Author: Jordan Harris

The CIES Football Observatory have used their statistics and data to compile a list of the players who were bought for too much in comparison with their true value. Here is the top five, along with how overpriced they actually were (via Metro): 5. Arda Turan £11.1m (Atletico Madrid to Barcelona) The 28-year-old was a pivotal part of Diego Simeone’s side for four years, helping them win the La Liga title, and reach the Champions League final in 2014. Nevertheless, his £24m move to Barcelona (via Guardian) saw the Catalan giants pay £11.1m too…

Manchester United star tells teammates that fourth place is NOT good enough

Manchester United star Ander Herrera has told his teammates that finishing fourth this season is not good enough, according to the Daily Mirror. The Red Devils finished fourth in the last campaign – which was the first at the club for both Herrera and manager Louis van Gaal – but the 26-year-old believes that that would not be acceptable this time around. “Last season was the first with the new staff and a lot of new players like me but, now, we have no excuses,” he said. “We have to fight…

Nathaniel Clyne vows that Liverpool will take the game to Man United on Saturday

Nathaniel Clyne has a better idea than many of his Liverpool teammates what it will take for the Reds to go to Old Trafford and win on Saturday, and he believes that it is important that Brendan Rodgers’ men take the game to Manchester United, the Daily Mail report. “Working hard, playing on the front foot and taking the game to them is going to be key. We can’t allow them to pass the ball around as they like to or have too much free space,” he said. “We need…

Gareth Bale’s agent quashes Man United rumours and states Welshman wants to stay at Real Madrid for entire career

Gareth Bale’s agent has quashed speculation linking his client with a summer move to Manchester United, by suggesting that he was never close to leaving Real Madrid and wants to spend the rest of his career at the Bernabeu, according to the Daily Express. Los Blancos’ president Florentino Perez confirmed that the Red Devils had approached the Spanish giants about a move, having made the Welshman one of their top transfer targets, alongside Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller (via Express). But Jonathan Barnett revealed that it was never in the 26-year-old’s…

Top five biggest summer bargains: Man United and Liverpool both let stars go too cheaply

The CIES Football Observatory have used their statistics and data to compile a list of the players that were bought for peanuts in comparison with their true value. Here is the top five, and the amount that their new clubs underpaid for them (via Metro): 5. Nathaniel Clyne £7.1m (Southampton to Liverpool) The right-back joined Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, and Dejan Lovren in swapping St Mary’s for Anfield. Unlike the trio however, he looks to stand a very good chance of justifying the fee that the Reds paid for him…

Real Madrid wonderkid Martin Odegaard REJECTED moves to Man United and Premier League rivals

Real Madrid wonderkid Martin Odegaard has revealed that he turned down three offers to come to the Premier League before deciding that the Bernabeu was the place for him, according to the Daily Star. The 16-year-old is undoubtedly one of the most exciting prospects in the game, having made his international debut at the age of just 15. Understandably therefore, the Norwegian was attracting the interest of many of Europe’s biggest sides, and he explained that there was a strong English contingent chasing his signature, but stands by his decision…

Arsenal prepared to battle European heavyweights in race for Real Madrid star Isco

Arsenal are preparing to battle against both Manchester City and Juventus in the race to sign Real Madrid attacking midfielder Isco, according to the Metro. The Gunners are keeping an eye on the 23-year-old’s situation at the Bernabeu, Spanish outlet Sport suggest (via Metro), and may be tempted into a January move should he become available. There is little question that Isco is one of the most exciting young players in Europe currently, but there is a danger that he may watch his career stagnate if Rafa Benitez is not…

Man United plotting summer move for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane

Manchester United have made signing Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane one of their main priorities for the next summer transfer window, according to French newspaper Le 10 Sport. Los Blancos president Florentino Perez stated that the Red Devils were chasing the Frenchman, as well as Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema during the previous months (via Le 10 Sport), and it appears that they are keeping an eye on Varane in particular. The Metro report that the 22-year-old may be available in the future should he find it difficult to enjoy…

David de Gea could be handed Man United reprieve for crucial Liverpool clash

David de Gea could be about to be welcomed back into the Manchester United fold by starting the crucial clash against Liverpool on Saturday, the Daily Star report. The Spaniard has yet to feature for Louis van Gaal’s side this season due to the speculation surrounding a potential summer move to Real Madrid (via Star). With the 24-year-old remaining a United player past the window’s deadline, however, The Times state that he may be handed his first start of the campaign against the Reds (via Star). The surprising U-turn emphasises…

Chelsea news: Pogba reveals why he rejected move, and Pedro speaks about Mourinho

Here is Tuesday’s news and gossip concerning Chelsea: Blues target Paul Pogba has revealed that he rejected a £69m move to Stamford Bridge in the summer because it was not the right time to go, according to the Daily Express. The 22-year-old did hint that he may be on the move in January, however. “Why would I not stay? I didn’t have any motive to go, it wasn’t the right time,” he said. “Has a deal been struck with Barça in January? I don’t know, for now I’m at Juventus…

Arsenal news: Spanish starlet scouted, and move planned for Tottenham target

Here is Tuesday’s news and gossip concerning Arsenal: The Gunners have sent scouts to monitor the progress of Real Betis youngster Dani Ceballos, according to the Metro. The 19-year-old has a release clause of just £7.5m and will be available on a free next summer, but is being watched by several clubs around Europe. Arsenal are reportedly preparing a £10m offer for Basel and Switzerland striker Breel Embolo, according to the Daily Star. The Tottenham target is also being watched by Juventus, who are set to be Arsenal’s biggest competition…

Chelsea target Paul Pogba explains why he rejected summer move, but hints at January exit

Chelsea target Paul Pogba has explained that he rejected a summer move because it wasn’t the right time to leave Juventus, but hinted that it may be a different story in January, according to the Daily Express. The Blues attempted to bring the 22-year-old to Stamford Bridge during the window, only for the former Manchester United man to turn down the opportunity to complete a £69m move (via Express), and the Frenchman revealed to The Sun that he did not want to leave the Serie A champions (via Express). “Why…

Arsenal’s Laurent Koscienly rated doubtful for Stoke clash as back problems continue

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny is now a doubt for the Gunners’ upcoming clash with Stoke City, after missing France’s friendly win over Serbia through injury, the Daily Express report. The 29-year-old was absent from Didier Deschamps’ side for the game in Bordeaux due to a back problem, which comes just a couple of weeks after he missed the goalless draw with Liverpool due to a similar issue (via Express). And while Arsene Wenger’s side kept a clean sheet during the game at the Emirates, it was largely down to Petr…

Arsenal monitoring Spanish starlet available in cut-price deal

Arsenal have reportedly sent scouts out to Spain to monitor the progress of Real Betis youngster Dani Ceballos, who may be available for a cut-price deal, according to the Daily Mirror. The 19-year-old has been attracting the attention of several of Europe’s biggest clubs – including Liverpool, Roma, and Real Madrid (via Daily Mail) – as he has a release clause of just £7.5m, and will be available on a free transfer next summer (via Mirror). While the Spain under-21 international has not enjoyed the best of starts to the…

Pedro defends Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho despite Special One’s feud with former club Barcelona

September 7, 2015September 7, 2015 Jordan Harris

Former Barcelona winger Pedro has admitted that his opinion of Jose Mourinho has changed since his move to Chelsea, according to the Daily Mail. The 28-year-old completed his £21m switch to Stamford Bridge during the summer (via Mail), but would be forgiven for having a different view of his new manager given the Special One’s long-standing feud with the Catalan giants. Despite working at the Nou Camp under Sir Bobby Robson, Mourinho is extremely unpopular among supporters of the La Liga champions, and the hatred reached its peak in 2011…

Louis van Gaal should be SACKED if Man United cannot beat Liverpool, according to former England captain

September 7, 2015September 24, 2015 Jordan Harris

Former England captain Alan Shearer has criticised Louis van Gaal’s actions in the transfer market, and claims that the Dutchman should be sacked as Manchester United manager should the Red Devils fail to beat Liverpool in their next game, the Daily Express report. Brendan Rodgers is the favourite in the sack race, but if you think LVG will go before him – pick up a Matchbook bonus code right here. United have made a promising start to the new campaign, and have booked their place in the Champions League group stage,…

Arsenal hoping to beat Tottenham to signing of 18-year-old international striker

Arsenal are hoping to see off competition from north London neighbours Tottenham in the battle to sign Basel star Breel Embolo, according to the Daily Express. The 18-year-old is valued at £10m (via Express), and may feature for Switzerland in their European qualifier against England on Tuesday night. While Spurs were reportedly interested in brokering a potential deal for the promising youngster during the transfer window, the Express suggest that the Gunners’ interest is much more recent. Arsene Wenger’s side were punished for failing to add a single outfield player…

(Video) England defender scores STUNNING volley in training ahead of Switzerland clash

Phil Jagielka has been something of a utility man throughout his career, filling in as both a defender and a midfielder – and of course, as a goalkeeper during his Sheffield United days as Arsenal fans may remember – but perhaps he has just staked his claim to be considered as a potential attacking option for England. Obviously intent on not being a spectator during a training game like he was during the comfortable victory over San Marino, the Everton man was far up the pitch when a cross was…

Arsenal defender wanted by Premier League duo and La Liga outfit after hinting at possible exit

Arsenal defender Mathieu Debuchy may be offered an Emirates exit during the January transfer window, after the Daily Star reported that Everton, Swansea, and La Liga side Valencia were all chasing his signature. The 30-year-old previously admitted that he was considering the possibility of leaving the Gunners after finding that his place in the side had been taken by Hector Bellerin last season (via Star). And while he was clearly still in Arsene Wenger’s plans as he was included in the Arsenal squad in the Spaniard’s absence, that took on…

Michael Carrick doubtful for Man United’s clash with Liverpool after England withdrawal

Michael Carrick is a doubt for Manchester United’s upcoming clash with Liverpool after withdrawing from the England squad through injury, the Daily Star report. The Star report that the 34-year-old had been expected to start the Three Lions’ clash with Switzerland at Wembley, but has now returned to his club to undergo tests to understand the extent of the problem. The news is a major blow to Louis van Gaal who has used the veteran extensively to help both Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger settle in following their summer moves.…

Barcelona include Arsenal target on shortlist of potential Pedro replacements

Barcelona have somewhat surprisingly included Leicester City winger and Arsenal target Riyad Mahrez on a shortlist of potential replacements for Pedro, according to the Daily Mail. The Spaniard moved to Chelsea during the summer, and Luis Enrique has earmarked the 24-year-old as someone who has the capability to fill the void he leaves behind at the Nou Camp. However, that news may worry Arsene Wenger, who the Mail report was interested in bringing the Algeria international to the Emirates after he made a lightning start to the new campaign. Mahrez…

Man United make approach to Lazio about January move for Felipe Anderson

Manchester United have already been in contact with Lazio about a potential January move for their playmaker Felipe Anderson, according to the Daily Star. The Red Devils failed to bring the 22-year-old in during the summer (via Star), after the Brazil international enjoyed an excellent season for the Italian side. His ten goals and eight assists propelled the side to 3rd in Serie A, and booked them a place in the Champions League play-off round. However, the Star suggest that they are unlikely to have any more luck during the winter…

Chelsea gossip: Pogba bid planned for January, and Mourinho tips side to bounce back from poor start