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United break record to complete Di Maria deal

Manchester United have smashed the British transfer record to sign Angel di Maria from Real Madrid.

Angel di Maria of Argentina celebrates scoring his team's first goal in extra time during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Round of 16 match between Argentina and Switzerland

United confirmed the signing of the Argentina winger on Tuesday after he completed a medical.

United have paid £59.7million for the former Benfica player, who has signed a five-year contract with his new club.

The fee eclipses the previous British transfer record of £50million, which Chelsea paid for Fernando Torres in 2011.

It also exceeds the £37.1million sum United paid for Juan Mata in January.

Di Maria said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester United. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Spain and there were a lot of clubs interested in me, but United is the only club that I would have left Real Madrid for.

“Louis van Gaal is a fantastic coach with a proven track record of success and I am impressed by the vision and determination everyone has to get this club back to the top – where it belongs. I now just cannot wait to get started.”

The 26-year-old, who cost Real around £28million when they signed him from Benfica in 2010, is regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders in the world.

His signing is a statement of intent from new manager Van Gaal too.

“Angel is a world-class midfielder but most importantly he is a team player. There is no doubting his immense natural talent,” he said.

“He is a tremendously fast and incisive left-footed player who puts fear into the most accomplished defence. His dribbling skills and his ability to take on and beat opponents are a joy to watch. He is an excellent addition to the team.”

The Argentinian won the man of the match award for his role in Real Madrid’s victory over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final last season.

He also made the most assists (17) in the Spanish league last season.

The £71million summer signing of James Rodriguez lessened Di Maria’s chances of first-team football at the Bernabeu, however, and Madrid decided to cash in on the player, whose value increased following a successful World Cup in Brazil, where he helped Argentina reach the final.

Paris St Germain were the early front runners for Di Maria’s signature, but they pulled out of the race to sign the midfielder after failing to agree a fee with the European champions.

It will be interesting to see how Van Gaal attempts to slot Di Maria into his starting XI.

There seems no natural place for Di Maria in the 3-4-1-2 formation Van Gaal has used since he took over at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman has a plethora of options for the number 10 role, so Di Maria could be converted into a striker, or he could be deployed deeper in midfield.

Another alternative is switching United to a 4-3-3 system with Di Maria as one of the front three, with Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Robin van Persie – among others – vying for the two remaining places.

United’s summer spending total now stands at over £130million following the signing of Di Maria.

Marcos Rojo (£50million), Luke Shaw (£28million) and Ander Herrera (£29million) have already joined the club, and more signings are expected before the transfer window shuts on Monday night.

Daley Blind, Arturo Vidal and Kevin Strootman are understood to be on United’s radar.

But the club have reservations over the state of Vidal’s right knee, which was operated on in May, and Roma’s Strootman is also recovering from a serious knee injury.

Blind, whom Van Gaal knows well from his time with the Dutch national side, has been told he can leave Ajax if United make an acceptable offer.

As of yet, no bid has been made for the Ajax utility man, according to his representative Rob Jansen.

Press Association Sport understands that contrary to reports, United are not interested in signing Nigel de Jong from AC Milan.

”At this moment Manchester United have not been in touch with me or Ajax about Daley and I’m not sitting here waiting for the call,” Jansen told talkSPORT.

A host of departures are also expected before the window shuts.

Up to 12 players could depart, chief among them striker Danny Welbeck.

Marouane Fellaini was expected to leave, but an ankle injury appears to have scuppered his chances of signing for Napoli.

Javier Hernandez, Shinji Kagawa and Anderson are among a long list of names with question marks hanging over their futures.

Source Foxsports

U13s win matches on Japan tour

Song Lam Nghe An’s U13 team secured two more wins yesterday on their Japan tour after winning the national championships last month.

Song Lam Nghe An’s U13 team secured two more wins yesterday on their Japan tour after winning the national championships last month.

The Vietnamese champions defeated the U12s of Vivace FC 10-1 in the morning with a hat-trick from striker Van Huy. The team consolidated their sensational win beating Azul Claro Numazu’s U12 8-1.

Coach Nguyen Huu Thang said he was impressed at how their Japanese rivals organised games, their sideline activities and their respectful attitude towards players, coaches and fans.

The boys will have two days off in Tokyo before heading home tomorrow.

According to VNS

Ninh Binh players sentenced to jail

Ninh Binh Province’s People’s Court yesterday handed down a 30-month jail term to midfielder Tran Manh Dung for match fixing and gambling offences committed in March.

Ninh Binh Province’s People’s Court yesterday handed down a 30-month jail term to midfielder Tran Manh Dung for match fixing and gambling offences committed in March.

Eight other players received probations ranging from 24 to 27 months and will be under house arrest for up to 48 months.

All nine players are former members of V-League’s Vissai Ninh Binh FC and have been banned from football activities by the Viet Nam Football Federation and the Asian Football Confederation.

According to the indictment, the nine players wagered VND1.02 billion (US$48,600) on a match against Malaysian side Kelantan during the AFC Cup on March 18, with their team winning 3-2.

A cash sum of VND850 million ($40,400) pocketed from the dealings has been confiscated, while Dung, goalkeeper Nguyen Manh Dung and Le Quang Hung have been fined VND20 million ($950) each. The remaining players have been fined VND15 million ($700).

Ninh Binh FC has been given responsibility to manage the probationers

According to VNS

Arsenal waiting on Giroud scan

Arsenal are waiting to discover the severity of Olivier Giroud’s foot injury but are already resigned to being without him agains Besiktas.

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Giroud may be facing an extended spell on the sidelines after sustaining the damage in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Everton, just seconds after heading the equaliser.

The 27-year-old Frenchman has undergone two scans and is due to see a specialist on Wednesday who will provide a time frame for his rehabilitation.

Manager Arsene Wenger refused to speculate on the extent of the damage amid reports that Giroud has broken a bone and could be out for two to three months.

“Olivier will not play against Besiktas. He will see a specialist and afterwards we will make an announcement as to how long he’ll be out,” Wenger said.

“It can be (long term), we’ll see. I don’t know (if it’s broken). It’s sad for us, but for the moment we are focused on the game.”

The loss of Giroud has robbed Arsenal of their first-choice striker as they seek to secure a 17th successive season in the group stage of the Champions League.

Wenger may now be forced into the transfer market in search of a replacement if the Gunners’ worst fears are realised and Giroud faces an extended spell on the sidelines.

When asked if his absence would impact on transfers, Wenger replied: “I don’t know. We are 24 hours from a big game and our focus is more on that than the transfer window.

“I’ve learnt one thing in our job – you say nothing categorically.”

Summer signing Alexis Sanchez could operate as the lone striker against Besiktas, although doubts have been raised over his ability to perform the role.

Sanchez was substituted at half-time at Goodison Park following an ineffective 45 minutes as the focal point of Arsenal’s attack.

Yaya Sanogo, Lukas Podolski and Joel Campbell are also options, although it is Sanogo, who missed out against Everton because of a hamstring injury, who is most likely to start.

Wenger, who ruled out Podolski leaving in the transfer window, is confident he has the options to cover for Giroud’s absence in the second leg of the qualifier at the Emirates Stadium.

“Yes of course, why should I not have that confidence?” Wenger said.

“Nobody can image that when one player is missing, no matter how big the player is, the team can’t win a game any more.”

The first leg finished in a goalless draw in Istanbul and while Arsenal are heavy favourites to defeat the Turkish club, Wenger knows anything is possible.

“For us the Champions League is very important. We want to play at the top level, at international level,” Wenger said.

“It’s a very important game, more on the sporting side than the financial side.

“Nothing is unthinkable – it (not qualifying for the group stage) has happened to 99 per cent of all the big clubs in Europe.

“But we want to be in there and we think we have the potential to do it. The task is clear and we know we can do it. So let’s do it.

“Experience plays a big part. We have big experience of playing in the Champions League and in highly pressurised games. We can use that.

“But what’s more important is putting in a good, strong performance.

“I’m confident this group is mentally prepared and ready for the fight.”

Source: Foxsports

Bremen end Ruiz interest

Werder Bremen have withdrawn from negotiations to sign Fulham forward Bryan Ruiz due to the club’s financial restraints.

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Reports suggested the Costa Rican international had agreed personal terms with the Bundesliga club, but hopes of a deal being struck with the Championship club were dashed by Bremen’s lack of funds.

General manager Thomas Eichin revealed it would now be “impossible” to bring Ruiz to the Weserstadion after he was denied funds to sign any more players this month.

“Actually it’s impossible to sign him [Bryan Ruiz],” Eichin told German publication Kreiszeitung Syke.

“The club is determined to keep up with the financial consolidation and get closer to achieving a black zero.

“That is why we are not talking about signing new players, we are just out for further departures.”

Werder Bremen manager Robin Dutt added: “I did not expect to see a bag full of money being on Thomas’ desk.

“It’s no real news to me as we did not have money yesterday, we have no money now and we will likely have no money tomorrow.”

Source Foxsporst

Simeone tight-lipped over ban

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has stayed tight-lipped on the subject of his eight-match ban, apart from saying he has “great respect” for the decision-makers.

140114simeone

Simeone’s huge suspension was the combination of four separate punishments handed down by the Spanish Football Federation on Monday after he was sent off during Friday’s Spanish Supercopa win over Real Madrid at the Vicente Calderon.

The Argentinian was hit with a four-match ban for tapping the back of the fourth official’s head, a two-match suspension for the protests which led to his sending off, plus two one-match bans for sarcastically applauding the official’s decision and for remaining in the stands instead of going to the changing rooms after his dismissal.

Asked about the punishment following Atletico’s goalless draw at Rayo Vallecano on Monday night, Simeone said: “I’m not going to make any assessment, I have a lot of respect for those who make the decisions, and silence.”

Simeone watched on from the stands as Atletico were held by local rivals Rayo in the opening match of their Primera Division title defence.

It was not the ideal way to start the season, but the 44-year-old was quick to credit Rayo and doubts if he had been on the touchline things would have been much different.

He said: “The game was clear. In the first half, we were better, we had three clear chances, and then Rayo improved in the second half, we didn’t play against a wall, we played against a team.”

He added: “I don’t think that having me on the field would’ve improved anything. We came from playing on Tuesday and Friday and the effort from these days could be felt in the second half.”

Source: Foxsports

Lampard retires from international football

Frank Lampard has announced his retirement from international football.

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The 36-year-old midfielder has called time on his England career which has spanned 15 years and earned him 106 caps.

Lampard said in a statement released by his management company: “I have taken the decision to retire from international football. It has been a very tough decision for me to make which is why I have given it so much thought since the World Cup.”

Lampard ended his 13-year stay at Chelsea in the summer and is currently on loan at Manchester City from Major League Soccer side New York City.

He added: “I have always been exceptionally proud and honoured to represent my country and have to say looking back I have enjoyed every minute of wearing the England shirt.

“Due to my club career now going in a different direction it is of utmost importance for me to consider my family first – also, to concentrate on how I can perform consistently to the best of my abilities over my next few years in club football.

“It is now the time to move forward and I feel very confident that, with Roy Hodgson in charge, the young players that we have coming through and the changes that are being made throughout the development of the youth system in this country, we will have success in the future and a team that this country deserves.

“I would like to thank all the managers that I have worked under, all the players that I have been fortunate enough to play alongside, and all the England fans for their support, not only at home, but particularly on their travels with the team around the world.

“I now look forward to continuing to support the team as a fan and wish them every success for the upcoming campaign towards France 2016.”

Lampard made his England debut in 1999 at the age of 21, but it was not until Euro 2004 that he played in a major championships. Since then he has appeared at every major tournament England have qualified for, including three World Cups.

He is the joint sixth most-capped player in England history, level with Bobby Charlton, while his 29 international goals puts him joint ninth on the country’s list of top goalscorers.

The Londoner’s decision comes little more than a month after long-time central midfield partner and England captain Steven Gerrard ended his England career, marking the end of an era for the national team.

Lampard’s final England game came against Costa Rica at the World Cup in Brazil, when he captained the already-eliminated team in a 0-0 draw.

According to Foxsports

Agent plays down Podolski rumours

Lukas Podolski’s agent has brushed aside reports that Juventus and Napoli have made an offer to sign the Arsenal forward.

Podolski

The Germany international has been linked with a move to Serie A this summer.

Podolski did not feature in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Everton on Saturday, increasing speculation around the 29-year-old’s possible departure from north London.

“I read in the newspapers that Juventus and Napoli were interested in Lukas,” Podolski’s agent Ali Pektas told tuttomercatoweb.it.

“But there has been no approach from either of those clubs.

“I don’t know if he will go to Italy in this transfer window. I can’t say anything for sure.

“The only certainty is that Lukas has a contract with Arsenal.”

Podolski,. who is also a target of Turkish side Galatasaray, joined Arsenal from Cologne in the summer of 2012 and has two years left on his contract.

According to Foxsports

Benatia set for Bayern switch

German champions Bayern Munich have won the race to sign highly-rated defender Mehdi Benatia from Roma.

Defender Mehdi Benatia #17 of AS Roma

The 27-year-old Morocco international had reportedly been a target for both Arsenal and Manchester United after excelling at the Stadio Olimpico to help Roma finish second in the Serie A table last season.

But Bundesliga giants Bayern have now secured his services for the next five years.

A statement published on the club’s official website read: “On Tuesday afternoon the German champions reached an agreement with Roma over the transfer of Mehdi Benatia. Both clubs have agreed not to disclose the transfer fee.

“Benatia will come to Munich in the next few days to undergo a medical. The central defender will then sign a five-year contract.”

Bayern boss Pep Guardiola, whose side kicked off their latest title defence with a 2-1 victory over Wolfsburg at the weekend, has already strengthened his back-line with the summer addition of Juan Bernat from Valencia.

But the loss of Javi Martinez for around six months due to torn cruciate ligaments has necessitated the recruitment of another body in the back four.

Roma took a calculated risk when signing Benatia from Udinese for 13.5 million euros last summer but his commanding performances in the Giallorossi defence were pivotal across a campaign that saw the capital club secure their return to the Champions League.

He made 33 league appearances – scoring five goals – and in 19 of those games, Roma kept a clean sheet.

His final days in Rome have been tinged with bitterness, however. The France-born player recently claimed Roma had reneged on an agreement to increase his wages.

Reports in Italy suggested Roma valued Benatia at no less than 40 million euros but Bayern are understood to have been successful with a bid approaching 30 million euros.

Roma are set to replace the 27-year-old with Olympiacos defender Kostas Manolas, who was on Tuesday undergoing a medical in the Italian capital.

According to Foxsports

Mascherano signs new Barca deal

Javier Mascherano has signed a new four-year contract with Barcelona.

Malaga CF v Malaga CF  - Liga BBVA

The deal, which was agreed before this summer’s World Cup, ties the Argentina international to the Nou Camp until June 30, 2018, with the option of a further year on top of that.

Mascherano, whose new contract has a buy-out clause of 100million euros (£80million), joined Barca from Liverpool in 2010 for a reported £18million and has won eight titles, including two Primera Divisions, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey, during his time in Spain.

The versatile 30-year-old midfielder said: “I’m committed to this club until the final day of the contract. I hope I can live up to expectations of the club.

“I’m really happy to be in this great club and be part of a squad with such great players. Let’s hope things go really well for us this season. We’re looking forward to this season after some difficult times last campaign.”

According to Foxsports