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Luis Figo and the strikers who pale in comparison with the current trio include Thierry Henry, Henrik Larsson, Zlatan Ibrahimovich, Samuel Eto’o and Patrick Kluivert.

Xavi added: “I couldn’t write the story better of my last game for Barcelona being the ­Champions League Final, but we must make sure it’s a story with a happy ending.

“If I start from the bench or not I’ll do everything I can to make sure we win another Champions League, and that I finish with a dream ending.”

A World Cup-winner with Spain, Xavi has made more than 500 appearances for Barca, clinching 24 trophies including three Champions League trophies and eight La Liga titles.

You would not bet against him being a winner again in Berlin tonight.

Xavi added: “I couldn’t write the story better of my last game for Barcelona being the ­Champions League Final, but we must make sure it’s a story with a happy ending.

“If I start from the bench or not I’ll do everything I can to make sure we win another Champions League, and that I finish with a dream ending.”

A World Cup-winner with Spain, Xavi has made more than 500 appearances for Barca, clinching 24 trophies including three Champions League trophies and eight La Liga titles.

You would not bet against him being a winner again in Berlin tonight.

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie hints at Old Trafford exit, saying: 'I want to play every week'

Kampusbet -  Manchester United striker Robin van Persie hints at Old Trafford exit, saying: 'I want to play every week' 

Judi Online -  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.

There will also be interest in England but that would depend on who United are prepared to deal with.

“I want to play first-team football and to play every week at a high level at a big club,” he said.

“The club will have to do some homework and so will I. I will take everything into consideration and weigh up what is the best solution in this strange situation.

“This is a big boys’ world. Louis van Gaal is not the coach of Robin van Persie, he’s the coach of Manchester United. 

“He has to deal with 25 players and it’s not all about me. I can handle whatever the situation is this summer.”

Bandar Bola -  Van Persie was frustrated at only making one start after injuring his ankle in February and when he was restricted to 60 minutes for the Reserves as he tried to maintain his match fitness.

“Let’s get the facts straight, I’ve only had one injury,” he said. “It was a planned six-week lay off and I came back on schedule.

“I went on the reserve team bus to Fulham. Six hours there and six hours back. I could see I was not going to play for the first team for a few weeks. 

“I was a bit disappointed, though, that after travelling all that way, I was only allowed to play for an hour. I told the reserves coach I felt great, but he said it was orders from the boss that I could only play for one hour.

“Am I approaching the end of my career? Not at all. Physically I feel fantastic and I think I’ll surprise many people by playing for many more years.”